It's Election Day. We're taking a trip down memory lane, as we explore the first elections many of us got to participate in: class elections. Whether for elementary schools, high school student council, or college class president, these early elections are an opportunity to practice being members of a democracy. Guests: Anna Cole, ran for president in fifth grade, 1991Sylvia Maria Gross, senior producer, Central StandardStu Shafer, ran for president in high school, early 1970sJulie Connor,

Kansas City has made quite a name for itself as a foodie town. We're internationally known for our barbecue, and our chefs are getting nominated for James Beard awards. But it wasn't always this way. We used to call ourselves a cowtown, back when steakhouses were our specialty, and only vacations held the promise of 'adventurous' food. So how did we did make it onto the map as an emerging food town, up on, even ahead of, the latest trends? Guests: Charles Ferruzza, food writer, KCUR food

Sluggerrr's handler weighs in on Mascots, Christopher Guest's new mockumentary, then KCUR's political podcast host discusses competition in sports and politics. Also: sportswriter Joe Posnanski on the Cubs-Royals connection, curses, underdogs and more. Guests: Russ Simmons, resident film criticBrad Collins, Mascot Coordinator, Kansas City RoyalsSam Zeff, host, KCUR's Statehouse BlendJoe Posnanski, National Columnist, NBC Sports

As a contestant on the Food Network's “Cutthroat Kitchen: Tournament of Terror,” local chef Janet Ross had to cook with tools that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie. “The dishes themselves you think, ‘Well, no problem.’ But it’s a problem if you’re wearing claws that are barely sharp enough to cut and totally curved to where you are just ripping at food,” she told host Gina Kaufmann on KCUR’s Central Standard. “So yeah, to come out with a really pretty dish with some of the situations

A lot of people see Black Lives Matter as today's civil rights movement ... but not necessarily the Kansas Citians who actually participated in the civil rights movement. Is there a rift in KC between an old guard and new in black activism? Guests: Janaya Khan, Executive Director, Gender Justice LA and co-founder of Black Lives Matter TorontoDamon Daniel, Executive Director, Ad Hoc Group Against CrimeGwen Grant, Urban League of Greater Kansas City

The history of brewing beer in KC, then a look at healthcare in KC's music community. Guests: Pete Dulin, author of Kansas City Beer: A History of Brewing in the HeartlandChris Meck, local musician, Chris Meck and the Guilty BirdsRenata Marinaro, National Director of Health Services, The Actors FundBrandon Phillips, local musician, The Architects

The biggest new thing at KU's Spencer Museum of Art isn't a thing at all – it's natural light. The museum recently reopened after undergoing a structural overhaul, bringing bigger windows, and more of them. How do local renovations, like this one, reflect changing trends in museum architecture? And how do they impact the way we think about art? Then, we cast our eyes to the skies – or the stars – with UMKC's Mark Brodwin, whose groundbreaking research on galaxy clusters has earned him a NASA

Halloween is here. Out with the normal, in with the zombies, ghouls and ghosts . . . and all of your favorite customs. From trick-or-treating to haunted houses, how are the customs of this holiday changing in Kansas City? Plus, one Kansas City cardiologist recently branched out to make an evolutionary case for homosexuality. Guests: Carrie Randle, single motherMichele Smirnova, sociologist, UMKCClare Roth, talk show producer, Iowa Public RadioJames O'Keefe, director of preventative cardiology,

A local orchard owner talks about agritourism (corn mazes, pumpkin patches, the corn pit and more), a pastry chef fries up some apple pie, then KCUR's Food Critics search out the best desserts in and around KC. Guests: Frank Gieringer, Gieringer's Family Orchard & Berry FarmJessica Armstrong, pastry chef, NovelCharles Ferruzza, The Independent and Shawnee Mission PostMary Bloch, Around the BlockJenny Vergara, Feast Magazine

Nothing says “It’s fall!” like a delicious dessert to accompany a warm cup of cocoa. From fried apple pies to good ol' carrot cake, we’ve got the treats that will make your season sweet. On Central Standard’s food show this week, KCUR's Food Critics searched out the best desserts in and around Kansas City. Here are their recommendations: Mary Bloch, Around the Block: Rye — lemon meringue pie.Rye — MoKan pie.Upper Crust Pie Bakery — cherry.Upper Crust Pie Bakery — lemon meringue.Cafe Sebastienne