Up To Date

At the vacant lot at 49th and Main, the Kansas City Symphony plans to build a venue that will seat 4,600 people. The symphony's president and CEO Danny Beckley joined KCUR's Up To Date to explain why the symphony is pursuing this venue now.

New signage is bringing long-forgotten history to light at a Johnson County creek, and reframes a name that residents have debated for years. Instead of changing name of Negro Creek, local leaders chose to tell its story publicly.

Residents hope the Westside and Crossroads neighborhoods will be safer and more walkable once the road diet is complete. But some businesses are still struggling in the meantime, and others say there still won’t be enough parking in the area.

Rick Atkinson — a renowned historian and former Kansas City Times reporter — is coming to Kansas City later this month for an event with the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum at Unity Temple on the Plaza. He joined Up To Date to discuss the history of the Revolutionary War.

President Trump instituted a new entry fee and travel restrictions that could hurt turnout for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For Kansas City’s games, both players and tourists from Tunisia and Algeria will be charged up to $15,000 to enter the country.

A sweeping historical epic, an eerily relevant political dystopia and an adult fantasy book from a beloved children’s author are just a few of the recommendations from KCUR’s book experts this spring.

Kansas City fans can now register for tickets to the FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, which will host viewings and entertainment during the World Cup. The majority will be general admission and free, but capacity is limited.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway told KCUR’s Up To Date that she believes Missouri voters don’t have the authority to block the newly drawn congressional map through a referendum. “I think we know for 2026 what the congressional districts are,” Hanaway said. Legal challenges are still underway. 

Longtime KC Tenants organizer Jenay Manley is taking the reins of the tenant rights advocacy organization from founder Tara Raghuveer, who is now focused on tenant issues on the national level. Raghuveer said Kansas City has been at the "vanguard" of this recent movement.

The Kansas City Royals play their first series at Kauffman Stadium of the year this week against the Minnesota Twins. From the ballpark on Opening Day, KCUR's Up To Date was joined by Royals owner John Sherman, the team's head groundskeeper Trevor Vance and more.

Fran Sutton is reshaping Wyandotte County’s housing landscape by turning vacant lots into affordable homes that cater to a variety of needs.

This season, Royals fans will see a new face on the team's television broadcasts: Bridget Howard. The Kansas City native joined KCUR's Up To Date on Friday to talk about her new role on the Royals broadcast team and look ahead to the team's 2026 season.

Kansas City is exploring ways to manage stormwater naturally, using parks, gardens, and special pavement to soak up rains. The effort could reshape neighborhoods, improve water quality, and create more green space across the city.

Dr. Bradley Poos, the associate director of the Institute of Urban Education at UMKC, joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his book “Urban Education: Kansas City’s Central High School and the Enduring Legacy of Racism.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, but that's just the beginning of Kansas City's hopes to become an international sports hub. Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission, said the city is well-positioned to host the FIFA Women's World Cup and Men's Rugby World Cup in 2031.

Sarah Ruden uncovers how literature about women has been used to justify control over their bodies, starting with ancient poetry through modern debates. She'll be speaking about her new book "Reproductive Wrongs" at the Kansas City Public Library this week.

Kansas University Cancer Center is making available a one-time CAR T-cell therapy that could free blood cancer patients from the injection cycles of chemotherapy and radiation.

Christal Watson, the mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, joined Up To Date on Friday to discuss the Chiefs moving to her county, concerns from her constituents about property taxes and much more.

The earnings tax provides nearly half of Kansas City’s overall budget. Voters will decide April 7 whether to extend it for 5 years.

As AI content increasingly spreads online, Erin Kennedy, the digital innovation manager at the Mid-Continent Public Library, says people should be critical of the content. While some content is created for fun, other content is used to deceive the viewer.

A new exhibit at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art through August 9 highlights the global roots of artists with ties to Kansas City, and the worldwide connections that have shaped the city's artistic community and culture.

Tips were once reserved for hospitality services like bars and restaurants, but now more businesses are adding tip options — and the suggested amount has increased. University of Kansas associate professor Rob Waiser discusses the change tip culture and what businesses should consider before making the ask.

Johnson County Commission Chair Mike Kelly joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss rising property taxes in his county, preparations for the 2026 World Cup, and the Chiefs' new headquarters and practice facility coming to Olathe.

More local law enforcement agencies are signing agreements with federal immigration agencies, bringing in new revenue for the departments, at the potential risk of community relationships. The agreements mean that even minor infractions like driving tickets have the potential to result in deportation.

Kansas City, Kansas, is known as the home of Da’ Bomb Hot Sauce, from the web series “Hot Ones," but there are many places throughout the metro to get a good kick of spice in your meal. Here’s where to get the best blazing meals in the Kansas City area.