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KC Currents Sundays at 5 p.m. (with a repeat broadcast Mondays at 8 p.m.). KC Currents Audio Archives The Walt Bodine Show Weekdays at 10 a.m. Walt Bodine Audio Archives Up to Date with Steve Kraske Weekdays at 11 a.m. Up to Date Audio Archives Culinary Expeditions Series Talk of the Nation Weekdays from 1 - 3 p.m. Fresh Air with Terry Gross Weekdays at 3 p.m. New Letters on the Air Sundays at 6 a.m. New Letters Audio Archives |
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 Samuel Clemens was no stranger to stirring up a fuss. In 1906 he attended an event at the Library of Congress in a snow white suit, shocking his contemporaries. As master and commander of literary satire, the man who became Mark Twain is considered one of America's greatest authors, but how well do we really know him?Today Steve Kraske sits down with Indiana State University English professor Michael Shelden to discuss his new book Mark Twain: Man in White: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years. We'll discuss the last decade of Twain's life... from his dysfunctional family, to a bitter feud, and his encounters with Bram Stoker, Bernard Shaw, Helen Keller.
Tuesday February 2, 2010
 President Obama will be remembered as the first African American president in the country's history. Another first for the President... he was the first candidate to be marketed like a high-level consumer brand. Today Steve Kraske talks with designer Sol Sender about his experiences developing the Barack Obama campaign logo and "political brand," the first of its kind in American politics.  Designer Sol Sender speaks tonight at 6:30 p.m. the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch. More information about that event can be found here.
 The way we work - where we work - has changed dramatically in recent years. Use of the internet and more people working from home has in many cases altered the office space landscape.In the second half of our program we'll examine designing more efficient work spaces. David Lathrop, Director of Research and Strategy for Steelcase, Inc. will discuss the future design trends in the office. David Lathrop is in town as part of Kansas City Design Week. Wednesday February 3, 2010
 On Wednesday Missouri state Senator Matt Bartle testified before a federal grand jury meeting in Kansas City. The subject: the Missouri House's defeat of an anti-porn bill that Bartle sponsored in 2005. The testimony from the Lee's Summit Republican comes as part of an ongoing pay-to-play investigation in the state Capitol that began at least a year ago.In the first portion of today's program Steve Kraske talks with David Lieb, bureau chief for the Associated Press' Jefferson City office and Jason Noble, the Kansas City Star's Jefferson City reporter. We'll discuss the case, the grand jury investigation, and talk about possible indictments the grand jury may return when it completes its investigation.  Also today - a local look at the U.S. military's stance on gays serving openly in the armed forces.On Wednesday U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates testified to Congress that the Pentagon has taken the first steps toward repealing the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gay and lesbian service members. Steve Kraske talks with Dr. Beth Schissel, a pediatrician at Children's Mercy Hospital. Schissel, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, was kicked out of the Air Force when she revealed she was a lesbian. We also talk with Dr. Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Palm Center and an adjunct professor at New York University and author of Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America.  Finally today: KCUR's Dan Verbeck reports from the Liberty Memorial, site of a summit gathering of the governors of Missouri and Kansas, where a new survey was released with some devastating findings for the Kansas City area.Among the poll results: voters believe Kansas City is failing to keep up with Denver and St. Louis, and they blame the quality of its leaders for much of that.
Thursday February 4, 2010
 It's okay to wake your 12 year old up in the morning for school, but is it okay to call your 22 year old in college to do the same? These days, the over protection of kids has been taken to extremes.Today Steve Kraske talks with Dr. Edward Christophersen of Children's Mercy Hospital about helicopter parenting- when parents pay particularly close attention to their children's experiences and problems, and most importantly their schooling. We'll examine when this issue first started garnering attention, and why many well-intentioned actions can actually undermine children's development and well being. We'll also talk with Rebecca Bergman with the University of Missouri- Kansas City College of Arts and Sciences advising department about what she sees when parents get involved with planning their college student's courses. We'll discuss the levels of over parenting that are justified, especially when it comes to safety, while other levels - such as insisting on sitting in with your college freshman and their advisers - are not.
 After contributing six decades of musical direction and genius, Randy Weston remains one of the world's foremost pianists and composers of today, a true innovator and visionary.This evening the American Jazz Museum welcomes the NEA Jazz Master and piano icon for a live concert and discussion. Weston will present a solo piano performance and discuss elements of his celebrated Uhuru Africa Suite (Weston's Opus Recording for United Artists now celebrating its 50th Anniversary) and its role as a spiritual healer within the context of his work in Central Africa. In the last portion of our program, Steve Kraske talks with Weston about his career and the role of jazz in medical and spiritual healing. The American Jazz Museum presents Jammin' for Wellness: Jazz as an International Catalyst for Medical and Spiritual Healing this evening from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the Museum's atrium.Friday February 5, 2009
 Valentine's Day is only a week away. Are you looking for a good idea for a date you'll never forget - or do you need an idea for something to do in order to forget that you don't have a date for the big day? We've got just the thing for you.Join our film critics Cynthia Haines and Steve Walker as we review the latest art, independent, and foreign films showing on area screens. You'll find a complete list of the films they review the Up to Date page, below Cynthia and Steve's "Three to See" list.  Looking for something fun and unique to do this weekend? Later on today's program Brian McTavish of KC Confidential offers five fun and unique things to do in Kansas City this weekend. It's what we call Up to Date's weekend to do list.
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Michael Shelden is the author of three previous biographies, including Orwell, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He was a correspondent for The Daily Telegraph (London) and a critic for the Baltimore Sun. He is currently a professor of English at Indiana State University.
As founder and principal of Sender LLC, Sol Sender spearheaded the logo development for Barack Obama's historic 2008 campaign. Now an associate partner with 
Dr. Edward R. Christophersen, Ph.D., ABPP is a Professor of Pediatrics and Staff Psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital, and a Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri - Kansas City, School of Medicine.
Brian McTavish
follows popular culture in the belief that the search for significance
can lead anywhere. Brian explains, "I've written articles and
reviews..., reviewed hundreds of concerts, films and plays. And the
thing is, these high arts all sprang from the pop culture of their day.
Don't forget, Shakespeare was once Spielberg." Brian is a contributor
to the online magazine
 When one thinks of 'civil rights', images of 1960's bus boycotts, race riots, and segregation may come to mind. The civil rights movement 48 years ago focused on figure heads like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but who are our civil liberty leaders today, and for whose rights are they fighting in 2010?In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr Day we'll look at the civil rights movement in 2010. Steve Kraske sits down with the president and CEO Urban League of Kansas City Gwen Grant, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri Dan Winter, and Latino activist Jessica Ayala. We'll look at the groups in need of protection, examine what legislation is getting attention from lawmakers, and look at what the future holds for these groups.
Tuesday January 19, 2010
 University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little is entering her second semester on the job. As the 17th chancellor at the university she is the first woman - and the first African American to lead KU.Gray-Little has been keeping busy. Recently she's been elected to the board of trustees of the world's largest library cooperative, and she was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House for promising more math and science teachers for U.S. schools. Today Steve Kraske talks with Chancellor Gray-Little about furthering access to the world's information, reducing library costs, and addressing the national shortage of teachers. We'll also discuss her biggest concerns at KU including funding, academic priorities, and new programs.
 Also today - Steve Kraske speaks with Holton, Kansas residents Tim and Alecia O'Byrne. The O'Byrnes welcomed four new children into their family last week: all from Haiti. The O'Byrnes had worked for years to adopt the children. The process picked up speed quickly after last week's earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince. The children were at an orphanage, but survived the quake unhurt. Learn more about their story in this Kansas City Star article. Wednesday January 20, 2010
The Missouri Legislature kicked off its 2010 session with a long list of issues to debate. The hot-button issue this year: ethics reform. And the deciding factor on any reform legislation will depend on placing limits on campaign donations.Today join Steve Kraske live from Jefferson City as we talk with St. Louis Post Dispatch Jefferson City bureau reporter Tony Messenger, Kansas City Star Jefferson City correspondent Jason Noble, and Kansas City-area lawmakers Sen. Jolie Justus (D), Speaker Pro-Tem Rep. Bryan Pratt (R), and Rep. Jason Brown (R) about the latest action in the Missouri legislature. We'll discuss legislation on the table - from raising taxes, economic development incentives, and autism insurance legislation. We'll also look at creating more jobs for Missouri and crafting a budget with less money, and discuss what Missouri Governor Jay Nixon may address in this evening's State of the State address.
Thursday January 21, 2010
 The prophet Muhammed is the central figure in the history of Islam. But after his death without any sons in 632, a series of conflicts between those who claimed his mantle led to a violent and enduring split in the religion in 680. To this day, Sunnis and Shia still practice the faith in different ways, and the Shia-Sunni split undergirds conflict and war in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.Today, guest host Brian Ellison talks with Lesley Hazleton, author of After the Prophet, a new narrative history of the split and its aftermath. She'll discuss both the drama of centuries ago and the implications still being played out in today's headlines.
Looking for something fun and unique to do this weekend? Later on today's program Brian McTavish of KC Confidential offers five fun and unique things to do in Kansas City this weekend. It's what we call Up to Date's weekend to do list.
Friday January 22, 2009
 The DVD Gurus are back! Their motto this month: more is better. Instead of watching one film we'll discuss which movies are better when they come in a group.Steve Kraske welcomes film professor / screenwriter Mitch Brian and critic Jason Heck review some of their favorite films featured in box sets available on DVD. A complete list of the films we discuss is listed below.
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Gwendolyn Grant, president & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, is a strong advocate for social and economic opportunity for African Americans and other minorities. In her role as the chief executive officer of the Urban League, she provides leadership, oversight and direction for advancing all Urban League programs and its mission.
Dan Winter, Executive Director is a native of Ottawa, Kansas, and came to the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri in late 2007.
Tony Messenger is a reporter and columnist with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, covering state government and politics in the Jefferson City Bureau. He previously was editorial page editor of the Springfield News-Leader and metro columnist and city editor at the Columbia Daily Tribune. 
Jason Noble is a Lawrence, Kansas native and a 2006 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in journalism. After interning with The Kansas City Star in college Noble joined the paper full time upon graduating. He worked for The Star's Northland bureau, covering suburban city government and schools. Noble moved to the Capitol beat in January 2008 and has been there since, covering the legislature, the governor, campaigns and elections and whatever else happens in Central Missouri. Noble lives in Columbia, which presents unique difficulties for a KU fan.
British-born Lesley Hazleton is a psychologist and veteran journalist whose work has focused on the way religion and politics, past and present, are inextricably intertwined in the Middle East. The author of several books on Middle East politics, religion, and history, she has also written for The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, Esquire, Vanity Fair, The Nation, The New Republic, and many other publications. She now lives in Seattle, WA.
 The Kansas Legislature begins its 2010 session today, and this evening Governor Mark Parkinson will deliver his state of the state address to a public that has witnessed enormous funding cuts. Kansas has cut nearly $1 billion from a $6 billion budget, faces a nearly $400 million shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and as much as an $800 million shortfall for the following year. Is Governor Parkinson done cutting the budget? What can the Kansas House and Senate do to minimize long-term damage to the Sunflower State and its population? Today Steve Kraske talks with Kansas City Star statehouse reporter David Klepper and Kansas Public Radio statehouse correspondent Stephen Koranda. We'll examine what issues are garnering attention in Topeka, including a proposed cigarette tax increase, and what additional funding cuts could mean to state institutions. Dr. Cynthia Lane, incoming superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas public school district talks about what state cuts could mean to her district, and why KCK could be hurt harder than other nearby districts. Finally, Sen. Stephen Morris, president of the Kansas Senate gives us an update on long-term restoration and renovation project the Kansas Statehouse.
Tuesday January 12, 2010
 Many people read a local newspaper for the local coverage it provides. But as traditional print newspapers struggle to control costs, and in many cases lay off writers and editors, who fills the local news and information void? Along comes the so-called 'hyperlocal' website, staffed by a combination of non-journalists and in some cases former newspaper writers. They compete for some of the same funding that helps support the web versions of print publications, but don't bear the costs associated with production and distribution of a printed product. Today Up to Date's media critics roundtable examines hyperlocal news websites. Kansas City Star readers' representative Derek Donovan, KC Currents producer/host Sylvia Maria Gross, and University of Kansas School of Journalism associate professor Michael Williams join Steve Kraske to talk about the hyperlocal model, how it differs from a website of a traditional newspaper, and discuss if it may be the local news model of the future. We talk with Jay Senter, editor of KCFreePress.com about his organization's model. We'll also examine the practice of paying for interviews and how it affects objective journalism Most journalistic organizations shy away from paying for interviews, but many provide luxury transportation and accommodations for interviewees. Others do pay for interviews, often running into the tens of thousands of dollars. Also: "media fatigue." How do journalists keep people interested in long-term stories like healthcare reform and the nation's economy? Finally - our picks for the most under- and over-covered stories of recent weeks.
Wednesday January 13, 2010
 Despite his proposed efforts to work more closely with the City Council, Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Mark Funkhouser continues to butt heads with the elected officials. First, Mayor Funkhouser called on the council to examine possible removal of the city's one-percent earnings tax which provides 40% of city operating revenue. The city council shot down that idea promptly in a 10-1 decision last week. And according to the Kansas City Star, last week Funkhouser had planned to visit Jefferson City (the trip was cancelled due to poor weather) - but had no intention of visiting with Kansas City's legislative delegation, defying a common and oftentimes helpful political tradition. Today Steve Kraske sits down with the mayor to discuss why he's in favor of studying the possible rollback of the earnings tax, and we'll also look at some other big issues facing the metro area- snow removal, communication with lawmakers, and budget cuts. Of course, your questions for Mayor Funkhouser are welcome, too.
Thursday January 14, 2010
 Tuesday's devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti affected everyone: UN agencies, Haitian lawmakers, international visitors, and of course, the 3 million Haitians living in the Port au Prince area, a city that some say was designed for a population closer to 50,000.Kansas City-area members of the Haitian community are reeling from the news...and many are sitting on edge waiting for news about loved ones who were affected by the quake. Telephone and internet connections are largely disrupted, and word is traveling slowly on who is alive, who has died, and who has sustained injury. Today Up to Date looks at the Caribbean nation, the local Haitian community, and what area relief organizations are doing to help. University of Kansas professor emeritus Bryant Freeman, founder and director of the KU Institute of Haitian Studies talks with Steve Kraske about the poor island nation, its history, and the dense population of Port au Prince. Jean Vil, general secretary, and Jean Benito Mercier, chairperson of the Haitian Community Center of the Midwest discuss their and their community's reaction to the devastation, how difficult it's been not hearing about relatives in Haiti, and what Americans should know about Haiti. Finally, Jon D. North, CEO of Heart to Heart International discusses his organization's efforts to provide relief in Haiti. Photo: Richard Arduengo / AP
Also this hour - a new survey conducted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce shows that area businesses feel that the worst is over, things are getting better, but are still uncertain as to how long the recession will last. Chris Lester, senior vice president for business development for the Chamber discusses the report's findings, including good news on the job creation front, credit conditions, and their opinions on what politicians should be doing.
Looking for something fun and unique to do this weekend? Later on today's program Brian McTavish of KC Confidential offers five fun and unique things to do in Kansas City this weekend. It's what we call Up to Date's weekend to do list.
Friday January 15, 2010
 This year Hallmark celebrates 100 years of warm wishes, heartfelt sentiments, and all the words you needed to say but could not think up on your own.Today we'll look at the many ways Hallmark has been able to convey 'Happy Birthday', 'I Love You', and 'I'm sorry' over the years. Steve Kraske sits down with Hallmark Card historian Lynley Farris to discuss how the need for emotional connection has stayed consistent over the decades even while the means by which we connected - the images and editorial used in Hallmark's greeting cards - changed to reflect the times.  Hallmark's not the only tear-jerker marking an anniversary this year: Frederic Chopin would have been 200 this year if his body had the same longevity as his music.Today composer, conductor, and public radio favorite Rob Kapilow stops by the KCUR studios to help us celebrate the piano virtuoso whose compositions are among the best of classical music's romantic era. The Friends of Chamber Music presents "What Makes it Great?" with Rob Kapilow featuring Gilles Vonsattel, pianist - guest artist in two concerts: Saturday January 16th at 11 a.m. at Goppert Theatre on the Avila University campus and Sunday January 17th at 2 p.m. at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. For tickets, call 816 561 9999 or visit www.chambermusic.org
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David Klepper covers Kansas government and politics as 
Derek Donovan is the Kansas City Star's Readers' Representative. Derek has been with the paper since 1995, and he's also director of research and information. He contributes occasional reviews and features to the Features sections as well. Donovan is author of the Ad Astrum. You can reach Donovan via email (readerrep@kcstar.com) or telephone: 816 234 4487. 
Sylvia Maria Gross is producer and co-host of KC Currents, heard Sunday afternoons at 5 and Monday evenings at 8 on KCUR. Gross grew up in New York City, Brazil and Bethesda, Maryland. She studied English at Yale University, and then spent a year in Brazil on a Fulbright researching arts education. Back in New York, she taught middle school math and English for six years. Sylvia completed a master's in journalism at Columbia University. Before coming to KCUR in October 2004, she reported in New York City about education and culture for radio and print. 
Michael I. Williams is an associate professor in News and Information at the University of Kansas School of Journalism. Williams oversees the Stauffer Multimedia Newsroom and serves as the News and Information track chair. He was an associate professor at the University of Maryland before deciding to return to KU. He has two journalism degrees from the KU School of Journalism, and taught visual communication and photojournalism here from 1988 to 1994. Since then he has been an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Ohio University and Maryland. He was director of Internet publishing for a Wisconsin publishing company and has held various positions on newspapers in Mississippi, New Mexico and Oregon.
Chris Lester is Senior Vice President for Business Growth at the 
With his diverse array of talents and his infectious enthusiasm for all things musical, Rob Kapilow
has been compared to Leonard Bernstein for bringing the pleasures of
classical music to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. As the Boston
Globe said, "It's a cheering thought that this kind of missionary
enterprise did not pass from this earth with Leonard Bernstein. Robert
Kapilow is awfully good at what he does. We need him."
 While we brave temperatures in the teens and twenties at the heart of winter, a group of researchers are enjoying warmer temperatures in summer - in Antarctica working on a multitude of projects, many having to do with the effect of climate change on our globe's polar regions.Kansas City Star reporter Scott Canon recently voyaged to the end of the earth to spend a month exploring, learning, and writing about Antarctica. And now, after a stomach-churning rough five day sea voyage from Antarctica to Chile, Canon returns to Kansas City to share stories from his trip. Today Steve Kraske sits down with Canon and talks by phone from the Palmer Research Station in Antarctica with Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences post doctoral associate Alex Kahl. Kahl tells us about how the changing climate is affecting the marine ecosystem, the fundamentals of climate change science, life in Antarctica at Palmer Station, and what results have come from research in Antarctica. Photo by Scott Canon
Tuesday January 5, 2010
 President Obama is approaching the anniversary of his inauguration,
Congress is still debating a health insurance overhaul bill, and both
state legislatures in Missouri and Kansas face huge budget shortfalls
as a result of the poor economy.In this first week of shows of 2010, Steve Kraske welcomes the program's Political Pundits, The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling, KU political science professor Burdett Loomis, and KMBC-9 political reporter Micheal Mahoney to gather around the Up to Date table to predict the year in politics, including the battle between Roy Blunt and Robin Carnahan for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat, the Kansas governor's contest featuring front-runner and current U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, and the multitude of candidates vying to replace U.S. Congressman Dennis Moore and his 3rd District seat. Wednesday January 6, 2010
 First - it was nine inches of snow on Christmas Day. Then two more snowfalls after Christmas dropped additional accumulation on existing ice and snow-packed streets. Some area residents say their streets are barely passable; others say their streets are clear, thanks to city crews.Today Up to Date examines snow and ice removal plans in Kansas City Missouri and Overland Park. Why do Overland Park streets seem to be clear while so many roads in Kansas City remain snow covered? Are budget cuts to blame for the situation? Or were storms just too much for city crews to handle? Dennis Gagnon, public information officer for the Kansas City, Missouri Public Works department and Doug Brown, director of the Overland Park Public Works department talk about their cities' snow and ice removal plans, budgets, and equipment. R. Mark DeVries, chairman of the American Public Works Association winter maintenance subcommittee joins the conversation as we discuss various snow removal technologies, ice melting salt and chemicals, what streets receive priority in a storm, and how other cities across the nation handle their snowfalls. Were you pleased with plowing efforts in your city? Contribute your thoughts to our discussion on KCUR's Facebook page, call us during the program at 816 235 2888 - or email us: uptodate@kcur.org.
Thursday January 7, 2010
 Jeannette Walls makes her career out of uncovering secrets about other people's lives. As the gossip columnist for MSNBC.com, it's Walls' job to know the inside dirt about celebrity news and the who's who of society.But this time she's digging up the dirt on her own family. Today Steve Kraske talks with Walls about her grandmother and her influence on her latest book Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel. Jeannette Walls speaks about Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel this evening at 7 at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W 47th Street, Kansas City, MO. Call Rainy Day Books in Fairway at 913 384 3126 for more information.
Looking for something fun and unique to do this weekend? Later on today's program Brian McTavish of KC Confidential offers five fun and unique things to do in Kansas City this weekend. It's what we call Up to Date's weekend to do list.
Friday January 8, 2009
Feeling a little down now the holidays are over?
Need something to keep your interest until the next big holiday?
Lighten up (or get some much-needed intellectual stimulation into your
life after one too many viewings of A Christmas Story) with a great film.Join our critics Cynthia Haines and Steve Walker as we discuss the latest art, independent, foreign, and documentary films showing on area screens. You'll find a complete list of the films at kcur.org/uptodate. |
Scott Canon has been a reporter at 
As a postdoctoral associate at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, L. Alex Kahl is engaged in research related to the export of carbon from the sea surface. His PhD. thesis, also completed at Rutgers, was focused on exploring the stickiness of marine algal cells (phytoplankton). The stickiness, or adhesion effeciency, of phytoplankton is a biologically mediated yet little understood control of plankton biomass export (principally thought of as carbon) from the sea surface. As phytoplankton convert about half of the earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide into oxygen, the export of carbon from the sea surface to the deep sea sediments is a significant sink of carbon from the earth's atmosphere. Currently, Kahl's post doc position has placed him in Antarctica, where he has broadened his research to include polar ecosystem processes. 
R. Mark DeVries has been an employee of McHenry County, Illinois for 25 years. He's chairman of the National APWA Winter Maintenance Sub-Committee, a member of the Winter Maintenance Technical Service Program, the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter, and the Midwestern States Snow and Ice Group. He's also a trainer for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Mark has presented at Snow and Ice seminars all across North American, several environmental seminars and various Municipalities across the Midwest. Mark has also traveled to Europe and South America. Mark is a trainer for the Illinois LTAP. Mark has been published in every major industry Magazine and the inaugural issue of the Journal of Public works and Infrastructure. Mark is the 2007 recipient of the APWA Donald C. Stone Award for excellence in education. Mark and crew were the recipients of the 2006 APWA Technical innovation award and the National Association of Counties Achievement award for the County's Liquid De-icier Blending System. Mark is the 2009 recipient of the Chicago Chapter Public Works Leader of the year, also the 2006 recipient for the award of achievement from the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter The MCDOT is a recipient of the Excellence in Storage award for the past 5 years.
One of four siblings, Jeannette Walls was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1960. Her family lived in various southwestern towns before settling in Welch, West Virginia when she was ten. She moved to New York City at age 17 and graduated from Columbia University's Barnard College with honors in 1984. She went on to become a reporter for New York magazine, Esquire and USA Today. She has appeared regularly on television, including the Today Show, CNN and PrimeTimeLive and is widely known as a former gossip columnist for
 When Satchel Paige was signed to the Cleveland Indians in 1948 he became one of four black athletes signed up in the late 1940s. The accuracy, power and velocity of his pitching made him one of the best in the league, beating the big league white players more than half of the time.Today in an encore broadcast from July, Steve Kraske talks with author Larry Tye about his book Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend. It's the first biography on Paige, the premier pitcher of the Negro Leagues, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs for the 1941 season. They discuss the more than 200 interviews of veteran fellow players of the Negro and Major Leagues, and the intimate details of Paige's life- his bitter rivalry with Jackie Robinson, how Joe DiMaggio got one hit off of Satchel and was signed by the Yankees immediately, and what happened when Groucho Marx duck-walked into the locker room and asked the pitcher for his autograph.
Tuesday December 29, 2009
 There's a lot of prejudice associated with some travel destinations these days. While Amish country, Disneyland, and various Chinatowns are incredibly popular sites for Americans, author Chuck Thompson argues we are limiting ourselves when we believe the stereotypes about certain locations.Today guest host Brian Ellison talks with Thompson about his latest book To Hellholes and Back: Bribes, Lies, and the Art of Extreme Tourism. We find out why places like Mexico City, Sacramento, and Iran are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to American tourism, and what we've been missing by not visiting there.
Wednesday December 30, 2009
 "I've been writing about food for my entire life," says food authority and Gourmet magazine editor in chief Ruth Reichl, "and I can't remember a more exciting time." How we cook has changed more in the last ten years than in our entire history. We shop at farmers markets, and we think more about where our food comes from. We're eating more fish, more vegetables and grains. We're drawing from America's rich ethnic influences, and cooking Latin, Indian, Thai, and regional Italian at home.It's been a difficult year for Reichl: she and her staff were told in October by publisher Conde Nast that the company was folding Gourmet after a 68 year run. But Reichl carries on the tradition of great food, and we're happy to commiserate with her and celebrate the rich history of Gourmet - Kansas City style. Today in an encore broadcast originally aired October 8, 2009, Ruth Reichl joins us to share recipes from her new cookbook Gourmet Today. In a special broadcast from host Steve Kraske's kitchen, Reichl talks about ideas for quick weeknight meals, healthy eating, and how incorporate an entire array of new foods into our cooking. Also joining us around the kitchen table: Room 39 owner and chef Ted Habiger and Master Sommelier / Master of Wine Doug Frost. They talk about how to make gourmet dishes in your own kitchen, what wines or drinks might pair best with food, and we spend some time at the stove cooking up dishes of our own to share with our guests. Tune in today for a feast you won't want to miss!
Thursday December 31, 2009
 So how did that 2009 New Year's resolution turn out? Did you lose the weight? Kick the habit? Change the attitude? Do you even remember what you resolved to do?As a new year dawns, today's program explores the do's and don'ts of making resolutions- what to attempt, what to avoid, and how to keep those commitments. Guest host Brian Ellison talks with writer Gretchen Rubin, whose book and blog, The Happiness Project, explore the ways that small steps can lead to real satisfaction. We invite you to call in and share your own resolutions, past and present- maybe providing just the public accountability they need to make sure they follow through.
Looking for something fun and unique to do this weekend? Also on today's program: Brian McTavish of KC Confidential offers some last-minute ideas for what to do if you don't yet have plans for the big night. It's the Weekend To-Do List: New Year's Edition.
Friday January, 1, 2010  Up to Date takes the day off for the New Year's holiday. You have every reason to look forward to 2010...but not before we make fun of 2009. Join Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, balloon boy and many others as we take a satirical look back at the past year. Song, satire and sarcasm...Capitol Steps and a New Year special titled Capitol Steps: Politics Takes a Holiday. |
Larry Tye is a prize-winning journalist for The Boston Globe and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. An avid baseball fan, Tye now runs a Boston-based training program for medical journalists. He is the author of The Father of Spin, Home Lands, and Rising from the Rails and co-author, with Kitty Dukakis, of Shock. He lives in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Chuck Thompson, the author of Smile When You're Lying, is a former features editor for Maxim and was the first editor in chief of Travelocity magazine and served as part of the editorial team for the launch of 
Ruth Reichl joined Gourmet as Editor in Chief in April 1999. She came to the magazine from The New York Times, where she had been the restaurant critic since 1993. As chef and co-owner of The Swallow Restaurant from 1974 to 1977, she played a part in the culinary revolution that took place in Berkeley, California. In the years that followed, she served as restaurant critic for New West and California magazines. In 1984, she became restaurant critic of the Los Angeles Times, where she was also named food editor.
Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who writes and lectures about wine, beer and spirits. In 1991 he passed the rigorous Master Sommelier examination and two years later became a Master of Wine. He was the second person in history to complete both exams and eight years later he is still one of only three people in the world to have achieved both these remarkable distinctions. 
Ted Habiger began his restaurant career as a server at the 75th Street Brewery in 1994 where he worked his way through bartender, line cook and sous chef. In 1995, he entered fine dining first as a line cook, then sous chef of Steve Cole's Cafe Allegro. In 1997, he was named Chef de Cuisine and held the position for three years. He was reviewed by the New York Times travel section in December 1997 stating that Cafe Allegro was one of the "best in the city, and... certainly is the top tier". The Kansas City Star awarded him with three and a half stars. In May 2001, Ted moved to New York City to work for Danny Meyer's renowned Union Square Cafe. He trained under James Beard Award winner Michael Romano and chef de cuisine Dan Silverman, becoming sous chef in late 2001. In 2003, Ted moved back to Kansas City working part-time at 40 Sardines while he launched Seasons Catering and Room 39 with Andy Sloan. 
Gretchen Rubin's most recent book is The Happiness Project, and she is also the author of the bestselling Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill; Forty Ways to Look at JFK; Power Money Fame Sex: A User's Guide; and Profane Waste. (She has three dreadful unpublished novels locked in a drawer.)