Kansas City Today

Charter schools — which are publicly-funded schools that operate outside the Kansas City district's control and free of many regulations followed by traditional public schools — have seen a higher enrollment rate compared to their counterparts. Kansas City Beacon reporter Maria Benevento explains why some parents say that charters give them and their children more options for education.

Utility companies in Kansas, such as Evergy and the Kansas Gas Service, choose charities every year they think are worthy of millions of dollars — and charge customers for much of it. Brian Grimmett of the Kansas News Service investigates why consumer advocates say the practice is problematic.

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

Former Senate Majority leader Bob Dole died Sunday. He was one of the last living national political figures to have fought in WWII. Dole leaves a legacy marked by both fierce partisanship and landmark lawmaking, defined by his willingness to team with Democrats. As KCUR’s Frank Morris reports, Dole always said his pragmatic, self-deprecating approach to governing came from his upbringing on the high plains of Kansas.

Kevin Strickland’s entire adult life has been behind bars — something fellow exoneree Ricky Kidd can empathize with. Kidd, who was released from prison in 2019 after 23 years behind bars, talks to KCUR's Steve Kraske about the challenges of reintegrating into society after decades of incarceration.

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

Nearly two weeks after speculation that Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith was being forced out, the board that oversees the department announced that Smith would stay in charge through spring 2022. KCUR Reporter Peggy Lowe fills us in on the back-and-forth over Smith's future and what's known about the video of the Smith calling the victim of a police shooting "the bad guy."

The first confirmed case of the omicron variant in Missouri was discovered Friday, just days after the first known U.S. case was detected the California. Side Effects Public Media’s Sebastián Martínez Valdivia reports, some tracking the variant are hopeful they’ll quickly get up to speed.

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

In recent months, school districts across the Kansas City area have received complaints about school library books featuring content relating to LGBTQ issues and race. Kansas City Today host Nomin Ujiyediin digs into the increase in book challenges nationwide and says recent challenges are part of a larger movement by some parents to "take back their kids' education."

Plus, Fulk Farm has been owned by the same Missouri family since 1889, and they’ve sold Christmas trees since the early 1990s. As KCUR’s Luke Martin reports, this farm and others in the region are facing some new holiday challenges.

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

Kansas City native Katherine Fox is the director of Kansas City’s 2026 World Cup soccer bid. It's her job to help sell the city to FIFA, soccer's international governing body, which came to town for a site visit in November. KCUR's Greg Echlin reports that Fox, a soccer fan herself, is confident about her hometown's chances.

Less than two weeks after removed from his role by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Dr. Lee Norman talks about what it was like to serve as Kansas health secretary through the pandemic. Speaking with Jim McLean of the Kansas News Service, Norman says he was "Fauci'd" by COVID politics, and discusses the possible appointment of Janet Stanek as the new secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

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