Up To Date

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Up to Date focuses on pressing issues, both local and national, including politics, economics, planning and design, history and entertainment - topics that have an impact on the lives of the Greater Kansas City region.

KCUR Studios


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 1,149 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Up To Date

    KC Soundcheck: Shelby Floyd

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 25:05


    After years of rejection, Overland Park native Shelby Floyd felt her dreams come true as she won the HBO Max reality competition show "Second Chance Stage." The singer-songwriter taps into the highs and lows of her journey in her first single "Sad Girl Spring."

    After Patriot Front rally, Kansas City mayor says he doesn't want to amplify white supremacists

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 45:55


    Some Kansas Citians on social media have criticized the way that the KCPD and Mayor Quinton Lucas responded to a march of masked white nationalists last weekend. In a wide-ranging conversation, Lucas defended his comments, as well as discussed the Royals' search for a new stadium, his recent trip to Qatar and fixing public transit.

    During 38 years in a Missouri prison, Patty Prewitt maintained hope — and her innocence

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 24:35


    In December, then-Missouri Gov. Mike Parson commuted the life sentence of Patty Prewitt, who had already spent 38 years behind bars for a crime she maintains she did not commit. Now, she's out with a new book, "Trying to Catch Lightning in a Jar: Letters from Prison."

    Tom Papa from 'Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!' performing in Kansas City this weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 22:01


    Avid public radio listeners know Tom Papa as a regular panelist and guest host on NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" and for his role on the program "Live From Here." He'll be in Kansas City for a stand-up comedy set this Saturday.

    Missouri banned Callery pears and 5 other invasive plants. Grow these instead

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 14:54


    Missouri lawmakers have banned the sale or transport of six native plant species, including Callery pear trees. The ban will go into effect Jan. 1, 2029 — to give sellers time to replace their inventories.

    Cass County students competing in Missouri Civics Bee with ideas to improve their community

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 23:45


    A local civics bee competition in Harrisonville, Missouri, challenged students' knowledge and ability to make a difference in society. Now students from Harrisonville and Raymore-Peculiar schools will compete in the state competition.

    AI is being trained on stolen books. Here's what a bestselling Kansas author has to say about it

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 31:18


    For years, tech companies have secretly used pirated e-book libraries to train their generative artificial intelligence models. "It horrifies me," says Kansas author Bryn Greenwood, whose books were among those stolen.

    How Kansas Citians could be affected by cuts to SNAP, the federal food benefits program

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 13:52


    President Trump's tax-cut bill, which was narrowly approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, could dramatically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Kansas City advocates say this would harm the nearly 850,000 residents between Missouri and Kansas that depend on food benefits.

    Missouri House Speaker defends 2026 abortion ban measure — but says more ballot votes are likely

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 29:43


    Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson, who represents Lee's Summit, says next year's vote on whether to ban abortion again might not be the end of efforts around how the state regulates the procedure.

    Kansas woman killed at Capitol Jewish Museum was 'trying to do the peace building,' father says

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 7:28


    Sarah Milgrim, who was from Prairie Village, was shot and killed along with her partner Yaron Lischinsky outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. Both worked for the Israeli embassy, and the couple was about to leave for a trip to Israel.

    Royals rookie starting pitcher Noah Cameron is making history for his hometown team

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 21:58


    St. Joseph, Missouri, native Noah Cameron is living out his childhood dream by pitching for the Kansas City Royals. In his first two major league starts, he has already become "the person that everybody is watching." Hear his conversation with KCUR's Up To Date.

    Truman Library exhibit captures Kansas City jazz musicians over the decades

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 23:35


    Spanning local legends to contemporary up-and-comers, "Jazz KC Portraits" captures the musicians and stories of Kansas City's jazz scene. On display at the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Independence, the exhibit also reveals the connection of President Truman to the city's early jazz era.

    UMKC Conservatory announces a multi-million-dollar expansion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 13:53


    The UMKC Conservatory announced a planned expansion for its facilities that will aim to increase "performance, classroom and collaboration opportunities for students and the Kansas City community." The first phase is estimated to cost $35 million.

    Missouri's legislative session ended in dramatic fashion. Here's what went down

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 23:18


    The Missouri General Assembly's 2025 legislative session ended last week, but with some last-minute drama. While it was a more productive term than in recent years, some legislative priorities — including funding packages for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums — didn't make it to the finish line.

    UMKC Conservatory announces a multi-million-dollar expansion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 13:53


    The UMKC Conservatory announced a planned expansion for its facilities that will aim to increase "performance, classroom and collaboration opportunities for students and the Kansas City community." The first phase is estimated to cost $35 million.

    KC Soundcheck: Paris Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 21:55


    Kansas City artist Paris Williams has been writing songs since he was 13. His music is a blend of the rap and R&B he listened to with his parents, and the indie, pop and punk his classmates listened to growing up in Muskegon, Michigan. You can hear him perform later this month at Manor Fest.

    Missouri will see an abortion ban on the ballot. Advocates are preparing for another campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 14:30


    Only six months after Missourians enshrined the right to an abortion in the state's constitution, the issue is going back before voters. Republican lawmakers approved an abortion ban amendment that would overturn many of the protections in Amendment 3.

    75 years after Truman integrated the military, Black veterans reflect on the 'freedom to serve'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 28:09


    In 1950, a special committee assembled by President Harry S. Truman delivered its groundbreaking report on desegregating the military. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with two Black veterans to discuss the legacy of Truman's decision and the battles that are still being fought to ensure the integration of the armed forces.

    Mario Vasquez, Kansas City's new city manager, talks about how he plans to approach the job

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 33:10


    Kansas City Council voted last week to make Mario Vasquez, a longtime city employee, as the new city manager. Vasquez joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his new role and his vision for Kansas City.

    This Fort Leavenworth soldier plans to keep fighting against Trump's transgender ban

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 22:06


    Thousands of military members are pending discharge from the military after President Trump's ban on transgender people was allowed to go into effect. One Army major stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, tells Up To Date why she'll continue to resist the ban.

    Food recs: The best late-night eats in Kansas City

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 44:35


    Maybe you're working late, or maybe you caught a concert or show downtown — sometimes, you just need a good meal after the dinner hour. Here's where to eat out in Kansas City after 10 p.m.

    Ketanji Brown Jackson accepts Truman Foundation's 'Good Neighbor Award' in Kansas City

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 44:36


    Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson visited Kansas City on Thursday to accept the Good Neighbor Award from the Truman Foundation. She joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss what it is like to be a justice in this politically-charged era of government as well as her bestselling autobiography "Lovely One."

    Spinning Tree Theatre and other Kansas City arts organizations stripped of federal arts grants

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 16:39


    Arts organization in Kansas City are under financial pressure after the Trump administration rescinded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Spinning Tree Theatre is one of hundreds of organizations who were notified by email last week that their grant had been withdrawn.

    What does it mean to be truly free? A Kansas professor says our ancient ancestors have the answer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 19:30


    In "The Psychology of Liberty: Reclaiming Everyday Freedom," University of Kansas professor Dr. Barbara Kerr defines freedom as having the time to play, gossip and create in community — all activities our ancient ancestors prioritized.

    Catholics will soon elect a new pope. Here's what happens in the conclave

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 18:18


    On Wednesday, cardinals — some of the highest-ranking clergy — will sequester to choose a new pope for the Catholic Church. Here's how the process works, and how it compares to the way it was depicted in the 2024 film "Conclave."

    KCUR leaders on the executive order to defund NPR and member stations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 18:17


    President 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.

    How Missouri's Josh Hawley wields his own flavor of populism on Capitol Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 14:15


    The senior U.S. senator from Missouri is known for his raised fist in solidarity with Trump supporters on January 6, and he was the first Republican senator to object to the 2020 election results. He's also positioned himself as a champion of working class Americans.

    Could Kansas Panasonic plant get hit in Trump's campaign against clean energy?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 7:57


    The changing political landscape around clean energy makes for an uncertain future for Kansas students training for jobs at the multi-billion-dollar Panasonic Energy plant in De Soto, Kansas.

    Kansas City wants to reinvest in Prospect Avenue. Here's what's being considered

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 16:24


    The ProspectUS plan lays out guidelines for the city to invest in the neighborhoods along Prospect Avenue — without displacing neighbors who live there.

    A child welfare bill is heading to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk. What's in it?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 15:08


    A child welfare bill that passed through both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly this week will raise the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Platte County, says this will prevent young women from being victimized.

    5 Questions: Kathy Nelson of Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 26:50


    Kathy Nelson is the president and CEO of both Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. She joined KCUR's Up To Date for our series "5 Questions."

    Kansas City women look back on experiences in Vietnam War, 50 years after the fall of Saigon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 36:03


    On April 30, 1975, the city of Saigon in South Vietnam fell to the North Vietnamese forces, marking the end of the nearly 20-year Vietnam War. These are the stories of three Kansas Citians with direct ties to the conflict.

    This Independence program delivers support, not just emergency aid, to 911 callers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 14:16


    In Independence, Missouri, an emergency response program called ARCH pairs social workers with paramedics to better address 911 calls. By focusing on specialized immediate care and long-term support, ARCH aims to meet people where they are — and free up police and fire services for other emergencies.

    Count Basie Orchestra got its start in Kansas City. It's returning to celebrate 90 years

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 22:59


    On Wednesday, April 30, the Count Basie Orchestra will celebrate 90 years swinging at the Kansas City Music Hall. "Everybody in the orchestra will be featured. And we'll just be doing what Mr. Basie began in 1935," director Scotty Barnhart told Up To Date.

    Could Kansas City learn from Houston's success combatting homelessness?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 19:23


    Since 2012, homelessness in Houston has decreased more than 60%. As Kansas City continues its own efforts, the woman who developed Houston's strategy will speak at the Kansas City Public Library next week.

    Kansas City's interim city manager says she wants to prioritize transparency

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 22:47


    Kimiko Gilmore has filled in as Kansas City's acting city manager since Brian Platt was fired last month. She's now a finalist for the permanent job, and says the city needs to be "building confidence with the community."

    Cameron Lamb's family feels 'sense of relief' after KCPD settles civil rights lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 11:30


    A civil rights lawsuit is costing the KCPD and the city's Board of Police Commissioners $4.1 million. An attorney for the family of Cameron Lamb, who was killed by a white detective in 2019, said they're happy to have the "political football" of the case behind them.

    Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins picked this design for its museum expansion. Here's why

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 12:28


    Nelson-Atkins officials announced this week that the New York City firm Weiss/Manfredi will be the lead architect for the museum's upcoming expansion project, which is expected to be the largest investment in Kansas City arts in years.

    Why the measles vaccine is so important now, as outbreak spreads to Kansas and Missouri

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 13:02


    Kansas has so far identified 37 measles cases this year — mostly among children — and the first Missouri measles case of the year was reported just last week. Dr. Sarah Boyd of Saint Luke's Health System says vaccinating is the best way to prevent contracting the airborne virus.

    How Catholics in Kansas City will remember Pope Francis: 'He embraced everyone'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 18:53


    Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, died Monday at age 88. Around the world and in Kansas City, Catholic faithful are mourning his loss.

    We invited Kansas City's Congress members to a Q&A with residents. Only Democrats answered

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 48:30


    KCUR invited Congress members from Kansas and Missouri to answer questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington. Despite multiple invitations to each of the area's federal elected officials, just Democratic Reps. Sharice Davids and Emanuel Cleaver II chose to attend. Here's what we heard.

    Looking for morels around Kansas City? Here's how to go mushroom hunting like a pro

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 13:05


    The distinctive fungus prized for its earthy flavor has a honeycomb appearance and pops up after heavy spring rains — just like the Kansas City metro experienced this past weekend.

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