Alex Smith

KC Currents Assistant Director, Announcer

Alex Smith began working in radio as an intern at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. A few years and a couple of radio jobs later, he is now the assistant producer of KC Currents.

Alex is also a musician and is learning the art of filmmaking.

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KCUR News
3:33 pm
Mon December 28, 2009

Malayalam Community Celebrates Christmas

Overland Park, KS – This holiday season, some Kansas Citians got an early start on Christmas. The city's Malayalam community, which consists of about 400 families from the Indian state of Kerala, held their annual Christmas party last Saturday at Blue Valley Northwest high school. KCUR's Alex Smith stopped by to find out more about the holiday traditions of one of the world's oldest Christian cultures.

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KCUR News
12:08 pm
Mon November 23, 2009

New Competition For Panhandlers On Downtown Street Corners

Kansas City, MO – There are a few street corners in Kansas City where you almost always see someone with a sign asking passers-by for money or food. But if you've driven by any of those typical spots in downtown during the past few months, you may have noticed that, instead of panhandlers, the corner is occupied by a cheery worker in a yellow windbreaker waving a sign that reads "Have a Great Day."

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KCUR News
11:52 am
Mon November 16, 2009

Local Agencies Strategize To Combat Homelessness

Kansas City, MO – Despite the economic climate, homelessness in the Kansas City area is only up slightly this year, according to new data. But 50% of those surveyed, report being homeless for the first time.

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KCUR News
5:23 pm
Thu November 12, 2009

More Homeless In KC Area

Kansas City, MO – The number of homeless in greater Kansas City has increased just slightly in the past year, and fewer homeless people are seeking social services, according to the Homeless Services Coalition.

Homeless Services Coalition Executive Director Brian O'Malley reports that 13,600 homeless people sought social services in 2009, a 2% decrease from last year. But 50% report being homeless for the first time, and O'Malley believes Kansas City is falling behind other cities in dealing with homelessness.

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KCUR News
11:43 am
Mon November 9, 2009

New Study Tracks Migration Of Kansans

Lawrence, KS – Kansas has been gradually losing population for over a century. But a new study suggests that regionalization, the movement of people from rural to urban areas within Kansas, is actually more significant and pronounced trend.

KC Currents' intern Tim Bridgham spoke with a few Kansas City transplants about why they moved here: Bill Gallo, actually another former KCUR intern, and two of Tim's friends Andrew Pirotte and Jordan Hasty.

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Jazz/Blues
3:21 pm
Tue November 3, 2009

Dutch Pianist Mastered Classic KC Jazz Techniques

When the Majestic Steakhouse in downtown Kansas City shut down in May, Bram Wijnands was forced to look for a new way to spend his Friday and Saturday nights. For the previous 16 years, the Dutch pianist had delivered authentic 1930s KC-style swing and boogie woogie in the cellar which once served as a speakeasy.

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KCUR News
2:20 pm
Mon September 21, 2009

Thomas Frank: 'How Conservatives Rule' In A Changing Political Climate

Kansas City, MO – Historian Thomas Frank first came to national attention in 2004, when his book What's The Matter With Kansas?, which explores the culture wars in our region, spent 18 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Since that time, the political climate of Kansas has shifted a bit: Democrat Kathleen Sebelius was elected governor (and since left for Washington) and Democrats like Raj Goyle of Wichita have made gains in the statehouse.

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KCUR News
12:46 pm
Mon August 17, 2009

Historical Mystery Solved At Fort Osage

Credit Fort Osage curator and archeologist John Peterson. Photo by Alex Smith / KCUR.
KCUR News
9:27 am
Mon August 3, 2009

Veterans Search For Work In Difficult Job Market

Kansas City, MO – As the first major wave of troops return from Iraq, the job market is likely to see a new batch of motivated, young job-seekers. KCUR's Alex Smith recently went to a veteran's job fair and spoke with new veterans. But he found the job market is already flooded with a previous generation of vets with plenty of experience and just as eager to find work.

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KCUR News
11:36 am
Tue July 28, 2009

Truman Library Forum Challenges 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Credit Alex Smith
Major General Vance Coleman

Independence, MO – Monday was the 61st anniversary of Harry Truman signing executive order 9981, which racial integrated the US military. A forum at the Truman Library used the occasion to draw attention to what some say is a similar civil rights battle. KCUR's Alex Smith went to Independence, Missouri to find out more.

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Jazz/Blues
10:00 am
Wed July 8, 2009

Firefighter By Day, Jazz Musician By Night

John Brewer talks about his double life of firefighter and jazz / electronica musician.

Kansas City, MO – The phrase: "Don't Quit Your Day Job" has been used as a put down for decades. If someone sings badly, that's what they're told. And yet, often it's the day job that provides the inspiration, material, or simply a structured schedule for the art.

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KCUR News
1:36 pm
Mon June 29, 2009

KU Veterans Take Advantage Of New Benefits

Lawrence, KS – Soldiers returning from war often find the shift to civilian life to a be difficult one, but the support of fellow veterans as well government programs like the GI Bill can help ease that transition. The federal government has recently passed a major expansion of GI education benefits and it's likely this new expansion will have a big impact on the lives of vets. Alex Smith traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to talk with Daniel Parker who helped push for the new benefits.

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KCUR News
4:12 pm
Mon May 18, 2009

Mo. School District Gets Surprise Stimulus Funds

Credit Construction at Knob Noster's new baseball facilities. Photo by Alex Smith / KCUR.

Knob Noster, MO – For most public schools, May is the end of the school year and it's a busy time. But in the spring of 2009, many school administrators are also faced with another challenge: a large influx of federal stimulus money and a small window of opportunity to use it. KCUR's Alex Smith recently paid a visit to Knob Noster School District, which is in just that situation.

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