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Up To Date

Pet Companionship | Coronavirus 311 Calls | Journalism From Afar | Proud Farmer's Son

Owners are spending more time with pets due to stay at home orders, which could cause anxiety in animals when returning to traditional work schedules.
Bruno Cervera
/
Unsplash
Owners spending more time with pets due to stay at home orders could cause anxiety in animals when their humans resume working at the office.

Segment 1, beginning at 3:53: Day-to-day routines have changed for humans and their pets.

Pets' home alone leisure time changed with stay-at-home orders. Find out how to ease the transition back to being home without their human companion.

Segment 2, beginning at 21:39: The public health crisis has spurred an uptick in calls to the Kansas City, Missouri, non-emergency line.

Questions about municipal court hearings, park goers and essential businesses have added to the increased volume of calls on Kansas City's non-emergency 311 line.

Segment 3, beginning at 28:01: Journalists on maintaining safe distances and still getting the story.

Boom microphones, longer lenses and video conferences are just some of the ways journalists have adapted while providing news coverage of the coronavirus. Find out what their missing in face-to-face interactions, and what has stuck with them the most as the pandemic story unfolds.

Segment 4, beginning at 51:21: Son advises father who sent mask to Governor Andrew Cuomo to "soak it up."

Josh Ruhnke revealed why he wasn't all that surprised by his dad Dennis' gesture that garnered national attention.

  • Josh Ruhnke, son of Dennis and Sharon Ruhnke of Troy, Kansas
As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
Michelle is a reporter covering race, identity and culture and is an assistant talk show producer.
When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.