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An Invasive Grass Is Taking Over Kansas

Old World bluestem grass is crowding out native plants and remaking Kansas grasslands and pastures. Unless landowners and researchers stop it, the invasive species could change the Kansas prairie forever. Also, FBI data reveals hate crimes are on the rise in Kansas and Missouri.

An invasive grass called Old World bluestem is crowding out native plant species and remaking Kansas grasslands and pastures. As it spreads across the state, the time and money required to eliminate it goes up. For Kansas News Service, reporter David Condos talked to some of the landowners and researchers trying to prevent Old World bluestem from changing the Kansas prairie forever.

Recent FBI data showed that hate crimes in 2020 increased significantly across the United States, and Kansas and Missouri were no exception. However, unreliable data collection and severe underreporting mean the real figures are likely even higher. KCUR reporter Luke X. Martin breaks down what the data means on Up To Date with Steve Kraske.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and edited by Maria Carter and Lisa Rodriguez.

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As a newscaster and a host of a daily news podcast, I want to deliver the most important and interesting news of the day in an engaging and easily understandable way. No matter where you live in the metro or what you’re interested in, I want you to learn something from each newscast or podcast – and maybe even give you something to talk about at the dinner table.
As an on-demand producer, I am focused on using my skills and experiences across multiple digital applications, platforms and media fields to create community focused audio, video and on-demand products for KCUR Studios. The media that I produce aims to inform, entertain and connect with the Kansas City metro area as we continue to learn from each other. Email me at byronlove@kcur.org.
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