Prairie Journal

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, we learn about "In Pursuit," a new series of essays reflecting on each of the U.S. presidents and first ladies.  Dr. Colleen Shogan is the CEO of In Pursuit and former U.S. archivist.

Werewolves and vampires in Kansas?  Britney Lewis is the award-winning author of Blood Moon , recently named a New York Times bestseller.

It's a visit to Topeka's Free State Capitol, home to the 1855 Topeka Constitutional Convention and the Free State legislature, almost demolished in the 1990s, now renovated and restored to its original glory.

What does it mean to be Kansan?  Tom Averill and Leslie VonHolten gather the writings of 35 Kansas authors in their new anthology, Kansas Matters: 21st Century Writers on the Sunflower State .

In connection with the Kansas 250 Commission, Ray Walling and Valarie Lamoreaux of the State Library of Kansas join us to talk about the "Kansas 250 Bookshelf," celebrating America 250 with a selection of Kansas Notable books. 

KPR's Community Spotlight is on Full Circle Sustainability, a non-profit in Topeka dedicated to making it easier to live a low-waste lifestyle.  Justine Greve and Robert Riley are co-founders of the organization, which runs a minimal-packaging grocery store, recycling and composting services, and much more.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly gave her eighth and final State of the State address.  We'll hear the speech in its entirety, with analysis from Bob Beatty of Washburn University, Michael Smith of Emporia State University, Tim Carpenter of the Kansas Reflector, Rebekah Chung of KSNT.

Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable? Award-winning author Lindsay Metcalf explores the legal food fight in her children's book, Tomatoes on Trial .  Also, two penpals learn about two very different ways to grow food in her picture book, Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm .

What's ahead this year at the Dole Institute of Politics? DIOP director Audrey Coleman stops by to preview the spring offerings, including a traveling exhibit celebrating "America 250."

Journalist Bill Kurtis retraces his career from his early days at KANU to his current gig as Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me scorekeeper at this book launch event for his new memoir, Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News.

Celebrate the season with the KPR staff on A Very Merry Prairie Journal! With songs of the season, holiday stories, and Christmas memories, from your favorite announcers as well as folks behind the scenes.

As 2025 comes to a close, Kaye McIntyre and J. Schafer look back at the non-profit groups in KPR's Community Spotlight this year, closing out the year with the O'Connell Children's Shelter in Lawrence.

Michael Smith and Ed Flentje are the editors of "Reform and Reaction: The Arc of Kansas Politics."  It's a look at the push and pull of state politics through the ages, featuring political scientists from across Kansas.

The new Netflix series "Death by Lightning" tells the gripping story of the assassination of President James Garfield and the doctors whose good intentions may have killed him.  Best-selling author Candice Millard talks about the series, which is based on her award-winning book Destiny of the Republic .

Las Madres is the inspiring story of three generations of Mexican-American women in Kansas.  It recently won three medals at the International Latino Book Awards event and was named a Kansas Notable Book.

KPR's Community Spotlight is shining on Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan.  Director Christina Nolte joins us to describe the wide range of health care services Good Shepherd provides.  

Three years ago, the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka closed its doors for a major renovation.  We get a sneak peek at the Museum in advance of its grand reopening, November 22nd, with Museum Director Sarah Bell.  Also, Marion County, Kansas, has been ordered to pay $3 million dollars to settle a lawsuit following the 2023 raid on the local newspaper.  We hear from Marion County Record editor Er...

In connection with NPR's series "Here to Help," KPR highlights the work of volunteers in our own community.  Our first "Here to Help" features Debbie Zabel with the Douglas County Master Gardeners.

What can the political landscape of 2025 tell us about the 2026 elections? Political journalist and Dole Institute of Politics Visiting Fellow Jerry Seib and Kaye McIntyre preview the 2026 midterms, one year out.

He was once one of the highest paid vaudeville performers in America, but then largely forgotten.  Dr. Daniel E. Atkinson is the author of "The Rediscovery of George 'Nash' Walker: The Price of Black Stardom in Jim Crow America."

A remembrance of KPR's former music director Rachel Hunter, who passed away October 16, 2025, at the age of 80. 

Thousands of Kansans joined in No Kings demonstrations last week, with dozens of protests across the state, thousands across the country.  We'll hear from some of the people at the No Kings protest in Lawrence.

Robert Rebein is the author of "The Last Rancher," named a 2025 Kansas Notable Book and winner of the 2025 J. Donald Coffin Memorial Award in Fiction. It's the story of a family trying to hold onto their ranch in western Kansas in the face of financial struggles, a serious accident, and lots of family drama. 

Journalist Bill Kurtis retraces his career from his early days at KANU to his current gig as Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me scorekeeper at this book launch event for his new memoir, Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News.

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg battles a rare form of eye cancer and saves a historic farm in her latest book, The Magic Eye: A Story of Saving a Life and a Place in the Age of Anxiety.