Kansas City Mayor Lucas | Hermon Mehari's 'The Session'

By Steve Kraske,

Chris Young, Mackenzie Martin, Danie Alexander

Published March 12, 2021 at 8:57 AM CST

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas delivers his State of the City address Wednesday night from the stage in Winnetonka High School. — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas delivering his State of the City address on February 11, 2021 from the stage in Winnetonka High School.

A check-in with the Kansas City, Missouri mayor and the renowned jazz trumpeter is hosting a new music program.

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: According to Mayor Quinton Lucas, the estimated $195 million Kansas City expects from the American Rescue Plan will allow the city "to address a number of issues including those that relate to housing."

Last week Mayor Lucas announced relaxed COVID-19 guidelines for businesses. There was more good news tied to the passage of the latest stimulus bill: Kansas City will receive federal funds. Lucas addressed what that means for the city that is staring at a $70 million budget shortfall.

Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri

Segment 2, beginning at 28:29: Hermon Mehari's "The Session" takes listeners beyond the world of jazz.

In his latest venture, Mehari sets out to explore the musical roots of the African diaspora by featuring jazz, hip hop, soul, R&B and other genres performed by famous artists as well as newcomers to the recording world.

Hermon Mehari, trumpeter, composer and host of "The Session"

"The Session" with Hermon Mehari debuts on KCUR 89.3 on Saturday, March 13, at 7 p.m.

Tags

Up To Date Talk Show Quinton Lucas Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)budget funding Hermon Mehari Music jazz blues/jazz

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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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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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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