Central Standard

The 2006 film Idiocracy has become shorthand for the dumbing down of American culture. What are we really saying when we reference the movie? Guests: Russ Simmons, resident film criticAnthony Sze-Fai Shiu, Associate Professor, Department of English at UMKCWill Averill, Founder, "Bleep" You, I'm From Kansas

An interview with the political correspondent at NPR. How did her conservative Christian background and growing up in KC help her connect with people on the campaign trail? Plus, Question Quest looks into a mysterious octagon in Belton. Guest: Sarah McCammon, Political Reporter, NPR

If you are one of the many in Kansas City who has found themselves scratching at large, stubborn bug bites this autumn, you may think that you have encountered a spider or an enormous mosquito. But it’s likely that you have been bitten by the oak mite. Dr. Pavika Saripalli​, a physician at the University of Kansas Watkins Health Services, told Central Standard host Gina Kaufmann that the region is experiencing an “oak mite bloom right now.” She noticed that a large number of students on KU's

In the U.S., tensions between communities and police seem to be at an all-time high. As we witness trust deteriorating and fear escalating on a national level, what is being done locally — or not being done — to make that relationship between police officers and communities work? Guests: Andre Thurman, Director, 100 Men of Blue HillsKevin Terry, community police officer, Kansas City, Kansas Police DepartmentKen Novak, Professor, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology at UMKC,

We're used to mosquito bites here in the Midwest, but if you've found yourself intensely scratching a single, long-lasting bite for weeks, you've probably been bitten by the oak mite. The science behind these pesky critters that have made Kansas City their home, plus, another peek into nature with a writer who sowed his ideas in his gardens. Guests: Rick Miller, agricultural agent, Kansas-State University Research and ExtensionDr. Pavika Saripalli​, physician, University of Kansas Watkins

Kansas City Public Library Executive Director R. Crosby Kemper III said off-duty police officers "over-reacted" when they arrested Steve Woolfolk, the library's director of public programming, along with community member Jeremy Rothe-Kushel during an event at the Plaza branch in May. The incident took place on May 9, but despite the presence of hundreds of witnesses, it gained no media attention until it was reported last week on the Bill of Rights Defense Committee's website. The story detailed

When you imagine a library, you probably envision a calm space designed for quiet reflection, study and debate. Well, two incidents at Metro area libraries, in which two libraries found themselves at odds with police over freedom of expression, may have you thinking otherwise. What role do libraries play in social change and intellectual freedom? Guests: Ritchie Momon, chief customer experience officer, Mid-Continent Public LibraryR. Crosby Kemper III, executive director, Kansas City Public

Fall is upon us. And fall marks the arrival of the heralded, beloved pumpkin spice latte. #PSL. The pumpkin spice latte was born in 2003, when it made its first public debut in a Starbucks in D.C. It sure has grown up a lot since then. The Real PSL now has it’s own Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where you can actually chat with it. The chatbot was, unfortunately, unavailable for interview. Surely The Real PSL is under a lot of stress right now. These days, it’s rare to find a cafe that doesn’t

It's officially fall on the calendar, and our mornings and nights are starting to cool down. Time to get out the sweaters and blankets and indulge in a hot drink. From that morning cup of joe to more boozy concoctions, KCUR's Food Critics search out the best hot beverages in and around Kansas City. Here are their recommendations: Jenny Vergara, Feast Magazine: Krokstrom Klubb & Market — glögg. Made with their traditional Scandinavian mulled wine, warming spices, raisins, almonds and brandy

A quest to find the pumpkin in pumpkin spice lattes, then KCUR's Food Critics search out the best hot beverages in and around KC. Guests: Charles Ferruzza, The Independent and Shawnee Mission PostJenny Vergara, Feast MagazineNatalie Gallagher, local food and drink writer