Kansas City Homicides | COVID-19 & Summer Travel | Demand For Delivery

By Steve Kraske,

Luke X. Martin, Elizabeth Ruiz, Mackenzie Martin

Published May 27, 2020 at 3:46 PM CDT

An RV camper sits parked on the dirt shoulder of a paved road. — Vacations in recreation vehicles are on the rise as people look for alternatives to flying during the coronavirus pandemic.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:37: More community involvement is needed to slow the recording-breaking pace of homicides, says Jackson County's top prosecutor.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker looked at past success in reducing gun violence in Kansas City, Missouri, and why genuine community collaboration is vital to reducing the homicide rate.

Jean Peters Baker, Jackson County prosecutor

Segment 2, beginning at 27:58: Despite the pandemic, many summer vacationers are ready to stray farther from home.

RV travel has spiked during the pandemic, but it's not as easy as it might seem. With the pandemic in mind, we heard smart tips for close-to-home getaways.

Kathy Sudeikis, Acendas Travel agent
Sage Scott, TravelAwaits.com writer

Segment 3, beginning at 46:26: Delivery services see an increase in demand

Some businesses adapted better than others for a pandemic-induced surge in delivery service, but will the added demand remain post-coronavirus?

Matt Shatto, Shatto Home Delivery owner
Christine Clutton, The Wild Way Coffee owner

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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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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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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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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 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.

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