Students at the University of Missouri System returned to in-person classes last week without a mask mandate, after the Board of Curators shot down proposals to require them. But as COVID-19 numbers hit record highs across the state, some students and professors are worried about how safe it is on campus. KCUR’s Jodi Fortino reports on the start of the semester at UMKC.

Sculptor Susan White creates large works of art using thousands of thorns from the honey locust tree. She finds inspiration in the beauty of nature with a sharp point, and uses it to make a statement about the "fractious nature" of American democracy. KCUR’s Julie Denesha reports.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love with Trevor Grandin and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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