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The Chiefs won in a way NFL teams aren't supposed to win. They dominated the Las Vegas Raiders in a 31-0 victory and held the visitors to three first downs and fewer than 100 total yards. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell explain how it happened and what it means for the Chiefs, who return to action on “Monday Night Football” against the Washington Commanders. Also, the Chiefs welcomed back receiver Rashee Rice — and he delivered a big game — but are still missing left tackle Josh Simmons, and now defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott could be lost for the season. The Sunflower Showdown arrives this weekend when Kansas State travels to Kansas. The Wildcats own a 16-game winning streak in the series, but beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha discuss why both teams are feeling pressure in this game. Check out this week's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chiefs delivered their best performance of the season by defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes played like an MVP, and we know what looks like. The Chiefs defense held the Lions to less than half of their scoring total, and they got a solid performance from a new starter, left tackle Jaylon Moore. Columnist Sam McDowell Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney break it down on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR and looking ahead to the long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who comes off his season-opening six-game suspension in time for Sunday's home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Also, we discuss the latest developments in the Kansas City stadium story. What does it mean to have a new Jackson County executive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trust in the news and protections for journalists is declining globally. Gustavo Gorriti, an investigative reporter from Peru who has faced death threats and been kidnapped, spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about journalists' role in protecting democracy.
Larry Lunsford of Kansas City will serve a one year term as president of Rotary International, starting in 2027. He told KCUR's Up To Date that his "heart is full of joy at the opportunity to serve in this meaningful way."
As the government shutdown continues, the lack of any federal funding is having a profound impact on people around the country and here in Kansas City. KCUR's Up To Date examined the government shutdown from three different perspectives.
The Chiefs had control of their Monday Night Football game at Jacksonville, then lost it, regained it, and finally went down to defeat. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what went wrong in the crushing 31-28 loss. In other topics, the FIFA World Cup in North America is ninth months away, and Kansas City will be part of the action. What progress has been made? KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer provides a snapshot of what's been happening, and what needs to happen as Kansas City prepares for the world's biggest sporting event. Missouri takes on Alabama on Saturday in one of the biggest college football games in the Tigers' SEC era. We preview the college football weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Whether you're searching for a Halloween haunt, an Oscar contender or a new series to binge, Kansas City film critics Austin Vashaw, Abby Olcese and Patrick Moore have you covered. They joined KCUR's Up To Date to bring you their latest movie and streaming recommendations.
Musician Kelley Gant is heading to Los Angeles to perform at the Masters of Musical Whistling competition. She stopped by KCUR's Up To Date to whistle a Charlie Parker tune and tell us how she got into the art form.
The Chiefs played a complete game and the Royals completed a season. Both are topics on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR. Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down Kansas City's convincing 37-20 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens and what it means as they take on an a Jacksonville Jaguars team that suddenly looks rugged. The Royals finished their season with a winning record but missed the playoffs. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? And how does next year shape up? Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The musician Waxahatchee and comedian Caleb Hearon, who are friends and Kansas City residents, call affordable housing the issue of our time. This week, they're headlining a benefit show for KC Tenants at the Uptown Theater, and they joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss their careers on stage and their activism in the community.
All fixed, right? The Chiefs won their first game this season, at the New York Giants on Sunday. It wasn't artful but a much-needed victory, and the Chiefs might have found a weapon at wide receiver in the process. On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell break down the triumph near Gotham. and look ahead to Sunday's home game against the Baltimore Ravens. Also, Star correspondent Daniel Sperry reviews the huge soccer weekend in Kansas City. He covers the Current, Sporting KC and the Premier League's fan festival at the Power & Light District. Was the party at the P&L a preview of what Kansas City can expect with World Cup visitors next summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Overland Park-raised journalist Dave Jorgenson was hired at The Washington Post, reaching a younger audience was his mission. So he created the newspaper's TikTok, dressed up in costumes, and delivered the headlines in a different way. He spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about how he got his start, and his new company Local News International.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids said that Kansans will begin to feel the effects of the spending cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program at the beginning of the year. She spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about the recent budget bill signed into law by President Trump.
Six candidates are hoping to replace Tyrone Garner as the next mayor of Kansas City, Kansas. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with Gwendolyn Thomas ahead of the August 5 primary — and we interviewed three other candidates in an episode last week.
Congress has approved a plan to claw back funding from U.S. foreign aid programs and public broadcasting organizations like NPR and PBS. What does this mean for KCUR? The station's general manager and interim content director discuss how this could impact our work.
Gwen Grant spends a lot of time uplifting and advocating for Kansas City's Black community, but what does she do with her down time? She joined KCUR's Up To Date for an installment of our series "5 Questions."
On Monday, lawmakers in Kansas opted to extend the deadline for state incentives, so that the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals have more time to negotiate building new stadiums across state lines. Kansas House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard joined KCUR's Up To Date to explain where things stand.
Kevin Yoder once represented Kansans from Wyandotte County south to Edgerton, Spring Hill and Louisburg. He joined KCUR's Up To Date for our series "5 Questions."
Today marks 10 years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. KCUR spoke to Kansas City couples about their love stories — and what the anniversary means to them.
The Kansas City Police Department pays out settlements for crashes for which it takes responsibility. A 10-month KCUR investigation uncovered how often Kansas City police wreck their vehicles — and the cost to taxpayers.
As the ceasefire between Iran and Israel went into effect, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, a Republican from Missouri, told KCUR that he backs President Trump's decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. Alford's district includes Whiteman Air Force Base, where the bombers were launched.
KCUR hosted a town hall in Belton, Missouri, with Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of the 4th Congressional District. He answered questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington — including the Trump administration's immigration policies and tariffs, recent protests, and violence against lawmakers.
The U.S. House voted to take back $1.1 billion from public broadcasting stations like NPR and KCUR. Now, the rescission package heads to the U.S. Senate. KCUR's CEO and news director explain what's happening and what it means for this station — plus how the newsroom approaches its journalism.
Kansas City native Juana Summers, a co-host of NPR's "All Things Considered," returned to her hometown to join KCUR at its 2025 Radioactive Gala. She joined Up To Date to talk about getting her start here in journalism, and the importance of public media.
Kansas City is exactly one year away from the first FIFA World Cup match at Arrowhead Stadium. KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer joined KCUR's Up To Date for an update on how the nonprofit is working through security and helping businesses prepare.
If the U.S. Senate signs off on the rescission package passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, the loss of federal funding would be an immediate hit to hundreds of public broadcasters like KCUR. "We're going to rely on this community to figure out ways so that we are not having to diminish the service we provide," says General Manager Sarah Morris.
In response to the policies of the Trump administration, "No Kings" protesters will take to the streets around the country this Saturday. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with one of the organizers of a protest in Kansas City.
Six nurses threatened to storm out of the Swope mansion in Missouri at the height of a 1909 typhoid epidemic, claiming that “people are being murdered in this house.” Was the Swope family dying of typhoid, or was it something more nefarious?Sources:Carus, W. Seth. Bioterrorism and Bicrimes: The Illicit Use of Biological Agents since 1900 (Amsterdam: Fredonia Books, 2002).Deel, Karla. Storied & Scandalous Kansas City: A History of Corruption, Mischief and a Whole Lot of Booze.(Lanham, MD, Globe Pequot, 2019).Duke, Thomas Samuel. Celebrated Criminal Cases of America (The James H Barry Company, 1910). Fowler, Giles. Deaths on Pleasant Street (Kirksville: Truman State University Press, 2009).Martin, Mackenzie. “The strange case of Mr. Swope and Dr. Hyde: Kansas City's great unsolved murder mystery.” KCUR. https://www.kcur.org/history/2023-10-25/thomas-swope-park-murder-trial-bennett-hyde-kansas-city-mystery“Medicine: Murders in Missouri.” TIME. 20 August, 1934. https://time.com/archive/6894959/medicine-murders-in-missouri/Newspapers:The Kansas City StarSt. Petersburg TimesSt. Louis Globe DemocratSt. Louis Post-DispatchThe Detroit TimesThe Pittsburgh PressThe New York TimesMusic: Credits to Holizna, Fesilyan Studios & Virginia ListonFor more information, visit www.oldbloodpodcast.com
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his latest book, "Mark Twain," which paints a nuanced portrait of a complicated American author from the Heartland.
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.
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.
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.
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."
The red hot royals are on such a roll... they are winning now even when they haven't earned it. The White Sox gift one to the Royals, thank you very much. This one was absolutely crazy. NPR affiliate KCUR in Kansas City is whining that Trump is cutting $500k from their annual budget but wait until you hear how little that is. It's shocking. I'm starting to think Canada as the 51st state was just the opening salvo from Trump and he's got his eyes set on something else. A conservative, oil rich province. ICE working with Tennessee State Troopers set up a roadblock this week and stopped 150 cars with illegal aliens, drugs, gang members and everything else you can imagine. Dems are losing their minds over this. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces he's meeting with China regarding trade rules. It's happening this weekend in Switzerland. The New York Mets continue an outrageous streak and a Colorado Buffaloes fan is suing the NFL over Shedeur Sanders draft position.
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.
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."
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.
The Kansas City Royals are coming off their best season in almost a decade after winning a playoff series in 2024. In a live broadcast from Kauffman Stadium, KCUR's Up To Date spoke with Royals owner John Sherman, general manager J.J. Picollo and more about the upcoming season and stadium negotiations.
The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of Proposition A, the minimum wage and sick leave law that voters passed with 58% support last November. In this episode, Fran Marion, a longtime fast food restaurant worker, details her support for the measure. Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, explains his opposition. This story was originally featured as part of KCUR's talk show, Up to Date.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority plans to cut nearly half its bus routes, drastically reduce weekend service, and lay off 171 workers, according to documents obtained by KCUR. What will this mean for the Kansas Citians who rely on public transit to get around?
For more than 40 years, Mike Mahoney reported on government and politics for KMBC 9 News. Mahoney joined KCUR's Up To Date for the series "5 Questions."
Feb. 14 marks the one year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Super Bowl parade that killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan and injured 24 others. In their series "The Injured" from KCUR and KFF Health News, reporters Peggy Lowe and Bram-Sable Smith spoke with survivors about how the shooting continued to impact their lives.
Steve Inskeep, the voice you hear on your morning commute each day co-hosting NPR's Morning Edition and Up First, came to Kansas City to promote his book "Differ We Must." He joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his fact-based approach to journalism in the era of Trump.