FRIDAY 05/01/2026: Of mice and man's best friend

When a Kansas City opera held auditions of older dogs for a new production, canine owners around the metro answered the call. Meet the working dogs trying out for a critical role in “Of Mice and Men." Plus: We'll take a tour of the Kansas Statehouse and a new mural depicting 13 women’s civil rights advocates.A recent casting call for a Kansas City opera sought an actor with a gentle temperament willing to sit, roll over, and stay quiet while they are on stage. KCUR’s Julie Denesha met the dogs who auditioned for a role in the Lyric Opera's “Of Mice and Men.The Kansas Statehouse isn’t just where debates are held and laws are made. It’s also a living museum, filled with quirky artifacts and quiet tributes to the people who built the state. Kansas Public Radio's Courtney Lane recently took a free tour.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, Madeline Fox and Emily Younker.You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.