Up To Date

The Mission Gateway site at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive has sat largely vacant for two decades. While a timeline for the private property to finally be redeveloped is unclear, Mission Mayor Sollie Flora says the city's government is making "making it a focus."

Alberto Racanati grew up in Italy but moved to Kansas City more than 10 years ago to study trumpet at the UMKC Conservatory. Now, he makes genre-blending music solo as Alber and with his band I Maledetti. They'll perform at Manor Fest this May.

There are more than 20,000 foster care cases in Missouri and Kansas, but many were removed from homes due to a lack of resources rather than neglect or abuse. Cornerstones of Care CEO Merideth Rose said that separating children from their families should be the last resort — and shouldn't be the state's default.

Along with his son, 82-year-old Olathe resident Dave McClung became the oldest man to hike to Mount Everest’s base camp, trekking 42 miles over the course of eight days. “I always wanted to be famous, but I didn't know I'd be famous for being old," McClung told KCUR's Up To Date.

The hollow heart-shaped sculpture for this year’s Parade of Hearts was the perfect design to make an art piece double as a community space. Artist Abby Gust Hutter created the sculpture “Read it Forward,” which she turned into a little free library outside of Rainy Day Books. Hutter said the positive feedback has been heartwarming.   

Residents of Gardner, Kansas, are confronting a new data center proposal from Beale Infrastructure just weeks after a similar proposal was withdrawn. Members of the community are concerned about the impact on their environment, utilities, and noise levels.

The deadline for the Missouri General Assembly to approve its budget is quickly approaching. KCUR's Brian Ellison joined Up To Date to break down the latest on the budget and other agenda items for the 2026 legislative session.

Sen. Roger Marshall faces no Republican competition in the primary, but four Democrats have filed to run, and another big-name candidate may be announced soon. Plus, political experts run down the Kansas governor’s race and other ballot measures coming to voters later this year.

Sara Swenson said she pushed boundaries with her latest album “Taller.” The Missouri native’s fifth studio album is loaded with songs celebrating motherhood and belonging, and also heavier lyrics related to the #MeToo movement. “There's a lot of meaning on this album to me,” she said.

Early in his career, while officiating youth soccer matches in Olathe, Kyle Atkins wanted to quit, but his dad didn’t let him walk away so easily. This summer, you’ll be able to see him on the pitch as an assistant referee during the 2026 FIFA World Cup — after he and his crew get motivated with music and dancing in the locker room.

Relentless rainfall has flooded Kansas City neighborhoods east of I-435 near the 23rd Street exit, as meteorologists note a historically high amount of storms and warnings this year. Several businesses have had to close indefinitely, as they wait for the city to respond and drain the water. 

Parkinson’s disease presents physical and mental challenges for people who are diagnosed, but it ends up being a family affair, with one doctor describing the condition as a public health epidemic. A Kansas City woman told KCUR's Up To Date about her experiences taking care of her father.

Prairie Village-based Flint Development sold a Texas warehouse to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for use as an immigration detention facility. Local activist group The People for Prairie Village is protesting and calling for the company to cut ties — or leave town.

More than 900 people who believe they were wrongfully convicted are on a waitlist for the Midwest Innocence Project, which provides pro bono legal representation in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Arkansas. The organization is celebrating 25 years of service in 2026.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss why he changed his mind about filing to run for office, the task force he assembled to assess the future of the Truman Sports Complex site, and his approach to addressing property tax concerns.

Kansas City Council still has a lot of questions and financial details to work out before the new Royals stadium is a done deal. A ballpark at Crown Center brings the team back into the heart of the city — but some community advocates are criticizing the team's continued lack of transparency.

The show’s production crew filmed in Kansas City last summer, and worked directly with the city’s film office to select locations and recruit a primarily local crew.

Now under new management, Powell Gardens Colonial Farms plans to gradually shift its growing practices. The goal is to improve environmental health while preserving the fruit-picking and family-oriented experience that Kansas Citians expect.

In the 1950s, approximately 78,000 people lived in Kansas City’s midtown neighborhoods, which span roughly Crown Center to the Plaza and State Line Road to Troost Avenue. Two urban design experts will discuss what’s changing and what it means for residents Wednesday as a part of KC Design Week.

Ban phones and more

Quindaro in present-day Kansas City, Kansas, was founded before the Civil War as a diverse community that helped people escaping slavery. Now, Reps. Sharice Davids, Emanuel Cleaver II and Derek Schmidt are trying to pass a law that would give national protections to the ruins.

Passing a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate the income tax is a priority for Republicans in Jefferson City. The resolution still needs final approval from the Missouri House, but critics say that raising sales taxes will disproportionately hurt lower-income and elderly Missourians.

Many women struggling to get pregnant also experience depression and anxiety – often without support. After their own personal experiences, two local mental health providers founded The Village Fertility Co. to support the psychological and emotional wellbeing of women experiencing infertility.

Historian Douglas Brinkley will be in Kansas City on the 23rd for the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum's annual "Wild About Harry" event. He joined KCUR's Up To Date ahead of his visit.

Food recs: Kansas City's best women-owned and -led restaurants