Elizabeth Ruiz
Producer, Up To DateWhen you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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Dr. Jennifer Collier oversees the education of more than 14,000 kids in Kansas City. She spoke with KCUR's Up To Date as part of our series "5 Questions," and shared what's important to her outside of the school setting. -
Missouri students won't be able to send texts or check social media during class after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a law banning cellphones during school — although there are some important exceptions. School leaders tend to agree that phones are disruptive, but they worry about enforcement of the law. -
Volunteers will be instrumental in introducing the world to Kansas City during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. KC2026 needs 6,000 people to take on volunteer roles during the games, the fan festival and other events. -
Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids said that Kansans will begin to feel the effects of the spending cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program at the beginning of the year. She spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about the recent budget bill signed into law by President Trump. -
IRIS workers say they were misled about pay and aren't being treated fairly by their employer zTrip. Drivers demanded the right to unionize last year. -
Millions of women use birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies and for other medical necessities. But a new report found that Kansas' policies on contraceptives and family planning are the worst in the country. -
The agriculture industry has been among the hardest hit by President Trump's tariff agenda. Still, Rep. Sam Graves, a farmer and the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District said he thinks farmers support the president's actions. -
Gwen Grant spends a lot of time uplifting and advocating for Kansas City's Black community, but what does she do with her down time? She joined KCUR's Up To Date for an installment of our series "5 Questions." -
Andre Harris, founder of the nonprofit Dads Against Crime, says that Kansas City's violent crime problem can't be fixed if people can't feel comfortable talking to law enforcement and discussing mental health. -
Melesa Johnson is six months into her role as Jackson County Prosecutor after winning election last year. Faced with concerns about burglaries and property crimes, Johnson has drastically increased the rate at which her office has pursued charges, and points to the success of a deterrence initiative.
