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Central Standard

Bryan Sheppard's Release From Prison; Historic Wheatley-Provident Hospital

Andrea Tudhope
/
KCUR 89.3

It's been nearly 30 years since six Kansas City firefighters were killed in an explosion after responding to a call about a truck on fire. A few weeks ago, Bryan Sheppard, one of five sentenced to life in prison, was released, because juvenile sentencing laws have changed since the time of the then 17-year-old's conviction. We check-in with Sheppard on life after prison.

Plus, what the ruins of the old Wheatley-Provident Hospital tell us about race in Kansas City. 

Guests:

  • Bryan Sheppard, defendant in 1988 explosion that killed six firefighters, released early after 22-year prison term
  • Mike McGraw, former reporter, Kansas City Star
  • Michael Adams, historian
People don't make cameos in news stories; the human story is the story, with characters affected by news events, not defined by them. As a columnist and podcaster, I want to acknowledge what it feels like to live through this time in Kansas City, one vantage point at a time. Together, these weekly vignettes form a collage of daily life in Kansas City as it changes in some ways, and stubbornly resists change in others. You can follow me on Twitter @GinaKCUR or email me at gina@kcur.org.
Matthew Long-Middleton has been a talk-show producer, community producer, Media Training Manager and now the Community Engagement Manager at KCUR. You can reach him at Matthew@kcur.org, or on Twitter @MLMIndustries.