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Up To Date

Kansas City Health Director | Weekend Reopening Observations | Small Colleges' Future | 'The Disaster Class'

By Steve Kraske,
Danie Alexander, Luke X. Martin, Mackenzie Martin
Published May 18, 2020 at 3:56 PM CDT
Julie Denesha
/
KCUR 89.3
Kansas City, Missouri, Health Director Dr. Rex Archer says the city is not currently testing enough people for COVID-19, and is skeptical a vaccine for the disease will be developed this year.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:30: Testing for COVID-19 in Kansas City, Missouri

Dr. Rex Archer gives us an update on testing in Kansas City, Missouri. He also shares his concerns for the future, when he says influenza and COVID-19 could combine to create an especially deadly winter.

Segment 2, beginning at 17:32: Weekend observations after Kansas City reopens

Kansas City has taken steps to reopen certain businesses and community centers, but are people ready to socialize in public safely again? Callers and business owners tell us what they saw over the last few days.

Segment 3, beginning at 37:50: What the future could hold for small colleges

COVID-19 will have a devastating impact on higher education, but it won't impact all colleges the same. Despite enormous challenges, some think smaller colleges can be be more nimble when it comes to adapting to social distancing guidelines.

Segment 4, beginning at 51:07: A virtual commencement speech

With graduation ceremonies across the metro cancelled, we're bringing you speeches from valedictorians in the Kansas City region. We kick things off with a valedictorian in the Shawnee Mission district.

  • Emory Apodaca, graduating senior at Shawnee Mission East High School
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Up To Date CoronaviruscollegeDonnelly CollegeKansas City Health Departmentregional healthKansas City Missouri (KCMO)Talk ShowUp to Datehigher educationKansas City University of Medicine and Bioscienceshigh school
Steve Kraske
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.
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Danie Alexander
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.
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Luke X. Martin
As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.
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Mackenzie Martin
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 at KCUR, 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.
See stories by Mackenzie Martin
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