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Up To Date

Kansas' Constitution Halls | Sportscaster Kevin Harlan

By Steve Kraske,
Danie Alexander
Published February 2, 2021 at 6:14 PM CST
An illustration of the Topeka Constitutional Hall where, in October, 1855, delegates met to draft a constitution. Both that document and the request for admission to the Union were rejected by the U.S. Congress.
Kansas Historical Society
An illustration of the Topeka Constitutional Hall where in October, 1855, delegates met to draft a constitution. Both that document and the request for admission to the Union were rejected by the U.S. Congress.

Two of the oldest buildings in Kansas reflect the struggle between pro-slavery and free-state factions, and the play-by-play legend describes how he prepares for each game.

Segment 1, beginning at 3:47: As the country battled over the issue of slavery, what happened within these halls pushed America closer to civil war.

There were four constitutions written for Kansas before one actually saw the territory into statehood. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Kansas has two constitution halls, one in Lecompton and the other in Topeka. Hear the stories of these historic structures and the different Kansas each represents.

Segment 2, beginning at 27:47: Kevin Harland will stretch his record of most consecutive Super Bowls called to 12 with this year's contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It takes a lot of preparation to be able to draw a verbal picture on the radio for sports fans yet Kevin Harlan makes it sound easy. Even so, the University of Kansas graduate still manages to have fun whether it's calling two games at once or a black cat running down the field.

  • Kevin Harlan, sportscaster for the NFL, the NBA and NCAA basketball
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Up To Date Talk ShowKansasBleeding Kansashistoryhistoric preservationTopekaslaverystatesportsNFLKansas City ChiefsNBA
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.
See stories by Steve Kraske
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.
See stories by Danie Alexander