Kansas Legislative Preview | Sen. Josh Hawley's Future

By Steve Kraske,

Chris Young, Danie Alexander, Mackenzie Martin

Published January 11, 2021 at 4:21 PM CST

Lawmakers return to a markedly different Kansas Statehouse, one converted to protect those within its walls from contracting or spreading the coronavirus.

A look ahead at the issues most likely to be facing lawmakers in the Sunflower state, and what lies ahead for Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.

Segment 1, beginning at 5:07: State legislators are starting the new session the same way the 2020 session ended — with a pandemic raging throughout the state.

COVID-19 means some testimony will be delivered virtually and access to the Statehouse will be limited. But lawmakers will still be considering issues from abortion to legalizing sports betting and medical marijuana.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-78 Kansas
Brad Cooper, editor-in-chief of the Sunflower State Journal

Segment 2, beginning at 32:39: The political future of Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley had a tough week. His top donor bailed on him, his former mentor Sen. Jack Danforth denounced him, his publisher cancelled his book and demands for his resignation are coming from politicians and the public alike. Can Hawley survive to realize his ambition to run for president in 2024?

Peverill Squire, professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri

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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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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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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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