Wichita's Early Edition

Michael Sweet, vocalist and guitarist for the Christian heavy metal band Stryper underwent surgery for thyroid cancer in 2023. One of the risks of the surgery was that he would suffer vocal nerve damage. Though he emerged from surgery with his voice intact, he says that it was a powerful reminder that with age, his voice has changed. Jedd Beaudoin conversation with Sweet. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

An Olathe mom is helping families tackle the stigma surrounding fentanyl. Hear more about efforts in Kansas City to increase awareness around fentanyl. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

Natural birth centers that aren’t affiliated with hospitals are becoming more popular, but in Kansas, a big one just closed. It’s part of a national problem. We look at how the closure means fewer birthing choices for Kansas and Missouri women. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

Author Charles Baxter has an impressive backlist of fiction, stories, poetry, prose, and essays. And his newest work... is a comedy. KMUW's Beth Golay visits with Baxter about his newest work, "Blood Test." Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

Kernza is a relatively new grain… with a budding future as a sustainable crop. We take a look at efforts to create a market for Kernza, plus news from Wichita and around the state.

On "Wichita's Early Edition," remembering the legacy of Hattie McDaniel. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

We have the latest movie review from KMUW's Fletcher Powell. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

Political polarization has leaked into every corner of American life, including places of worship. At the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton still believes that churches can foster bipartisan understanding. We’ll hear how they’re doing it, and what it says about the evolving role of faith in politics. Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

Although Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin are widely known as authors of historical fiction and non fiction for young readers, the pair had never collaborated… unless you count serving on panels at library conferences. Beth Golay speaks with Sepetys and Sheinkin about their first collaboration, "The Bletchley Riddle." Plus news from Wichita and around the state.

We meet a man who's mixing business with TikTok. Plus we have news from Wichita and around the state.