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New Kansas City Manager | Elections 2020 Preview | The Evolution Of Zombies

By Brian Ellison,
Luke X. Martin, Danie Alexander, Mackenzie Martin
Published October 30, 2020 at 4:03 PM CDT
Closeup of zombies pressed against a fence and reaching out toward the camera.
AMC
Long a character in literature, film, and television, the zombie has undergone a dramatic change in the last decade.

Brian Platt's nomination to be city manager of Kansas City, Missouri, was approved by a Council vote of 9-4, a final rundown of races and issues to watch in Kansas and Missouri, and how the pop culture persona of the undead has changed.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:11: "I have no concern with being able to build trusting, working relationships with everyone in Kansas City," Brian Platt said.

After a 9-4 vote by city council members that broke largely along racial and geographic lines, Brian Platt is slated to be the next city manager of Kansas City, Missouri. The current business administrator of Jersey City, New Jersey, Platt was the only white candidate and the least experienced of the four finalists. Nonetheless, Mayor Quinton Lucas was impressed with Platt's performance in his current position — enough to ask for the council's approval.

Segment 2, beginning at 19:32: One more look at what’s on the ballot for Kansas and Missouri voters

Though Election Day may not be the end of campaign maneuvers, Nov. 3 cannot come soon enough for some. As we head into the last weekend before the final day to vote, we get assessments on where various races stand.

Segment 3, beginning at 53:58: One of horror's most popular character types has become more human.

Zombies first appeared in literature in the 17th century, and in film in 1932. But it was the popular TV series "The Walking Dead" that elevated the cannibalistic undead to pop culture stars.

Tags
Up To Date Talk ShowKansas City Missouri (KCMO)Quinton LucasKansas City CouncilGovernmentElection 2020Kansas Elections 2020Missouri Elections 2020Missouri GovernorKansas' 3rd DistrictU.S. Senatezombiesmovies filmpop culture
Brian Ellison
As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@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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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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Mackenzie Martin
Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.
See stories by Mackenzie Martin