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Up To Date

Biden Wins Kansas | Non-essential Workers Return | Social Distancing Funerals | A Marriage Proposal

Aviva Okeson-Haberman
/
KCUR 89.3
Former Vice President Joe Biden rallied voters at a campaign stop in Kansas City in March.

Segment 1, beginning at 2:43: Kansas Democratic presidential primary notable more for its method than its outcome.

Voter turnout was way up for the Democratic presidential primary race in Kansas. The contest came with two big changes: The party sent mail-in ballots to all registered Democrats in the state, and voters were able to rank their options.

Segment 2, beginning at 9:40: Are non-essential workers ready to head back to work?

Non-essential businesses are reopening today in both Kansas and Missouri. It may be good news for business owners and the economy but what does it mean for workers conflicted between being paid and being protected?

  • Mathew Forstater, professor of economics at UMKC

Segment 3, beginning at 32:53: Social distancing is having an impact on funerals and the way we grieve.

With groups of more than ten people banned, funerals have been severely restricted during the last month. Not being able to celebrate a life in a traditional way changes the way you process grief, too.

Segment 4, beginning at 52:15: After being stuck inside together for a month, he knew it was time.

Public marriage proposals are still taking place today. One man was able to make it happen and be in compliance with social distancing guidelines.

  • Ryan Bly, Kansas City Midtown resident

We want to hear what’s helping you get through these tough times.

Whether it’s a random act of kindness or a personal ritual, let us know. Leave a voicemail at 816-398-8207 ‬with your brief story, name, and where you live. You can also email a voice memo to KCUR producer Mackenzie Martin at mackenzie@kcur.org.

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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.
Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer and reporter at KCUR Studios, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.