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Up To Date

Meet Brian Platt, Kansas City's New Manager

Brian Platt, a candidate for Kansas City city manager answers questions from council members in early October.
Carlos Moreno/KCUR.org
Brian Platt, was hired in October as Kansas City's new city manager at the age of 35.

Those who know Kansas City’s new city manager say he demonstrated unusual talent early in his career, and when he looks at Kansas City, Missouri, he sees opportunities for community growth.

Segment 1, beginning at 3:55 : When it comes to what attracts him to city management, Brian Platt says, "I love doing what I can to improve the lives of my neighbors and the people that live in my community."

Between budget reductions due to COVID-19, pressures from the city council to be an agent of change, and record-setting cold temperatures which have frozen roads in the metro, Platt has his work cut out for him. His focus so far has been listening to the community to gain an understanding of the problems residents are facing.

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.
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.
Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.