Up To Date

Kansas City jazz pianist Tim Whitmer is out with a new record for the second year in a row — and this time, he is hoping his music spreads holiday cheer. The album "Happy Holidays" features Whitmer's takes on timeless classics like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

A jazz quartet from Kansas City recently held three performances and a masterclass in China, as part of a symposium organized by the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation.

Kansas City Chiefs fans can expect a tough matchup on Sunday as the team takes on the best ranked defense — the Houston Texans. While this season the Chiefs can't seem to get out of their own way, some believe they can still make it to the post-season.

The Kansas City region's economy is lagging behind the nation overall. Experts say that's driven by flat employment numbers and slower-than-average growth from many of the region's most prominent industries.

The Stowers Institute in Kansas City, which focuses on disease and treatment methods, added its first artificial intelligence fellow as a part of its AI initiative. This group of researchers is training AI to analyze research data and find the patterns and regulations that make cells function.

Republican former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu will be in Kansas City next Monday for an American Public Square event. He joined Up To Date ahead of his visit to discuss his time in office, working across the aisle and the first year of the second Trump administration.

Kansas City's mayor and chief of police are calling for a review of the juvenile justice system. But court officials in Jackson County say youth referrals are down so far this year, proving that the diversion programs are working.

As an 11-year-old, Sarah Rector became the richest Black child in America, but danger in Oklahoma led to her family moving to Kansas City. Rector's story, long forgotten from the history books, is now the subject of the 2025 film “Sarah's Oil.”

Many young adults experience social connection and disconnection simultaneously, according to new research led by University of Kansas professor Jeffrey Hall. He says higher instability in young adulthood is causing the ambivalence.

Looking for a powerful memoir, a cozy bedtime story, a creepy collection — or all of the above for a potential holiday gift? KCUR's Up To Date invited a librarian, professor and bookstore owner to offer the favorites titles they read in the last year.

Jyoti Mukharji has been teaching Indian cooking classes out of her Prairie Village home for more than 15 years. She and her son Auyon compiled nearly 100 of her best recipes in a new cookbook, “Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen.”

One person's drive to make a difference can create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. This year, The Pinnacle Prize recognized the progress and dedication of two Kansas Citians with a passion for helping people find safety and healing.

“Death by Lightning,” starring Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen as President James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, is based on Kansas City author Candice Millard's New York Times bestselling book “Destiny of the Republic.”

People flying out of Kansas City International Airport don't need to worry about any lingering effects of the government shutdown. An airport spokesperson said flights are back on track and they're expecting fewer travelers this year.

Medical providers started using Ambient Assist by NextGen Healthcare this year at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. The tool, which transcribes and summarizes an appointment's conversation, lets providers see more patients and be more present without being overwhelmed with post-appointment paperwork.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, KCUR's Up To Date broadcasted from Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City to hear how the organization is managing a time of extremely high demand.

After borrowing $1.4 billion to redevelop the Country Club Plaza, the Gillion Property Group is now seeking millions in tax breaks from a Kansas City agency. Residents are also concerned about new construction renderings showing 200-foot apartment buildings and a major change to the neighborhood's style.

In their podcast "Adoption: The Making of Me," Louise Browne and Kansas City's Sarah Reinhardt share untold stories about the unique adversities faced by many adoptees.

In his new book "The Team That History Forgot," sportswriter Rick Gosselin highlights the story of one of the most exciting professional football teams of the 1960s: the Len Dawson-led Kansas City Chiefs.

Kris Kobach, the Republican attorney general, says that several Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents have been trained to make arrests in collaboration with federal immigration authorities. He talked about the state's recent law enforcement initiatives, plus his clashes over legal authority with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, in an interview with KCUR's Up To Date.

As the Kansas City metro faces rising food insecurity due to reduced SNAP benefits, ongoing economic strains, and heightened demand during the holiday season, NourishKC is making sure people can get the resources they need with dignity.

Visitors looking to see the Arabia Steamboat Museum's collection of pre-Civil War artifacts have until next November. After more than 30 years at the City Market, the museum is closing when its lease ends in 2026. But the owners say they're exploring options to relocate and even add to the historic collection.

South Asian cuisine can vary drastically by region — from Bengali curry to Pakistani biryani and everything in between — but you can find options from all over the subcontinent right here in Kansas City. Here's where to find the metro's best butter chicken, tikka masala, samosas and more.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) chose Kansas City to host this year's conference, covering topics from everyday life with ADHD to how the Trump administration is threatening school accommodations and research funding.

During the record-setting 43-day government shutdown, Missouri Republican Rep. Sam Graves said he got a lot of calls from air traffic controllers — who had to work without pay, despite already being overworked and understaffed. But another shutdown could just be a few months away.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe's desire to eliminate the state income tax is an ambitious goal given the projected $1 billion shortfall in general revenue next fiscal year. He joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss how the plan could take shape.

The U.S. House will vote Wednesday to reopen the government. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, who represents Kansas City, opposes the plan because it fails to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that would make insurance more affordable for residents.

Mexican Americans were disproportionately killed and injured during the Vietnam War. Historian Dr. Gene Chávez has said the contributions and stories of those service members are often overlooked, but his recent project with the Library of Congress will help preserve those stories.

The goal for MOCSA, or the Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault, is for everyone in Kansas City to enjoy the World Cup — in the safest way possible. The group offers training sessions on sexual assault prevention and building bystander invention in public places.

Tech companies have been building more data centers around Kansas City, spurred by the increased need for artificial intelligence. But residents are worried about the environmental impact, higher utility bills, and the long-term consequences for communities.

Most air traffic controllers in the Kansas City area were already working 60-hour weeks before the government shutdown. Now, they're working the same hours without pay. They assure travelers that the skies are safe, but it's adding stress to an already intense job.

KCUR, Generation Listen and the Kansas City Public Library recently convened a community forum to explore the complex issue of redistricting in Missouri and Kansas. Up to Date host Steve Kraske moderated a panel and took questions from the audience, as experts and reporters addressed the practicality, constitutionality and legality of the plans.

Tens of thousands of Kansas City residents are faced with the consequences of the longest government shutdown in American history. People who rely on food benefits remain without the funding that helps put food on the table, while the area's many federal workers are furloughed or continue to work without pay.

Voters around the Kansas City area went to the polls Tuesday to vote on issues critical to their local communities. The metro area saw city council upsets, a win for the four-day school week, and a history-making new mayor, among other results.

KCUR and WIRED recently published an investigation about a major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, which revealed a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.

Even as electric vehicle sales decrease, the mayor of De Soto, Kansas, says the investment already made in the Panasonic battery plant has already benefited local residents and is helping the town as a whole grow. The plant opened earlier this year and is employing about 1,500 people.

After Kansas City saw a rise in homicides connected to domestic violence, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson is collaborating with local municipalities to be proactive in charging before a situation escalates. Johnson also spoke with KCUR's Up To Date with her initiatives to reduce violent crime and efforts on property crimes.

The Kansas City community health clinic will throw a ribbon cutting on November 7 to open its new pediatric wing. The space will focus on preventative care for mothers and children, and reflects the priorities of its namesake, Samuel Rodgers.

Monarch butterflies usually flutter into Kansas City in swarms and visit for a couple of days before continuing south to Mexico. But with prolonged summer heat and heavy winds, the monarchs' migration trickled through over weeks.

Christal Watson and Rose Mulvany Henry are the two names on next week's ballot vying to replace Tyrone Garner as the next mayor and CEO of the Unified Government. They joined KCUR's Up To Date to lay out their respective visions for the future of their community.

Fairway's independent bookstore Rainy Day Books has been going strong for 50 years, thanks to the large community it's built. To celebrate, Rainy Day's founder will share highlights and stories of the big name authors who have helped propel the small Kansas shop to the national stage.

Prairie Village will see turnover on the city council after November's election. Four of the six incumbents whose terms are up are not running again. Chi Nguyen, who represents Ward 3, and Greg Shelton, who represents Ward 5, joined KCUR's Up To Date to reflect on their terms and the recent controversies that have shaped the city.