Up To Date

Watkins was a founder of the political organization Freedom, Inc. and one of the Kansas City Council’s first two Black members. He was a vocal opponent of Highway 71 — although parts of the parkway were eventually named after him. An event at the Kansas City Public Library on Sunday, Feb. 15, will remember his full life and legacy.

Three Kansas Citians who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about the first year of his second term. Although Trump's approval numbers have declined overall, in part due to multiple controversies around ICE, supporters say his handling of the southern border and deportations has been “great.”

A group of Kansas City musicians has been tasked to review a city-wide music strategy and draft recommendations for how to implement it. One of the goals is to enhance Kansas City’s music economy — and that includes possibly standardizing much musicians get paid for live performances.

In "Footeprint," out today, Lindsay Metcalf resurrects the history of Eunice Newton Foote, a 19th-century scientist who discovered carbon dioxide’s heat-trapping properties while fighting for women’s place in science.

Since Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law a new congressional map that splits Kansas City into three districts, with the goal of ousting Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II from office, a handful of lawsuits and hundreds of thousands of petition signatures have been submitted in opposition. Two of those cases will be heard in court this week.

Grammy award-winning opera singer Joyce DiDonato brings her latest album tour home to Kansas City. “Emily – No Prisoner Be,” explores the work of one of America’s greatest poets, Emily Dickinson.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR’s Up To Date to talk about his concerns regarding a possible ICE facility in Kansas City, his new role as the president of the Democratic Mayors Association and Argentina choosing Kansas City as its home base for the 2026 World Cup.

As the World Cup nears, some Kansas City-area residents are preparing their homes to be a short-term rental. With more than half a million people expected to travel in and out of the Kansas City region, cities are relying on property owners to help house the influx of tourists.

Joe Mount and Tina McDonald are two leaders in the Bowen Tower Tenant Union, a union of renters in Raytown. After a months-long rent strike, they reached an agreement with their California-based landlord that includes lower rent and utility rates, plus commitments to fix longstanding maintenance issues.

Taxpayers will see several changes this filing season, including new exemptions, expanded deductions, and incentives that could influence where people choose to invest.

NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik joined KCUR's Up To Date ahead of an upcoming visit to Kansas City to discuss the state of American journalism.

As a state audit continues, the Hickman Mills School District is approving cuts and restructuring to improve its financial sustainability by the end of the 2027 school year.

Now based at the Minnesota Star Tribune, Allison Kite describes the demands of covering immigration enforcement activity while being encouraged by her community’s response.

Following a rocky end to last year’s legislative session, Democrats are looking to slow things down, while Republicans push to pass Gov. Mike Kehoe’s state income tax cuts. Political reporter Jason Hancock spoke with KCUR’s Up To Date about the slow start and early dysfunction in the Missouri General Assembly.

After winning four straight games, and more than $70,000, in April 2025, Kansas City resident Bryce Wargin appeared in the annual “Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions” last week.

 Michael Ashcraft started his acting career at Hallmark and worked his way to on-screen productions. Most recently he played George Martz, a county prosecutor, in the film Dead Man Wire , which premiered Jan 16.

Sharon Liese, an Overland Park filmmaker, said the documentary “Seized” is a “microcosm of what’s going on in the country and world.” Zooming in on the 2023 Kansas newspaper raid, the documentary will premiere this month at the Sundance Film Festival

KCUR is leaving its building at 4825 Troost Ave in Kansas City. In the meantime, Up To Date is set to continue producing new shows from UMKC's Digital Collaboration Studio on a temporary basis starting next week. During our last episode at 4825 Troost Ave, long-time KCUR staffers joined Up To Date to discuss their memories in the building.

Dr. Westley Youngren, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is researching ways to treat nightmares caused by trauma or PTSD.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota told KCUR's Up To Date that his top priorities have been property taxes and the battle to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. While the Chiefs announced that they're building a new stadium and headquarters in Kansas, LeVota isn’t convinced it’s a done deal.

Dozens of restaurants open in Kansas City every year. But which stand out in the region’s growing food scene? Here are the metro’s best new restaurants and bars for diners of all tastes.

The Kansas City Chiefs secured a STAR bond deal to move their stadium and training facility to Kansas, but the Royals missed the state’s deadline to get their own incentives. While one Kansas legislative leader says he's moving on, Gov. Laura Kelly told KCUR’s Up To Date that she is still open to discussions.

UTD_1-15-2026 ICE

Small business owners make up many of the millions of people who are facing higher premiums for health care, after Congress allowed COVID-era enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act to lapse. Because of the higher prices, two Kansas City-area business owners say they’ve had to adjust their business strategies.

Streaming platforms like Spotify are now pushing users to music generated by artificial intelligence. Kansas City musicians question the necessity of these platforms altogether, while pushing for more regulations and urging consumers to support their music by buying it directly.