Central Standard

Segment 1: Decline in history majors raises question: what's the future of our past? New data shows a drop in the number of history majors at colleges in the United States. So what does it mean for the future of our history, if there are fewer people studying it? Benjamin Schmidt , history professor, Northeastern University Carolyn Kovar , UMKC student and history major Matt Reeves , PhD candidate in history, UMKC Segment 2, beginning at 22:29: Marie Kondo your life. The new Netflix show,

Segment 1: Local concert celebrates women composers throughout history. A concert by the Bach Aria Soloists looks to celebrate women composers of both contemporary and historical notoriety. We learn the stories behind a few of these composers and the roles women have played throughout music history. Elizabeth Suh Lane , violinist, founder of Bach Aria Soloists Alison DeSimone , Assistant Professor of Musicology, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Bach Aria Soloists performs compositions by

Segment 1: Indigenous women's leadership in the Heartland. With the election of the first two indigenous women in Congress, including Kansas' 3rd District representative Sharice Davids, we look at what leadership means for indigenous women in our area and how that leadership develops within our community. Carole Cadue-Blackwood , 2018 Parent of the Year, National Indian Education Association Gaylene Crouser , executive director, Kansas City Indian Center Segment 2, beginning at 28:50: Local poet

Segment 1: Pad thai demonstration with Tim Freeman First we talk with Tim Freeman, whose famous pad thai beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network’s program of the same name . Hear about his journey across the kitchens of the world and listen as he makes a delicious dish right here in the studio. Tim Freeman, Executive Chef of the Overland Park Convention Center Segment 2 (beginning at 22:00): An inside look at Waldo Thai Place Celisa Calacal gets an in-depth look at the making of Pad Kee Mao, or

Segment 1: An expert panel on slang today. "Extra." "Mood." "We live in a society." "Fell off." Or, per one recent high-profile Twitter feud, "dog-walk" (verb, transitive). These are phrases you either get or you don't. But some of them aren't even new. We define them while also discussing where they come from, why we call them slang (and not just language) and how they spread to eventually become part of standard English. Peter Sokolowski , editor-at-large, Merriam-Webster Natasha El-Scari ,

Segment 1: Meet the new mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. Earlier this month, Jermaine Wilson was appointed the new mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. We speak with Mayor Wilson about his work in local politics, his foundation Unity in the Community , and the two prison sentences he served earlier in life. Jermaine Wilson, mayor, Leavenworth, Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 27:55: Departing mayor of Prairie Village looks back on a busy time in office. With community conversations ranging from LGBTQ non

Segment 1: Fight the winter blues with adorable baby animals. The Kansas City Zoo welcomed a baby king penguin named Blizzard. We hear about how Blizzard and other new babies are doing, along with the ways animals are "encouraged" to mate. Sean Putney , Senior Director of Zoological Operations, Kansas City Zoo Segment 2, beginning at 16:30: Kansas City filmmaker's latest work selected for Sundance Film Festival. Crude Oil , a short film by local filmmaker Chris Good, will debut in the Sundance

SuEllen Fried wanted to dance. She never anticipated this passion would lead her to a life of advocacy for child-abuse prevention and prison reform. By working with patients through dance therapy, she developed a focus on bullying in early childhood . She has co-authored three books on the subject and travels around the nation advocating practical steps in prevention and promoting awareness. This hour-long interview is the latest installment in our Portrait Session series. SuEllen Fried, prison

Segment 1: Cultural shifts in smoking and vaping. With smoking banned in most public places — and vaping on the rise among teens — we look at the changing nature of smoking culture. Chris Young , millennial smoker and KCUR assistant event producer Kevin Kufeldt , program manager, Adolescent Center for Treatment at the Johnson County Mental Health Center Segment 2, beginning at 33:30: Meet the new director of an organization dedicated to preserving local history. The Black Archives of Mid-America

Segment 1: The debate over free pre-kindergarten. At face value, the idea of universal preschool sounds great. And that's exactly what Kansas City Mayor Sly James is trying to accomplish with his proposal calling for a sales tax to fund it. But he's facing quite a bit of opposition, notably from the local school districts. Mayor James joins us to lay out his plan, and then school superintendent Dan Clemens explains his concerns with the proposal. ​Sly James ​ ​, Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri