Kansas City Today

Scientists in a Columbia, Missouri, lab have studied how toxic chemicals affect animals and ecosystems since the 1960s. But President Trump's proposed budget would likely mean lights out. Plus: Hydroelectric power is a mainstay of the United States electrical grid, but federal hurdles could take plants offline. The White House wants to cut the budget of the Ecosystems Mission Area, the research ar...

A new report raised concerns that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and his predecessor have failed to fill vacancies at the Missouri Ethics Commission. As a result, the state watchdog has been unable to investigate dozens of complaints of ethical misconduct. 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 i...

Crews of volunteers are digging into the ruins of a 168-year-old mansion in Lecompton, Kansas, that belonged to a territorial governor. The work is done through the Kansas Historical Society's annual archaeological field school. Plus: Children’s author Derrick Barnes from Kansas City is known for books that are all about making Black kids feel seen. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR o...

Jackson County’s top elected official is facing a recall election. County Executive Frank White Jr. says it’s a political vendetta, while lawmakers say it’s actually about property taxes. But will it actually happen next month? The Jackson County Legislature this week approved a special election to recall White. Lawmakers set the election date for Aug. 26, but the county election board said that d...

The Trump administration proposed slashing billions of dollars from federal health agencies. A high school student from Overland Park has been pushing lawmakers to preserve cancer research funding. Plus, we remember a beloved Kansas City jazz who died after a long battle with cancer. Matthew Chen, a senior at Blue Valley North High School, knows the importance of cancer research firsthand — he’s b...

President Trump's mass deportation efforts have led to the arrests of tens of thousands of immigrants, some of whom end up at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri. Now some local activists are trying to provide comfort and assistance to detainees stuck in an unfamiliar place. A group known as Abide By Love is providing ICE detainees in Missouri with food, hygiene products, clothing, and acces...

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the state budget into law last week, approving more than $50 billion in spending. But he also stripped more than half a billion dollars out that had been approved by lawmakers, including for dozens of programs and projects in Kansas City. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by B...

Kansas City will be the smallest city in North America to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But it may not have embraced the sport at all, if not for the efforts of early immigrants who fought for the beautiful game — before there were even soccer fields to play on. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ell...

People across Missouri and Kansas are losing their starry views to light pollution. But the right lighting decisions can help preserve night skies and benefit animal and human health. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hosted by Luke X. Martin. It is produced by Byron Love, Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edit...

Many federal workers in Kansas City have seen their jobs and departments cut and their work devalued under the Trump administration. We're bringing you another conversation about the Department of Government Efficiency's impacts in town, this time with a local union representative for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If you’re a current or former federal employee and you want to talk to KCUR a...

The Kansas City Chiefs asked the state of Kansas to extend its offer for a stadium funding incentives package, catching Missouri lawmakers off guard after they passed a funding measure of their own. But neither the Chiefs nor the Royals have made any location commitments yet. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hoste...

Next year, transgender teens in Kansas will no longer be able to access puberty blockers and hormone treatments for gender-affirming care. One family in Wichita is worried about navigating the changes. Plus, aircraft manufacturing is a big part of the Kansas economy, but new tariffs by the Trump administration have some companies scrambling. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Insta...

An organization that provides teenagers with internship opportunities has grown to be one of the metro's largest summer employers of youth. But are there enough positions to go around for students with the same dream career? Take a deep dive into ProX. 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...

The Kansas City Police Department pays out settlements for crashes for which it takes responsibility. A 10-month KCUR investigation uncovered how often Kansas City police wreck their vehicles — and the cost to taxpayers. 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 Byron Love and K...

As missile attacks intensified between Israel and Iran last week, a Kansas City-area nurse was providing aid in Jordan. She describes her experience in the country situated between two warring nations. 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 Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edite...

The U.S. Senate version of President Trump's so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” could ultimately have major budgetary consequences for Missouri, because of a provision capping a critical tax that helps pay for Medicaid. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he's concerned about the effect on rural hospitals. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the latest news. Ka...

The “Lawrence Gay Liberation Front” at the University of Kansas has, under various names, challenged misconceptions about LGBTQ+ communities for 45 years. Now, a new book tells those students' stories. Plus: A Kansas museum dedicated to the Wizard of Oz is showcasing a movie prop never before seen by the public. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on  Instagram  and  Facebook for the la...

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas convened a reparations commission back in May 2023, with the goal of producing recommendations on how the city could repair harms from racism. But two years later, much of that work has yet to begin. 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 Byron Lo...

Native Americans in the U.S. lost much of their land by the 20th century, as portions of their reservations were sold. But in the Midwest, more tribes are reclaiming their ancestral territory as the “Land Back” movement gains momentum. 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 Byro...

The U.S. House voted to take back $1.1 billion from public broadcasting stations like NPR and KCUR. Now, the rescission package heads to the U.S. Senate. KCUR's CEO and news director explain what's happening and what it means for this station — plus how we approach our journalism. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is hos...

Many federal workers in Kansas City are seeing their jobs and departments cut and their work devalued under the Trump administration. We're bringing you another conversation about DOGE's impacts in town — this time with a local union representative for the U.S. Department of Labor. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Today is ho...

“No Kings” protesters will take to the streets around the country this Saturday to push back against the policies of the Trump administration. Several protests are planned around Kansas City, including at the Country Club Plaza. 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 Byron Love...

Federal lawmakers are considering billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts, a proposal that has divided Republicans. Some Kansans who rely on the program are afraid they’ll lose coverage or benefits. 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 Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by M...

Immigrant detainees at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, have reported denied medical care, prolonged detention and unequal treatment. It's drawing serious scrutiny to the conditions in ICE custody, and the ACLU is calling for changes. 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 p...

A Kansas City gardener had a lightbulb moment: If she chose native plants for her yard, it would be better for wildlife. Now it’s home to birds, frogs, bees, and many butterflies. Plus: Farmers have been taking on more debt, while their incomes have been shrinking over the last few years. Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news. Kansas City Toda...