KCUR Studios - Podcast Details

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Kansas City TodayFreedom arrives for one Missouri inmateNearly 20,000 people are released from Missouri prisons each year. Going home is an adjustment — and a relief. Hear from one man who returned home after 37 years. Plus: Get caught up on news from around the metro.Paige Spears was given more than a life sentence for an armed robbery where no one was physically injured. But in March, he walked free from the Farmington Correctional Center after 37 years behind bars. KBIA's Rebecca Smith brings us his story.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news....2025-05-2110 min

Kansas City TodayFarming morels in MissouriMidwesterners typically head to the woods to find morels because the mushrooms have a lifecycle that’s hard to replicate at farms, but that could change. Plus: Why it’s so hard for the farming industry in Kansas to switch crops.Springtime in the Midwest means mushroom hunters head to the woods. They’re typically looking for morels. But as Harvest Public Media’s Kate Grumke reports, some Midwesterners are also working on a way to farm the elusive mushroom.Western Kansas has a scarcity of water, and farmers there may need to switch the crops th...2025-05-2014 min

Kansas City TodayMario Vasquez takes the reins in Kansas CityThe Kansas City Council has found its next city manager. Get to know Mario Vasquez, the first Latino to permanently hold one of most powerful positions in the city. Plus: Stay up to date with the latest political headlines from around the region.Kansas City Council voted 11-2 earlier this month to hire Mario Vasquez as the city manager. The vote came a little more than two months after former City Manager Brian Platt was suspended and fired when the city lost a major whistleblower lawsuit. Vasquez spoke with KCUR's Up To Date host Steve Kraske about...2025-05-1915 min

Kansas City TodayMissouri Republicans defy voters on abortion and sick leaveAbortion is heading back to the ballot, after Missouri Republican lawmakers fell back on a little-used rule to shut down a Democratic filibuster and push through a ballot amendment to ban abortion again. They used the same maneuver to repeal a paid sick leave law — just months after Missouri voters approved both.Steve Kraske spoke with Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio about the state of the Statehouse after the controversial decision, and the fate of abortion rights in Missouri.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for th...2025-05-1612 min

Kansas City TodayKansas colleges could lose years of progress on diversity effortsThe concept of diversity, equity and inclusion has been thrust into the political spotlight as President Donald Trump targets programs on college campuses that try to support historically underrepresented groups. But Kansas experts say that DEI is being misrepresented.DEI efforts at universities are aimed at supporting people from identity groups traditionally underrepresented on campus. Daniel Caudill of the Kansas News Service reports.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Olivia...2025-05-1510 min

Kansas City TodayThe personal toll of Trump's transgender military banFor the last few months, transgender service members have had to wrestle with the reality that they’ve been deemed unqualified to serve in the U.S. military. Hear more from an officer stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, who is directly affected. Also, The Natural Resources Conservation Service turns 90 this year. But the agency, which sprung out of the Dust Bowl, has lost employees and could see major funding cuts. A presidential memo earlier this year revealed plans to remove transgender service members from the military, a plan the Supreme Court has temporarily allowed. The order directly af...2025-05-1414 min

Kansas City TodayRepairing what Highway 71 destroyedBruce R. Watkins Drive took three decades to build, and resulted in the destruction of 2,000 homes and the displacement of thousands of Black residents. Kansas City officials and longtime residents hope a new federal grant can reconnect the neighborhoods torn apart by Highway 71, but mending old wounds won’t be easy.From the podcast A People's History of Kansas City, Celisa Calacal and Suzanne Hogan have the story.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It...2025-05-1313 min

Kansas City TodayJosh Hawley's own brand of populismSen. Josh Hawley spent his first time in office building up his reputation as an arch-conservative — and in the Jan. 6 insurrection linked himself to President Trump and the MAGA movement. But in several ways, the Missouri senator is also positioning himself as a champion of the working class.Robert Draper, domestic politics reporter for the New York Times, joined Steve Kraske on Up To Date to discuss the sometimes perplexing policy positions of Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news....2025-05-1215 min

Kansas City TodayHe visited his grandpa's grave in Mexico. The U.S. blocked his returnA Roeland Park man legally protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was not allowed to reenter the United States after visiting a family grave in Mexico. He's now back on U.S. soil, after he sued the Trump administration. Hear what Evenezer Cortez Martinez has to say about his experience.Cortez Martinez and his attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford spoke with KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin about the deportation and lawsuit. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin...2025-05-0912 min

Kansas City TodayVirtual teachers are filling more classes in Kansas City, KansasAs the ongoing teacher shortage persists, school districts like Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools are using virtual teachers to get by. The number of students learning from remote, on-screen instructors has more than doubled, despite the move being intended as a stopgap.Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools first implemented virtual instruction three years ago to address staffing shortages. But virtual learning poses unique educational and interpersonal challenges. The Kansas City Star's Sofi Zeman sat down with KCUR's Steve Kraske to share more about what she's heard from students, parents and teachers about their experience with virtual learning.2025-05-0811 min

Kansas City TodayFederal government cuts are hitting Kansas City's HUD officeThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development office in Kansas City is dealing with federal government cuts. How will vital community resources be impacted?Kansas City's HUD office provides a variety of critical services to the community, including fair housing investigations, disaster relief and tenant support. But due to recent federal government cuts, the agency has lost a large portion of its staff. Treka Henry, a senior program analyst in HUD's Office of Field Policy and Management, estimates around 30% of staff are now gone. Henry sat down with KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin to discuss the impact...2025-05-0711 min

Up To DateKCUR leaders on the executive order to defund NPR and member stationsPresident Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to immediately cut funding for NPR and its member stations. KCUR's general manager and interim director of content explain what we know about the impact to KCUR and Classical KC.2025-05-0618 min

Kansas City TodayWhat federal cuts to public media mean for Kansas CityPresident Trump signed an executive order that aims to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. What does this mean for your local public media outlets? Hear KCUR’s general manager describe what this means for our station. Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease direct and indirect funding for NPR and its member stations. Sarah Morris, general manager for KCUR 89.3 and 91.9 Classical KC, spoke with Steve Kraske on Up To Date about the legality of Trump's order and what it could mean for public media stations ar...2025-05-0613 min

Kansas City TodayA preview of Missouri lawmakers' final weeks in sessionMissouri lawmakers are still wrestling with abortion rights, paid sick leave, tax cuts and the state budget. What's ahead for the General Assembly in the last two weeks of this legislative session?KCUR's Brian Ellison spoke with Rudi Keller, deputy editor of the Missouri Independent, to get up to speed on what to watch the next two weeks.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and...2025-05-0515 min

Kansas City TodayA 'Star Wars' museum that's not far, far awayAfter Duncan Jenkins saw "Star Wars" for the first time, he embarked on a lifelong obsession. The Kansas City man has now amassed nearly 200,000 pieces of memorabilia — the second most complete collection in the world — stored in a museum next to his house.As die-hard Star Wars fans celebrate "May the Fourth" this weekend, and Kansas City’s National Museum of Toys and Miniatures highlights action figures from the famous movie series, KCUR’s Julie Denesha checks out a private museum known as "The Sithsonian."Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagra...2025-05-0211 min

Kansas City TodayMany Kansas City kids could lose free school mealsFree school lunch is a life-changing resource for kids in Kansas City. But for many families, potential federal budget cuts threaten to take the vital service away.It’s a feat for Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools to offer free lunch to more than 20,000 students every day. But school nutrition teams across the metro worry that job could get harder as the Trump administration floats budget cuts that could gut their ability to offer free meals, even as they face rising prices for already-costly food and equipment. KCUR’s Jodi Fortino reports on how local cafeterias are copi...2025-05-0110 min

Kansas City TodayWhy some Midwesterners are renting backyard chickensBackyard chickens are really popular this year, in part due to the high cost of eggs. Some people are even renting chickens. In recent years, more and more people have welcomed chickens to their backyards. But for those who aren’t ready to fully commit, renting chickens is an option. Chicken rental businesses will provide everything you need, such as the coop, the food and the hens. And as Harvest Public Media’s Skyler Rossi reports, recent egg shortages at the grocery store are pushing more people to take a crack at creating their own egg supply.2025-04-3010 min

Kansas City TodayIs KCPD making progress on cases of missing Black people?Black people are reported missing in higher numbers than white people relative to their population, according to recent data. Some families believe the newly reinstated Missing Persons Unit of the Kansas City Police Department isn’t doing enough to address that. Plus: How the University of Missouri is handling reports of immigration enforcement authorities picking up college students.The Kansas City Police Department created an independent Missing Persons Unit in 2023. Two years later, the department reports progress, but as KCUR's Brandon Azim reports, the numbers mask impatience and frustration among some Black families.UM System Pr...2025-04-2914 min

Kansas City TodayMissouri international students push backFive international college students in Missouri filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security's termination of their visas. And although the Trump Administration backed off the terminations on Friday, the students’ battle — and their uncertainty about their future legal status in the U.S. — continues. Brian Ellison spoke with Mary Sanchez of The Beacon about the details of the case and how these students are taking action against what they believe is unfair treatment. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas...2025-04-2815 min

Kansas City TodaySpring has come to the Missouri state tree nurseryEvery year, 2 million seedlings from the George O. White State Forest tree nursery make their way to front yards and fields all over the region. We'll hear from the staff growing and cultivating trees at the 100-acre site in Licking, Missouri. KBIA’s Jana Rose Schleis brings us an audio postcard from the Ozarks.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by Peggy Lowe. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Em...2025-04-2511 min

Kansas City TodayKansas City teens speak up about their mental healthFive years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, students around Kansas City still struggle with their mental health. A group of students at Guadalupe Centers High School share what they learned when they interviewed each other.The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools for months, upending students’ education and lives. A group of students at Guadalupe Centers High School spoke with their friends and teachers to find out how the pandemic took a toll on their mental health, and if those issues persist. KCUR’s Jodi Fortino sat down with Jose Almaguer, Jackie Ventura, Jennifer Saavedra and Rannikah Siguiente to hear...2025-04-2414 min

Kansas City TodayA fight brews over an ICE detention center in KansasA private prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, could reopen to hold detainees for federal immigration authorities. Plus: Farmers fear the trade war could cause another farm crisis.A private prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, that closed amid allegations of mismanagement could reopen to hold detainees for federal immigration authorities. As Zane Irwin of the Kansas News Service reports, a single lawsuit could decide whether Leavenworth will become a regional linchpin for President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.The trade war comes at a terrible time for American farmers. Many were already losing money. Crop prices are low an...2025-04-2314 min

Kansas City TodayJackson County needs a budgetIn a 5-4 vote last year, Jackson County legislators approved a budget that was later vetoed by County Executive Frank White. Now more than three months into 2025, Jackson County has yet to pass a spending plan. Hear why the gridlock has led to a lawsuit and why some county services aren't being funded. Steve Kraske spoke with government reporters Josh Merchant of The Beacon and KCUR's Savannah Hawley-Bates about the stalemate on KCUR's Up To Date. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news....2025-04-2214 min

Kansas City TodayHow federal health funding cuts will hurt Kansas CityThe Trump administration canceled more than $12 billion in public health grants last month. Local public health departments are worried about what that will mean for Kansas Citians. The cuts included millions of dollars for Kansas and Missouri, with effects that trickle down to virtually every local community. Here in the Kansas City area, impacts include loss of staff and research projects cut short. So what might it mean for you and your neighbors?Marvia Jones, director of the Kansas City Health Department, and Charlie Hunt, director of the Johnson County Health Department, join KCUR's Brian...2025-04-2114 min

Kansas City TodayThe Van Gogh of the PlainsMore than 100 years ago, Swedish-born artist Birger Sandzén helped shape the way Americans picture the Kansas landscape. Today, the largest collection of his paintings, prints, and drawings is in the small central Kansas town where he immigrated, lived and worked.Whether you know it or not, how you picture the hills and streams of Kansas, and the mountains of Colorado, is largely shaped by a Swedish painter known as “the Van Gogh of the Plains.” KCUR’s Julie Denesha spent some time in Lindsborg, Kansas, known today as "Little Sweden."Contact the show at news@kc...2025-04-1810 min

Kansas City TodayWhy an 'enrollment cliff' could be bad news for Missouri collegesThe number of students heading to college is projected to decline after this fall. The financial impact is putting some Missouri institutions at risk of significant cuts — or closure. Plus: Some kindergarten classes in Kansas are rediscovering what young children can learn through old-fashioned free play.The number of students heading to college this fall is projected to be the biggest ever —and then it's expected to drop precipitously in the year after. For some schools, that’s more than just a demographic concern. In the first part of her series on the coming "enrollment cliff," KBIA's Aminah...2025-04-1714 min

Kansas City TodayAn unconstitutional Missouri gun rights law returnsA bill moving through Missouri’s Legislature seeks to prohibit police statewide from enforcing federal gun laws — despite federal courts ruling an earlier version of the law was unconstitutional. How could this bill impact Missouri law enforcement and residents? Republicans in Missouri are pushing a bill dubbed the Second Amendment Preservation Act through the Legislature again. A previous version was signed into law in 2021 but was struck down by the courts as unconstitutional two years later. Police departments across the state testified this week against the proposed law. Kavahn Mansouri with The Midwest Newsroom has been covering the...2025-04-1610 min

Kansas City TodayHow Kansas Republicans prevailed during governor's 'veto era'The Kansas Legislature had a noticeably short session this year. With Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in what lawmakers dubbed her "veto era," how did Republicans override her decisions?Kansas lawmakers hustled through the spring legislative session. While Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly wasn't shy about using her veto pen, Republican supermajorities were easily able to override her. The Kansas News Service's Daniel Caudill joined KCUR's Steve Kraske to break down how the session ended.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is h...2025-04-1511 min

Kansas City TodayShould Missouri and Kansas restrict junk food in SNAP?Missouri and Kansas lawmakers are trying to eliminate junk food purchases from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. But food access advocates worry that restricting SNAP will make it harder for recipients.Harvest Public Media’s Anna Pope reports on the efforts across the nation — and in Congress, too — to narrow what SNAP recipients can buy.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. 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 Studio...2025-04-1413 min

Kansas City TodayFather Kapaun, a Kansas saint in the makingFather Emil Kapaun served as an Army chaplain in the Korean war, and was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. In February, Pope Francis named him "venerable," bringing him one step closer to canonization as a saint. But interest in his life — and traffic to his hometown of Pilsen, Kansas — is already picking up.KMUW's Rose Conlon visited Pilsen to explore how Kapaun's legacy and pending sainthood is shaping the town.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.Kansas City Today is hosted by N...2025-04-1110 min

Kansas City TodaySandra Hemme and the problem with innocence in MissouriSandra Hemme was freed from prison after 43 years for a murder she didn't commit, and her case illustrates how difficult it is to correct errors in the criminal justice system. That's especially true in Missouri, where the attorney general's office aggressively opposes innocence claims regardless of the evidence.KCUR's Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with Katie Moore with the Marshall Project about Hemme's case, the Missouri Attorney General's involvement, and why top state leadership is hesitant to reform the systems that kept her behind bars.Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and...2025-04-1013 min

Up From DustIntroducing: Up From Dust(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3)Trees are swallowing prairies. Bees are starving for food. Farmland is washing away in the rain. Humans broke the environment — but we can heal it, too. Up From Dust is a new podcast about the price of trying to shape the world around our needs, as seen from America’s breadbasket: Kansas. Hosts Celia Llopis-Jepsen and David Condos wander across prairies, farm fields and suburbia to find the folks who are finding less damaging, more sustainable ways to fix our generational mistakes. Coming soon from the Kansas News Service, KCUR Studios, and the...2024-04-0201 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas City50 years of Kansas City hip-hopWhen hip-hop first hit Kansas City streets, the effect was immediate. The new sound took over record stores, local high schools and underground dance parties. As America celebrates a half century of hip-hop, KCUR’s Lawrence Brooks IV honors Kansas City’s own contributions to the culture.2023-12-1942 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas CityThe salad days of Wish-Bone dressingIn 1948, Phillip Sollomi debuted an Italian vinaigrette at his Kansas City fried chicken restaurant, the Wishbone. An immediate hit, the salad dressing formed the foundation for an empire: For 75 years, Wish-Bone Italian dressing has helped bring people together around the dinner table, but few Kansas Citians know their connection to the iconic bottle. KCUR’s Jenny Vergara and Natasha Bailey track down why.2023-11-2233 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas CityAlvin Brooks, Kansas City’s ultimate civil servantAlvin Brooks is a public figure who has served as a bridge in Kansas City for decades. He was one of the city’s first Black police officers, an educator, a leader in the civil rights movement, a founder of Ad Hoc Group Against Crime and almost a Kansas City mayor. Yet few know about his personal life and the internal struggles he’s faced. KCUR’s Reginald David talks to Brooks about the moments in his life that shaped him and pushed him to fight for a better Kansas City.2023-09-2737 min

Hungry For MOThe salad days of Wish-Bone dressingRead more about the Wishbone restaurant and the rise of Wish-Bone Italian dressing, from KCUR's Mackenzie Martin and Jenny Vergara.Hungry For MO is a production of KCUR Studios, with support from the Missouri Humanities Council. It’s hosted by Natasha Bailey and Jenny Vergara. This episode was written and produced by Mackenzie Martin with editing from Gabe Rosenberg and Suzanne Hogan. Sound design and mix by Mackenzie Martin with help from intern Zacchary Rodgers. Music this episode from Blue Dot Sessions.2022-12-1432 min

Hungry For MOBlack walnut magicRead more about the black walnut and how it shaped Missouri cuisine from KCUR's Natasha Bailey and Suzanne Hogan.Hungry For MO is a production of KCUR Studios, with support from the Missouri Humanities Council. It’s hosted by Natasha Bailey and Jenny Vergara. This episode was written and produced by Suzanne Hogan with editing from Gabe Rosenberg and Mackenzie Martin. Sound design and mix by Suzanne Hogan and intern Zacchary Rodgers. Music this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks this episode to reporter Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga for additional reporting from Stockton, Missouri.2022-12-0727 min

Hungry For MONo apologies for St. Louis pizzaRead more about how St. Louis pizza is the style everyone loves to hate from KCUR's Jenny Vergara and Mackenzie Martin.Hungry For MO is a production of KCUR Studios, with support from the Missouri Humanities Council. It’s hosted by Natasha Bailey and Jenny Vergara. This episode was written and produced by Mackenzie Martin with editing from Gabe Rosenberg and Suzanne Hogan. Sound design and mix by Mackenzie Martin and intern Zacchary Rodgers. Music this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks this episode to St. Louis Public Radio’s Brian Munoz, who gathered sounds and inte...2022-11-3029 min

Hungry For MOA toast to the birthplace of sliced breadPrior to 1928, if you wanted sliced bread, you had to cut it yourself. Until two entrepreneurs in Chillicothe, Missouri, changed history.(David White KCUR 89.3 / Images Courtesy of Catherine Stortz Ripley / The Rohwedder Family Collection / Sliced Bread Innovation Center)New episodes of Hungry For MO start on November 30. Until then, we recommend listening to more stories from A People's History of Kansas City.Read more about how a Missouri town almost forgot it invented the greatest thing in the world from KCUR's Suzanne Hogan.2022-11-2129 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas CityOverlooked: Niko Quinn’s truthKCUR Studios has a new investigative podcast. Overlooked tells the story of former police detective Roger Golubski, who put an innocent man in prison and is accused of sexually assaulting numerous Black women in Kansas City, Kansas. For decades, it was an open secret. How could this have happened for so long, and what does justice look like for his alleged victims? Hear chapter one now, and stay tuned for a new episode next week.2022-10-1341 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas CityPHKC live! Go behind the scenes with Suzanne Hogan and Mackenzie MartinJoin the KCUR podcast team that makes "A People's History of Kansas City" live at the Gem Theater on Thursday, Sept. 1 for a behind-the-scenes look at their award-winning episode, "Kansas City's Barbecue King." There will be BBQ trivia, a special guest and some never-before-heard information about Henry Perry. Tickets available at kcur.org/events.2022-08-2601 min

Real Humans By Gina KaufmannA Voice Of Calm For Kansas CityRenee Blanche started hosting KCUR's "Night Tides" 27 years ago this month. She found exactly what her listeners now seek: "That Sunday night space became an island in the storm of my life."2021-09-1910 min

Hungry For MOMyth-busting the St. Louis World's Fair Ice tea, cotton candy, ice cream and hamburgers were all popularized at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.(Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3)Read more about how the World's Fair of 1904 offered the best and worst of America from KCUR's Suzanne Hogan.2021-09-1428 min

Hungry For MOCrock-Pots for the people(Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3)Read more about the Kansas City women who taught America how to use the Crock-Pot from KCUR's Mackenzie Martin.2021-09-0733 min

Hungry For MOGeorge Washington Carver’s quiet revolution(Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3)Read more about George Washington Carver's revolutionary contributions to the world, stretching from civil rights to agriculture, from KCUR's Suzanne Hogan.2021-08-3130 min

Real Humans By Gina KaufmannThe Most Curious Sandwich In MissouriThe Real Humans podcast crew is off this week, so we’re sharing this story from KCUR’s new food podcast Hungry For MO. It’s about chef Qui Tran — who immigrated with his family from Vietnam to St. Louis, and fell in love with a unique, oddly-named dish called the St. Paul sandwich.2021-08-2913 min

Hungry For MOChinese food, Missouri-style Springfield cashew chicken and the St. Paul sandwich are both dishes created by immigrants in Missouri – and now help define the state's cuisine.(Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3)Read more about how Missouri's immigrants created the St. Paul sandwich 80 years ago or how David Leong turned Springfield cashew chicken into a uniquely Missouri phenomenon from KCUR's Mackenzie Martin.2021-08-2430 min

Hungry For MOHow Missouri saved wine(Crysta Henthorne / 89.3 KCUR)Learn more about how two Missourians stepped up to save the global wine industry from KCUR's Suzanne Hogan.2021-08-1722 min

Hungry For MOWho gets to define Missouri barbecue?(Crysta Henthorne / KCUR 89.3)Learn more about how Missouri's barbecue has evolved over the last 200 years — and recent efforts to redefine it — from KCUR's Mackenzie Martin.KCUR's Jenny Vergara also has a list of the best barbecue in the state of Missouri.2021-08-1029 min

Real Humans By Gina KaufmannA Chiefs Fan's Alternate Pandemic RealityA year ago, KCUR aired the "coronavirus diaries" of a Kansas City native teaching English in China. Back then, his account of life in quarantine — including an eerily quiet Super Bowl watch party — seemed unimaginable. Now, the normalcy of his post-COVID life is what's surreal.2021-02-0707 min

Real Humans By Gina KaufmannTrailer: Real HumansThe coronavirus has changed everything about how we live in Kansas City. Starting Jan. 24, KCUR's Gina Kaufmann will bring you a weekly podcast about how we're adapting to a very different world. Think of it as weekly letters from her to you.2021-01-1701 min

Question QuestQuestion Quest: TrailerStarting in September, KCUR Studios brings you Question Quest, a podcast about everyday mysteries, curiosities and questions in the Midwest. Co-hosts Suzanne Hogan and Cody Newill will take turns sending each other on grand adventures to find the stories behind intriguing things.2020-04-1501 min

Central StandardSeg. 1: COVID-19's Frontline Fighters | Seg. 2: Dividing Household ChoresSegment 1: Health care workers continue to work in unsafe environments. A lack of protective gear and the silent nature of COVID-19 are just two new concerns piled on top of existing ones Kansas City health care providers deal with during the pandemic. Many are already coming to terms with the idea they will likely contract the virus. Dr. Allison Edwards , owner of Kansas City Direct Primary Care Heidi Lucas , state director of Missouri Nurses Association Segment 2, beginning at 35:45: Getting house work done while working from home Has the work-from-home nature of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic changed the division of labor...2020-04-0257 min

My Fellow KansansBONUS: Kansas Drinkers Can Thank This Tough GuyIn this episode of KCUR's new podcast, A People's History of Kansas City , host Suzanne Hogan and Matthew Long-Middleton tell the story of the pugnacious Kansas sheriff and attorney general Vern Miller, whose antics seemed to be a throwback to the Wild West era but left a surprising legacy.2020-04-0227 min

Central StandardSeg. 1: Helping The Homeless | Seg. 2: Essential Workers In PandemicSegment 1: How the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the least fortunate among us. One advocate for people experiencing homelessness says that population is always in crisis. When you add a worldwide pandemic to the mix, the stakes are even higher for them and the organizations that work to provide them the resources to survive. Stephanie Boyer , CEO of reStart Precious Stargell Cushman , CEO of Community LINC Segment 2, beginning at 33:00: Many grocery store clerks, plumbers and laundromat attendants are reporting to work like normal. What or who qualifies as an essential business or worker? The question is gaining new importance as states...2020-03-3156 min

Central StandardCoronavirus Q&A: Is It Safe To Go To The Bank?Answers to coronavirus questions, and resources available in the Kansas City area As part of special coverage of the novel coronavirus, KCUR opened the phone lines to answer your questions. From hospital preparedness to mental health to where to find social services, our panel of experts fielded questions from around the metro, including one senior who wanted to know if the drive-thru at the bank could put her at risk. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson , professor and interim dean at the UMKC School of Medicine Katie Kriegshauser , psychologist and director of the Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment Jim MacDonald , chief...2020-03-2057 min

Central StandardSeg. 1: Sports And Coronavirus | Seg. 2: The Digital DivideSegment 1: How sports journalists are adapting to a lack of sporting events. The coronavirus has proven to be a huge disruption in the world of athletics. Aside from professional teams suspending seasons (to the dismay of thousands), sports journalists are also facing a major shift in how they find and report stories. Marleah Campbell , sports director for WIBW-TV Greg Echlin , sports contributor for KCUR Vahe Gregorian , sports columnist for the Kansas City Star Segment 2, beginning at 29:39: Social distancing without the internet Schools are closing and many businesses are asking employees to work from home. What about those without adequate internet...2020-03-2056 min

Central StandardSeg. 1: Sick Leave + Viruses | Seg. 2: A People's HistorySegment 1: Can we really expect people to stay home from work when they're sick if they don't get paid sick leave? In Missouri and Kansas, employers are not required to provide sick leave. What does that mean as we watch the coronavirus spread and workers are told to self-quarantine? Christopher Ingraham, data reporter for The Washington Post, Our lack of paid sick leave will make the coronavirus worse Wade Conyers, local sous chef Segment 2, beginning at 25:04: Season 1, Episode 5, A People's History of Kansas City. We continue sharing installments of this new podcast from KCUR exploring the everyday heroes, renegades and v...2020-03-1251 min

MidwesternishIntroducing A People's History Of Kansas CityMidwesternish listeners, we have a new podcast for you! KCUR's Suzanne Hogan brings you tales of the everyday heroes, renegades and visionaries who shaped Kansas City and the region. If these stories aren't told, they're in danger of fading into the past. The first episode drops February 6. Apple Podcasts | Spotify 2020-02-0401 min $A People\'s History of Kansas City$ A People's History of Kansas CityIntroducing A People's History Of Kansas CityKCUR's Suzanne Hogan brings you tales of the everyday heroes, renegades and visionaries who shaped Kansas City and the region. If these stories aren't told, they're in danger of fading into the past. The first episode drops February 6. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play 2020-01-3001 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriGuns, Gambling And The Gas Tax: Previewing The 2020 Missouri Legislative SessionThe 2020 session of the Missouri General Assembly, which convenes Wednesday, promises the usual array of legislative wrangling and partisan bickering — all with an election looming in November. In this episode of Statehouse Blend Missouri, we bring you a preview, which first aired on KCUR's Up to Date on Jan. 6. Host Steve Kraske spoke with Brian Hauswirth, news director of Missourinet, and Jaclyn Driscoll, the statehouse reporter for St. Louis Public Radio.2020-01-0824 min

My Fellow KansansMy Fellow Kansans LiveMy Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library Nov. 13 for a live podcast event. Host Jim McLean will lead a discussion about rural issues with a panel of special guests, including state Rep. Eileen Horn. If you live in the area, we hope you'll join us. RSVP at KCUR.org/Kansans .2019-11-1100 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriThe 2019 Missouri Legislative Session Recap: GOP Wins Big On Abortion, Economic DevelopmentIn this very special episode of KCUR’s Statehouse Blend Missouri podcast, we joined forces with St. Louis Public Radio’s Politically Speaking podcast to round up the 2019 session of the Missouri General Assembly.2019-05-2136 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriMissouri Auditor Nicole Galloway Discusses The State Budget, Putnam County HospitalsMissouri Auditor Nicole Galloway ’s been busy, looking into Clay County’s finances, the attorney general’s office and raising questions about the state’s tax revenues and budget issues. She sat down with KCUR's Samuel King on April 15 (Tax Day) to discuss all of these things, as well as what it’s like to be the only Democrat holding a statewide office. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPRone app .2019-04-1713 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriAn End to Gerrymandering? Missouri's 2018 Ballot QuestionsMidterm elections are just around the corner, but much of Missouri's ballot is covered with pot — and redistricting, ethics rules, a gas tax and a minimum wage increase. Ballot questions join the U.S. Senate race as the big-ticket items on November 6 in Missouri. Host Brian Ellison talks with KCUR's Samuel King , Clean Missouri campaign director Sean Soendker Nicholson and Kansas City Star reporter Allison Kite . Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPRone app .2018-10-2932 min

My Fellow KansansMy Fellow Kansans LIVEMy Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library on Oct. 25 for a live event, featuring podcast host Jim McLean and political scientist Beth Vonnahme. We'll discuss the current state of Kansas politics and learn how Kansas voters are feeling ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. You'll have a chance to ask questions and hear more about the making of our podcast, too. Join us for this special live event on Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Library Central Branch in Overland Park, Kansas. You can learn more and RSVP at kcur.org/kansans .2018-10-1900 min

Statehouse Blend Missouri'Dark Money' Pours Into MissouriThe influence of money in today's politics is undeniable, in Missouri and everywhere else. We explore campaign contributions, PACs, "dark money" groups and more, not only in big races like the U.S. Senate race between Claire McCaskill and Josh Hawley, but also in tight local races like the fight for the Missouri Senate seat in Platte and Buchanan Counties. We talk with Republican Tony Luetkemeyer and Democrat Martin Rucker , and St. Louis Public Radio's Jo Mannies . (For more of the conversation about issues in the 34th District Senate race, visit kcur.org next week.)2018-10-0527 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriA Wild Political Year Races Toward NovemberThe final slog to the November elections is underway, and Missouri's already wild political year holds the possibility of getting wilder yet. As Democrat Jason Kander pivots from the state and national stage to a Kansas City mayoral run, we get his assessment of the state of Missouri politics. We recap the primary election's top story, the overwhelming defeat of the anti-union "Right to Work" law. And we take a closer look at November's top race: the battle between Claire McCaskill and Josh Hawley that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. Guests: Jason Kander ; Samuel King , KCUR; Bryan...2018-08-2424 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriSession Scorecard: GOP Agenda WinsAs the 2018 legislative session careened to an end, we took stock of what legislation passed, what didn't pass, and what was allowed to quietly pass away. It turns out that with all eyes on the accusations against Gov. Eric Greitens, his fellow Republicans were fairly successful at advancing a legislative agenda. Host Brian Ellison calls on KCUR editor Erica Hunzinger to help recap the session, and Sen. Jason Holsman , a Kansas City Democrat, talks about what went wrong for his party.2018-05-2224 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriBattle For A Senate Seat In A Swing DistrictMissouri Reps. Lauren Arthur and Kevin Corlew are fighting over an exceedingly rare prize in Missouri politics: an open Senate seat in a district that doesn't have a clear partisan leaning. Whether voters choose the Democratic Arthur or the Republican Corlew in a June 5 special election could speak volumes about the mood of the electorate at a turbulent time. Host Brian Ellison moderated a candidate forum on May 10, co-sponsored by KCUR and the League of Women Voters. This episode provides highlights; to hear the entire unedited forum: . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; The Silver Hatch...2018-05-1424 min

My Fellow KansansDown To The WireIt's the end of the line for Kansas lawmakers. The curtain comes down on the 2018 legislative session Friday — maybe before. We'll talk about the fate of the big tax-cut bill we discussed last week and the school funding plan. Plus, what is the "Truth Caucus" and what are their plans for 2018? Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Ra...2018-05-0221 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriHow A Governor’s Scandals May Shift The U.S. SenateMissouri Attorney General Josh Hawley seems headed for the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill this fall. But Hawley's path has been made rougher by his complicated relationship with Gov. Eric Greitens—fellow Republican, fellow first-time-officeholder—and subject of his investigations. In this episode, host Brian Ellison takes an early look at the 2018 race. He talks with KCUR's Erica Hunzinger about Hawley's history and present entanglement with the governor. Then KCUR's Up to Date host Steve Kraske analyzes McCaskill's chances and recalls covering that 2012 race. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri, and stay up to date with the...2018-04-3021 min

My Fellow KansansCan We Afford New Tax Cuts?All the commotion around a school funding plan may have overshadowed the fact that Kansas lawmakers are also working on a controversial tax cut bill. Some say it simply returns a federal windfall to Kansas taxpayers. Others argue it’s unaffordable at a time when the state is still recovering from former Governor Sam Brownback’s 2012 tax cuts. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Publ...2018-04-2515 min

My Fellow KansansIs History Repeating Itself In School Funding Debate?Lawmakers and Governor Jeff Colyer have written another chapter in the story of this ongoing debate by authorizing a $500 million increase in school funding over the next five years. But will that be enough to end the litigation? If not, are we headed for another showdown like the one that rocked the Statehouse in 2005? Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and...2018-04-1825 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriThe Greitens ReportOn Wednesday, a Missouri House committee released an explosive report about an affair Gov. Eric Greitens has admitted having with his former hairdresser in 2015. Many lawmakers have called the details of that report "disturbing" and Greitens’ future as governor may be in jeopardy. In this episode, host Brian Ellison and KCUR editor Erica Hunzinger unpack the report's details. We also hear from two lawmakers, Republican Rep. Kevin Corlew and House Democratic Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty, who both think it's time for Greitens to go. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri, and stay up to date with the latest news from th...2018-04-1219 min

My Fellow KansansA School Funding MilestoneAfter months and months of debate, it’s finally happened. The Kansas Legislature has passed a school funding plan. Now, the questions are whether lawmakers can fix a mistake in the plan and, once fixed, whether it increases funding enough to satisfy the Kansas Supreme Court. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Soothe , and Balti by Blue Dot Sessions. Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a...2018-04-1122 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriMissouri's Constant Abortion DebateIn some states, abortion is on the agenda just about every year. Missouri is one of those states, and it is one where efforts to regulate or restrict abortion are often successful. Last week, the House passed a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Host Brian Ellison talks with the bill's sponsor, Rep. Donna Lichtenegger , and KCUR's health editor, Dan Margolies , to put the legislation in the broader context of Missouri abortion law and the numerous court challenges it continues to face. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Missouri...2018-04-0921 min

My Fellow KansansBacks To The WallThe clock is ticking for the Kansas Legislature to agree on a new school finance formula. One lawmaker in the middle of the debate says while progress is being made, it’s not happening fast enough. On this episode, the story of the legislature’s increasingly frantic efforts to meet the court’s end of the month deadline. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Balti , The Silver Hatch and Lemon...2018-04-0419 min

My Fellow KansansIs Kansas Ready For A New Political Party?Is this the right time for a new political party in Kansas? Can an independent candidate win the governor’s race? The coming election could give us answers to both questions. The viability of independent candidates and parties in this edition of Statehouse Blend Kansas. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Soothe , Balti and Thannoid by Blue Dot Sessions. Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a...2018-03-2723 min

Statehouse Blend MissouriMidterm Evaluation: Everything's Coming Up GreitensAs the Missouri General Assembly takes a spring break, we take a look at the term so far and what's left to be done. But like everyone else, we have a hard time talking about anything but the indictment and investigations of Governor Eric Greitens. Joining host Brian Ellison with analysis and predictions are KCUR's Erica Hunzinger, the Kansas City Star's Bryan Lowry and Missourinet's Alisa Nelson. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Missouri, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Missouri General Assembly: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPRone app . Music used in this episode: Warming...2018-03-2622 min

My Fellow Kansans"Satisfy The Court"Last year the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the state wasn't adequately funding its public schools. What the justices didn’t say was how much more money would be enough. But a new development has potentially changed the debate to the tune of $2 billion dollars. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. You ca...2018-03-1918 min

My Fellow KansansThe High Stakes Trial Over Kansas Voter LawsAre Kansas’ strict voter registration laws necessary protections against fraud, or are they a nakedly political attempt to disenfranchise certain voters? That question is at the heart of a federal trial going on in Kansas. We explain this complicated issue and get the latest from the Statehouse. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Soothe , The Silver Hatch and Manele by Blue Dot Sessions. Jim McLean is managing director of th...2018-03-1225 min

My Fellow KansansRegulating Guns In KansasIn the weeks since the shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school, student activists and others have taken to the streets in an effort to spur policy makers to talk about how we regulate guns. But, is that debate happening here in Kansas? Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Sad Marimba by Lee Rosevere; Am-Trans by Poddington Bear; In Passage by Blue Dot Sessions Jim McLean is managing director...2018-03-0522 min

My Fellow KansansThe Unintended Consequences Of A Criminal DatabaseStatewide criminal registries took off in the 1990s, fueled by crimes against children and a desire to alert people to the presence of sex offenders in their neighborhoods. But some are saying that Kansas’ database has gotten out of hand , that it’s expanded to include too many different types of offenders . So, a debate is beginning about how it might be streamlined. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Sad...2018-02-2821 min

My Fellow KansansThe Medicaid GapKansas is one of a handful of states that have not expanded Medicaid. This has created a gap for patients who are too poor to afford insurance, but make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. Advocates say that expansion could give coverage to these people, but with consistent legislative opposition, what are the odds of a bill passing this year? Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Am-Trans...2018-02-2019 min

My Fellow KansansThe Polarization Of Our PoliticsThe political divisions in America, and Kansas, appear deeper than ever. Republicans and Democrats can't seem to work together on anything. One candidate for Kansas Governor thinks an independent party might help our polarized politics. We talk with Greg Orman on this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Am-Trans by Poddington Bear and What Have You Done by Lee Rosevere. Jim McLean is managing...2018-02-1222 min

My Fellow KansansA Change Of Tone In Topeka?How important is the tone a Governor sets in state politics? Can a tenor of optimism or the opposite affect policy? As Kansas transitions from former Gov. Sam Brownback to new Gov. Jeff Colyer, we discuss what practical difference this change in leadership might make in the statehouse. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play , and on the NPR One app . Music used in this episode: Warming Evening by Nameless Dancers; Starday by Podington Bear; and As I Was Saying by Lee Rosevere. Jim McLean is...2018-02-0513 min

My Fellow KansansBrownback Out; Colyer InDuring his State of the State address, exiting Gov. Sam Brownback said his budget recommendations included an additional $600 million in funding over the next five years. That left many lawmakers stunned, and Senator Jim Denning, a Republican representing the 8th District, angry. We sit down with Denning to talk about what he's expecting as Lt. Governor Colyer takes on a new role as governor, and discuss why an attempted ousting of a legendary state employee ignited a major backlash. Subscribe to Statehouse Blend Kansas, and stay up to date with the latest news from the Kansas Legislature: iTunes , Google Play...2018-01-3015 min