In Missouri, a child must be born before a divorce can be finalized, and advocates fear this can keep people in domestic violence situations from being able to leave their abusers. Representative Ashley Aune of Kansas City introduced a bill earlier this February that would undo the statute.

Christina Sanabria didn't think she'd have a career in performing arts. The Johnson County native recently won her second Grammy for children's music as part of the duo 123 Andrés, whose album "We Grow Together Preschool Songs" won Best Children’s Album of the Year.

With a budget surplus and a looming election, Republicans and Democrats in the Kansas Legislature have said it's necessary to pass tax relief this session. Journalists who cover the Kansas Statehouse have insights into how that might happen.

The Kansas legislature has taken up several bills this session that the ACLU says would make casting ballots harder. The House Committee on Elections' chair says the goal is to improve Kansans' confidence in elections, and that many of the measures won't make it to a vote on the floor.

Reyes served in many Kansas City community organizations and was dedicated to bridging the gap between its Spanish- and English-speaking residents. Her children are dedicated to continuing her legacy.

Two local U.S. representatives — Republican Mark Alford and Democrat Emanuel Cleaver — hope to address the fentanyl crisis in Missouri and around the country.

Business owners in the Crossroads area, where the Royals want to build a $2 billion stadium and entertainment complex, fear the district known as a haven for artists will lose its character. "You can imagine people who are counting on this neighborhood for their livelihood, are very worried and concerned about how this plan is going to affect them," said one owner.

The 2023 National Geographic documentary “The Space Race” explores the history of Black astronauts, including Kansas City’s own Ed Dwight. Local nonprofit aSTEAM Village is screening the movie to fund their trip to the 50th National Society of Black Engineers convention in Atlanta.

Clay Bauske has served as the curator of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum for over 40 years and is set to retire at the end of the month. During his time in the role, museum curation has changed dramatically — but he argues that how we view President Truman has also shifted over these last four decades.

Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander doesn't know what law might have stopped the mass shooting at Kansas City's Union Station. And rather than propose new laws, Kander told Up To Date the first step should be to remove a law that protects gun companies and manufacturers from civil litigation.

Khalia Davis started as The Coterie's new producing artistic director on Feb. 1. Before landing in Kansas City, Davis helped lead the Bay Area Children’s Theatre in Oakland, California. Her appointment comes a year after her predecessor died by suicide amidst accusations of sexual abuse.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said her office will work closely with the juvenile court, which has charged two minors in connection with the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally last week. The prosecutor discussed legal challenges she anticipates with the case and ways she'd like to see gun policy change in the state.

This weekend at the Westin Crown Center Hotel, conference centers and hotel rooms will turn into concert venues as a part of Folk Alliance International’s annual conference. It bills itself as the largest gathering of the folk music industry and community in the world.

The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens aims to be an educational hub for conservation-focused farming practices in the Midwest.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a beloved DJ and leader in Kansas City’s Latino community, was shot and killed at the Chief’s Super Bowl victory parade at Union Station on Feb. 14. “She was a big-hearted person,” Galvan’s brother, Beto Lopez, told KCUR's Up To Date.

One person was killed and 22 others were injured on Wednesday during a mass shooting that occurred at the end of the Chiefs championship parade and rally. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with government officials at the local, state and federal levels to get their reactions to what happened.

As monetary donations roll in from across the country, one local organization has a different ask. The Kansas City Pioneers, an esports team, are collecting gaming systems for kids who were hospitalized at Children’s Mercy.

Tens of thousands of people were caught up in the melee after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday. KCUR’s Up To Date spoke with just a handful of them to learn about the terrifying experience, and find out what they took away from it.

A mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs championship rally forever changed how we will view what was supposed to be an exciting day for the city. Before the beginning of the parade, Up To Date broadcasted along the parade's route on Grand Avenue.

Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and plotlines. Up To Date's panel of romance readers recommends celebrating non-traditional love stories this Valentine's Day.

Elizabeth Kolbert, the Pulitzer-winning author of "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" and a staff writer for The New Yorker, says there are no easy choices when it comes to dealing with water shortages in Kansas, but changes are necessary. Kolbert will speak at the Linda Hall library Tuesday, Feb. 13.

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 25 to 22 to win their third title in five years.

Legendary sportscaster Kevin Harlan and his daughter Olivia Harlan Dekker will make history when they call the big game.

Sowers is having a tough time deciding who to cheer for during the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Sowers, a Kansas native, was on the 49ers coaching staff during the 2020 Super Bowl, but the following year she was coaching with the Chiefs.

This weekend will see the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off in Super Bowl 58. In a public radio tradition, Kansas City's KCUR and San Francisco's KQED have made their own friendly wager.

Community members are outraged over a cellphone video that captured off-duty KCPD officers pushing a handcuffed Black woman face-first into the ground and calling her an “animal." Speaking on KCUR's Up To Date, Police Chief Stacey Graves said the incident is being reviewed internally and by outside law enforcement.

Writers originally from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Belarus will hold an event Friday at Union Station in Kansas City to discuss how the war in Ukraine shaped their work.

Taylor Swift’s appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games have created an economic boom for the metro and encouraged a wave of women and girls to become more involved in football.

Indigenous languages have been systematically suppressed throughout history. An event at the Kansas City Public Library central branch on Wednesday evening highlights poets who are bringing tribal languages back into their poetic processes.

During her year-long appointment by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Civil will work with local organizations to foster interest in poetry. “I want to plan programming that will help people find themselves,” she told KCUR’s Up To Date.

Kansas City resident Michael Menkhus, a Hallmark data analyst, was a two-time Jeopardy! champion in 2022. He got invited back to compete in the 2024 Champions Wildcard, which aired last week.

Come summer of 2026, Kansas Citians will see an influx of tourists for six FIA World Cup games scheduled to be played in the metro. Now that the city knows which games it's hosting, KC2026 can begin more detailed planning for the event, including how to address public transit needs.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have become the talk of the town ever since the popstar attended a Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium back in September. Since then, unfounded conspiracy theories from the far-right have swirled around the power couple.

During this year's NFL playoffs, burning and smashing the Shawnee shop's "Burnt Bills" and "Roasted Ravens" donuts were a good luck charm for Chiefs fans. A similar donut will be available for their Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

With the Chiefs back in the Super Bowl and March Madness right around the corner, what better time to catch a game at your neighborhood sports bar? Here’s a list of Kansas City’s best watering holes with big TVs and great food.

After nearly nine years of reporting on the Kansas City region, 41 Action News evening anchor Dia Wall, is departing the station and the city for a new role at WFAA in Dallas. Wall shared memories from her time covering Kansas City, and what it meant to be a journalist here, with KCUR's Up To Date.

One in eight Kansas City seniors struggle with food insecurity. Meals on Wheels, run through the KC Shepherd's Center, normally supplies hot meals to clients, but recent snow and cold temperatures have been a barrier to delivers.

Every Monday for 25 years, a group of Kansas City musicians has gathered for the Rural Grit Happy Hour, a showcase of American roots music. Four days of shows are scheduled this weekend for the quarter-century anniversary.

Currently, 16 and 17 year-olds in Missouri are allowed to marry someone 21 years old or younger with their parent's consent. State Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City, is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to raise the marriage age to 18.

Jennifer Heinemann and Michell Jones know firsthand the impact of Sister Berta Sailer, one of the co-founders of Operation Breakthrough, who died last week. "She was more like a mom, a mentor and my hero," Jones recalled.

During Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, journalist Simon Shuster had unprecedented access to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his inner circle. On Thursday, Shuster will hold a talk about his new book "The Showman" at Unity Temple on The Plaza.

“Inside the Box: A 1951 Time Capsule” runs Feb. 3-May 5 at the Johnson County Museum in Overland Park, Kansas. The exhibit explores the contents of a recently-discovered 1951 time capsule, and offers a glimpse into mid-century suburban life.

Jackson County voters will decide in April whether to fund the Chiefs' and Royals' stadiums through a 3/8th-cent sales tax for the next 40 years. However, two legislators worry their constituents won’t have enough information to cast their ballots.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions as they face the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas next month. KCUR's Greg Echlin broke down how the team got here and what to expect from the big game.

As head dietician with the Kansas City Chiefs, Leslie Bonci uses her knowledge of nutrition to give the team a competitive edge each Sunday.

Glaser, a Missouri native, started performing sets at a Kansas City comedy club while an undergraduate at the University of Kansas. Today, she's one of the country's most successful comics, and she's back in town this Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Uptown Theater for "The Good Girl Tour."

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson laid out his budget proposal during his final State of the State address this week. KCUR's Up To Date asked the governor about his priorities this year and his thoughts on the Royals stadium funding debate.

The highest grossing film of 2023, "Barbie," saw its lead actress and director snubbed during Oscar nominations this week. That frustrated fans and cast members, but not everyone is surprised. KCUR's panel of film experts discuss the Oscar noms and what lesser-known films and series they recommend you see.

Michele Norris spent more than a decade asking Americans to describe their experiences with race in six words. Her new book "Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity" shares those stories, and explores the nuance of how we think about race today.

Missouri state Reps. Aaron McMullen and Robert Sauls argue that Independence School District's move to a four-day week has been unpopular. They've both filed bills that would require towns with more than 30,000 people to vote before a school district can make the switch.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, a coalition of statewide abortion rights groups, has until May 5 to gather more than 171,000 signatures to get a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. The ballot initiative would legalize abortions up to the point of "fetal viability."

The Ascend Cohort Program aims to generate a 30% increase of income for Black professionals and entrepreneurs over three years through a series of professional development seminars.

For the sixth year in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs will play in a conference title game — more than any team other than the Patriots. "We can't normalize this because it's not normal," says Matt McMullen, senior team reporter for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sophie Day didn’t realize she had long COVID until she fainted and fell down a flight of stairs, breaking her collar bone. Since then, she’s been seeing an occupational therapist at University Health’s Center for COVID Recovery, which has helped her manage her debilitating fatigue.

Not everyone has the financial means or the interest to attend a traditional four-year college program. A Kansas City nonprofit is investing millions of dollars into adults making $45,000 or less each year — improving their financial stability and the city's workforce.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge joined KCUR's Up To Date, along with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, to discuss the state of affordable housing in Kansas City and nationwide.

Park University graduate student Victor Diaz was named one of 11 senior semifinalists in this month's Sphinx Competition, hosted annually in Detroit. The top award is $50,000, but Diaz has another prize in mind: Inspiring more Hispanic kids to discover classical music.

Each winter for nearly four years, Monique Litchman and Jeffrey Dungan each navigated life in Kansas City without a place to call home. At times, refuge was a homeless shelter, but sometimes, they stayed outside in the dangerously cold elements.

Edith Chapin, National Public Radio's editor in chief, manages news coverage for one of the largest media organizations in the country. With the presidential election, the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, Chapin is gearing up for an extremely busy 2024.

The annual event runs from Jan. 12-21. Over 200 participating restaurants have created special multi-course menus, with 10% of proceeds going to local nonprofit Kanbe’s Markets. But restaurants are reminding diners to give them some grace during one of their busiest times of the year.

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night in what will likely be the venue's coldest game ever. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with three Chiefs reporters about the matchup, and heard from two season ticket holders about how they're preparing for the frigid temperatures.

DJ Yearwood, an intern for Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley, is working to develop the KC Futures Commission, where teens and young adults would advise the government on relevant issues.

Twenty years ago, Bowling Green Rep. Chad Perkins thought the death penalty was a good idea. Now, he's the sponsor of a bill seeking to end the practice in Missouri, which was just one of five states to carry out executions last year.

Since 2003, the Kauffman Scholars program invested $140 million to help Kansas City-area students in under-resourced areas pursue an education and a successful career.

A local baseball fan created a Facebook group to "save Kauffman Stadium" over two years ago. Now, their movement claims over 7,500 members, even as the campaign to build a new downtown Royals ballpark gains momentum and legislative support.

Jennifer and Adam Parker started Tiny Pantry Times, a free pantry in their front yard, at the height of the pandemic. Three years later, the Johnson County couple is providing 18,000 pounds of food and other supplies a month, and are working to move to a larger space.

Kansas City got more than 5 inches of snow over the last day, and this weekend, temperatures could drop as low as -10 degrees. Here’s what the city is doing to prepare, and how it plans to tackle the impending pothole season ahead.

Members of the Jackson County Legislature voted to put a 3/8-cent sales tax extension on the April ballot, which would help fund a new Royals ballpark and renovations at Arrowhead Stadium. If voters approve the tax, both teams have committed to staying in Jackson County.

The Brick, a celebrated dive bar in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District, has been serving affordable comfort food in its low-key digs for over two decades. "They’ve become a sort of family to me,” owner Sheri Parr says of her long-time customers.

Finding an affordable meal in Kansas City isn’t as easy as it once was, especially as the restaurant industry emerges from the COVID pandemic. This list of local diners, markets and counter-service spots will help you eat well without spending more than $15.

Missouri's 2024 legislative session is already underway in Jefferson City, and Kansas lawmakers are set to convene in Topeka next week. Here's what to expect from state legislators this year.

Women are still underrepresented in politics, despite serving in some of the highest numbers ever in 2023. The Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus is hoping to address that with a campaign school on January 20.

Kansas City's right-to-counsel program, which provides free legal representation to tenants who end up in eviction court, has prevented more than 1,000 evictions since its launch in June 2022.

Kansas City has been waiting for months to hear where the Royals want to build their proposed new stadium, while the question of funding remains up in the air. Mayor Quinton Lucas expects that "final deals and arrangements" could come in the days ahead.

Doug Frost, who holds the titles of both master sommelier and master of wine, joined Up To Date to talk all things wine.

The holiday season is expected to be filled with joy and social gatherings, but it can also be an incredibly isolating time for many. A University Health psychologist offers some suggestions for getting out of the house and making connections.

Michael Glenn, a 16-year-old from Hutchinson, Kansas, and Gina Long, a local librarian, launched The Hutchinson Tribune in July.

In the days before Christmas, Flourish Furniture Bank, the only nonprofit of its kind in the Kansas City area, plans to fully furnish eight homes for people experiencing housing insecurity.

Leavenworth County's Council on Aging, which provides services and programs for older adults, recently established a bucket list for aging adults. People 50 years and older are saddling up for adventures that take them high above Kansas City, zipping through treetops and out on the open water.

In October, the mayors of the three largest cities in Wyandotte County floated the idea of dissolving the Unified Government as an option to address debt and service issues. But not everyone thinks those structural changes are the right approach.

In his new book “On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth,” Native activist Daniel Wildcat explores how ancient Indigenous knowledge can be used to solve many of today’s most urgent issues, including climate change.

The bridge — which connects Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas to the West Bottoms in Kansas City, Missouri — had been slated for possible demolition until last month, when a group of local business owners made their case to repair it.

Popular Kansas City harpist and vocalist Calvin Arsenia is now also running his own performance venue — Greenwood Social Hall in Kansas City's Westside neighborhood — which he took over at the beginning of the month.

If you're looking for a good book to end the year with, Up To Date's panel of Kansas City book enthusiasts have read a combined total of more than 210 books this year. Check out their recommendations for your personal reading or for gifting to loved ones.

Following a 56-106 season that placed the Royals near the bottom of Major League Baseball, the team is uncharacteristically spending serious money to improve the team.

Saint Louis University is running a prison education program that provides some Missouri inmates and prison staff with the opportunity to earn degrees. An inmate who hopes to return to Kansas City upon his release says the program gave him a new perspective on life.

The country is seeing a shortage of behavioral health care professionals at the same time that demand for mental health care is rising. This fall, Kansas City hosted the Behavioral Health and Leadership Summit to discuss the shortage and how to attract more people to the field.

Kansas City native Jon Lovitch is a full-time gingerbread man who holds the Guinness World Record for the “largest entirely edible gingerbread village." To make this year's display at City Market, it took 300 pounds of gingerbread and 1,800 pounds of icing.

The CDC reported this month that only 17% of adults and 7% of children have received the updated COVID vaccine, which targets more recent coronavirus strains. But it’s never too late to get boosted, especially if you're hopping on a plane for Christmas break.

Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn announced last summer that she wouldn't run for re-election. She'll officially leave office when newly-elected mayor Marc Elkins is sworn in on Jan. 2.

Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka for the 2024 legislative session next month, and cannabis may be on the topic list. While Republican Senate President Ty Masterson is opposed to fully legalizing weed in Kansas, he says he's open to a discussion about medical marijuana.

Consuming news and information about traumatic events such as war and natural disasters can expose people to secondary trauma — even if they're not directly involved in what's happening.

Liberty Hospital in the Northland announced last month that it would partner with the University of Kansas Health System to help provide care. But the announcement is garnering some backlash from local lawmakers — rooted in the fact that it would bring a Kansas institution across state lines.

Three Kansas City schools were surprised with $10,000 each last week from the local nonprofit BeGreat Together. The grant is intended to help teachers at historically underfunded public schools enhance the classroom experience.

The Pinnacle Prize, established by philanthropist Kenneth and Ann Baum, is awarded each year to two Kansas Citians 40 years and younger who have shown a commitment to improving the lives of residents. Josh Henges, the city's first homelessness prevention coordinator, is one of this year's winners.

An ordinance proposed by Mayor Quinton Lucas would make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants because they're on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8. If passed, the law would be among the nation's strongest bans on source-of-income discrimination.

The holidays are here, and there's no shortage of festive cheer for the entire family to enjoy.

Sara Siegele, owner of Fountain City Sweets in Olathe, will appear in an episode of Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge" set to air on Dec. 21. “I couldn’t believe it," Siegele says about being asked to compete.

Kansas City's Jewish community will observe the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday. But that community is feeling the dark cloud of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, along with an increase in incidents of antisemitic acts and rhetoric.

Former Kansas City Police Department detective Eric DeValkenaere, who was convicted of killing Cameron Lamb, has asked for clemency from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson — who says he's considering his options. Parson also spoke to KCUR's Up To Date about the possibility of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals moving to Kansas.

Tech N9ne, Kansas City's most famous rapper, has had a busy year. Decades into his career, the 52-year-old artist released a new album and has no plans of slowing down.

Tuesday marked the 150th anniversary of the Kansas City Public Library. KCUR's Up To Date broadcasted from the Central Library in downtown Kansas City to discuss the library's storied history, how it has changed over the years and what its future could look like.

Sheriff Calvin Hayden, the conservative incumbent under fire for his controversial election investigation, will need to beat a former colleague and a current police chief to keep his job for a third term.

In a new political tell-all book, "Romney: A Reckoning," journalist McKay Coppins explores Sen. Mitt Romney's political career, including his frustrations with one of Missouri's U.S. senators, Josh Hawley.

This month, Alan Kneeland becomes the first Black president of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association. He's the co-owner of The Combine, a pizza restaurant at the corner of 30th and Troost.

Who said you can only try one item off the menu? These Kansas City restaurants — spanning Korean, tapas and others cuisines — encourage ordering big dishes for the table, family-style, or picking a handful of small plates and passing them around.

The new book "Power Up: Leadership, Character and Conflict Beyond the Superhero Multiverse" uses the stories of superheroes to reveal lessons that can be applied to our everyday lives. The book was co-created and co-edited by Kansas City entertainment journalist Jon Niccum.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, over 70% of Americans say tipping is expected in more places than it was five years ago. Despite the rise in tipping, relatively few adults know when, and how much, to tip.

Richard Berkley, who served as Kansas City mayor from 1979 until 1991, died Wednesday at the age of 92. Berkley was the longest-serving and first Jewish mayor of Kansas City.

Part of the Investigation Discovery series, which examines abusive practices in the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, highlights two cases at religious schools in southwest Missouri. The docuseries is now streaming on Max.

The SERV Act, co-sponsored by Kansas City-area Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) and Mark Alford (R-Missouri), will study the challenges to service members starting a business. The legislation passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support.

Lyda Conley became the first Indigenous woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in her efforts to protect a sacred Native cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. A new play by Wyandotte playwright Madeline Easley is bringing Conley's story to the stage.

Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele and David Axelrod, former chief strategist for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, both say the country is headed toward a Trump vs. Biden rematch.

Kansas high school students are taking part in an exchange program that doesn't send them to a foreign country but instead sends them to a "foreign" town in the U.S., somewhere different from where they've grown up.

Environmental justice efforts have gained renewed relevance as a result of unprecedented funding offered by the Biden administration. Tom Jacobs of the Mid-America Regional Council is working to bring that funding to Kansas City.

Kansas City Council member Crispin Rea is the chair of a committee looking for community input on how to move forward with a new city jail. Engagement sessions will be held in the coming weeks so that residents can share their thoughts.

With more than 180,000 Kansas Citians facing food insecurity, GreenLight Fund Kansas City is investing $1.2 million into two nonprofits in an effort to reduce the barriers to equitable food access.

Reports have emerged that a site in Kansas City's Crossroads is being considered for a Royals stadium, but is time running out to make a deal? Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV told KCUR’s Up To Date that both the Royals and Chiefs are making "serious considerations for a move to the Kansas side."

Holiday gatherings are joyful for many, but for some, they can be contentious or difficult. Dr. Wes Crenshaw, a family psychologist in Lawrence, weighs in on how to deal with heated discussions and awkward questions at the dinner table.

The city of Raymore has been battling a proposed landfill on its northern border for more than a year now. Mayor Kris Turnbow, along with other leaders in the area, have been pushing for legislation in the Missouri General Assembly to stop the project before it begins.

With the hopes of making your Thanksgiving even the tiniest bit easier, KCUR's Up To Date asked local food experts and enthusiasts how to cook and host a delicious holiday meal, big or small.

The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport has been operating since February, but this upcoming week might just be the busiest stretch of travel it has seen since opening.

Following a series of listening sessions with community members, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas has developed a new comprehensive strategy called PlanKCK to achieve equitable growth and development while preserving and building upon the city's unique history.

Author Marc Myers had added more songs to his book "Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul." The book includes the breakup story that Grammy-winning Missouri native Sheryl Crow sings about in her hit song "If It Makes You Happy."

Ingredients from the Kansas outdoors — including wild game and foraged produce — will be featured in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' first-ever Wild Foods Cook-Off. The event will take place Sunday, Nov. 19 at Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center in Lawrence.

Kansas City Indian Center and the Not in Our Honor Coalition will protest Monday's game at Arrowhead Stadium over the Chiefs' name and appropriation of Native imagery. The Indigenous-led groups have called for these changes for decades, and they have no plans to stop.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri's 5th congressional district that includes Kansas City, says he isn't confident that the "Ceasefire Now" resolution — sponsored by Rep. Cori Bush — will lead to any concrete results in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins, who has won two Academy Awards for his work on "1917" and "Blade Runner 2049," is coming to Kansas City with his wife and collaborator James Ellis Deakins for events at the Country Club Plaza and National World War I Museum and Memorial.

At the Kansas City Museum, a new exhibit organized by Kansas City nonprofit reStart Inc. shows photos, videos and stories by photographer Randy Bacon that capture the unexpected circumstances that led local residents to homelessness and the resilience that helps some find their way out.

As the Plaza enters its second century, stakeholders have plenty of ideas for how to address concerns about the shopping district. Among them is increasing walkability in the area, which could provide a stronger sense of community.

After voters in Ohio on Nov. 7 approved an amendment that enshrined the right to an abortion into their state constitution, reproductive rights advocates in Missouri are working to follow suit.

The collaboration between Classical KC and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art highlights the connections between visual and aural art, and hopes to make the museum more interactive for visitors.

The main gallery updates are the most significant upgrade to the museum since it opened in 2006. The museum is offering free and discounted admission for Veterans Day.

An estimated 29% of military members who served Iraq and Afghanistan will experience post-traumatic stress during their life time. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to address the mental health condition but after trying multiple other methods, two Kansas veterans found healing through the Kansas City nonprofit Warriors' Ascent.

Statewide purchases of marijuana reached $950 million since Missouri began offering recreational sales in February, and the job market continues to grow. The state has also begun awarding microbusiness licenses. But it hasn't been all roses for the weed industry.

Voters registered as Republicans still outnumber Democrats in Johnson County, but by much less than in 2010. Today, more than half of the county's state representatives today are Democrats — metrics that show the power of the local GOP may be softening.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he's been frustrated by funding talks between Jackson County and the Royals that would bring the team a new downtown ballpark. While he says there is blame on both sides, he believes Jackson County has not negotiated in good faith in recent weeks.

Election Day 2023 featured several important races across the Kansas City area. Voters decided a number of mayoral, city council and school board races across Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and voters in Kansas City, Missouri, approved the continuation of a sales tax crucial to the public bus system.

Kansas City was recently ranked as the worst city in America for dating. The creators of "Meet in the Middle," an interactive dating show at The Bird Comedy Theater, say they're offering a space for Kansas Citians looking for love — or simply a good time — to put down their phones and meet in real life.

Several Kansas lakes are currently under a health advisory due to toxic algae blooms. As temperatures rise, new research from the University of Kansas shows, these toxic water events are expected to worsen and spread to more northern states.

While many soldiers carried rifles in Vietnam, Chip Osborn carried a camera, and was charged with leading a team of soldiers to capture images of the war. This Veterans Day, Osborn will share photos from his deployment at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Kansas City voters will decide Tuesday on whether to renew a 3/8-cents sales tax that provides 30% of the KCATA's funding. If the tax is voted down, routes will be significantly cut and at least 100 workers will be let go.

States were banned from removing people from Medicaid during the COVID-19 public health emergency unless a person moved, died or asked to be taken off. Now that the pandemic has been declared over, Missouri and Kansas have resumed checking eligibility — and the process has not been going well.

The halal eatery, opened in 2018, features African and Mediterranean fare, and is a favorite to locals in search of a warm, filing meal. Hatimi says he uses traditional cooking methods.

On Independence Avenue in the Historic Northeast, adventurous diners don’t have to leave Kansas City to get a taste of the world. Sip chai at Soma Cafe, taste dumplings at Afghan Market, and don’t forget to grab a Mexican pastry or tamale at Elvira’s Pasteleria y Panaderia.

The annual displays in the Kansas City area pays tribute to victims of gun violence, suicide and overdoses in the Latino community. Victims from both sides of the state line will be represented.

The big question right now in Prairie Village, Kansas, is whether to adjust zoning laws in order to address the city's affordable housing problem. As that debate rages on in the Johnson County suburb, city council candidates on both sides of the issue have made it central to their platforms.

The clocks will "fall back" this weekend, and as the days get shorter and colder, it should be a priority to keep up your mental health. One Kansas City psychologist shares tips to lessen the effects of seasonal depression.

"A Seat at the Table," presented by the Kansas City Underground Film Festival, will feature the works of 12 local women and queer filmmakers.

Thirteen is a pivotal age. No longer just because the hormonal and physical changes the body is undergoing, but because in today's digital age, it's the benchmark to legally be allowed to join many social media platforms. Two Kansas City 13-year-olds share their perception of social media.

Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a psychologist and professor at Duke University Medical Center, spoke with Up To Date about how to speak with kids and teens about violence around the world — and here at home.

Lenexa is set to elect a new mayor for the first time in 20 years this November. Vying to replace him are two sitting members of the Lenexa City Council, Ward 1 councilmember Joe Karlin and Ward 4 councilmember Julie Sayers.

Kansas City has gotten caught up in the mania over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's budding romance ever since the singer first came to watch the Chiefs play last month.

At 95 years old, Kansas-born Marilyn Maye said she's singing "better than ever." The iconic performer was a regular fixture in Kansas City for decades, and this weekend she returns to the Folly Theater with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

After an Olathe student tested positive for tuberculosis, four additional cases have been confirmed in the high school. Dr. Doug Swanson, an infectious diseases specialist at Children's Mercy Hospital, shares what symptoms to look for and if the public should be concerned about a wider outbreak.

The short documentary “Renter Revolt: Housing and Human Rights in America’s Heartland," produced by TIME Magazine, shows how the tenant advocacy group has become a leading voice in the national conversation on affordable housing.

It’s no secret that Kansas City’s music roots are deep, particularly in jazz, but what about the city's film scene? A new workshop will teach participants about music and filmmaking, with the aim of producing a documentary on historic local sites.

U.S. military members have a higher rate of eating disorders compared to civilians. The Department of Defense awarded a $4.2 million grant to a University of Kansas professor to establish screening tools to better detect individuals experiencing or at risk of disordered eating.

Tony Award-nominated actress Jennifer Westfeldt stars in Heidi Schreck's play "What the Constitution Means to Me" at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Author and city planner Nolan Gray argues that places like Kansas City need to abolish zoning laws, which he blames for housing segregation and the lack of walkable neighborhoods. Gray is speaking Wednesday at the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza branch.

Holden Ringer started walking across the U.S. in March as part of an effort to raise money and awareness for a pedestrian advocacy organization. After more than seven months mostly spent trekking on trails and highway shoulders, he's made it to Kansas City.

Since the war between Hamas and Israel began over two weeks ago, members of Kansas City's Islamic and Palestinian communities say they have experienced hate at an increased rate. Many say that they are concerned for their safety.

Evergy's climate plan scored just 9 points out of 100 this year, down from 18 last year. The drop comes from Evergy's decisions to push back the closure of coal plants in Kansas City and Lawrence, and its proposed expansion of natural gas power.

The Black, queer singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Kansas, says it's taken them 36 years to fully live life. Performing on stage, Stephonne says, is "me owning that freedom, that wholeness of myself."

October is National Employment Disability Awareness Month, but there’s still more organizations need to do to create accessible workplaces.

Students in Park University's social work, nursing and education departments took part in the exercise, which simulated a month of living at or below the poverty line. The simulation aimed to give students more empathy to clients, patients and students in difficult situations.

The humanitarian organization Heart to Heart International, based in Lenexa, Kansas, is working with partners in the Middle East to bring humanitarian aid to people in Gaza and Israel.

Scientists at Kansas City’s Stowers Institute for Medical Research are studying reef-building coral in a lab to better understand how it’s being impacted by climate change and, hopefully, to find a way to keep these precious animals alive.

Historically Black land-grant universities and colleges have been underfunded by more than $12 billion nationally compared to their non-HBCU counterparts, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education. That includes Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

Ahead of her concert on Saturday in Lenexa, Sarah Lee Guthrie joined KCUR's Up to Date to discuss growing up in a family of folk music royalty, her love of Austin's honky tonk scene, and why she loves touring so much.

An estimated 70% of children quit organized sports by age 13. Filmed in the Kansas City metro, the new documentary "Not Good Enough" discusses the mental strain that young athletes feel from perfectionism and competition, and how adults can better approach the game.

In her new book “Gray Areas: How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It,” sociologist Adia Harvey Wingfield at Washington University in St. Louis lays out actionable items employers and colleagues can take to truly support Black employees.

Gavriela Geller of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau told KCUR's Up To Date in September talk about a recent rise in antisemitic acts in Kansas City and the country. Since the war between Hamas and Israel began this month, Geller believes antisemitism is "absolutely" spiking even more.

After nearly a decade of road blocks, Missouri's Public Service Commission approved final plans for the Grain Belt Express line, which will drop off 2,500 megawatts of wind energy in Missouri. Construction could start as soon as 2025.

Johnson County residents in the Shawnee Mission School District will elect four members to the Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. Key issues are diversity education, academic performance and teacher retention.

Sociology professor and author Alex Vitale, who is set to speak at the UMKC Cockefair Lecture on Tuesday, is calling for the end of policing as we know it. He contends that instead of directly addressing problems like gun violence and drug addiction with effective policy, the U.S. relies on police to "manage" the results.

One week into the war between Hamas and Israel, the deadly conflict is having an impact on Kansas Citians at home and abroad. KCUR's Up To Date was joined by four people who live in our region or have roots here — two with Israeli ties and two with Palestinian ties — to share their experiences and how their family has been affected.

From 2001-2021, more than 20% of Kansas City's homicides have occurred in the Santa Fe neighborhood. Last year, the neighborhood became the focus of KC Common Good's efforts to reduce violence by addressing the root causes. Since then, it's seen a 78% decrease in homicides, leaving Marquita Taylor "cautiously optimistic."

Communities can experience collective trauma from natural disasters, violence or systemic oppression, affecting not just mental health but also generational health and wealth. Kansas City is hosting its fall mental health symposium on community trauma featuring experts and leaders from around the metro.

"Music Feeds the Soul: An Evening of Mary Lou Williams" will celebrate the life and work of the Kansas City jazz icon. The event will take place at Rockhurst University on October 12 at 7:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Without a speaker to lead the U.S. House, Yoder says Republicans can’t rally around a cause they can mostly all agree on: The urgent need to send defense aid to Israel in the wake of Hamas’ attack.

The Jayhawk has been the University of Kansas’s beloved mascot for more than a century. But what’s the story behind the mythical bird, and why has it endured?

After playing their final game at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, ahead of their move to a new riverfront stadium, the Kansas City Current sit near the bottom of the league table. What does the team need to improve?

"A Survey of Elemental Gratitude," an exhibition currently at the Kansas City Public Library, showcases the beauty of the Flint Hills— and asks us to consider its environmental future. Philip Heying's photography will be on display until December 9.

Kansans First is a new PAC founded by bipartisan political leaders from the Kansas Legislature. Their goal is to educate voters and get more centrists elected who can better represent "the heartbeat" of the state.

Federal student loan payments are resuming this month for about 1.2 million Missourians and Kansans after being paused in 2020. But the landscape has changed in the last three years: Borrowers now have new options for payment plans, and their loans could be held by different entities than the last time they paid.

Whether you're waking up with the roosters or you never made it to bed last night, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The Kansas City food scene has a plethora of early-bird offerings to start your day with a sweet or savory kick.

Poor classroom behavior is pushing some teachers out of the profession. The Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education wants to implement learning standards including self-awareness, respect and empathy.

Eight candidates running to be on the Blue Valley School Board spoke at a forum hosted by the Blue Valley Post on Wednesday. With four open seats, candidates have split into two even slates: one that represents the status quo, and another that seeks to push back against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and lessons about race and racism.

Taking place Oct. 7 in the West Bottoms, Kansas City's Chicano Art Festival includes live music, dancing and a lowrider hop competition.

At community listening sessions and in stories about the city's violence problem, we gained some new perspectives on a polarizing and seemingly intractable problem

For the first time this fall semester, students at Truman State University can declare a new major: cannabis and natural medicinals.

The program will provide landlords with a bonus and access to a damage claim fund when they take on a tenant using federal housing assistance. The bonus is a one-time amount equivalent to two months' rent.

The U.S. government averted a crises through the passage of a 45-day spending bill. But that's just one attention-grabbing political fiasco facing the U.S. Three of Missouri's U.S. Representatives share what concerns them within Washington politics.

Evergy is changing the way it charges for electrical usage beginning in October, moving from a flat rate to one based on demand at different times of day.

The AR-15, a rifle designed for American soldiers, has grown in popularity among civilians. The authors of "American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15" trace the history of the rifle and how it became one of the most polarizing weapons in America.

With demand high for new COVID vaccines, some CVS pharmacies around the Kansas City area weren't able to give out shots because of a pharmacist walkout. Organizers are demanding better working conditions and said that extremely limited staffing puts CVS pharmacists and patients at risk.

Beyoncé is performing at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday, and the local Beyhive is swarming with excitement. But can Kansas City win the mute challenge?

Brandon Wolf is a survivor of the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orland, and wrote the memoir, "A Place For Us." He'll speak as a part of the Grandparents for Gun Safety's 10th Annual Community Forum on October 9.

Johnson County is adding two specialty courts that will focus on treating underlying conditions that may have contributed to criminal behavior, with the hope of reducing recidivism.

Between auto workers, Hollywood, and baristas, it seems like workers are walking out on the job more often this year. Experts say wealth inequalities, inflation and a cultural shift in expectations from jobs are contributing to a more active labor movement.

NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson told KCUR’s Up To Date that politics have changed a lot since she first started reporting over three decades ago. Liasson was in Kansas City to speak at United WE’s 2023 We Work For Change event.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says her top priority for the 2024 legislative session is passing Medicaid expansion. But the Democratic governor is up against Republican super-majorities in the House and Senate. Kelly spoke on KCUR's Up To Date about how she plans to make it happen.

"Nelly Don — The Musical Movie" was written, produced and directed by Terence O'Malley, a local lawyer and the great-great nephew of the real Nell Donnelly Reed. The film opens at several area movie theaters Friday.

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher has been accused of threatening to terminate the employment of a staffer who resisted his plan to give a private company a large contract. He denies the allegations.

In June of this year, 96 Kansas congregations left the United Methodist Church over mainly LGBTQ issues.

According to a recent AP-NORC poll, 77% of American adults believe President Joe Biden is too old for a second term. And as public figures like Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinstein publicly experience health problems, some are calling for the next generation of politicians to be much younger.

Residents of the Westside neighborhood say that gentrification — like the upcoming Pennway Point entertainment district — is forcing the Latino community out of the neighborhood with rapidly-rising property taxes.

Kansas City is dangerously close to setting a new record high for homicides. Modeled after an Omaha program that drastically reduced gun deaths, the Kansas City nonprofit KC Common Good is taking aim at addressing the root causes of violent crime.

Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and the American Jewish Committee, says that more education is needed to combat antisemitism in Kansas City communities.

A year after the creation of 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline will now be accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Those who speak American Sign Language will soon have life saving intervention a phone call away.

Kansas City last updated its economic development strategy in 2014, during a very different time for the metro. Some council members say the city should revise the plan to better include affordable housing, sustainable efforts and transit.

Residents can book appointments to get updated COVID booster shots at local CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. However, the city's health department says it could be weeks before vaccines are delivered to its clinics.

Climate data suggests heat waves might be getting more frequent. Inconsistent building codes and the cost of implementing climate resilient practices mean that many homes aren't prepared to keep us cool in hazardous heat.

Prairie Sky Counseling Center, a Kansas City mental health clinic, offers therapy that encourages people to incorporate their religious and spiritual values — which can have an effect on people's wellbeing.

Kansas City native and former Seattle SuperSonics basketball player Dean Tolson made it to college without learning to read. Now, he holds an advanced degree, and is advocating for education with a new memoir, "Power Forward."

"It Started With A Horse," which is scheduled to screen at the Kansas City Underground Film Festival, provides an intimate look into the eccentric and unapologetic folk artist M.T. Liggett, whose sculptures can be seen outside Mullinville, Kansas.

Over the course of a three-and-a-half year period, Kansas police have taken more than $25 million in property and cash believed to be part of a crime — even if the victims are never charged. But critics say that civil asset forfeiture is being used unnecessarily and without proper oversight.

This week, Jackson County assessment director Gail McCann Beatty fielded questions from the legislature about this year’s problematic property assessments, which saw the value of properties increase by an average of 30%.

Books have the ability to take you to another time. This month on Up To Date, author Steve Paul, and BLK + BRWN bookstore owner Cori Smith share the literature that brought them to the 1930s Harlem jazz scene, the 1980s war on drugs, through the twists and turns of the life of a mad genius and more.

Lost between the years of playground kid and independent high schooler are the transitional years of middle school. Author Phyllis Fagell shares resources to help parents and adolescents communicate and cope through the years when kids are impressionable and trying to fit in.

As Kansas City gears up for the 2026 World Cup, some residents are concerned that the metro’s public transit system can’t keep up with a rapidly growing city. KCATA CEO Frank White III speaks about how the transportation authority is preparing.

The documentarian's latest project titled “The American Buffalo” is a two-part, four-hour series that follows the story of this iconic symbol of the West across more than 10,000 years of history.

Chair Shelly Lowe, the first Native American and only second woman to head the National Endowment for the Humanities, toured Kansas City’s museums and libraries this week.

Missouri joined a handful of states labeling emergency dispatchers as "first responders." Along with the new label comes advanced access to mental health resources and the formal naming of PTSD as an occupational hazard for the profession.

The Kansas Corporation Commission approved a set of energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers last week. The state currently ranks 49th nationwide for its energy efficiency policies and programs, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

PV United, a group opposed to proposals to increase affordable housing in Prairie Village, circulated three petitions that would change the city's government and zoning rules. A judge this week gave an oral ruling on which petitions could appear on the ballot in November, but later contradicted that decision in her written ruling.

As of August, Kansas City had 3,636 open investigations into child abuse and neglect. Across the state, there are more than 10,000 cases that have been open more than 45 days after being reported. Missouri officials acknowledge the problem and that fixing it isn't easy.

For the first time, Women and laypeople will be represented as delegates at the Synod of Bishops, where they will help Pope Francis in deciding the direction of the Catholic Church.

A climate action plan for the Kansas City region set a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This Saturday, local leaders and community members will gather for a climate summit to celebrate what's already been achieved and identify goals for the future.

Kansas City's longest-operating Black newspaper, The Call, is partnering with other Black-focused media organizations like the Kansas City Defender and Cascade Media Group to diversify voices and increase digital engagement.

The Kansas City Underground Film Festival kicks off this week, offering an opportunity for movies produced locally and around the world to be screened in front of a Kansas City audience. "[We] really love independent, low-budget movies, especially ones that really highlight ingenuity and inventiveness," said co-founder Willy Evans.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson spoke to KCUR's Up To Date about the case of Kansas City Police officer Eric DeValkenaere, the expansion of I-70, the 2024 gubernatorial race, and Kansas City's new gun ordinances.

Up To Date’s food panelists and barbecue enthusiasts from around Kansas City recommend their favorite places to get ribs, brisket, pork, chicken and sides in the metro.

Keelon Vann plays guitar and brings a unique sound to the Kansas City music scene. Love, Mae C. has performed all across the metro, and her music was featured on the second season of the Peacock sitcom “Bel Air.”

Royals leaders have released renderings of their much anticipated new stadium, although they have yet to announce the final location for the $2 billion project. Kansas City-area residents aren't all convinced they should be the ones to pay for a move, especially because the team is on the verge of the franchise's worst season in history.

Kansas City Manager Brian Platt has an ambitious goal to make the city a nationwide leader in sustainability, including an effort to build the largest municipally-owned solar farm in the country. "We've got too much to lose at this point with health and quality of life issues that we're seeing around here," Platt said.

New Growth Transit connects Missouri's rural residents who can't get to their medical and health care appointments with a network of volunteer drivers.

A third of missing women in the U.S. are Black. In Jackson County, the death of Jaynie Crosdale, who was reported missing in January and found in the Missouri River in June, renews concerns about how cases of missing Black women are handled by Kansas City Police and other local law enforcement.

Baseball has remained in the American psyche for almost 150 years, but why has it persisted? Joe Posnanski answers that question in his new book, "Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments."

Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are increasing, and Black mothers are at an even greater risk. EleVATE, a group prenatal care program at University Health in Kansas City, aims to improve the positive outcomes of at-risk individuals.

A new school year brings new challenges to Kansas City-area districts. Ongoing problems, like staffing shortages and school safety, continue to weigh on administration while heat waves make learning hazardous.

Since she was appointed head of the Kansas City Police Department eight months ago, Chief Stacey Graves said, reducing violent crime continues to be the top priority.

University of Kansas professor Nicole Hodges Persley's new book illuminates hip-hop’s historical and contemporary significance to musical theater — even beyond "Hamilton."

Rabbi Michael Zedek outlines his reasoning for embracing the here and now and valuing the gift of life in his new book, "Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey To Everyday Spirituality."

Multiple factors are contributing to lower rates of reading proficiency for students in Missouri and nationwide, including lingering disruptions from the pandemic. Educators and advocates say that a solution to the literacy "crisis" needs to come from the whole community.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II isn't optimistic that Kansas City would expand the streetcar to the airport, because of the high cost and land acquisition it would require. But he has a more feasible solution to get residents to KCI while addressing the city's affordable housing concerns.

Women gained the right to vote in 1920. But Black women didn't get the full right until 1965, even though they'd been involved in the fight since the 1800s. That's the topic of an event in Kansas City this Sunday honoring local Black suffragists.

Since deploying to Maui, Hawaii, Kansas City-based Operation BBQ Relief has served more than 20,500 free, hot meals to relief workers, first responders and survivors impacted by the island's deadly wildfires.

College students are gearing up to head back to campus for another school year, but for first-years, the transition to a university setting and dorm living can be a hard one.

Prairie Village is as divided as ever as city leaders explore options for affordable housing in the Johnson County suburb. But some residents are pushing back against the plans — and even attempting to overhaul City Council.

The Lawrence City Commission will take a final vote on Aug. 22 to pass the CROWN Act, which stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." The ordinance would protect Black people from race-related hair discrimination in the workplace.

Following the police raid of the Marion County Record, the editors of two small-town Kansas newspapers, the Iola Register and the Marysville Advocate, joined Up To Date to discuss what it takes to keep local publications going in a culture increasingly hostile toward the media.

An investigation by the Kansas City Star found that Marion County Police Chief Gideon Cody, who was behind the highly-criticized raid on the local newspaper, left his previous job at the Kansas City Police Department under scrutiny. Cody faced a demotion and was being investigated for his sexist treatment of a fellow officer.

Politicians in Missouri and Kansas have concentrated attacks on a variety of LGBTQ+ issues this year, including restrictions on drag performances. But queens in Kansas City are still determined to spread joy, love and acceptance.

An independent review of the state’s child welfare system published Monday shows the number of foster kids sleeping in offices last year increased by 54% compared to 2021.

The Marion County attorney withdrew the search warrant that police used to justify a raid on the Marion County Record last Friday, and all seized items were returned. But, the newspaper's lawyer says the fight isn't over.

Kansas City is nearly 1000 miles away from an ocean but the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, a new addition to the city's zoo, will allow visitors to view more than 8000 aquatic animals and learn about conservation efforts. The aquarium opens to the public in September.

Postpartum depression affects approximately one-in-seven women and one-in-10 men. This fall, a newly approved medication could change how patients experiencing perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorder are treated.

July 2023 marked the hottest month on record. As climate conditions worsen and extreme weather events spread across the globe, so do uncommon diseases. Health experts warn of the health consequences of not addressing climate change.

Today marks a big political milestone for the Biden administration: the one-year anniversary of the president's signing of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2023 welcomes jazz fans from all over the world to celebrate the iconic saxophonist with a series of concerts, educational opportunities and jam sessions.

Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant started The Prospect KC in 2019 to address systemic inequitality on Kansas City’s east side through food. Now, the nonprofit is launching a culinary training program that will teach valuable skills in the kitchen.

Police seized computers, cell phones and documents during raids on the offices of the Marion County Record and the home of its publisher on Friday. Now, the lawyer for the newspaper is speaking out.

As pro-choice advocates push for more reproductive rights, Republicans in Missouri and Ohio are undertaking attempts to thwart those efforts.

COVID has been having a "summer surge." Dr. Marvia Jones, director of the Kansas City Health Department, says that the increase in new cases could be linked to a new variant and more travel.

Police raided the offices of the Marion County Record and the home of its publisher in an unprecedented and potentially illegal move that is being called a violation of First Amendment rights.

It's been over 100 days since the writers' strike in Hollywood started over an ongoing labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America, and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

This year marks hip-hop's 50th anniversary, and rappers SleazyWorld Skyy and Shay Lyriq are the latest Kansas City artists making their mark on the national scene.

Independence, Missouri, is beautifying the city through the work of individuals facing housing instability. Independence T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R., a supported employment program, offers an array of support, including an hourly wage, housing fund and meals, for individuals willing to work along Independence roadways.

Artists have long used their work to advocate for a better world, and these Kansas City creatives think that solutions to one of today’s biggest issues — gun violence — can be found through art.

Ahead of a members-only speaking event held by American Public Square in Kansas City, Washington political journalist Margaret Talev discussed the state of American democracy, startling data on political divisions and how journalists should approach these issues.

Evergy says Missouri customers need to choose from four new time-based payment plans by this October or will automatically be defaulted into one. Under the default plan, power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will cost four times more than other hours.

A new global study, published in Nature, found microplastics in every lake sampled — no matter how remote. A researcher from the University of Kansas talks about how local bodies of water stack up.

Kansas City's Doug Frost is one of only four people in the world to hold the title of both master sommelier and master of wine. Frost joined Up To Date armed with hand-selected wines which he brought to pair with a four-course meal at Earl's Premier.

Seven hundred seventy million of the National Archives' 13.5 billion pages of records are currently stored around the Kansas City metro. Dr. Colleen Shogan, recently named Archivist of the United States, wants to make them more accessible, both online and in-person.

Extended time behind bars can make it difficult to keep up in the fast-paced digital age. A University of Kansas program received a $1.6 million grant to teach women who have been imprisoned computer skills to prepare them for the workforce and to help reduce recidivism.

Midtown is home to many of Kansas City’s best-known restaurants and bars, but it has its fair share of hidden treasures to offer, including cool coffee shops, neighborhood dives and family businesses.

Kansas City's professional bull riding team, the Outlaws, will test their skills and luck in front of their hometown crowd. The city is home to one of just eight teams in the Professional Bull Riders organization.

A MidAmerica Nazarene University football lineman died from what his family calls "heat-related injuries." He was just 19 years old. In just the past few years, several Kansas college football players have died from heat stroke following summer practices.

The "Decade" exhibition at Haw Contemporary art gallery in the West Bottoms will feature new and old works from over 40 artists to commemorate its first decade in business.

Development in recent years has transformed the county's west side. And though the county still sees many challenges, especially to the east, community stakeholders are optimistic about paths to the future.

Before Tuesday's inauguration for a second term as the mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas held a community listening session for mothers who have been affected by gun violence. He also announced new proposed intervention efforts and restrictions on firearms for minors.

Courtney and Phil Wasson are not professional boat racers, but for several years the duo has competed together in the MR340, the world’s longest non-stop river race. It begins in Kansas City and goes for 340 miles down the Missouri River.

Recently re-elected Mayor Quinton Lucas and the new Kansas City Council will be sworn in Tuesday morning — signaling the start of their four-year term. But for the six newcomers, including Johnathan Duncan and Crispin Rea, preparation began weeks ago.

Trivia has gotten so popular in Kansas City, both the casual and competitive can find a place to play any night of the week.

The box office double-punch of "Barbenheimer" isn't the only thing worth talking about in movie industry. Two Kansas City movie critics discuss what's worth watching at home and in theaters. Plus, when viewers might feel the effects of the Hollywood strikes.

Kansas City is poised to have its deadliest year since 2020. Three area high schoolers — Madison Peppers, Bryan Mayer and Mia Myers-Ray — think that education and opportunity are an important part of the solution to gun violence in our region.

The blockbuster "Oppenheimer" has renewed interest in the history of U.S. efforts to create atomic weapons during World War II. President Harry S. Truman, a native of the Kansas City area, never doubted his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

Kansas City's history runs deeper than jazz and barbecue. Three years before the Stonewall Riots sparked the gay rights movement, LGBTQ leaders from across the country met in Kansas City to discuss community advocacy and activism. A newly launched self-guided tour highlights important points from the city's LGBTQ history.

In April, Kansas City voters approved a 3% tax on recreational marijuana revenue —1% of which will go towards finding solutions for houseless population. The city's homelessness prevention coordinator shared ideas of how the funding might be used.

The U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended affirmative action in higher education last month. While many colleges in Missouri aren’t making significant changes to their admissions and scholarship processes, some university officials say it will impact diversity in higher education.

The state's microbusiness license program is supposed to give Missourians from disadvantaged communities a chance to enter the recreational marijuana industry.

Battling bipolar disorder, Jeremy Auman at times has struggled to remain hopeful. Auman is sharing his highs and lows on stage at Kansas City's 19th annual Fringe Festival, aiming to help others be more empathetic and understanding.

The late Bob Dole would have turned 100 years old on July 22. We looked back on his life and legacy as a U.S. Senator, Republican presidential nominee and native Kansan.

Since the beginning of last year, a Kansas tax subsidy law known as APEX has allowed the state to use incentives to lure big companies like Panasonic and Integra. But the law may not be extended any longer, putting big development deals in jeopardy.

A 1975 protest at a McDonald’s restaurant in Kansas City emerged from years of escalating tension — between Black community members and their city, and between McDonald’s and the neighborhoods it inhabited. But this particular location was also one of the first Black-owned fast-food franchises in the country, an accomplishment born from its own struggle for inclusion.

The city of Mission said it decided to terminate its deal to bring a $270 million mixed-use development to the long-vacant Mission Gateway site, after the owner failed to pay almost half a million dollars in property taxes by deadline.

The White Castle chain began in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, where its ingenious small burgers kicked off a national craze and inspired imitators of all shapes and sizes. But over a century later, White Castle has entirely vanished from its home state. And the story of how it introduced America to the hamburger has largely been overshadowed by its fast food rivals.

Kansas City’s first Pride parade in 1977 was spearheaded by Lea Hopkins, whose organizing sparked a wider gay rights movement that continues today. But it was only a few weeks after that successful event that Hopkins found herself on the defense again, when a prominent anti-gay activist came on a crusade through town.

Five months after celebrating their Super Bowl victory in the streets of Kansas City, the Chiefs are heading to their annual training camp in St. Joseph. Under quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the odds are looking good for another strong season.

From molds and yeasts to the mushrooms we fear and love, fungi are connected to life and death on our planet — but they're often misunderstood. We only know about 10% of the estimated 3.8 million species that exist. Mycologist Giuliana Furci wants us to separate “fungal fact” from “fungal fiction," and give this kingdom the legal recognition it deserves.

The Kansas City council held its final legislative meeting of the term on Thursday. It was the final gathering for members who were not reelected.

We tend to think of getting older as inevitable, but what if it’s actually something we can control? Researchers like David Sinclair and Nir Barzilai have discovered some of the secrets to reversing aging, found animals who defy our understandings of life, and turned old mice young again. But even if humans could live forever, should we?

Republican state Sen. Holly Thompson of Scott City sponsored legislation to decriminalize the harm reduction tool. She hopes this will help lower opioid overdoses.

Sex trafficking, which affects millions of people worldwide, will be depicted in a musical at Kansas City's Fringe Festival the last two weeks of July. Cast and crew involved in the production share how they were introduced to and affected by the subject.

In the Missouri General Assembly, only 12 of 34 senators are women. In the House of Representatives, only 45 of the 163 members are women. No woman has ever been elected governor. Missouri Representatives Jamie Johnson and Patty Lewis, both Democrats of Kansas City, say more women should run for statewide office.

Kansas City is on pace to have more homicides this year than last, and reports of gun deaths are a weekly, if not daily, occurrence. But local leaders like Mayor Quinton Lucas say they’re restricted by state policies that make it impossible to pass local regulations — and they want to change that.

Eric Dorfman has taught at major universities, headed renowned natural history museums, and now, he's leading one of the world's premier science research libraries.

Missouri state Rep. Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who serves as the House minority leader, announced her gubernatorial candidacy earlier this week. She says her primary issues are childcare and health care access, and defending public education.

After more 20 years working for Kansas City's longest-running Black newspaper, Eric Wesson had his offer to buy the paper turned down. Now he's started his own publication focused on the Black community, The Next Page KC.

Recent graduates Brooklynn Hato and Clare Bradley took home the title of "High School National Champions" at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Mesa, Arizona, last month.

As construction on the KC Streetcar extension to UMKC continues, crews are now working 24/7 on emergency repairs to address a track failure on the line above I-670. It will take weeks to complete the repairs, and service is suspended in the meantime.

To some, Aniseto Herrera-Lyell is a fourth-grade teacher. To others, he's KC Sunshine, a performer known for his Michael Jackson impersonation. But to the whole country, he's Mr. Gay America 2022. Herrera-Lyell won the title in October.

The garnishes in these mixed drinks are bigger, and the flavors are bolder — they might even be 'fat-washed' or clarified with Hidden Valley Ranch. Whether they include alcohol or are making mocktails, bars and bartenders are becoming more creative than ever.

Fans from across the Kansas City metro and beyond are celebrating Taylor Swift's two concerts at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend with events, menu specials and more. VisitKC says the shows are expected to generate $46 million in direct spending for the local economy.

Matt Otto, a Kansas City jazz saxophonist and professor of jazz studies at the University of Kansas, is out with his new album "Kansas City Trio" that primarily focuses on standards.

After years of undervaluing homes, Jackson County's recent property tax assessment saw the value of properties increase by an average of 30%, while some owners saw spikes of more than 200%. The deadline to file an appeal is July 10.

Cassie Taylor is set to debut her new record, "Desire," this fall. The release comes after taking a break from music and finding her true identity in different professions such as songwriting, photography and now modeling for Playboy.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. Now, borrowers in Kansas City and around the country are figuring out what that means for them.

As a KCUR caller points out, our first experience with books is often when they're read to us by an adult. So yes, audiobooks count as reading. Our collection of book enthusiasts discuss the makings of a good audiobook and what they recommend listening to.

Mayor Quinton Lucas easily defeated his opponent, Clay Chastain, to serve another four years as Kansas City's mayor. He joined Up To Date to discuss challenges the city faces and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said a graphic designer can refuse to serve same-sex couples.

Grassroots tenant union KC Tenants has made affordable housing a top concern in Kansas City. Now, the political arm of the group, KC Tenants Power, has flexed some of its sway in city elections.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 80% of Kansas and 60% of Missouri are experiencing at least moderate drought. In Kansas City, that drought is partially due to a blocking pattern — a weather system that keeps others from moving in.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action on Thursday, outlawing race as a factor in college admissions. It was a 6-3 decision split between the conservative and liberal wings of the court.

A stone’s throw away from Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine district sits the 2400 block of Montgall Avenue. The now overlooked neighborhood was once home to some of the city’s most prominent Black figures of the 20th century.

A steep increase in assessed property tax value has some Jackson County residents concerned they could lose their home. Experts share ways to challenge the assessment through individual appeals and legal action.

After serving two separate stints on the Kansas City Council, bookending her 12 years as Jackson County executive, Katheryn Shields is prevented by term limits from remaining on the council.

Kansas City teen DJ Yearwood is the campaign director of Vote16MO, an initiative to lower the voting age in municipal and school board elections in Missouri. The group wants to get a measure on the ballot by November 2024.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has continued to take on an aggressive role as the state's top legal officer, challenging positions laid out by the federal government that don't directly affect the state. An attorney and former Missouri Attorney General staffer explains the role of attorney general and how it's changed over the years.

Troost Avenue is known as Kansas City’s dividing line, long associated with the city’s history of racial segregation and slavery. But as new residents move in and more businesses open, the community balances optimism and fear of gentrification.