Shows
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 minKansas 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 minKansas 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 minKansas 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 minKansas 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 minKansas 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 minKansas 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 Week in ReviewKansas City Week in Review - Apr 30, 2021Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Micheal Mahoney, Eric Wesson and Steve Kraske discuss updates to COVID restrictions and mask mandates, recent homicides including a KCUR reporter and a local gym owner, efforts to oust Overland Park Police Chief, the impact of recent Census results on KS and MO, the proposed fetus funerals in MO, auditing COVID relief spending and Laura Kelly wielding the veto pen in Kansas.2021-05-0126 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
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 minStatehouse 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 minStatehouse 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
Deep BackgroundThe prediction show!Who wins, who loses, and why? Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date take a look at the races in the final hours. Plus: Hunter Woodall on the Kansas judges retention election.
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Deep BackgroundThe issue questions, Yoder-Sidie, Trump-Clinton and moreKansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR discuss the issue questions on the November ballot, plus late-breaking analysis of the Yoder-Sidie race in Kansas and more.
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Deep BackgroundSteve Kraske and Dave Helling examine the Trump factorKansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and KCUR's Steve Kraske examine the impact Donald Trump has had on other elections, including the Missouri Senate race and the Third District in Kansas.
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Deep BackgroundThe Great Debate: Trump, Clinton, and the first debate falloutThe Kansas City Star's Dave Helling, Steve Kraske of KCUR, and Scott Canon of the Star dissect the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and discuss the Missouri Senate and governor races, with less than six weeks until election day.
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Deep BackgroundPrimaries, conventions, and Donald TrumpKansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss election results in Kansas and Missouri, the just-passed political conventions, and the candidacy of Donald Trump.
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Deep BackgroundThe Democrats' convention begins in PhiladelphiaThe Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's Up to Date report from Philadelphia, as Democrats gather for their national convention. They wrap up the Republican convention, too.
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Deep BackgroundRepublican National Convention Edition, Day 1The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR report from Day One of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland — the anti-Trump rebellion, and what's next for the party.
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Deep BackgroundPreviewing the 2016 GOP ConventionPolitical reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon of the Kansas City Star and Steve Kraske of KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss the unsettled Republican convention, which starts Monday in Cleveland.
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Deep BackgroundLocal issues: Guns, violent crime, mass transmitThe Kansas City Star's Lynn Horsley joins KCUR's Steve Kraske and the Star's Dave Helling to talk about Kansas City Mayor Sly James, guns, violent crime, development on the city's east side, and mass transit. Also: a look at the upcoming special session in Topeka.
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Deep BackgroundHalfway thereKansas City Star reporter Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date talk about the final decisions in the 2016 presidential primary season: Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump. Plus: the Missouri governor's race, and the Kansas special session on education funding.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2016-06-0823 min
Deep BackgroundPensions, legislative pay, and the Kansas school dilemmaKansas City Star reporters Scott Canon and Dave Helling, and Steve Kraske of KCUR discuss pension payments to state lawmakers, legislative pay, the unusual nature of state races — and the Kansas reaction to the school funding ruling.
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Deep BackgroundThe Democrats' dilemmaDave Helling and Scott Canon of the Star, and Steve Kraske of KCUR and the Star, discuss the damage from the continuing battle for the Democratic presidential nomination between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The reporters also discuss Gov. Jay Nixon's legacy in Missouri, and the Democrats' problems in the state.
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Deep BackgroundDonald Trump and his almost now-certain nominationKansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon, and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date and the Star, dissect Donald Trump's improbable but now-certain nomination by the Republican party.
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Deep BackgroundA new airport, Kansas Republicans — and more Donald TrumpDave Helling of the Star and Steve Kraske of KCUR and the Star discuss the politics of a vote on a new Kansas City airport, the contentious battle among Kansas Republicans, and the state of the presidential race as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton move closer to nominations.
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Deep BackgroundNew York weighs in on Trump while the political landscape shifts in Missouri, KansasThe Kansas City Star's Scott Canon and KCUR's Steve Kraske discuss how the New York primary pushed Hillary Clinton closer to the nomination, the challenges still ahead for Donald Trump and how races for governor in Missouri and the U.S. Senate in Kansas could be shifting.
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Deep BackgroundEarnings taxes, Donald Trump, and the SCOTUS fightLynn Horsley and Dave Helling of the Star, and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date and the Star, talk about the coming earnings tax election in Kansas City, the chances of a contested - and violent - GOP convention in July, Rex Sinquefield, and Sen. Jerry Moran's endorsements of hearings for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Music "Folk Round" by Kevin MacLeod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2016-03-2923 min
Deep BackgroundPresidential race turns the pageThe Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and KCUR's Steve Kraske discuss the results of the Missouri presidential primary, the chances for a contested Republican convention, and Sen. Claire McCaskill's cancer diagnosis. Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2016-03-2220 min
Deep BackgroundKansas caucus, the politics of race, and Nancy Reagan's impact on the White HouseThe Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR and the Star discuss Saturday's Kansas caucus, the politics of race, and Nancy Reagan's impact on the White House. Analysts said the March 5 Kansas caucuses were the most competitive presidential contests in the nation.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2016-03-0916 min
Deep BackgroundThe race for president, and the best movie of the yearThe Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and KCUR's Steve Kraske discuss the upcoming Kansas caucuses, Gov. Sam Brownback's approval rating, Missouri politics a year after Tom Schweich - and the best movie of the year.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2016-03-0115 min
Sergio Troncoso's PodcastsKansas City's KCUR Interview, with Steve KraskeKCUR's Steve Kraske interviews writer Sergio Troncoso about visiting Independence, Missouri to teach at the George Caleb Bingham Academy for the Arts during the summer, with student Ashton Harris. They talk about the importance of teachers and mentors, teaching writing to high school students, immigrant values, and creating a writing community. Kraske also asks Troncoso about Our Lost Border: Essays on Life amid the Narco-Violence, Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas.
(2014; mp3 audio format; 32 minutes)2014-07-0732 min
Storytelling and the Writing Craft with Sergio TroncosoKansas City's KCUR InterviewSteve Kraske interviews Sergio Troncoso about teaching at the George Caleb Bingham Academy for the Arts in Independence, Missouri, with student Ashton Harris.2014-06-2432 min
Kansas City Week In Review Podcast - AudioKCWIR: July 29, 2011PLASTIC ONLY: The latest controversy at the Power and Light District.
CHECKING THE QUALIFICATIONS: Who checks whether a candidate is qualified for office? The surprising story of an area elected official who allegedly lied about everything.
KANSAS GOP BROKE: Despite holding almost every powerful position in the state, why is the Kansas Republican Party flat busted broke?
WYANDOTTE COUNTY MOVES WEST: It may sound bizarre but Congressional redistricting efforts are underway in Kansas and one plan would put Wyandotte Kansas in the same congressional seat as Western Kansas.
LITTON TRIBUTE: Remembering...2011-07-3026 minKansas City Week In Review PodcastKCWIR: July 29, 2011PLASTIC ONLY: The latest controversy at the Power and Light District.
CHECKING THE QUALIFICATIONS: Who checks whether a candidate is qualified for office? The surprising story of an area elected official who allegedly lied about everything.
KANSAS GOP BROKE: Despite holding almost every powerful position in the state, why is the Kansas Republican Party flat busted broke?
WYANDOTTE COUNTY MOVES WEST: It may sound bizarre but Congressional redistricting efforts are underway in Kansas and one plan would put Wyandotte Kansas in the same congressional seat as Western Kansas.
LITTON TRIBUTE: Remembering...2011-07-3000 minKansas City Week In Review Podcast - AudioKCWIR: July 15, 2011AMERICAN ROYAL MOVES RODEO TO SPRINT CENTER: For the first time since it was built in 1975, Kemper Arena will not host the American Royal Rodeo. Instead. the annual fall event is heading to Sprint Center. Does this move spell the end for Kemper arena?
ALL-STAR GAME FROM ARIZONA TO KC: Mayor Sly James and Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders are in Phoneix for the All-Star Game. Next year, it will be in KC. It will be the biggest national sporting event in Kansas City in 23 years. We take a closer look.
BIG MANAGEMENT SHAKE-UP: Some...2011-07-1626 minKansas City Week In Review PodcastKCWIR: July 15, 2011AMERICAN ROYAL MOVES RODEO TO SPRINT CENTER: For the first time since it was built in 1975, Kemper Arena will not host the American Royal Rodeo. Instead. the annual fall event is heading to Sprint Center. Does this move spell the end for Kemper arena?
ALL-STAR GAME FROM ARIZONA TO KC: Mayor Sly James and Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders are in Phoneix for the All-Star Game. Next year, it will be in KC. It will be the biggest national sporting event in Kansas City in 23 years. We take a closer look.
BIG MANAGEMENT SHAKE-UP: Some...2011-07-1600 min