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A cult in Kansas City, Kansas, is charged with abuses against minors

Eight members of a Kansas City, Kansas-based cult have been indicted on charges of forced labor and alleged abuses of minors. Plus, the A-Flat Youth Orchestra is building a musical community in Kansas City, Missouri, with $7 lessons and scores of second-hand instruments.

A federal grand jury has indicted eight members of the Kansas City, Kansas-based sect The United Nation of Islam on forced labor charges, detailing a long list of alleged abuses of minors as young as 8 years old. The group bears little-to-no resemblance to the religion of Islam, and it's gone by several names, including The Value Creators and The Promise Keepers.

KCUR reporter Dan Margolies tells more about this mysterious group, its leader Royall Jenkins, and the charges leveled against them.

KCUR reporter Luke Martin also brings us the story of Darryl Chamberlain, who has a vision for improving Kansas City’s urban core that's led to national acclaim — and kept him on the lookout for second-hand instruments for the A-Flat Youth Orchestra.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR onTwitter andFacebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Lisa Rodriguez, filling in for Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and edited by Gabe Rosenberg.

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Kansas City needs journalists who show up not just on people’s worst days, but on their best ones — and the boring ones in between. As KCUR’s news director, I build relationships across the metro, so our newsroom can bring you critical information when times are tough, and seek out moments of joy to celebrate. Email me at lisa@kcur.org.
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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