Kansas City Today

A research journal called the Middle West Review released the results of what it describes as the “largest-ever study on who considers themselves to be Midwesterners.” Researchers collected about 11,000 responses from 22 states, including the 12 designated as Midwest by the U.S Census bureau, and 10 on the fringes of what might typically be considered the region.

KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with Jon Lauck, Editor-in-Chief of the Middle West Review, about the survey and what it tell us about Midwestern identity.

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 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

This week, thousands of Latino residents in the Kansas City metro will observe Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. As KCUR’s Zach Perez reports, the holiday gives Latino residents a chance to honor lost loved ones and show the world who they were.

The American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri, goes all the way back to 1899. This year, exhibitors as young as 7 traveled from all over the country to compete, showing more than 4,000 head of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. Harvest Public Media’s Eva Tesfaye brings us an audio postcard on what it’s like for kids and teenagers to show livestock at one of the largest competitions in the United States.

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 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

Missouri House Speaker Plocher is under fire for the second time this month. First, he took heat for behind-the-scenes efforts to hire a private contractor to do something already being done with government software, conduct that longtime legislative staffers called potentially illegal and unethical.

Last week, the Missouri Independent reported that Plocher had sought and received reimbursement from state funds for expenses that his campaign had already paid for. The revelations drew sharp rebukes from fellow Republicans, including calls for his resignation. So what’s going on, and what does it say about the state of Missouri’s Republican party?

Brian Ellison spoke with Jason Hancock, the editor in chief of the Missouri Independent, about the story.

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 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

An independent audit found that the former board of the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation disbursed $27,000 to themselves. The money went to vet bills, scholarships, and gift cards to the Great Wolf Lodge.

KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with the Shawnee Mission Post's Kaylie McLaughlin about the audit, its findings, and what comes next.

The name Thomas Swope is immortalized in Kansas City. You may have driven on Swope Parkway or walked through Swope Park — which he donated the land for. But it was Swope’s sudden death, and the highly publicized murder trial that followed, that made him a household name across the country.

KCUR's Mackenzie Martin tells the story of a mystery that's remained unsolved for more that 110 years.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. 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

In September 2022, former Kansas City, Kansas Police detective Roger Golubski was indicted by the FBI after the overturning of a wrongful conviction shed light on his alleged history of kidnapping and sexual assault.

More than a year later, he still doesn’t have a trial date — and the community wants answers. KCUR’s Madeline Fox spoke to public safety reporter Peggy Lowe about the latest in his case.

Hear more about Lowe's investigation into Golubski on the KCUR Studios podcast Overlooked.

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 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

Medical experts say increasing the number of liver transplants from living donors could help more Americans get lifesaving medical care. The University of Kansas Health System plans to join a growing number of hospitals that offer the procedure. Rose Conlon of the Kansas News Service brings us one donor’s story.

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 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

A Kansas City sales tax approved in 2017 to support development east of The Paseo has brought in close to $70 million, but some critics of the program say it isn’t working as effectively as it should.

Nomin Ujiyediin sat down with KCUR’s local government reporter Celisa Calacal and Flatland reporter Mike Sherry to understand what’s going on and what’s at stake.

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 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

Historically Black land-grant universities and colleges have been underfunded by more than $12 billion nationally compared to their non-HBCU counterparts. Missouri's only land-grant HBCU, Lincoln University, has been underfunded by roughly $360 million over the past 30 years compared to the University of Missouri, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education.

Brian Ellison spoke with Misty Nunn, executive director of university and alumni relations at Lincoln University, and Missouri State Rep. Kevin Windham Jr. about how the state should right these wrongs.

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 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

This is only the third year in Missouri’s modern history that hunters can get permits to shoot black bears. The species was nearly driven out of the state a century ago, but have rebounded in the last few decades thanks to conservation efforts. The 10-day hunt is capped at 40 bears so it doesn't hurt population growth. KCUR's George Russell tells Nomin Ujiyediin what we should know about bear hunting in Missouri.

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 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

Inmate Elizabeth Wince had to crawl back to her cell after hurting herself and being denied medical care. Other prisoners at Topeka Correctional Facility say that prison staff insulted Wince instead of helping her. Blaise Mesa of the Kansas News Service spoke with Nomin Ujiyediin about Wince's case and how it fits in with years of complaints about the treatment inside the prison system.

The annual monarch butterfly migration is well underway. The insects are due to arrive in Mexico just in time for the Day of the Dead in early November. For decades, scientists with the nonprofit group Monarch Watch have relied on thousands of volunteers to try to figure out the mysteries behind this long-distance journey. Harvest Public Media contributor Sheila Brummer has more.

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 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