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Up To Date

Virtual School | Hair Discrimination | Radio Theatre

By Steve Kraske,
Luke X. Martin, Chris Young, Danie Alexander, Liam Mays
Published October 8, 2020 at 12:55 PM CDT
After months of debate about whether it's safe to reopen schools, some Kansas City area students are headed back to school in person this week. Others will start the school year virtually, presenting a challenge for many working parents.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Kansas City Public Schools started the school year virtually, but now hopes some students can come in-person in the near future.

How all-virtual school has been fairing for Kansas City Public Schools, the Kansas City Council unanimously passed the CROWN Act and the Kansas City Actors Theatre is pivoting to radio performances.

Segment 1 beginning at 4:05: Kansas City Public Schools is looking at a possible return to in-person classes.

After a month of having only virtual classes, Kansas City Public Schools is considering letting some students return to school. Superintendent Mark Bedell says internet access is one problem, even after the district pushed out more than 6,000 internet hot spots. Also, only 80-84% of students are connecting on a daily basis.

Segment 2 beginning at 30:35: Kansas City is now one of the only cities in the country where hair discrimination is illegal.

After months of work from council members, the Kansas City Council voted to pass the CROWN Act last week, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair. Now, CROWN Act advocates are hoping it gets passed in Kansas and Missouri.

Segment 3 beginning at 46:35: The Kansas City Actors Theatre is switching from theater to radio.

To safely perform during the pandemic, the Kansas City Actors Theatre has started a new radio show. New episodes air at noon on Fridays on KKFI 90.1. “Since the audience can’t come to us, we’re gonna come to them,” Walter Coppage said.

Tags
Up To Date Talk ShowKansas City Public SchoolsKansas City Missouri (KCMO)Kansas City CouncilhairDiscriminationBlack Lives MatterRadiotheatre
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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Chris Young
Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@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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Liam Mays
See stories by Liam Mays