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The wind energy industry has slowed across the country, but some Kansas towns want to invest in it for economic growth. We’ll hear about the push for renewable energy in rural Kansas — and the obstacles it faces. Plus: Hear why support for 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline, is stronger in some states than in others. Western Kansas has the potential to capitalize on the region’s high ene...

To prepare for increased immigration enforcement activity, Boots on the Ground Midwest has organized neighborhood groups, facilitated mutual aid and trained thousands to legally observe and record officers. Interest in their trainings spiked after the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas Ci...

Newspapers in large cities, with lots of possible subscribers, are struggling to keep operating without major cuts. In small towns, it’s even harder. But one Kansas town is making it work. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Jacob Smollen and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe...

Independence, Missouri, officials are considering tax breaks for a massive AI data center, but many residents don’t even want it built in the first place. Plus: After almost a year of conflict, a private prison operator is finally playing nice with the city of Leavenworth to get a permit for an ICE detention facility.  A private prison company has moved one step closer to opening a planned 1,000-b...

With the World Cup just four months away, Kansas City will play a major role in not only hosting games, but also serving as a base camp for some of the biggest names in the tournament. Is the city ready? We'll talk about what to watch in the run-up. Argentina’s team will make its base camp here, along with at least England and the Netherlands. That could bring a lot more fans to town for the durat...

The Port Authority of Kansas City voted unanimously this week to cut ties with Platform Ventures after learning of the developer's plans to sell a massive warehouse in south Kansas City to the federal government, to be used as a mass immigrant detention facility. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiye...

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is building entire neighborhoods of affordable housing in Kansas. The nonprofit is using a real estate tool known as a community land trust to ensure the homes remain affordable forever. Plus: The USDA's "Climate Hubs" have helped farmers adapt to a changing climate, but their funding may be in jeopardy. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagra...

About 60% of the teachers, principals, aides and other staff at KIPP Kansas City have left in the last year, describing a chaotic environment with frequent mishaps — shorted pay, canceled school trips and bus failures. Leaders say they're trying to reimagine the charter school, but not everyone is on board. Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with Maria Benevento of the Beacon about troubles the program is faci...

More than a year after Missouri voters narrowly approved the legalization of sports betting, the books are now open across the state. Missourians wagered more than $543 million in December, although the state made little tax revenue from that. Now a bill could legalize video lottery terminals. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City...

While more teens are getting their financial advice from social media, one group of students are taking charge of a real-life credit union from inside a high school in the North Kansas City School District. And yes, they use real money. KCUR’s Jodi Fortino has more on how students are learning to manage money, open accounts and make transactions without leaving campus. Contact the show at news@kcu...

More than half the renters living at a Raytown apartment complex recently ended a four-month rent strike against their landlord. Members of the Bowen Tower Apartments union share why the strike took place and what deal they managed to agree on. Steve Kraske spoke with Joe Mount and Tina McDonald, two of the tenant union leaders and longtime residents of Bowen Tower Apartments, on KCUR's Up To Date...

Kansas has one of the highest rates of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses. Groups there are helping people with Parkinson’s slow the progression of the disease through activities including exercise and art classes. Plus: Nipple tattoos are an option for the many American women who survive breast cancer and end their treatment looking for a way to reconnect with themselves and their bodies. Contact the...

A KCUR investigation uncovered a criminal probe launched against a resident by Lenexa police because of a newspaper opinion piece critical of the department. Metro reporter Sam Zeff discuss details of his investigation with KCUR's Carlos Moreno.  Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produ...

In 2023, Kansas City Police officer shot and killed two people and injured a third, but won’t face criminal charges. And that’s not the only legal settlement involving officer Blayne Newton. Hear about Newton’s conduct and how it has fanned the flames of tension in the community. KCUR’s investigative reporter Peggy Lowe spoke with Steve Kraske about Newton’s conduct on Up To Date. Contact the show...

A beloved Mexican restaurant in Kansas City is closing for good. We'll hear from the sisters who run the eatery and are taking stock of their decades of work at La Fonda El Taquito. La Fonda El Taquito is a crown jewel of Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood, offering Mexican food from family recipes for more than 40 years. But the beloved restaurant is closing this weekend and its last few weeks h...

Finding affordable, quality childcare that fits their schedule feels like an impossible task for many parents. Hear from Kansas City parents who are navigating the workforce and raising young children. High costs, limited hours and long waitlists are just some of the challenges that Kansas City parents face when they try to access early education care for their children. KCUR’s Jodi Fortino introd...

A trial that could determine the future of abortion access in Missouri has wrapped up, and the decision is now in the hands of a judge. Planned Parenthood is suing to get several laws targeting abortion providers off the books, but the state got its chance this past week to defend the regulations. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas...

For much of Kansas City’s homeless population, seeking medical treatment is not only hard, it can also be demeaning. One nurse practitioner made it her mission to change that. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Jacob Smollen and KCUR Studios, and edited by Gabe Rosenberg, Ma...

A new proposal in Missouri's legislature could make Jackson County the first county in the state to be split in 150 years. It's spurred by a Republican lawmaker from eastern Jackson County, but elected leaders are skeptical that it will gain traction. Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with The Beacon's local government reporter Josh Merchant about what's behind this "Jackxit" proposal. Contact the show at new...

This week, KCUR's Up To Date marked its final broadcast from 4825 Troost Avenue, as the station is forced to move out of our longtime home. Although these offices have long been gross and falling apart, there's a lot of good memories too. Steve Kraske and KCUR staff reflect on the last 40 years of history here. Longtime KCUR announcer Jenny Whitty, KCUR Program Director Ron Jones, and NPR national...

Kansas Citians are taking to the streets to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. After the killing of Renee Good, a former Kansas City resident, a demonstration marched through the Country Club Plaza. Meanwhile, local groups are warning each other about potential ICE activity. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas...

Tumbleweeds have taken over the High Plains. The plant thrives so well in the western part of Kansas that sometimes they can shut down entire neighborhoods or highways. Plus: An inconspicuous insect is changing what survival looks like as climate change remains a threat. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Nom...

State attorneys will take center stage this week in a trial that could reshape Missouri's abortion regulations. Witnesses are expected to include doctors who view the state's TRAP laws as protective, rather than restrictive. This follows a week where Planned Parenthood leaders testified that the state is imposing standards that are impossible to meet. Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with KCUR health reporte...

Just before Christmas, the University of Missouri-Kansas City informed all tenants of 4825 Troost Avenue, the largest of which are KCUR and Classical KC, that they must vacate the building by the end of January. We'll talk about what we know — and what we still don't — about the move. Nomin Ujiyediin spoke with Lisa Rodriguez, KCUR Director of Journalism, about how this will impact the newsroom an...

The Kansas City Royals missed a big deadline to tell Kansas their proposal for STAR bond funding, and top lawmakers say they're no longer interested in talks with the team. The doors may also be closing in Clay County, while Missouri's public financing offer is under threat. KCUR's Steve Kraske spoke on Up To Date with Kacen Bayless, politics and government reporter for the Kansas City Star, about...