Up To Date

Steve Kraske's favorite, and most cringe-worthy, moments from 20 years of Up To Date

By Steve Kraske,

Danie Alexander, Zach Wilson, Reginald David, Elizabeth Ruiz, Claire Powell

Published September 30, 2022 at 3:55 PM CDT

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The Up To Date team after finishing their 20-year anniversary episode. — The Up To Date team after finishing their 20-year anniversary episode, left to right: producer Zach Wilson, producer Reginald David, founding producer Stephen Steigman, guest host Brian Ellison, senior producer Danie Alexander, producer Elizabeth Ruiz, host Steve Kraske and intern Claire Powell.

The first episode of KCUR's Up to Date aired on Sept. 30, 2002. Two decades later, the Up To Date team remembered a few of host Steve Kraske's best and worst live interviews.

Since it first aired in 2002, KCUR's Up To Date has grown to become an essential news program in the Kansas City area, with host Steve Kraske interviewing elected officials, national and local celebrities and all kinds of community members.

To celebrate the show's 20th anniversary, guest host Brian Ellison reminisced with Kraske and other members of the team and about the best — and worst — moments of the show's two-decade run.

Steve Kraske, host of Up To Date
Danie Alexander, senior producer of Up To Date
Stephen Steigman, original producer of Up To Date, KCUR's chief of broadcast operations

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Up To Date Up to Date Podcast News history Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)

Steve Kraske

When 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.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

When 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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Claire Powell

Claire Powell is a student reporter in the KBIA newsroom. She is a former Up To Date intern.

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