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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What started as basement concerts in Shawnee, Kansas, has grown to an eight day musical fundraiser, and an opportunity to bring the community together to sample Kansas City's local music scene. -
Several hundred demonstrators gathered inside Community Christian Church on Saturday before the start of the "Hands Off!" rally in Kansas City. Indivisible KC leader Beverly Harvey and other speakers shared their concern with President Trump's policies and educated people on how to get involved. -
Health services in underserved communities can often be slow due to a lack of or restricted funding. A partnership between REACH Healthcare Foundation and Wyandotte Health Foundation will provide fast, easy-to-access grants to grassroots organizations working to improve health outcomes. -
Consumers can expect to see an increase in coffee, chocolate, cars, electronics and more due to the sweeping tariffs put in place by President Trump. Experts predict the rise in prices could cost the average family living in America between $1,200 and $4,000 a year. -
Kim Riley, founder of The Transition Academy, said that Kansas City needs to do more to close the employment gap between people with a disability and people without. She's set her sights on founding a new school to support students in the region. -
Kansas artists and cultural organizations would be stripped of state grants if the Kansas Legislature adopts a Senate-approved budget, which entirely eliminates funding the Kansas Arts Commission. The impact would be felt even harder in smaller and rural communities. -
Public transportation users fear that Kansas City's proposed budget plans would lead to KCATA eliminating routes and slowing service, and create a negative spiral effect for bus funding and usage. -
Lawrence, Kansas, will see an estimated 15,000 people if Rock Chalk Park is selected as a training facility for a 2026 World Cup team. It's an opportunity that city and county officials are excited about, although they still have unanswered questions about planning for the large-scale event. -
Kansas City arts advocates are concerned by President Donald Trump's executive order that bans federally funding programs and initiatives supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Missouri's governor issued his own order restricting state programs as well — but the terms are not well defined. -
For more than 40 years, Mike Mahoney reported on government and politics for KMBC 9 News. Mahoney joined KCUR's Up To Date for the series "5 Questions."
