Maria Carter

There's a several-hundred-million-dollar difference of opinion about the Kansas state budget.

Missouri schools could face a $24 million shortfall because casinos aren't making as much.

There's a several-hundred-million-dollar difference of opinion about the Kansas state budget.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking opinions about the state's railroads.

The third-ranked Kansas men's basketball team improved to 12-0 on the season last night by defeating the University of Texas-Arlington 82-57 in Lawrence.

Kansas City, MO – As the airwaves fill up with ads for candidates from the Statehouse to the U.S. Senate, at least a few minutes of airtime are to the two controversial ballot initiatives on the Missouri ballot.

KCUR's Brian Ellison joined us to examine some of the claims these ads made.

Yes on Prop A

Kansas City, MO – Two constitutional amendments are appearing on the ballot this election. To become part of the state Constitution, they need to be approved by Kansas voters.

Kansas City, MO – This year Democrat Ike Skelton is facing his strongest challenge in years by Republican challenger Vicky Hartzler.

Maria Carter and Brian Ellison talk about the accuracy of attack ads from each of the campaigns.

Ike Skelton's Ad Against Vicky Hartzler

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas Secretary of State administers statewide elections and handles business filings. It's an office that usually doesn't draw much attention, but this year has been different.

Democratic incumbent Chris Biggs is being challenged by Republican Kris Kobach, who is known for his work in writing laws targeting illegal immigration - including the controversial Arizona law.

Biggs and Kobach met for a debate in Overland Park.

Kansas City, MO – People often point the finger at high fat or sugar laden foods like Twinkies, potato chips, and fried pickles for weight gain. But Kansas State University nutrition professor Mark Haub has had a different experience over the past five weeks. He's made himself a human guinea pig for a junk food diet and lost 17 pounds.

Professor Haub spoke with KCUR's Maria Carter about what's he's been eating and some of the surprising health effects.

Kansas City, MO – Updated at 11:33am September 14, 2010.

An appearance by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at Penn Valley Community College scheduled for this morning has been canceled following a stabbing there. A dean at Penn Valley was stabbed around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning in the Humanities building.

Kansas City Police Captain Rich Lockhart says witnesses report the man was in his twenties and wearing all black.

Kansas City, Mo. – Rain turned this year's Rockfest into a mud-fest. Acres of grass at Liberty Memorial and Penn Valley Park were torn up and left a muddy mess.

A Lenexa man who organized protests against a deer hunt in Shawnee Mission Park has been put on probation for violating a protection order.

IBM is opening a delivery center in Columbia that will create up to 800 jobs.

A state senator who's running for Kansas secretary of state faces allegations that he violated campaign finance laws.

Kansas City, Mo. – Gay and lesbian couples who consider themselves married, whether they legally are married or not,will be counted that way in the current census. That marks a shift from previous years.

In the last census, some 600,000 same sex couples check the married box, but when the data was reported, they were deemed unmarried partners. Gay rights groups lobbied Congress to change that in the current census.

Maria Carter spoke with Edward San Filippo from the US Census bureau about the changes in 2010 Census.

Kansas City, Mo. – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced KCUR will be one of seven stations receiving grants to create local journalism centers.

KCUR will work with five public media partners in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska to cover agribusiness.

CPB President Patricia Harrison said at a press conference in Washington D.C. that CPB is committed to local news.

Kansas City, Mo. – Missouri lawmakers conducted a hearing on legislation that would bar the State Gaming Commission from revoking the license of a casino for underperforming financially.

The bill was filed in reaction to the Gaming Commission's decision to revoke the license of the President Casino in downtown St. Louis. Among those testifying in favor of the bill was Mack Bradley of Pinnacle Entertainment, the company that owns the President Casino and the vessel where it's housed, the Admiral Riverboat:

Kansas City, Mo. – A bill that would give the Missouri General Assembly control over almost every state tax credit is being debated in the State Senate.

The bill's supporters, including GOP Senator Chuck Purgason, say giving lawmakers control over the size of each tax break would ensure that they can set aside enough money to fund education, health care and other critical needs.

"When you are sitting there trying to make a decision whether to cut Medicaid, not fund the formula, or issue tax credits, I think that's an issue that we need to make," says Purgason.

Kansas City, MO – The University of Missouri-Kansas City will have to make due with about $4 million less from the state next year. It reflects an agreement with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to cut higher education funding statewide by only 5 percent in exchange for holding tuition steady next school year.

UM System President Gary Forsee stopped in Kansas City for a town hall with some 200 students, faculty, and staff. Forsee says knowing about budget cuts now makes planning easier.

Kansas City, MO – An announcement is expected that the once-huge American Airlines KCI overhaul base will close next year.

More spending cuts are coming to Missouri government.

Some Kansas legislators are working on a plan they hope could block parts of federal health care legislation from taking effect in the state.

Kansas City, MO – A new Wizards soccer stadium and Cerner Corporation office park is closer to becoming reality with an offer from the Kansas Commerce Secretary . It adds up to nearly $230 million in incentives.

After nearly two years of debate Kansas City, Missouri has changed its rules for establishments that serve liquor by the drink. And one places things could change is on the city's college campuses.