Halle Jackson
Up To Date producerIn an era defined by the unprecedented, one thing remains certain: Kansas Citians’ passion for their hometown. As an Up To Date producer, I construct daily conversations to keep our city connected. My work analyzes big challenges and celebrates achievements to help you see your town in a new way.
I graduated from the University of Missouri in May 2023 with dual degrees in journalism and sociology. Before coming to KCUR as an Up To Date intern, I was a reporter and producer at KBIA, mid-Missouri’s NPR station. I’m an avid rock climber and native of St. Louis.
Email me at hallejackson@kcur.org.
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As fall arrives and the days get cooler, nothing satisfies quite like a cheesy dish that warms the belly and comforts the soul. From gooey grilled cheese sandwiches to tangy, whipped goat cheese dips — even famous barbecue sides — there’s a cheesy dish for every taste in Kansas City. -
The play, which starred Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” during its Broadway run, centers on a group of high schoolers as they navigate notions of gender and power during the #MeToo movement. As they study Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in English class, the students consider how the play resonates in their own lives. The KC Rep’s production runs through Oct. 25. -
If passed on Nov. 3, the amendment would enshrine the “Respect Missouri Voters” initiative into the state constitution. That would require an 80% threshold for lawmakers to overturn citizen-led measures, such as the paid sick leave law approved in 2024. Then voters would be given another say at the ballot box. -
If passed on Nov. 3, Amendment 8 would make county sheriffs a constitutionally-required position, with a few exceptions in the St. Louis area. It would also limit the circumstances under which a sheriff can be removed from office. -
If passed on Nov. 3, the amendment would establish the “Show-Me Prosperity Fund,” a public endowment similar to a sovereign wealth fund. However, it would not allocate any money into that fund. Supporters hope that the investment could one day be used to replace state taxes entirely, but economists worry that it could put state services at risk. -
Missouri lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional lines in 2025, in an attempt to oust Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and add a Republican seat to the U.S. House. But after a successful petition campaign, the new map was blocked from taking effect for this election, and voters in November will decide whether to approve or reject it. -
Kansas City is home to immigrants from more than 30 countries in Africa. As the world’s second-largest land mass, Africa doesn’t contain just one type of food, and you can find dishes from across the continent in the metro. -
If passed, Amendment 3 would repeal the abortion rights amendment enshrined in the Missouri Constitution in 2024. It would also add a constitutional ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state. -
A proposed amendment would change the Kansas Constitution to say only U.S. citizens can vote, rather than “every” U.S. citizen. Proponents say the rephrase is necessary to clarify the rules, while opponents say the change could make voting more confusing. -
At East High School in Kansas City, students help care for row farms, flowering plants and herds of goats, chickens, turkeys and more. It’s the only program of its kind in a Missouri public school, with one in five students participating.
