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'Tis the season of giving — and for sports fans wishful thinking, as visions of playoff wins dance in their heads. Commentator Victor Wishna once again inventories his own hopes and dreams for the Kansas City sports scene in this holiday edition of 'A Fan’s Notes.' It’s that time of year again. I’ve made a list. And I’ve checked it, I dunno, three times? And sure, Hanukkah just ended — sad. But, like every sports fan in history, I haven’t yet gotten everything I want. That’s why I started this

Segment 1: Black women-owned businesses are growing in Missouri. A report released this year by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City revealed the growth rate of startups owned by black women exceeds that of any other group. But despite that success, these entrepreneurs face a variety of challenges, including finding financing, advice and support. Dell Gines , senior community development adviser for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City-Omaha Office Dionne King , founder and CEO of DMK

Public radio star Peter Sagal has not always been the dedicated long-distance runner he is today. After competing on his high school cross-country team, 25 years would pass before he took exercising seriously again. What started out as a goal to get healthy, led to 14 marathon finishes. Today, Sagal talked about the lessons he's learned, and how his running helped him get a handle on life during hard times. Peter Sagal , host of NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! and author of " The Incomplete

Segment 1: Former Kansas Senate President Dick Bond on his time in office and Kansas politics today. For the past six decades, Dick Bond influenced over Kansas politics is undeniable. From endorsing candidates like Laura Kelly to advocating for higher education, the former state senator has made his voice heard. Considering the multi-million dollar Topeka Capitol renovation project he sponsored in 2000, it's also fair to say he changed the face of Kansas politics for the long term. He spoke with

Segment 1: The installation of a new historical marker is the first public acknowledgement in Missouri of victims of lynching. In April of 1882 Levi Harrington, a black man, was hung from a beam on the Bluff Street Bridge in Kansas City's West Bottoms by an angry white mob for a crime he did not commit. Today we heard the story behind Harrington's lynching, just one of the more than 4,400 documented to have occurred between 1877 and 1950 in this country. A historical marker memorializing Levi

Segment 1: Barbecue, jazz, and historical sights connect visitors with the soul of the city. Kansas Citians, prepare yourselves for a big year of tourism in 2019. National Geographic listed KC as one of the world's most exciting destinations for the year ahead. Today, we talked with an editor-in-chief at National Geographic Traveler about the appeal of our Midwestern city compared to other exotic places on the list. George Stone , editor-in-chief at National Geographic Travel Segment 2,

Segment 1: Control of venerable jazz institution to be decided in court. Kansas City is home to three National Historic Landmarks, and an unassuming building near 18th and Vine is one of them. The Mutual Musicians Foundation has been a meeting place for jazz greats like Charlie Parker for more than a century and is known for its late-night jam sessions. We learned about its long musical history and what is behind the latest power struggle for the foundation. Mark Davis , reporter for The Kansas

Segment 1: Two-term Jackson County prosecuter is vying for additional role as Missouri Democratic Party leader. "We may be down, but I'll be damned if we are out," Jean Peters Baker says of her desire to lead Missouri Democrats after their disappointing midterm results. Following an announcement that Jackson County will no longer prosecute marijuana crimes, Peters Baker also discussed the exceptions to this policy change, offered her perspective on efforts to battle violent crime and spoke about

Segment 1: Road conditions led to schools being closed for three days after Sunday's storm. November is ending but the winter season is just beginning as Kansas Citians continue recovering from the effects of last weekend's blizzard. The city is responsible for clearing 6,400 miles of pavement and listeners called in to let city council members know just what they thought of how well the city did, or didn't, do in plowing and treating their streets. Quinton Lucas , Kansas City councilman, Third

Segment 1: Jackson County's new sheriff says he's trying to make the department "an environment where it's not fear-based, it's respect-based." When the previous sheriff of Jackson County resigned in the midst of a sex scandal, former Kansas City police Chief Darryl Forte was asked to serve as interim sheriff. On Nov. 6, he was selected by voters to fill the post for a full term. Forte told us of the policy and personnel changes he has made already, and what he's working to do for a department