Kansas City COVID-19 Update | Latest In Sports | 'The Tonganoxie Split'

By Steve Kraske,

Elizabeth Ruiz, Luke X. Martin, Mackenzie Martin, Danie Alexander

Published June 12, 2020 at 2:13 PM CDT

Ribbons of lightning shine through a night sky over treetops. — Weather buffs around Kansas City have known about the Tonganoxie Split for years. Meteorologist Gary Lezak says it's just an excuse for bad weather forecasting.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:27: "We are on a rise of the second wave," said Kansas City's health director.

Like other parts of the country, Kansas City, Missouri, is seeing an increase in deaths due to COVID-19. The director of the city's Department of Health gave the latest figures, and said the second wave of cases and deaths began within two weeks of Kansas and Missouri reopening.

Dr. Rex Archer, director of the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department

Segment 2, beginning at 15:53: Many leagues are still not taking the field, but sports developments continue.

Recent weeks have seen the end of a lawsuit involving the University of Kansas athletics department, the influence of a Super Bowl-winning quarterback named Patrick Mahomes, season delays and draft picks for the Kansas City Royals, and a ban on Confederate battle flags at NASCAR events.

Greg Echlin, sports contributor at KCUR

Segment 3, beginning at 41:24: How 'the Tonganoxie Split' came to be

A particular breaking-up of storms coming into Kansas City from the west was named, and became weather lore years ago. 41 Action News' Gary Lezak discussed that, and this year's 59-day weather cycle, derived from his remarkably accurate prediction system for eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

Gary Lezak, chief meteorologist, 41 Action News

Up To Date is looking to remember the contributions of area residents who have died of COVID-19. If you’d like to recommend someone to us, please email us at uptodate@kcur.org.

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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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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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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 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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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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