Kansas City Today

Kansas is expected to recieve more than $340 million over the next 18 years from opioid settlements. So far, much of that money has gone to state and local law enforcement agencies. KMUW's Kylie Cameron reports on the criticism law enforcement faces for how it handles drug crimes.

After Kansas City musician Collin Thomas lost both of his parents in the same year, he turned to music to express his grief. KCUR's Julie Denesha reports on Thomas' new four-hour-long music piece that took two years to complete.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Laura Ziegler. It is produced by Trevor Grandin and KCUR Studios and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

Jackson County voters will decide this April if they want to renew a 3/8th-cent sales tax to help fund a new Kansas City Royals stadium — wherever that may be. However, many fans think The K is doing just fine.

Up To Date Host Steve Kraske spoke with Joe Vaughn, founder of the Facebook group “Save Kauffman (Royals) Stadium at Truman Sports Complex,” and member Becky Nace about their concerns with the proposed relocation.

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

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

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

The children of non-English speaking immigrants are often used by their family members as informal interpreters, known as language brokers. While many gladly help their family, the task often carries many pressures. And as KCUR's Zach Perez reports, some experts worry that burden can have long-term effects.

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is again urging the Kansas Legislature to expand Medicaid, and she’s hoping the 2024 election will add pressure to get it done. But Republican leaders have their own ideas for the session, like cutting taxes and expanding school choice options. So why is Kelly pushing a plan that will likely fail? Dylan Lysen with the Kansas News Service explains.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Peggy Lowe. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Lisa Rodriguez and Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Bad habits from the pandemic are driving up the death toll. Traffic fatalities had been trending down for decades, despite there being more people on the road logging more miles year by year.

Last year, wrecks killed 102 people in the city. During a year when traffic fatalities eased about 3% nationwide, they jumped 13% in Kansas City. KCUR's Frank Morris has the story on how car crashes are affecting our communities.

While it’s no longer a vital skill for most Americans, canning has gained popularity again. Experts say people with extra time and money are returning to the age-old tradition for enjoyment. Lilley Halloran with Harvest Public Media tells us about the new, old-fashioned way home cooks are preserving food.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Gabe Rosenberg. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Lisa Rodriguez and Madeline Fox.

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

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly continues to fight for Medicaid expansion despite a significant roadblock: the state legislature’s GOP supermajority. Conversations about a flat income tax could be on the docket, a concept that Kelly has previously vetoed.

Up To Date's Steve Kraske spoke with the Kansas News Service's Dylan Lysen to hear what fights could continue into 2024.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Trevor Grandin and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Madeline Fox.

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

Over the last year, the biggest attention-drawer to Kansas City has been Taylor Swift. According to an analysis by Google Trends, searches asking, “Where is Kansas City?” more than doubled in the U.S. over the past three months, as Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship became public. And search interest in local restaurants skyrockets each time the couple visits one.

KCUR's Savannah Hawley Bates reports on the past year's "Swiftonomics."

A new book by Lucas Hilderbrand shows the historic strength of Kansas City’s gay bar scene and how it fits in to the national movement. Kansas City Public Library’s Anne Kniggendorf spoke with the University of California-Irvine professor about how the city became a nexus for gay political activity, activism and culture.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Laura Ziegler. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

Last summer, St. Joseph, Missouri, erupted in controversy after one evangelical pastor launched a campaign to keep a gay pastor of a progressive church from being reappointed to the city’s volunteer library board.

KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin reports some residents say the uproar revealed divides and discrimination in the small community.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Madeline Fox. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

The promise of a record budget surplus got 2023 off to a hopeful start in Missouri politics. But before long, lawmakers were mired in some familiar patterns.

KCUR’s Brian Ellison spoke with Jason Hancock of the Missouri Independent about the year in Missouri state government, and the coming legislative session and election season.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Madeline Fox. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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

The Kansas City Council first approved creating a right to counsel program two years ago. Since it started providing free attorneys in June 2022, thousands of tenants have avoided eviction.

Stalled negotiations are leading to rumors that the Royals and Chiefs could move to Kansas. Union leaders are urging the Jackson County Legislature to keep the stadiums — and the jobs that come with them — in Missouri.

KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with Celisa Calacal and Savannah Hawley-Bates about those and other stories from the county and the city in 2023.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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

Hip-hop in Kansas City came up in the predominantly Black neighborhoods east of Troost in the late 1980s. Early events and venues featuring the genre could be found at Swope Park, Lincoln High School and around Prospect Avenue.

KCUR's Lawrence Brooks IV took a deep dive on how hip-hop gave the city some of its most legendary musicians.

For a fuller history of hip-hop in Kansas City, check out the latest episode of "A Peoples' History of Kansas City" at KCUR.org.

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

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Anna Schmidt and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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