Kansas City Today

Much of midtown, South Kansas City and Grandview have been without a state senator since April. After winning last week's primary, Democratic Missouri Rep. Patty Lewis shares what's next as she heads toward November's election against Republican Joey LaSalle.

Missouri state Rep. Patty Lewis defeated Pat Contreras in last week's Democratic primary race for Missouri Senate District 7. The key district covers parts of Kansas City in western Jackson County along the state line, from the Missouri River south to Cass County, and includes prominent areas like Union Station, Westport, the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Waldo. Now, Lewis will face Republican Joey LaSalle in November’s general election.

KCUR's Lisa Rodriguez spoke with Lewis about her legislative priorities.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Luke X. Martin. It is produced by David McKeel and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

The bagpipe dates back thousands of years, with a rich history and tradition especially in Irish and Scottish communities. Today, we'll meet Kansas City bagpiper Griffin Hall, and learn about the gig that will take him and his instrument to Scotland. Plus: Southwest Kansas is now renowned for beef and grain production, but it used to be known as the watermelon capital of the country. The fruit crop spurred a multibillion dollar agriculture industry, but the water that sustained the melon industry ran dry.

Kansas City musician Griffin Hall has family roots in Ireland and Scotland, which both have a long association with the bagpipes. He brings his talents with the instrument to the global stage this month, when he will compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. KCUR’s Julie Denesha has his story.

The multibillion dollar agriculture industry in southwest Kansas began with what might seem like a foreign crop in the region today: watermelons. Kansas News Service editor Stephen Koranda and reporter Calen Moore discuss how different crops shape Kansas culture.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Luke X. Martin. It is produced by Celia Morton, Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

Before she died in March after giving birth to a stillborn daughter, Krystal Anderson touched hundreds, if not thousands of lives. She was a former Chiefs cheerleader, influential in her career in health technology and a loving friend, wife and daughter. But for Black women like her, the risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes is greater than for white women.

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga of the Kansas News Service brings us her story.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Luke Martin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to increase its funding to the KCPD, but rejected a measure allowing property tax exemptions for child care centers. And the contenders are set for November's elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Missouri governor and other statewide races.

KCUR's Lisa Rodriguez breaks down the election results with Brian Ellison and Savannah Hawley-Bates.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Lisa Rodriguez. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Today is the primary for Missouri and Kansas, with a lot of critical races on the ballot. At polling places, election officials will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly for voters. We'll hear from two of them about what they do and why it's so important.

Poll workers from both sides of the aisle are prepping to ensure voters can cast their ballots today. But recently, political tensions have made some wary of the safety of polling locations. KCUR's Brian Ellison spoke with Jackson County election judges Kent Bradford and Teresa Corona about their experiences and concerns with safety at the polls.

Want to learn about the races on your ballot? Check out the KC Voter Guide for information about every candidate and ballot question.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Donald Trump has endorsed three of the Republicans running for Missouri governor in this Tuesday's primary. The candidates have some policy differences, but the race is more about personality. Plus: How Iowa's new abortion ban could affect care in Kansas.

In the race for Missouri governor, three candidates stand out in the nine-person Republican primary: Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, state Sen. Bill Eigel and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. As St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg reports, a tight race is likely to come down to name recognition and money.

An Iowa law that bans abortion as early as six weeks went into effect last week. As Iowa Public Radio’s Natalie Krebs reports for the Midwest Newsroom, this means more Iowans will likely be crossing state borders for care — and potentially bringing even more patients to Kansas.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Brian Ellison It is produced by David McKeel and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

Attacking Kansas City and St. Louis has become standard practice for Missouri Republicans running for office. But that rhetoric, paired with actions they take in the legislature, has increasingly made it difficult for city leaders to get things done. Plus: Polling places have been decreasing across Kansas City due to safety concerns, but voter turnout hasn't.

Kansas City and St. Louis are easy targets for Missouri Republicans running for office. Candidates paint cities as dangerous and lawless. That kind of rhetoric — and the actions Republicans take at the statehouse — have put city leaders on the defensive. KCUR’s Celisa Calacal explains.

Almost half of polling places around Kansas City have disappeared over the last few years, meaning that voters may have to change their plans to get to the ballot box. KCUR’s Emma Flannery and Savannah Hawley-Bates explain what’s going on, and what voters need to know for this year’s election.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Celia Morton, Byron Love, and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

The race for the Republican nomination for Johnson County sheriff is one of the most competitive on the Kansas side of the metro. We’ll break down everything you should know ahead of the primary.

There is less than a week before primary election day. In Johnson County, Kansas, the Republican primary for sheriff has proven contentious. Controversy surrounds the incumbent, Calvin Hayden, over his years-long investigation into voter fraud, which has not resulted in any charges. The challenger, Doug Bedford, served as Hayden's undersheriff. KCUR's Up To Date guest host Brian Ellison spoke with Kyle Palmer, editor of the Johnson County Post, about the two candidates.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Celia Morton, Byron Love, and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

Missouri state Rep. Crystal Quade and Springfield businessman Mike Hamra are both running for governor as Democrats, and although either would be the underdog in November, they could benefit from a proposed amendment to legalize abortion. Plus: Rep. Sam Graves is heavily favored to retain his seat representing Missouri’s 6th District, even as some critics say he’s lost touch with constituents.

Two Springfield Democrats are campaigning to be Missouri’s next governor: House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, and businessman Mike Hamra. As St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Kellogg reports, the Democrats could get a potential boost from a proposed amendment legalizing abortion.

Congressman Sam Graves has represented Missouri’s 6th District for more than two decades. With little competition in the August primary, he’ll likely retain his seat — though some constituents say he’s disconnected. The Midwest Newsroom’s Kavahn Mansouri visited the 6th District to find out if this even matters.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Missouri voters will see two statewide ballot items in next week's election: Amendment 1, giving tax breaks to child care facilities, and Amendment 4, which would force Kansas City to increase how much funding it gives to the police department. Plus: How Democrats Lucas Kunce and Karla May are planning to take on Republican Josh Hawley for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat.

Two years ago, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas filed a lawsuit challenging a 2022 constitutional amendment vote that forced the city to increase funding for the Kansas City Police Department. After the court threw out the results, the measure is back on the Missouri ballot as Amendment 4. Next week, voters will also see Amendment 1, a measure that would allow a property tax exemption for child care facilities. Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with KCUR Missouri Government and Politics reporter Celisa Calacal about the amendment up for vote again in the coming August primary.

Missouri’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate is not as contentious as other races on next Tuesday’s ballot. But the winner of the contest between Independence attorney Lucas Kunce and state Sen. Karla May will head to a closely watched race against incumbent GOP Sen. Josh Hawley. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum reports.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted today by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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