Steve Kraske
Executive Producer and Host, Up to DateWhen I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
I got a call out of the blue one day from then-news director Frank Morris who asked if he would be interested in hosting a show. I didn't think I had the time, but thought it over and decided to give it a shot. Now, more than 20 years later, I'm glad I did.
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Kansas City has recorded 12 homicides linked to domestic violence so far this year — the same number reported in all of 2024. Domestic violence service agencies fear the problem could get worse if social services lose federal funding. -
Fritz Hutchison, leader of the band Fritz and Sons, knows his way around the Kansas City music scene. The multi-instrumental singer-songwriter said his "hunger" for music led him to be versatile. -
President Trump's cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services will impact hundreds of millions of dollars in grant-funded projects around the country. Crosby Kemper, a former director of the Kansas City Public Library who served as IMLS director for four years, worries the agency will be eliminated entirely. -
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. -
The documentary "Sounds of the City," created by Kansas City filmmaker Dustin Phillips, explores the history of Kansas City's jazz, rock, folk and hip-hop scenes. The film will have its world premiere Friday, April 11 at the Uptown Theatre, and will be available to stream the next day. -
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. -
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a $474 million bond for Kansas City Public Schools. On KCUR's Up To Date, Mayor Quinton Lucas reinforced his support for the bond, discussed the recent firing of City Manager Brian Platt and more. -
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. -
As millions of birds prepare to take flight across North America this month, Kansas City will be right in their path. Local bird watchers share their tips and tricks for enjoying the spring migration. -
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.
