Up To Date

That '70s Show made way for rising stars like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, but they were supported by a corps of veteran actors. Today, we speak with Debra Jo Rupp, who spent 17 years acting on stage before portraying the quirky mom on the long-running sitcom. After that, we try to help would-be gamblers avoid a super blow-out with a preview of the Super Bowl and an explainer on how point-spread betting could work for or against you. Debra Jo Rupp will star in 'Boeing-Boeing' at New Theatre

These days political news provides plenty of fodder for Up To Date 's Ethics Professors. Today, we ask them if it's okay for protestors to break the law for a cause. They also discuss whether Senate Democrats would be justified in stonewalling President Trump's new Supreme Court nominee , the same way Republicans refused to recognize President Obama's. Then, Brian McTavish gets us ready for Friday with the latest Weekend To-Do List .

The relationship between schools and the communities to which they belong is crucial. In the latest Conversation at the Square , Kansas City Mayor Sly James, school superintendents Mark Bedell and Jim Hinson , and Citizens of the World CEO Kristin Droege explore how factors that educators have little or no control over can affect the performance of their students. This week's Local Listen features Springfield, Missouri, songbird Erica Joy .

Chef Lidia Bastianich has been bringing Italian food to public television viewers since 1998. Now, she's bringing the tastes of Carnevale di Venezia to her Kansas City restaurant. Then, President Trump's executive order suspending entry of refugees and citizens from seven predominately-Muslim countries has been met with controversy. We hear from voices on different sides of the travel ban, and find out what the order means for immigrants already here. This week's Statehouse Blend Missouri

Increasing violence in Kansas City has gotten a lot of attention, leading one church to sponsor a forum where community members can workshop ideas to solve the problem. We'll preview that discussion. Then, we find out how the presence of a Fortune 500 company in Ferguson, Missouri, illustrates a history of fiscal imbalance and racial capitalism. Finally, BBC World Service radio program The Response is broadcasting the health stories of Americans, and is looking for your submission. All Souls

How many times has terrible science kept you from enjoying a sci-fi movie? From hits like I Am Legend to the classic Soylent Green , we explore the science behind these (and other) movies, and how they relate to real life. Then, we learn about the art and craft of creative writing with National Book Award-winning author Charles Johnson. As part of his Sci-Flix series, Jack Treml will screen 'The Thing' at 6:30 p.m. on KU's Edwards Campus on Friday, January 27. For more information, visit Meetup

Attracting and hanging on to new residents can be a challenge for cities. Today, a November 2016 town hall with urban studies theorist Richard Florida and "suburbanist" Joel Kotkin , on the best of both worlds in the greater KC area. Then, the Kansas City Film Office commissioner talks about promoting the city among filmmakers at the Sundance Film Festival . Brian McTavish helps wrap up the show with his Weekend To-Do List .

The Kansas City Symphony has released an album of music it commissioned from one of America's most promising composers . We learn about that collaboration, and about the composer's creative process. Then, Langston Hughes lived in Lawrence until just after high school, but still managed to leave a legacy of activism there. A new documentary short film explores that legacy. The Gypsy jazz band A La Mode is featured in this week's Local Listen . ' Langston’s Lawrence' premieres at 6 p.m. on Friday,

After success in the state House of Representatives last Thursday, a right-to-work bill is front and center today in the Missouri Senate. We look at the pros and cons of forcing workers in unionized companies to pay union fees. Then, we learn about one Good Samaritan's efforts to reduce a rash of break-ins in Hyde Park. Finally, this week's Statehouse Blend Kansas features a discussion with that state's budget director.

First, we take a moment to remember Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura, who died in a car crash this weekend. Then, Up To Date 's independent, foreign and documentary film critics provide their insight on which movies from the past year may (or may not) get an Oscar-nomination nod. They also review what's now showing in area theaters, including 20th Century Women , Trespass Against Us , The Founder , Elle , Silence , Hidden Figures , Jackie and Lion .