Up To Date

President Donald Trump's travel ban and delays in visa applications have blocked some international students from coming to the U.S. to study this fall. International students contribute more than $40 billion to the U.S. economy and could equate to a billion dollar loss to schools and the local communities they serve.

NPR fans will recognize Bill Kurtis from the weekend game show “Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!” But his nearly six-decade career in journalism launched in Topeka, Kansas, when he warned viewers about an incoming tornado.

Lawrence, Kansas, is known for Jayhawk basketball and its Bleeding Kansas history, but its food scene is worth digging into, too. Here's where to find the best restaurants and bars on Mass Street and beyond.

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Frank White III believes that funding for the agency is "more complicated than it ought to be." His vision for the KCATA is to "try to go regional" with its funding structure, in order to better serve the entire metro.

Millions of Americans could do little more than take in the news of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. More than 1,000 miles away from New York City, Kansas City reporters helped inform readers of victims from the region, and how the fallout affected our local Muslim population.

Millions of people with federal student loans are facing changes to their payment options. And some new borrowers will deal with caps that won't cover the entire cost of their education. It's the result of a complete overhaul of federal student loan policies under President Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill.”

When Missourians voted to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, they also approved the creation of a social-equity focused microbusiness program. Two years in, Missouri's marijuana micro-industry is finally becoming operational — and the first micro-dispensary opened in Platte City in June.

"Moments of Truth: An Exploration of Journalism's Past, Present and Future," a traveling exhibit curated by the Poynter Institute's MediaWise project, will be at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City through Sep. 12.

Lauren Lovelle has been performing country music since she was four, singing with her dad's honky-tonk band in venues near Wichita. Now, the Kansas City songwriter has a band of her own, the Midnight Spliffs, and just released her debut EP, "Other Dreams."

Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss the Republican push to gerrymander Missouri's congressional map, and how it could push him to run for the U.S. House. He also discussed the potential of President Trump sending the National Guard to Kansas City.

Jackson County voters will cast ballots on Sept. 30 in a special recall election targeting County Executive Frank White Jr. On Up To Date, the county executive defended his efforts to work with legislators but said some of his colleagues are determined to keep him from accomplishing things.

Being the spouse of a professional athlete might seem like all glitz and glam. But one wife is sharing the realities of having a husband in the NFL and how it affects their family.

Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates in south Overland Park, has authored a new book as a part of the iconic "For Dummies" book series titled "Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies."

Missouri lawmakers convened in Jefferson City Wednesday to begin the process of redistricting. Republicans — at the urging of President Trump — want to guarantee more representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Under the proposed map, many Kansas Citians would change districts.

Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat and other mammal products as a result of bites from the lone star tick, is on the rise in Missouri and Kansas. Public health experts say more research, and funding, is needed to better address the issue.

It's hard to imagine what might go into planning the wedding of America's biggest super star and a Kansas City Chiefs player — but we have some ideas. A premier Kansas City event planner said a wedding of that magnitude would shut down the city, if it happens here.

Families from around Kansas City will descend upon Crown Center for three days of food, music and culture at the Irish Fest this weekend. Among the attendees will be Ireland's ambassador to the United States, who says the festival's "reputation goes before you."

Missouri lawmakers may redraw Kansas City's congressional district to dilute Democratic voting power, in order for Republicans to win another seat in the 2026 midterms. Democrats intend to fight, but ultimately, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said that President Trump's disregard for democracy will endanger the country.

Few election cycles in living memory have been quite as chaotic as the 2024 presidential election. A new book from journalists Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen looks at what happened behind the scenes in Washington as the campaign unfolded. The authors are in Kansas City for an American Public Square event on Wednesday.

Kansas City is known worldwide for the jazz legends that called this city home. But local musicians say the city should do more to uplift its present-day musicians and the music industry.

The city flag of Overland Park has long been considered among the worst in the nation. A new flag set to be adopted next month, with its tree motif and green and white color palette, is much more effective, according to the North American Vexillological Association.

President Trump recently announced his intent to "lead a movement" to end mail-in ballots and the use of voting machines in states' elections. Both are used extensively in Missouri and Kansas, and election officials weigh in about what those changes would mean.

Residents who enroll in North Kansas City's Citizen Academy get a 10-week course on local government systems, and how the various departments function and affect their lives. The mayor said the program has increased participation in local boards and commissions.

After serving less than a year of his elected term as Missouri attorney general, Andrew Bailey resigned to join President Trump's administration as co-deputy director of the FBI. He's only the latest Republican to use that role as a stepping stone to a federal position.

Since taking over as the owner of Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard in 1996, Betty Bremser has turned the Brookside ice cream shop into one of Kansas City's most iconic sweet treat destinations. Now, she is selling Foo's to two former employees.

Kansas City hoped the downtown space would be one of the primary "focal points" during World Cup festivities next June, but the project won't be ready in time. Kansas City Manager Mario Vasquez joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss how preparations are going, the new bus contract between the city and the KCATA, and more.

Trust in the criminal justice system in Wyandotte County has been tainted by the actions of disgraced former KCKPD detective Roger Golubski. In an interview with KCUR's Up To Date, District Attorney Mark Dupree defended his office's review of past cases, and sought to dispel rumors about Golubski's suicide.

Kansas City's own Charlie "Bird" Parker revolutionized jazz music. Local jazz legend Lonnie McFadden is leading a celebration of Parker's music and legacy at the Folly Theater this month.

The Sun Fresh at 31st and Prospect closed this month, after years of safety concerns and millions of dollars in investment from Kansas City. The CEO of the nonprofit that operated the grocery says that security measures became costly — and still not enough to keep customers coming.

Edward McCabe helped establish an all-Black Kansas town on his mission to create a state inhabited and run by freed slaves. In a new book, author Caleb Gayle writes about how McCabe earned the nickname of "Black Moses" and what his quest for liberation meant.

Sandwiches are versatile, portable, and filling, which makes them perfect for a hearty breakfast, a picnic lunch or a low-key dinner. Kansas City's food scene is full of delicious hoagies, tortas and bahn mi. Here's where to find the cream of the crop.

The Kansas City Royals have spent much of the year hovering just below the .500 mark. With only seven weeks left in the season, do they have a chance of sneaking into the playoffs?

Former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg is visiting Kansas City to speak at an American Public Square event. He spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about the issues he sees in the modern Democratic party — and why he believes younger leadership and a focus on grassroots organizing can help the party in future elections.

UnidosUS CEO and Kansas City, Kansas, native Janet Murguía joins KCUR's Up To Date to discuss a turbulent moment in history for Latino families across the country.

After the Congress clawed back $1.1 billion in federal funding to NPR and PBS, Morning Edition host Leila Fadel explains why public media must prevail as a source of independent, free-to-access, independent reporting.

Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease specialist with Saint Luke's Health System, told KCUR that federal cuts to mRNA research and development could cause a setback in pandemic preparedness.

The Kansas City Public Library announced a "Strategic Plan" to meet community needs, funded by a new grant. Anyone can weigh in on what they want it to include.

Dr. Jennifer Collier oversees the education of more than 14,000 kids in Kansas City. She spoke with KCUR's Up To Date as part of our series "5 Questions," and shared what's important to her outside of the school setting.

At Dozer, kids put down the screens to play in the sand. A Children's Mercy pediatrician says it is one way to restore family connection amid "technoference."

Jeffrey Schmid, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, says the central bank needs to be free from partisan influence in order to maintain balances — and help ensure full employment and stable pricing.

Bridgette Williams, who represents Wyandotte County on the KCATA Board of Commissioners, remains hopeful that a deal will be made soon with Kansas City, Missouri. The transit agency needs a contract soon to secure funding and prevent bus service cuts.

Missouri students won't be able to send texts or check social media during class after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a law banning cellphones during school — although there are some important exceptions. School leaders tend to agree that phones are disruptive, but they worry about enforcement of the law.