Brian Ellison
Host/ContributorAs a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
Having studied for careers in both journalism and the ministry, I've served as a Presbyterian minister in Kansas City since 1999 and part-time in KCUR's newsroom and talk show studios since 2008. I'm the substitute host of KCUR's Up to Date, an occasional newscaster, and anchor election night coverage. From 2015 to 2019, I hosted the award-winning KCUR political podcast Statehouse Blend Missouri. I've been part of teams recognized awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Religion News Association. My reporting has included appearances on NPR's Here and Now and national election coverage and KCPT's Kansas City Week in Review. I continue to preach, teach and organize as executive director of a national non-profit organization. My partner Troy and I live in Kansas City with our dog daughter Willoughby, who is lovable, if a bit much.
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Missouri has a record budget surplus and this week, lawmakers will take up what is potentially its biggest plan for spending state dollars ever. So why isn’t the Republican governor’s plan sailing smoothly through the Republican-controlled legislature? -
Kansas City's municipal elections are coming up on April 4, with three ballot questions and three dozen candidates up for a vote. The election will determine the direction of the city for years to come.
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It’s the last week before the midterm break in the Missouri legislative session. What’s winning out – bipartisan agreement about how to spend the state’s record budget surplus? Or the acrimony that's paralyzed the General Assembly around controversial issues in recent years?
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With a new airport terminal opening and the ongoing expansion of the streetcar line, Kansas City transportation has been making headlines. Our food writers share their favorite places to grab a bite while on the go.
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Kansas City is home to a growing community of refugees from Afghanistan, including an ethnic minority known as the Hazara who are finding a place here and spreading awareness of what they call a genocide back home.
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The Kansas Senate approved a sweeping proposal that would eliminate tax brackets and create one flat income tax rate of 4.75%. But could the plan actually mean a tax increase for lower income Kansans?
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Enrollment in Medicaid hit a record high in Missouri in part because states weren’t allowed to kick people off during the coronavirus pandemic — but that changes soon, threatening health insurance for hundreds of thousands of residents. Plus: Across the Midwest, statewide weather monitors that provide critical weather data are threatened by a lack of stable funding.
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For the second time in four years, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions, pulling out a thrilling last-second defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was crowned MVP once again, as Chiefs fans took over the streets of the city to celebrate. A victory parade is being planned for Wednesday.
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Rep. Sam Graves represents the largest Congressional district in Missouri. With a high-profile new position chairing the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Graves has a big platform and plans to use his influence to bring a lot of highway funding home to Missouri.
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Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s budget proposals are attracting some surprising support — from Missouri Democrats. We’ll find out why and get a Democratic take on the legislative year ahead.
