PODCAST · news
Up To Date
by KCUR Studios
What Kansas City cares about. Up To Date brings people together for daily conversations about what’s happening in our region and how it affects our lives. Featuring interviews with artists, lawmakers, experts and everyday residents, plus original reporting from the KCUR newsroom, Up To Date keeps our city connected. Email the show at [email protected]
Episodes
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Kansas' first U.S. Senate and governor debates got pretty raucous
The Kansas State Fair offered the first chance to see U.S. Senate candidates Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton and gubernatorial candidates Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher square off. The raucous crowd at times shouted down candidates as they spoke.
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Candidates in Missouri's 5th District, a gerrymandering target, will now campaign under old map
The legal back-and-forth over Missouri's congressional maps is unprecedented in American politics. Current 5th District U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Rick Brattin, share their thoughts on what transpired in the courts — and what it may mean for November.
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America’s social contract is fraying. A Kansas professor says civic debate could help repair it
University of Kansas professor Chris Koliba argues that the American social contract is fraying. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss how we got to this point and what the country can do about it.
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Overland Park runner will attempt to run 7 marathons on 7 continents — in 7 days
Early next year, Jeff Maher of Overland Park will run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss how he is preparing for the races and why he decided to take on this challenge.
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A mental health crisis in a Kansas jail shouldn’t have ended Charles Adair’s life
Charles Adair was in the midst of a mental health emergency when he turned himself into law enforcement for old traffic warrants. If sheriff’s deputies at the Wyandotte County, Kansas, jail had followed protocol for a mental health crisis, it might have prevented Adair’s death — which was ruled a...
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Kansas City convenes Haiti Symposium amid humanitarian crises and deportations
The Caribbean country of Haiti is in the midst of a severe political and humanitarian crisis as it struggles to address widespread gang violence. Ahead of the 14th annual KC Haiti Symposium on Saturday, KCUR's Up To Date spoke with two journalists who cover Haiti and a Kansas City doctor who runs…
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Kansas City Renaissance Festival marks 50th season recreating 1500s England
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival began as a fundraiser for the Kansas City Art Institute in 1977, making this year its 50th season. The festival opened September 5 and will run every weekend through October 12, rain or shine.
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Kansas City psychiatrist explores the science behind high emotional sensitivity
Dr. Sasha Hamdani's new book, "Too Sensitive," aims to provide a science-backed, empathetic framework for understanding why some people experience high emotional sensitivity. The Kansas City psychiatrist joined KCUR's Up To Date on Tuesday.
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NYT: Kansas' Roger Marshall sued more than 700 of his patients before becoming a U.S. senator
More than 700 patients were sued by a doctor in western Kansas for medical debt. The doctor is now Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, who for decades was a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist.
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Kansas City Underground Film Festival champions the cinema underdogs
The festival returns for its sixth year of free movie programming, which will include films across a range of genres from experimental to animation.
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Lawrence post-punk band Sweeping Promises embrace 'romanticizing' on new album
Sweeping Promises will embark on an American tour on Sep. 9 to share their third album, “You Say I Romanticize.” The Kansas-based duo has been gaining national attention, while also producing other local bands at their "artistic commune."
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Country Club Plaza redevelopment could start with empty Nordstrom lot, a ‘detriment’ to the area
Gillon Property Group, which owns the Plaza, says the empty lot is a “physical and psychological” problem and will be one of the first major redevelopment targets now that Port KC approved a major incentive package. The space was meant to host a Nordstrom, but the project was scrapped in 2022…
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After Missouri congressional map ruling, Republicans will ask U.S. Supreme Court to intervene
In a stunning unanimous ruling, the Missouri Supreme Court blocked the state’s newly redrawn congressional maps from going into effect for the 2026 midterms, and ordered a referendum on the map to be placed on the November ballot. But Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says she will appeal the...
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Republican Alan Rohlfing says he can ‘restore public trust’ as Jackson County Executive
Rohlfing, a U.S. Army veteran, is running against Democrat Stacy Lake in November to become the next Jackson County executive. He says he would focus on providing “world class customer service” if elected.
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Lawsuit says 11-year-old boy was attacked by students in a Kansas City, Kansas, school restroom
An 11-year-old boy was allegedly physically and sexually assaulted in April at Eisenhower Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas. In August, the district’s school board received notice of a pending $5 million lawsuit for failing to prevent the attack.
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Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves on her tenure and the search for a new top cop
At the end of July, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves announced that she is retiring from her role leading the department after four years. She joined KCUR’s Up To Date to look back at her time as the first woman to serve permanently as KCPD chief, and to discuss the department’s future.
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Head Start leaders in Missouri and Kansas say looser federal rules could hurt services
The Trump administration has proposed eliminating a majority of its regulations for the federal early education program Head Start. The government says the changes would put rulemaking in the hands of the states and could result in higher enrollment, but local Head Start leaders worry about…
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North Kansas City is planning for long-term growth. Leaders want your input.
Located just north of the Missouri River, North Kansas City has grown by more than 20% since 2020. Mayor Jesse Smith says it’s time to make updates while maintaining the community’s “small-town feel.”
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Kansas City rapper Flare Tha Rebel gives hometown tough love on new album ‘Dear City’
On his new album “Dear City,” Jeff Shafer’s socially-conscious hip hop celebrates what makes Kansas City great, but also reflects on what changes are needed to make the city even better.
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Port KC president champions public funding for Country Club Plaza redevelopment plan
The public agency voted to issue nearly $1.5 billion in bonds and tax breaks to Gillon Property Group early this week. Jon Stephens, the president and CEO of Port KC, says the deal is critical to the revitalization of the historic Plaza neighborhood.
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Book recs: Kansas City writers and professors share the reads they can’t stop thinking about
As students across the Kansas City metro dust off their books and head back to school, our literary experts recommend titles perfect for reading deeply, just like you’re in English class yourself.
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Mayor Quinton Lucas says Royals deal is a 'positive economically' — even if economists disagree
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss the city council's $600 million funding package for a new Royals ballpark, what he'd like to see in the city's next police chief, the future of the Country Club Plaza and more.
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Democrat Stacy Lake wants to ‘clean up the mess’ as Jackson County executive
Lake, an attorney who won the Democratic primary for Jackson County executive, is running against Republican Alan Rohlfing in November. The county has struggled under a dysfunctional legislature, and the interim executive was recently indicted on federal bribery charges.
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Johnson County will spend nearly $1.2 million to restore prairies and other habitats
Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department got money to restore a range of habitats in the region — including prairies, woodlands and wetlands — to strengthen natural prevention against flooding and pollution.
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How the University of Kansas is working to increase Indigenous representation in news media
Two new grants received by the University of Kansas — worth $50,000 and $7,500 — will help train the next generation of Indigenous journalists.
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Kansas City Council member Crispin Rea defends Royals deal as a 'transformational moment'
After the Kansas City Council approved $600 million in funding for a new Crown Center ballpark on Thursday, Councilmember Crispin Rea called the deal a major accomplishment for the city. It will hold the Royals to $55 million over 30 years for community improvements, but some community groups say...
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90.9 The Bridge celebrates 25 years of fostering music discovery in Kansas City
The public radio music station first went on air 25 years ago Wednesday. The Kansas City broadcaster has become a champion for local artists and music discovery, and serves as the home for Current matches on the radio.
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What does Kansas City want in a new police chief? Here’s what community leaders say
With Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves retiring after four years, leaders around the metro say the next top cop will need to build on progress in addressing violent crime and repairing police-community relationships. They also want the Board of Police Commissioners to open the hiring process...
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Casual Animal Brewing brings out packed crowds to listen to educational lectures over a beer
“Think And Drink” talks are hosted by experts who have covered everything from the Red Scare to the history of Santa Claus. The series is a collaboration between the popular Crossroads brewery and several other local partners, including Linda Hall Library and UMKC.
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Kansas has few opinion writers left. Is the state losing the ability to tell its own story?
In “Opinionated: Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters Then and Now,” Clay Wirestone, opinion editor of the Kansas Reflector, tells the stories of the writers who came before him, and contemplates the importance of the form today.
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Could a Kansas Democrat finally win a U.S. Senate seat after 9 decades of Republicans?
The GOP has dominated U.S. Senate elections in Kansas since the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. But Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty says Democrat Adam Hamilton could make this November’s election against incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall unusually competitive.
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Kansas City Council member Johnathan Duncan raises concerns about 'fast-tracked' Royals deal
The 6th district council member told KCUR's Up To Date on Thursday that his constituents want the city to negotiate a stadium deal that is more beneficial to residents. He said they also want more transparency from Kansas City's leaders.
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Food recs: Kansas City's best dive bars and neighborhood joints
Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, has perhaps the most concentrated collection of dive bars in the metro. But no matter what neighborhood you’re in, Kansas City has a place for drinkers and diners looking for a low-key hang with decent food and cheap drinks.
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Kansas City area superintendents see fewer staff vacancies as a new school year begins
Independence's superintendent said the district still needs to hire two elementary teachers, while Kansas City Public Schools has around 13 vacancies in "core content areas." Improving literacy and math comprehension remain top priorities.
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Kansas City lost nearly 8,000 jobs due to immigration enforcement. But communities remain resilient
Some immigrants in Kansas City are changing their work hours and shifting other parts of their daily routine to avoid encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. A new study found last year’s surge of immigration enforcement resulted in nearly 8,000 jobs lost in Kansas City.
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What to know about Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota's federal indictment
Jackson County government has developed a reputation for pervasive corruption. The most recent blow was the federal indictment of Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota, who is accused of trying to bribe a rival candidate.
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Kansas City landmarks help tell 'Ted Lasso' origin story in new season premiere
The episode was filmed in Kansas City last summer, and the production team worked directly with the city’s film office to select locations and recruit a primarily local crew.
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Lawrence band The Roseline hopes their new album will make people feel less alone
The ninth studio album of the Lawrence, Kansas, band The Roseline, was a piecemeal project a year in the making. The band’s founder, Colin Haliburton, hopes people will relate to the lyrics that touch on personal experiences.
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Medicaid changes are coming. Kansas City health organizations fear patients aren’t prepared
Some patients will soon have to meet new criteria to be eligible for Medicaid under the president’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some experts fear the new requirements could result in millions of people losing coverage and higher costs for healthcare providers.
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Kansas banned phones in schools. Some Shawnee Mission parents want their district go further
A group of parents in the Shawnee Mission School District are happy about a new Kansas law banning cellphone use during the school day, but they want even more done about access to digital media. Now the district is restricting the use of school-issued iPads during recess and at home.
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This Kansas City artist offers handwritten letters to encourage people to slow down and connect
Multidisciplinary artist Kasim Hardaway reflects on the first year of “Take What You Need,” an interactive public art installation that pops up around Kansas City and invites people to pause and reflect on their lives.
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Missouri anti-redistricting group sues to force November vote on Republican-drawn map
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refused to certify a ballot initiative aimed at undoing the new congressional maps drawn by Republican legislators. Those maps carved up Kansas City in an effort to oust Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, and this rejection sets up another legal battle...
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Missouri and Kansas voters reject Republican priorities, but don’t expect a November ‘blue wave’
While voters in Missouri and Kansas overwhelmingly shot down ballot measures championed by Republicans, they also largely chose conservative, Trump-backed candidates to run against Democrats in November’s general election.
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Seeing more ‘Stop the Chop’ signs around Kansas City? Campaign to rename Chiefs goes even bigger
Capitalizing on the World Cup, the Kansas City Indian Center put out even more billboards this year calling on the Kansas City Chiefs to change their name and stop stereotypical practices like the “tomahawk chop.” Activists argue that the move to a new stadium is the perfect opportunity to…
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A Kansas City neighborhood leader is building new, affordable homes in Ivanhoe
Chris Harris is building houses for rent near Harris Park, where he owns a nonprofit that teaches kids how to play golf and other outdoor sports. The developments will target families making between $34,000 to $70,000 a year.
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Missouri and Kansas primary elections are a referendum on trust in government
Political scientists in Kansas and Missouri say Tuesday’s primary elections — particularly the constitutional amendments on the ballot — will gauge public opinion about whose voices should be heard in government and how much trust citizens have in their elected officials.
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Kansas Supreme Court amendment: Voters will decide whether to directly elect justices
If approved by Kansas voters in the Aug. 4 election, the constitutional amendment would abolish the current merit-based nominating process for Supreme Court justices that has been in place since 1958. While supporters argue the change would rid the system of elitism, opponents say it will allow...
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Kansas City has new speed limits and age restrictions for e-bikes and scooters
The city passed legislation that limits speeds for electronic mobility devices and creates an age limit for some higher speed vehicles. Advocates helped create the ordinance, but worry about some changes the city council made to the rules.
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Missouri Amendment 5 would end the income tax and allow more sales taxes. What to know
If approved by Missouri voters on Aug. 4, 2026, Amendment 5 would require the Missouri General Assembly to phase out the income tax based on revenue growth. The amendment also authorizes lawmakers to expand sales and use taxes to replace the lost income tax revenue.
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Medicare expands availability for GLP-1 weight loss drugs. A KU doctor explains what to know
A University of Kansas Medical Center doctor said interest in GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, has grown since Medicare expanded covered treatments. As of July 1, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program will allow doctors to prescribe the drugs for weight management.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What Kansas City cares about. Up To Date brings people together for daily conversations about what’s happening in our region and how it affects our lives. Featuring interviews with artists, lawmakers, experts and everyday residents, plus original reporting from the KCUR newsroom, Up To Date keeps our city connected. Email the show at [email protected]
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KCUR Studios
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Up To Date currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Up To Date about?
What Kansas City cares about. Up To Date brings people together for daily conversations about what’s happening in our region and how it affects our lives. Featuring interviews with artists, lawmakers, experts and everyday residents, plus original reporting from the KCUR newsroom, Up To Date keeps...
How often does Up To Date release new episodes?
Up To Date has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Up To Date is created and hosted by KCUR Studios.
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