Up To Date

Kansas City and the business community are working together to reduce the number of chronically unhoused people by providing vouchers and connecting them with resources. The Housing Gateway Program has proven effective in other cities around the U.S, and advocates say Kansas City is “well positioned” to succeed.

 If passed on Nov. 3, the amendment would enshrine the so-called “Respect Missouri Voters” initiative into the state constitution. That would require an 80% threshold for lawmakers to overturn citizen-led measures, such as the paid sick leave law approved in 2024. Then voters would be given another say at the ballot box.

Soakie’s, the Black gay bar that once operated out of the basement of an Italian sandwich shop received a permanent historical marker.

Higher fuel costs touch every branch of the economy, but food distributors are especially vulnerable to price increases. A farmer and food bank leader joined KCUR’s Up to Date to discuss how more expensive gas is affecting their operations.

If passed on Nov. 3, the amendment would establish the “Show-Me Prosperity Fund,” a public endowment similar to a sovereign wealth fund. However, it would not allocate any money into that fund. Supporters hope that the investment could one day be used to replace state taxes entirely, but economists worry that it could put state services at risk.

The Kansas City Royals celebrated Denny Matthews’ 8,000th game behind the mic during last week’s matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. An inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Matthews has been "the voice of the Royals" since the team first began 57 years ago.

Lucky Rabbit Literature Festival brings award winning team behind Fireworks to KC

Missouri lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional lines in 2025, in an attempt to oust Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and add a Republican seat to the U.S. House. But after a successful petition campaign, the new map was blocked from taking effect for this election, and voters in November will decide whether to approve or reject it.

Journalist Chuck Todd will be in Kansas City to accept the Make a Mark Leadership Award from the Poynter Institute this weekend. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss the midterm elections.

Up From Dust: Your personal tick survival guide

Kansas City is home to immigrants from over 30 countries in Africa. As the world’s second-largest continent, there’s no one type of “African” food, but you can find dishes from across the continent in the metro. 

If passed, Amendment 3 would repeal the abortion rights amendment enshrined in the Missouri Constitution in 2024. It would also add constitutional bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state. 

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Jeremy Hobson, the host of the public radio program "The Middle" is in Kansas City this week to moderate an American Public Square panel called "Turning Down the Heat: Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Outrage."

The Moth first brought its monthly storytelling open-mic nights known as StorySLAMs to Kansas City in 2024. Two years later, the crowds don't seem to be slowing down.

Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd died last week. His family has said the job, which he held for nearly 24 years, brought him joy and also “considerable pain.” Up To Date spoke with two former prosecutors about the toll the job had on their mental health.  

A recent KCUR analysis reveals that data gathered by Kansas City-area Flock cameras has been searched hundreds of thousands of times by out-of-state police departments. Across the city, residents are concerned by how that data is being used. 

A proposed amendment would change the Kansas Constitution to say only U.S. citizens can vote, rather than “every” U.S. citizen. Proponents say the rephrase is necessary to clarify the rules, while opponents say the change could make voting more confusing. 

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An update on KCUR after moving into our new building on the Country Club Plaza

Events like Lawrence Art in the Park, which will take place this weekend, Art Westport and the Plaza Art Fair are central to the business for many Kansas artists. It’s an opportunity to make a lot of sales, and to talk with the public about their work.

With so much TV, and so many films in theaters and on streaming platforms, it can be hard to know what’s most worth watching. Up To Date’s film experts shared their top titles so far this year.

The Kansas State Fair offered the first chance to see U.S. Senate candidates Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton and gubernatorial candidates Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher square off. The raucous crowd at times shouted down candidates as they spoke.

The legal back and forth over Missouri's congressional maps this election cycle is unprecedented in American politics. 5th District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and his Republican general election opponent state Sen. Rick Brattin joined KCUR's Up To Date to share their thoughts on what has transpired.

University of Kansas professor Chris Koliba argues that the American social contract is fraying. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss how we got to this point and what the country can do about it.