Kansas City Today

Today is a big day at the Jackson County courthouse downtown. A Kansas City police officer will stand trial for the fatal shooting of a Black man. Eric J. DeValkenaere was indicted by a grand jury in 2020 for the killing of Cameron Lamb, who was shot to death as he was backing into his garage on Dec. 3. KCUR’s Dan Margolies explains what's at stake.

And in May, prosecutors said Kevin Strickland was not guilty of a murder he’s spent more than 40 years in prison for. But the Missouri Attorney General’s Office has repeatedly delayed his innocence hearing until this week. KCUR's Luke Martin reports on the long and winding legal process that brought us to this moment.

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

For months now, the coronavirus vaccine has been available only to people ages 12 and older, but this week, the CDC approved a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11. KCUR’s Gina Kaufmann spoke with Kansas City children who've been eagerly waiting for their shots.

Supply chain issues have tossed everything about school meals up in the air. Grocery sourcing is a nightmare: Even staples of school dining like chicken can be hard to come by. As KCUR’s Frank Morris reports, your kid’s lunch might be have to be served on a plastic nacho tray lid.

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 May, a sheriff’s deputy in central Kansas seized $166,000 from a van transporting the cash from Kansas City medical marijuana dispensaries to a bank in Colorado. Now, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Kansas is seeking the forfeiture of that money, arguing that the sales violated the federal Controlled Substances Act — even though medical marijuana is legal in Missouri. KCUR’s Dan Margolies explains why this case has so many legal experts scratching their heads.

Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore passed away Tuesday, just days before his 76th birthday, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and a brief bout with cancer. Moore represented the 3rd Congressional District from 1998-2010. As KCUR’s Laura Ziegler reports, Moore will be remembered as a lawmaker who cherished constituent service and civility.

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

Nov. 2 was Election Day across Kansas, and KCUR was following several important races in the Kansas City area.

In the Overland Park mayoral race, Curt Skoog won against opponent Mike Czinege. Shawnee Mission Post editor Kyle Palmer breaks down the race.

In Kansas City, Kansas, former deputy police chief Tyrone Garner defeated incumbent Mayor David Alvey. Garner will be the first Black mayor of Kansas City, Kansas. Lynn Horsley has been following that contest.

And in Olathe and Blue Valley, voters elected candidates running against an anti-racist curriculum to their school boards, while Shawnee Mission residents went with more moderate candidates.

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

Nov. 2 is Election Day in Kansas, where hundreds of seats on local school boards are up for grabs. These usually low key races are now the center of attention as school board meetings become the center of protests around "critical race theory," COVID-19 and other issues. Kansas News Service education reporter Suzanne Perez and editor Stephen Koranda break down these newly polarized and partisan elections.

Before COVID-19 hit, Missouri had the 4th highest rate in the country of residents taking anti-anxiety pills. KCUR's Alex Smith reports that the state's lack of mental health care coverage leads to doctors over-prescribing these medications, which can cause long-lasting problems for patients.

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

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