Charlie Upchurch

Endangered Beetles Hit the Dirt

Charlie Upchurch — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:26:59 +0000

For the first time ever, an endangered species has been released back into Missouri prairies. The American Burying Beetle may be back on its way to thriving, though in this beetle's world, thriving means living underground and feasting on meatballs.

Fossil Facebook: Digitization of Fossils Going Public

Charlie Upchurch — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:23:58 +0000

If some people are worried about pictures from freshman year surfacing on the internet, imagine this: a 290 million year old organism gets put on a publicly accessible database, from its specific location all the way to a picture from its deathbed.

Coming soon to your newsfeed: Fossil Facebook.

Early Man And Mammoths: Linda Hall Exhibit Shows Human History

Charlie Upchurch — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:45:49 +0000

In the early 19th century, it was commonly believed that humans were a relatively new species, existing for only about 6,000 years. However, the discovery of human remains alongside stone tools and extinct animals began to change some minds in the scientific community in the 1840s, leading to the now-commonly accepted belief in human antiquity.

Marble Madness

Charlie Upchurch, Jabulani Leffall and Andrea Silenzi — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:43:51 +0000

Kansas City is a mecca for barbeque enthusiasts, jazz masters, and … marble collectors? You might not know it, but when it comes to marble collecting, KC is the place to be. On Tuesday’s Central Standard we’re talking marbles.

A Professional Futurist Tells All

Andrea Silenzi, Jabulani Leffall and Charlie Upchurch — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:27:44 +0000

Borders Books. Blockbuster Home Movies. These companies share the same mistake; they missed a moment when they were challenged to adapt to a new business landscape. In their places stepped the Amazon Kindle, and Netflix respectively.

Ed Asner

Andrea Silenzi, Jabulani Leffall and Charlie Upchurch — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:57:07 +0000

Whether you know him as Lou Grant from the Mary Tyler Moore show, the cantankerous old man in the animated blockbuster UP, or for his outspoken and raucous political views, Emmy-winning actor Ed Asner is a character among characters both on screen and off.

Nature in the City: Summer Birds, Hiking

Charlie Upchurch, Andrea Silenzi and Jabulani Leffall — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:58:18 +0000

In Kansas City, we humans have adapted to our hot summer days with central air, trips to the movies and Jones Pool... but how do wild animals do it?

Celestial Happenings: Your Venus Transit Questions Answered

Charlie Upchurch, Andrea Silenzi and Jabulani Leffall — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:42:55 +0000

If you missed the Venus transit Tuesday afternoon, we have bad news: you’re not going to have another chance to see it.

Venus Watch Spot: Warkoczewski Observatory

Charlie Upchurch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:10:34 +0000

From double and triple stars to navigation tactics all the way to the Andromeda galaxy, the Warkoczewski Observatory's Friday night stargazing provides education and entertainment atop Royall Hall. They're currently gearing up for the Venus Transit tomorrow afternoon starting at 4 p.m. (more infomation below).

Bobbing Continents Believed To Cause Changes In Biodiversity

Charlie Upchurch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:25:29 +0000

According to a KU professor, we have evidence that periodic changes in marine biodiversity are tied to uplifting continents.

Get Your Rag On This Summer

Charlie Upchurch, Andrea Silenzi and Jabulani Leffall — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:25:22 +0000

On this Thursday's Central Standard, ragtime music and one of its earliest composers, Scott Joplin. A man of mystery, Joplin moved from place to place but left his heart in Sedalia, Missouri. This is where he wrote his famous Maple Leaf Rag, which was the first piece of sheet music to sell over one million copies.

Movie Critics: Summer Blockbusters

Charlie Upchurch and Andrea Silenzi — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:06:36 +0000

For this week's Central Standard Friday join host Russ Simmons and the Movie Critics for a look at what's new in a theater near you, including Dark Shadows, The Dictator and Men in Black 3.

What Will The Farmer Of The Future Look Like?

Andrea Silenzi, Jabulani Leffall and Charlie Upchurch — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:38:39 +0000

For this Thursday's Central Standard, we've teamed up with Iowa Public Radio's Talk of Iowa and Harvest Public Media to produce a talk show on the challenges facing young farmers today.

Everyone's A Critic: Yelp Reviews

Jabulani Leffall, Andrea Silenzi and Charlie Upchurch — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:24:32 +0000

There's that old saying everyone’s a critic, and at no point in human history does this ring more true. In our wired world, we love to discover new places to whine and dine.

Reuiniting Joplin With Their Lost Photos

Charlie Upchurch, Andrea Silenzi and Jabulani Leffall — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:24:07 +0000

When the Joplin tornado struck one year ago, so much was destroyed or scattered that can never be replaced. And it became up to a few creative heroes to restore some of that order. Abi Almandinger is one of those forces.