Kansas City Today

Kansas City Southern is moving toward a merger with Canadian Pacific. Shareholders for both railroad companies overwhelmingly approved the $31 billion deal last week. KCUR’s Frank Morris reports that if regulators go along, the merger would make history, and reshape the railroad industry for decades to come.

The Veterans Reader's Theater project in Kansas City is helping former service members process their feelings about war by writing poetry and prose about their military experience and present it to the public. Anne Kniggendorf of The American Homefront Project reports that organizers hope it can help veterans cope with shame and guilt.

Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

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

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate

Why do Americans pay such high prices for medications? Experts say pharmaceutical middlemen are one reason. Now, one of those companies will pay Kansas nearly $30 million for allegedly overcharging Medicaid. Celia Llopis-Jepsen of the Kansas News Service reports.

Communities across the Midwest are tempting new residents with cash and free land. Harvest Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert reports mixed success and some lessons learned about relocation incentives.

Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

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

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate

The Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas has been the center of a number of controversies ranging from reports of poor conditions to authorities eavesdropping on phone calls between prisoners and their attorneys. But the federal government's contract with operator CoreCivic will expire soon, following an executive order by President Biden to end relationships with private prisons. Steve Vockrodt, investigative editor of NPR’s Midwest Newsroom, looked into the troubled Leavenworth facility and the future of private prisons.

A holiday tradition for many families is back this year at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. After a pandemic year off, Kansas City Ballet’s "The Nutcracker" returns — but with some noticeable changes, as KCUR’s Laura Spencer reports.

Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

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

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate

President Joe Biden paid visit to Kansas City to promote his $1.2 billion infrastructure program, which emphasizes green infrastructure in programs to improve transportation, roads and power. We have updates on his visit and a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in children.

Plus, community violence can lead to lasting trauma for teenagers. Some Kansas City high schools students are learning new ways to manage emotions and steer clear of conflict. KCUR health reporter Alex Smith explains the push for restorative justice in Kansas City schools.

Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

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

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate