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A recent high-profile deportation case in Lawrence has spurred local discussions about immigration law. Today, attorney Jonathan Willmoth explains why many immigrants to America overstay their visas, and what options those individuals have. "I avoided writing this book for 20 years," says George Saunders about his latest novel, Lincoln in the Bardo ​. We're glad he finally did: The book earned him the 2017 Man Booker Prize for Fiction . In our second half, Saunders describes how historical

A statue at Fort Leavenworth pays tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers, the all African-American calvary formed after the Civil War. Today, John Bruce and George Pettigrew of the Buffalo Soldiers Alexander/Madison Chapter of Greater Kansas City explain the origins and accomplishments of these soldiers, who served with distinction until the last Buffalo Soldier units were disbanded in 1951. Then, Harvest Public Media reporters Amy Mayer and Kristofor Husted get us caught up on the Farm Bill currently

Caroline Fraser's biography of beloved children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder reveals a life that "was harder and grittier" than the one portrayed in the Little House books. Today, Fraser explains how she was able to piece together Laura's life beyond the books, including the often contentious relationship with her daughter, the journalist Rose Wilder Lane. Then, the Cleveland Indians' recent decision to retire its controversial mascot in 2019 has reinvigorated discussions about the proper use

Your might think combining jazz and a symphony would like trying to mix oil and water — they don't just go together. Yet jazz artists, including Kansas City's own Charlie Parker , have combined their playing with those of an orchestra to great results. Today, current-day Kansas City performers Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson , and music historian Chuck Haddix , explain what having an orchestra as your backup band brings to a jazz tune. Then, we learn about the non-profit JUST Capital , which is

You'd be forgiven for thinking a jazz club with a throwback feel would end up being a flop. You'd also be wrong. Today, we meet a local entrepreneur whose pair of nightclubs is helping the Kansas City jazz scene live on. Then, we listen to some of your favorite TV theme songs from the 1950s to today, and try to discover why the best of them stick so easily in your head. Sorry in advance for the earworms!

Where do you go job-wise when your previous position was press secretary to the president of the United States? Today, we ask someone who knows, Kansas City native and former Obama staffer Josh Earnest . Then, activist organizations pushing to improve conditions for low-wage workers face a unique challenge: Getting folks who can ill-afford time off to show up for a protest. We'll find out how groups like Stand Up KC are overcoming that hurdle. Stand Up KC will host a celebration of five years of

Despite the raucous Republican reception Pres. Trump's State of the Union received, Kansas City's Rep. Emanuel Cleaver thinks the commander-in-chief missed an opportunity with his speech. Today, he shares his theory on why GOP members in Congress are eager to be seen supporting the president. Then, we get the latest word on the rainbow trout, zebra mussels, and Eastern spotted skunks that the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is keeping an eye on.

While Kansas City has a long tradition of black artists, their work tends to get overlooked, says textiles artist Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin . Today, we learn about a community project that's giving these local creatives online posterity. Then, we hear excerpts from a conversation with Democratic Missouri Rep. DaRon McGee , Republican Kansas Rep. Stephanie Clayton , and Michael Smith , chair of Emporia State University's political science department. At a live event hosted by KCUR and Tapcade ,

High school students aren't necessarily known for taking a thoughtful approach to complicated moral dilemmas, but that characterization may be unfair and outdated. Today, we learn about the competitive extracurricular activity taking place in two Johnson County, Kansas. schools that promotes civil discourse and a careful consideration of all viewpoints. Then, we get the Missouri Budget Project 's perspective on Gov. Eric Greitens' state budget proposal . While his fiscal plans are only

For frequent listeners of NPR, there's no mistaking Wade Goodwyn 's voice. Today, we sit down with the Dallas-based reporter and discuss his decades of experience reporting on national issues with a story-telling perspective. Then, we meet Pip Utton , whose one-man shows feature important leaders you might have heard of. We'll find out what he hopes to accomplish by portraying figures like Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Adolf Hitler on stage. Pip Utton will perform a series of one-man