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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 Roger Marshall unusually competitive.

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.

Back to school superintendents

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. The 2025 surge of immigration enforcement resulted in nearly 8,000 jobs lost in Kansas City. 

The ninth studio album of the Lawrence, Kansas band The Roseline, was a piecemeal project a year in the making. But the band’s founder, Colin Haliburton, hopes people will relate to the lyrics in the 10-track album that touch on personal experiences. 

Some Medicaid recipients will soon be subject to new eligibility criteria. The changes were signed into law in 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 to healthcare providers. 

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.

UTD_08-05-2026 redistricting

UTD-08-05-2025 Post-primary

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 address the longstanding complaints.

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.

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.

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 money to influence court decisions.

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.

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.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota said the vote to replace Manny Abarca IV as legislative chair was not related to allegations he made about bribery. On KCUR’s Up To Date, LeVota discussed how Jackson County residents will be reimbursed for inflated property tax payments.

The Linda Hall Science Library and Arboretum was established in 1946 on the estate of Herbert and Linda Hall, who bequeathed $6 million to establish a free public library for Kansas City. As the library celebrates its 80th anniversary, it’s aiming to re-establish itself as a place for all Kansas Citians – researchers or not – to engage with science.

A University of Kansas of Medical Center doctor said interest in GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, has grown since Medicare expanded covered treatments. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program will allow doctors to prescribe the drugs for weight management. The popularity of the medication is helping manage America’s obesity epidemic.

Robert Warrior, a citizen of the Osage Nation, said serving as a consultant on the new series helped improve how Native Americans are portrayed as compared to the original "Little House on the Prairie" books.

Kansas City hosted six matches over the course of the tournament, which was largely considered a success. Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, says Kansas City grew its reputation during the tournament.

ReStart Inc., a nonprofit homelessness services provider, converted a vacant midtown hotel into short-term furnished apartments for families experiencing homelessness. The Family Lodge is a 45-unit complex with on-site social services to support families in their transition to permanent housing.     

With a soaring voice that evokes folk legends Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and more, Kansas City singer-songwriter Kirstie Lynn has a new EP that reflects on “blazing up, blazing out (and) blazing through” as a DIY musician. “Blazing Prairie Star” is out July 24.

The Sondern-Adler house was Wright’s first design for Kansas City. Since it was built in 1940, it has had six owners, including prominent arts philanthropist Richard J. Stern.

Preparing for retirement doesn’t have to be challenging. The co-authors of the book “The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom: A Guide To Helping Young Adults Build Wealth,” joined KCUR’s Up To Date ahead of their TEDxKC talk that discusses how to create a savings system early in life. 

The middle of the country is seeing a higher volume of cyberattacks than other parts of the U.S. Artificial intelligence is contributing to an increase in attacks, leading to some organizations fending off more than 1,500 cyberattacks per week. A cyber security expert shares why the Midwest is a prime target for attacks and how people should protect sensitive information.

The National Science Foundation awarded the Critical Materials Crossroads up to $160 million in funding to rebuild the country's critical materials supply chain. The university says the initiative could create around 10,000 jobs by 2036.

If approved by Missouri voters on Aug. 4, 2026, Amendment 4 would raise the threshold to change the state constitution through the citizen-led initiative petition process. However, amendments sent to the ballot by the Missouri General Assembly would only require a simple majority to pass.

Violence is a means of communication men learn at an early age, according to University of Kansas associate professor Meggie Mapes. Mapes studied how male prison inmates with a history of partner violence were taught to communicate. She’ll speak at this year's TedxKC.

Kansas City hosted six matches during the monthlong tournament, which cost nearly $200 million in public funds for this region’s part alone. Did local businesses actually benefit in the end? Or will the event’s impact be felt years down the road?

All but one of the six candidates running in the primary to unseat U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II live outside the newly-redrawn 5th District. Members of Congress only have to live in the state they represent, but residing outside their district can be a political liability.

The work of the Midwest Innocence Project has resulted in 18 people freed or exonerated from prison, including several in Missouri and Kansas. But the nonprofit that provides pro bono legal work is in jeopardy due to a loss in federal grants and other financial strains.

If approved on Aug. 4, Amendment 2 would change the Missouri Constitution to require that Jackson County elect its assessor. County residents already overwhelmingly voted to make the role an elected position, rather than one appointed by the county executive, after years of outrage over property tax valuations.

The popular food kiosk at Varsity Club in the River Market will expand to a second location. Owners Darren Carter and Matt Chapman say the concept will include a takeout window and a dine-in section, where the menu offerings will expand.

French fries are quintessentially American, and nearly ubiquitous at Kansas City restaurants. Here’s where you can find the best straight-cut, waffle, and curly fries, plus tater tots, poutine and more. 

Rep. Mark Alford is running for reelection in the newly redrawn 4th congressional district of Missouri. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss the war in Iran, the bipartisan housing bill that President Trump has refused to sign, the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling and more.

The Society of St. Pius X — a faction of conservative, traditionalist Catholics who reject major reforms adopted in the 1960s — boasts The Immaculata in St. Mary’s, Kansas, as one of its largest churches worldwide. The SSPX caused a schism in the Catholic Church earlier this month when it ordained new bishops against the orders of Pope Leo.

Darryl Burton was exonerated, but found even more hurdles outside of prison trying to find housing and a job. Burton is the co-founder of Miracle of Innocence, a Missouri nonprofit that provides legal aid and reentry services, which is holding its ninth annual fundraiser in September.

On “Burn Again,” his second solo record as Warren Burns, Kansas City folk artist Danny Fischer works through difficult life experiences and comes out better on the other side. 

While some Kansas City businesses have reported sales slowed significantly during the tournament, others — like barbecue restaurants and local merch shops — have seen extreme demand from visitors. World Cup traffic has been highly dependent on what businesses sell and where they’re located.

Author Craig Fehrman will be at the Kansas City Public Library later this month for a conversation about his new book "This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark."

One thing Sandy Spidel Neumann learned during her 40-year career in financial services is that you can’t throw money at a problem. The Kansas Democrat said she’ll use her business background to make data-informed decisions. Spidel Neumann is one of 11 candidates on the Aug. 4 primary ballot for the U.S. Senate.

Erik Murray, a U.S. Senate candidate from Kansas City, Kansas, hasn’t run for office before but touted his experience with federal policies around affordable housing tax credits and opportunity zones. He criticized Sen. Roger Marshall for simply “smiling and nodding” as President Trump grows the deficit.

New analysis from Ballotpedia suggests that Republicans in Missouri and Kansas are at risk of losing their supermajorities. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with political scientists on both sides of the state line about what it would ultimately mean and whether or not it is actually likely.

Nearly four and a half decades after the infamous "Disgrace of Gijón" effectively eliminated Algeria from the 1982 World Cup, the Algerians and Austrians are set to meet again on the final day of the group stage in Kansas City. 

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to look back on the city's performance as a FIFA World Cup host, and to discuss what went right and what went wrong during the tournament.

Released this month, “J’Day” is Kansas City-based musician Jamogi Bridges’s first full-length album. Inspired by early-2000s pop and R&B, Bridges says he wants his songs to bring joy to listeners.

After Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act this week, President Trump said he wouldn't sign it into law unless an unrelated bill focused on voting restrictions was also passed. Congresswoman Sharice Davids joined Up To Date to share her reaction to the situation and to discuss what could come next.

Doug Frost is one of only three people in the world to hold both the titles of master sommelier and master of wine. He joined KCUR’s Up to Date to share a selection of wines with connections to teams staying or playing in Kansas City during the World Cup.

Charlotte O’Hara is running for governor of Kansas in the Republican primary. Her platform is focused on eliminating property taxes, dramatically reforming education, and ending the use of large tax incentives for sports teams and major corporations.

If they heed the warnings, people in Kansas City have taken shelter more than usual this season — the 1,438 severe weather warnings issued so far is the most on record. But staffing cuts to the National Weather Service have resulted in less warning time for some storm systems.