PODCAST · news
AD FREE-KC2DAY
by KCUR Studios
Kansas City Today is a daily news podcast from KCUR Studios bringing you all things Kansas City, wrapped up in 15 minutes or less. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, it’ll be waiting in your feed every weekday. Hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin.
Episodes
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FRIDAY 10/16/2026: Kansas City used flawed math for its Royals stadium financing
The Kansas City Council passed a financing packing that moved the Royals’ stadium development forward in a big way. The deal will tap 30 years of tax growth to repay the costs of construction, to the tune of $1.4 billion. Economists say it's deeply flawed. KCUR reporter Celisa Calacal outlined…
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THURSDAY 10/15/2026: Are Kansas City's roads any safer for kids?
One year ago, a young girl was struck and killed by a car while riding her bike to school in Kansas City. Since then, city leaders, local organizations and families have been trying to improve traffic infrastructure and car culture to make streets safer. Since Hazen Workman-Duffy's death last...
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WEDNESDAY 10/14/2026: Breaking down the Jackson County elections this November
The makeup of the Jackson County Legislature will change dramatically after the November election, with seven of nine seats getting new representatives. There are also no returning faces in the race for Jackson County executive, after years of scandal and controversy over property taxes. Jackson...
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TUESDAY 10/13/2026: Cookiegate: Roger Marshall's campaign pays off bakery bill
A Kansas bakery's Facebook post about an unpaid bill from 2020 went viral — because the delinquent customer was Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. After the $678 bill ended up making national news, the Marshall campaign settled its debt, with interest. The owner of a south-central Kansas…
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MONDAY 10/12/2026: Kansas, the battleground state
Early voting begins in much of Kansas this week — where a critical U.S. Senate seat and most state offices are on the ballot. The big races for governor, secretary of state and attorney general are all closer than expected. KCUR’s Brian Ellison spoke with Grace Hills and Zach Boblitt, who are on...
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FRIDAY 10/09/2026: Most Kansas City medical bill lawsuits come from 2 hospitals
Two Kansas City area hospitals have been suing patients over unpaid medical bills. We’ll hear why medical debt is becoming a bigger part of many people’s lives. Nomin Ujiyideen spoke with healthcare reporter Suzanne King, of the nonprofit news outlet The Beacon. King recently publish two stories...
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THURSDAY 10/08/2026: Why Midwest electricity bills are rising
THURSDAY 10/08/2026: Why Midwest electricity bills are rising
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WEDNESDAY 10/07/2026: Western Kansas left to recover after ICE raids hit beef industry
A few weeks ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began descending on western Kansas. More than 100 people were detained, leaving communities and the massive local beef industry to deal with the aftermath. Southwest Kansas has a large immigrant population. After residents in several…
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TUESDAY 10/06/2026: How Amendment 6 could change direct democracy in Missouri
A proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution this November would make it harder for state lawmakers to change or overturn laws passed by voters through the initiative petition process. Missourians will vote on Nov. 3 on Amendment 6, which would strengthen protections for the state’s…
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MONDAY 10/05/2026: Behind the Kansas constitutional amendment vote this November
A proposed amendment to the Kansas constitution would specify that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections. But the problem, according to opponents, is that non-citizens are already prohibited from voting. Kansans will vote on Nov. 3 whether to rephrase the constitution’s requirements for...
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FRIDAY 10/02/2026: 8,000 games for Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews
The Kansas City Royals celebrated Denny Matthews’ 8,000th game behind the mic during last week’s matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. An inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Matthews has been "the voice of the Royals" since the team first began 57 years ago. Nearly 20 years and...
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THURSDAY 10/01/2026: What Soakie's meant to Kansas City's Black queer community
For years, Soakie's in downtown Kansas City was one of the only Black gay bars in the United States. The bar closed in 2004, as development began on the Power & Light District, but a new historical marker remembers its impact. Soakie's started out as an Italian sandwich shop, but became home to...
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WEDNESDAY 09/30/2026: A Missouri resident sues over Medicaid work requirements
A Kansas City Medicaid enrollee is among several plaintiffs suing over policy changes that would require medically frail people to prove their condition significantly impairs their ability to work. Plus: Massive restrictions on federal food benefits are being felt especially hard in rural areas,...
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TUESDAY 09/28/2026: 'Free births' on the rise in Missouri and Kansas
Home births have been increasing in Missouri and Kansas. And "free birth," when a person gives birth without the help of a medical professional, has been popularized in recent years by influencers. Hear why experts are concerned, but women who have done it say the practice is misunderstood.…
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MONDAY 09/28/2026: Missourians will vote again on abortion in November
If approved by voters on Nov. 3, Missouri Amendment 3 would repeal abortion rights guaranteed in the state Constitution. It also would ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth — something that's already prohibited by state law. KCUR's Steve Kraske spoke with Anna Spoerre, reproductive…
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FRIDAY 09/25/2026: What the Flock?
Flock Safety cameras have sparked bipartisan uproar with many worried that the cameras, which scan license plates, infringe on privacy. Misuse of the cameras and their data has been documented across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Also, more farmers are fixing up their decades-old equipment...
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THURSDAY 09/24/2026: How one Kansas City woman escaped an abusive relationship
Violent crime is going down in Kansas City, but cases of domestic violence are rising. Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors, and in some cases abuse begins subtly and progressively gets more intense. We'll hear from a survivor about what it took for her to leave the relationship…
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WEDNESDAY 09/23/2026: The latest in the legal back-and-forth over Missouri redistricting
A federal appeals court has again sided with Missouri Republicans, ruling the state must use the GOP-leaning congressional map passed by lawmakers last year. Plus: how new limits on federal student loans are impacting future physicians in Kansas. KCUR's Steve Kraske spoke with senior news analyst...
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TUESDAY 09/22/2026: For one rural Kansas town, pros of data center investment might outweigh cons
Communities are killing data center proposals faster than ever. But in a struggling small town, the idea of investment measured in billions of dollars can dwarf anything city leaders had ever hoped to attract previously. Hear the appeal data centers may have to places the information age has so…
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MONDAY 09/21/2026: Kansas City school districts have tough budget choices to make
Public school funding continues to fall across the U.S., with Missouri facing its own tight budget. Schools are facing tough decisions like collecting more in taxes, reducing staff members and programs, closing buildings — or all of the above. Lower tax revenue, rising inflation and the end of...
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FRIDAY 09/18/2026: Layoffs at the Kansas City Star will hurt local communities
McClatchy, one of the biggest newspaper companies in the country, laid off dozens of journalists last week, including several in Kansas City. These decisions not only affect the news you see, but also the way that local government functions. Joy Jenkins, a professor at the University of Missouri...
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THURSDAY 09/17/26: Kansans turn to 'loan closets' for expensive medical equipment
As medical costs rise, Kansans are turning to organizations called Medical Loan Closets that lend out donated items like wheelchairs and walkers for little or no cost. These medical loan closets are helping people maintain their independence, especially for aging residents. Some Kansans are…
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WEDNESDAY 09/16/26:Missouri's 5th District race is vastly different now
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the state must use its 2022 congressional map for the upcoming November elections — rather than the redrawn map used during the primary. That means a much different race for candidates in the 5th Congressional District, Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and…
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TUESDAY 09/15/2026: What it's really like to be a transgender student in Kansas
TUESDAY 09/15/2026: What it's really like to be a transgender student in Kansas
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MONDAY 09/14/2026: The race for Kansas' top law enforcement job
Republican Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wants voters to judge him by his record but Democratic challenger Chris Mann is making that record a target. We’ll have a look at the race for Kansas attorney general. Plus: a recap of last week's rollercoaster over congressional maps in Missouri....
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FRIDAY 09/11/2026: The Monarch highway loses speed
A decade ago, a federal task force laid out a plan to help monarch butterflies along their journey by returning roadsides to native habitat, particularly Interstate-35 in Missouri and Kansas. Plus: some Midwest farms are growing something you might find in your own backyard. Hear about the push…
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THURSDAY 09/10/2026: High prices are squeezing farmers and people on fixed incomes
Corn and soybean harvests are starting just as the fuel farmers need to reap is shooting up in price. Plus, older Americans on fixed incomes are hit especially hard when food costs spike. Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City…
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WEDNESDAY 09/09/2026: Inside the New York Times investigation of Roger Marshall
A New York Times report found that Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, of Kansas, sued hundreds of his patients over medical debt when he was practicing medicine in the western part of the state. Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas...
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TUESDAY 09/08/2026: Data center backlash unites Missouri and Kansas towns
Data centers that power AI are exploding across the Midwest — and so is opposition to them. Now, people across the political spectrum want to see stricter regulation and more transparency. Contact the show at [email protected]. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City...
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FRIDAY 09/04/2026: Harry Houdini's great Kansas City escape
Harry Houdini was a master of escape. He was also a self-promoter who once performed a stunt in downtown Kansas City to draw an audience to his shows. We'll learn about the Houdini escape that originated right here in Kansas City. Harry Houdini first visited Kansas City as a 12 year old, and he...
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THURSDAY 09/03/2026: Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools' gender identity policies under fire
The U.S. Department of Justice has followed through on its threat to sue Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools based on a dispute over the district’s transgender policies. On Up To Date, KCUR's education reporter Jodi Fortino told Steve Kraske the district says it is in full compliance with federal...
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WEDNESDAY 09/02/2026: Kansas City relocates tenants of troubled housing complex
Tenants of the North Lawn apartments in Kansas City's Historic Northeast were forced to move out by the city due to the complex's hazardous conditions — capping off years of troubles with a landlord who failed to make proper fixes. But a deal with the city and the new owner should allow tenants…
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TUESDAY 09/01/2026: Plaza vs. Royals: How do Kansas City's latest deals compare?
Kansas City is dishing out a lot of money for new development plans, specifically toward the Country Club Plaza and Royals downtown ballpark. How do the two projects stack up against each other — and why does Kansas City feel like it needs to give those owners public funding?
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MONDAY 08/31/2026: Fascism and anti-trans laws in Kansas
Over the summer, an internationally renowned expert on authoritarianism visited Kansas to investigate the state's new polices on transgender rights. Hear why New York Times columnist M. Gessen sees similarities between Kansas and Nazi Germany. In July, Senate Bill 244 took effect in Kansas,...
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FRIDAY 08/28/2026: This Kansas City shop will preserve your pet's skeleton
Saying goodbye to a pet can be really hard. But one business in Kansas City is offering a unique way to preserve their memory: preserving and articulating their skeleton. Plus: As more people pick up pickleball to stay fit, emergency room visits related to the sport have nearly quadrupled. At...
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THURSDAY 08/27/2026: Immigrants are holding up the Kansas dairy industry
There’s a chance your next bowl of cereal or protein shake will include milk that came from Kansas. Dairy production in the state has quadrupled over the last couple decades, and that growth rests on the shoulders of immigrant workers in rural Kansas.
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WEDNESDAY 08/26/2026: Did Kansas City cut itself a bad deal with the Royals? Probably
Sports economists looking at the $600 million deal between the Royals and the Kansas City Council aren’t very impressed. The quickly-passed measure leaves many unanswered questions about where the public funds will come from, how much risk Kansas City will take on, and if the economic benefits…
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TUESDAY 08/25/2026: A yellow songbird is making Kansas its home
Birdwatchers in Kansas might notice tiny, yellow birds in their backyards, a songbird that only recently started breeding in Kansas. Plus: Midwest prairies are turning into woodland. Ranchers are trying to stop this change, but it’s an uphill battle.
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MONDAY 08/24/2026: Two major ballot measures head to Missouri Supreme Court
Last week, a Missouri judge declined to put two measures that received hundreds of thousands of petition signatures on the November ballot. Now the state Supreme Court will take a look. We'll take a closer look at the redistricting referendum and Respect Missouri Voters amendment. Last Wednesday,...
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FRIDAY 08/21/2026: A Kansas City museum uncovers the names of enslaved people
For decades, the names of thousands of local enslaved people lay hidden in deeds, wills, probate records and bills of sale. A recent discovery is shedding new light on Missouri's history of slavery. A surprising discovery in an old property record is helping uncover the names of enslaved people…
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THURSDAY 08/20/2026: Missouri and Kansas international students in the crosshairs
International students have traditionally been able to stay in the country for as long as they needed to finish their academic programs. The Trump administration is changing that policy, leaving Missouri and Kansas students and college officials worried about the future.
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WEDNESDAY 08/19/2026: How the mafia is tied to a lawsuit against Kansas City
A new Kansas City Star investigation reveals that the plaintiff in a case brought forward against the city by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has ties to the mafia.
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TUESDAY 08/18/2026: Missouri and Kansas still allow a toxic weedkiller tied to Parkinson's
Midwest lawmakers have tried and failed to ban paraquat, a toxic weedkiller that’s been tied to Parkinson’s disease. One state senator plans to keep fighting. Plus: The federal government has released new rules controlling how farmers can use the controversial herbicide dicamba.
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MONDAY 08/17/2026: Johnson County fought its way to the center of Kansas elections
The August primary elections were big for Johnson County Democrats, with primary wins for U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton and Kansas governor candidate Cindy Holscher. What should voters expect in November, and what does it say about the future of the party and the state? History would…
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FRIDAY 08/14/2026: Catching the purple martin migration in Kansas
Purple martins are back in Kansas. Thousands of the birds are gathering near the Wichita airport each evening as they prepare for their annual migration. Plus: A small town in south-central Kansas proudly bears the nickname “Midway USA,” positioning itself firmly between California and New York....
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THURSDAY 08/13/2026: Democrats face stacked odds in Kansas City's congressional races
Missouri's candidates are set for the November general election under a redrawn congressional map. But with Kansas City's three districts carved to specifically benefit Republicans, even longtime Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II faces a tough race.
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WEDNESDAY 08/12/2026: Childcare costs an arm and a leg in the Midwest
Childcare costs in Missouri and Kansas can now rival a mortgage for working families, but two Midwestern lawmakers are fighting to change that. Plus: After the Affordable Care Act tax credits lapsed, healthcare premiums spiked for millions of farmers and ranchers.
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TUESDAY 08/11/2026: Rick Brattin on Missouri's 5th District and his November rival
State Sen. Rick Brattin was selected by voters during last week's primary election as the Republican candidate for Missouri's 5th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. The 5th District is expected to lean more Republican under newly drawn...
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MONDAY 08/10/2026: Two Missourians want to turn primary victories into congressional wins
Two winners of last week's primaries are aiming for their first terms representing Missouri in Congress next year. We'll hear how Republican Chris Stigall and Democrat Jordan Herrera plan to unite their respective parties and secure seats in Washington. Senior News Analyst Brian Ellison spoke…
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FRIDAY 08/07/2026: Drive-in theaters are new again in Kansas
Drive-in theaters have shown movies under the stars for generations, and many Kansas filmgoers still see value for these nostalgic experiences in a changing movie landscape. Plus: There’s a chance the wheat in your spaghetti could be grown in western Kansas in the next few years. In the 1950’s,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Kansas City Today is a daily news podcast from KCUR Studios bringing you all things Kansas City, wrapped up in 15 minutes or less. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, it’ll be waiting in your feed every weekday. Hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin.
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AD FREE-KC2DAY currently has 362 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is AD FREE-KC2DAY about?
Kansas City Today is a daily news podcast from KCUR Studios bringing you all things Kansas City, wrapped up in 15 minutes or less. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, it’ll be waiting in your feed every weekday. Hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin.
How often does AD FREE-KC2DAY release new episodes?
AD FREE-KC2DAY publishes regularly with 362 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts AD FREE-KC2DAY?
AD FREE-KC2DAY is created and hosted by KCUR Studios.
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