Laura Ziegler

Special Correspondent

Laura Ziegler began her career at KCUR as a reporter more than 20 years ago. She became the news director in the mid 1980's and  in 1988,  went to National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. as a producer for Weekend Edition Saturday with Scott Simon.

In 1993, she came back to Kansas City as the Midwest correspondent for National Public Radio. Among the stories she covered - the floods of 1993, the ongoing farm crisis and rural affairs, and presidential campaigns.

After the birth of her 3rd child, Laura returned to KCUR as producer of Under the Clock, a weekly talk show broadcast live from Union Station. It was hosted by former Kansas City mayor Emanuel Cleaver. When he was elected 5th district Congressman in 2002, Laura returned to KCUR as a part-time reporter and producer.

Laura has won numerous awards for her work, including three regional Edward R. Murrow awards.

In 1992, Laura was awarded a Jefferson Fellowship in Journalism with the East West Center at the University of Hawaii which took her to China, Japan, Burma, Bangladesh and Thailand.  In 1990, she was part of a reporting trip to the then -Soviet Union with the American Center for International Leadership.

Laura graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from Vassar College.

She, her husband, and their three children - Julia, Ellie, and Benjamin, live with Laura's father in the house in which she was born.

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Cops & Crime
4:11 pm
Fri December 14, 2012

After Conn. Shooting, Some Police Step Up Presence Near Schools

Credit bigstock.com

Though the tragic shooting Friday at a Connecticut elementary school occurred far from the Kansas City area, Overland Park police still stepped up its presence nearby local schools.

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Sports
3:30 pm
Sat December 1, 2012

Chiefs Linebacker Kills Girlfriend, Self

Credit Laura Ziegler / KCUR
Chiefs officials outside the training facility where Linebacker Jovan Belcher committed suicide this morning.

Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend multiple times around 8 a.m. Saturday, drove to the team's training facility, thanked coaches for supporting him, walked away and shot himself in the head, police said.

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Business & Tech
9:44 am
Mon November 26, 2012

Shoppers Encouraged To Buy Local

Credit Google+
Stuff

Holiday shoppers are being encouraged once again this year to support small, local businesses. Small Business Saturday is important for a number of reasons.

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Business & Tech
9:14 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

Hostess Bakery To Workers: 'Go Back To Work, Or Company Dies'

Hostess company officials told striking workers they had until 5 p.m. Thursday to go back to work, or management would be forced to liquidate the company.

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Government
11:42 am
Thu November 8, 2012

Conservatives' Win In Kansas Shows Support For Brownback Agenda

Kansas statehouse races got big league attention and money this year as Governor Sam Brownback's agenda begins to unfold.

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Election 2012
2:26 pm
Mon November 5, 2012

Moderate Kansas Republicans Suffer Identity Crisis

Some might say the big news in Johnson County elections happened during the primaries, when conservative Republicans beat moderates in four out of five races for state Senate.

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People
10:40 am
Sun October 28, 2012

Lessons Learned Serving Orphans Abroad Being Applied In Urban Core

A father holding his biological and foster children. The Adopt KC program works with local churches to see how it can support congregants interested in housing foster kids.

Some years ago Mike Fox, traveling in Thailand, learned about the plight of Karen refugees fleeing political repression in Burma.

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Voting
10:07 am
Fri September 28, 2012

Campus Organizers Worry About Political Apathy

Student activists at Kansas City Community College worry young people are not as  interested in the upcoming elections as they should be.

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Election 2012
8:26 am
Wed September 26, 2012

Kansas Congressman Calls For Truce On Bipartisanship

3rd District Congressman Kevin Yoder Photo courtesy of Huffington Post

3rd District Kansas Congressman Kevin Yoder told an audience at Kansas Community College yesterday that during an election season, partisan bickering escalates. 

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People
9:37 pm
Wed September 12, 2012

Late For The Parade

Government
2:22 pm
Tue September 11, 2012

Mayor Says Thank You Kansas City; Street Repairs To Begin This Fall

Kansas City Mayor Sly James says thank you KC signs will pop up citywide as street repairs begin. Photo by Laura Ziegler

Kansas City M0. Mayor Sly James said Tuesday afternoon that resurfacing roads around the city could begin as early as next month thanks to the overwhelming passage of Question 1 in the August election.

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Government
4:11 pm
Sat September 1, 2012

Johnson County Commissioners Say "Yes" To More Public Transit

Credit Courtesy of thejo.com

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners approved a transit budget last week that restores bus routes and adds stops to make up for cuts in the overall bus system.

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KC Currents
4:05 pm
Mon August 27, 2012

Up All Night, All Over Town

KCUR's Laura Ziegler and photographer Claus Wawrzinek hit the streets recently to check out the overnight activity.

They stopped a few places along Independence Avenue ; a 7-11 , an overnight taqueria, and a quiet corner where a lone guitar player was soliciting donations.

They hit Westport and the Crossroads, and found late night street life in K.C. looks different across town.

Audio includes an extra track from conversations with homeless men who congregate at the 7-11 at Prospect and Independence Avenue every night, all night.

KC Currents
3:59 pm
Mon August 27, 2012

KC Currents Is Up All Night

What are you up after midnight and before sunrise? What are you thinking about? Doing? Eating?  Explore the region between the hours of midnight and 5 am.

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KC Currents Up All Night Program- On The Streets
3:47 pm
Mon August 27, 2012

Up All Nights On Kansas City's Streets

Our K C Currents show  revealed how many among us are actually doing things overnight.

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