Elizabeth Ruiz
Producer, Up To DateAs a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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Families and caregivers might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do after a child receives a diagnosis like autism. Children's Mercy Hospital launched a new program to increase support and guidance; helping families navigate resources and early interventions.
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Death is inevitable, so why don't more people plan for it? The nonprofit KC End of Life is teaching people how to prepare for passing, and how a doula can support everyone through the difficult times.
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People in Gaza are faced with a mounting humanitarian crisis. Heart to Heart International, a Lenexa-based nonprofit, is sending aid packages to the region, but it's difficult to get relief to those in need because of bureaucratic hurdles and safety risks.
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People experiencing grief cannot be expected to fall neatly into stages and timetables. The way experts look at and characterize grief is changing, including the newly recognized prolonged grief disorder.
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Jackson County residents and leaders are split on how they'll vote on the 3/8th-cent sales tax that will fund stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. KCUR journalists share what they've heard and where negotiations stand with lease and community benefits agreements.
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Disabled people face nearly double the rate of unemployment compared to those without a disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job coaches can be difficult to come by, but these direct support services can help people with disabilities navigate employment challenges.
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Jackson County Executive Frank White says voters don't have enough information on the 3/8ths-cent stadium sales tax to make an informed decision on April 2nd.
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The Jackson County Legislature is unlikely to vote on a community benefits agreement or leases in advance of the April 2 election determining funding for the Chiefs and the Royals stadium projects.
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Business owners in the teardown zone of the Royals' proposed Crossroads baseball stadium will be forced to relocate if voters approve the 3/8th-cent sales tax on the April 2 ballot. While the location has upset some property owners and tenants in the area, others say it's good for the neighborhood.
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Servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder can find healing through re-experiencing traumatic events. A psychologist at a Veterans Affairs hospital and a play at Kansas City's Unicorn Theatre share how virtual reality might help combat veterans overcome the trauma of war.