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Chauvin Trial Analysis | Kansas City's Restaurant Reckoning | Sneakerheads

The Alamo Drafthouse in Kansas City is one of several of the chain's theaters that are being closed down because they say there are few blockbuster movies available.
Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3
Before being permanently closed in March 2021, Alamo Drafthouse in Kansas City faced allegations of harassment and abuse of its employees.

A criminal law expert offers perspectives on the prosecution and defense strategies in Derek Chauvin's trial, the allegations from restaurant and bar workers about mistreatment by management, and what people are willing to pay for a prized pair of athletic shoes.

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: As a police officer, the man accused of killing George Floyd had been involved in four instances of excessive force since 2006.

The trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin has seen other officers testify that the measures Chauvin took were unnecessary and not what they are taught to do. Lawyer Sean O'Brien says, "to hear unequivocal testimony like that from law enforcement quarters is unusual in a prosecution like this."

  • Sean O'Brien, professor, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law; founding and current member of the board of directors of the Midwest Innocence Project.

Segment 2, beginning at 11:00: The number of complaints and accusations from employees against metro bars and restaurants for harassment is growing.

The Alamo Drafthouse, Betty Rae’s, and Port Fonda have all been at the center of discussions regarding mismanagement, harassment and abuse in the last year. Allegations against the service industry are not new, so why are there more in what is an already difficult year for food and drink establishments?

Segment 3, beginning at 33:27: New or used, investing in sneakers "is more trustworthy than a 401K," says a Lawrence retailer.

From the original 1984 Air Jordans to this year's Dior's, "the sneaker culture has always been a part of certain communities," according to Adam Compo of WyCo Vintage. Get a tutorial on what makes a pair of kicks collectible, what gives them value and what gets people started on collecting them.

  • Adam Compo, co-owner, WyCo Vintage
  • Patrick Klima, co-owner, WyCo Vintage
  • Billy Louiselle, owner, Uncommon Sole
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.
Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.
As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.
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.