Nearly every aspect of our lives has been changed since the threat of coronavirus made an entrance in Kansas City and around the nation.
As one of the dominant news organizations in the Kansas City area, KCUR has been working to optimize coverage on all platforms so that we are prepared to provide consistent, credible and sustainable coverage for as long as circumstances warrant.
To that end, our listeners, readers and sources will notice a few changes related to coverage and programming:
Beginning Monday, the Up to Date and Central Standard talk show staff will begin working as a single team of combined producers and hosts who will deliver one show that will air during the 9 a.m. hour each weekday. This time slot allows us to reach a bigger audience, and by combining resources we will be able to be much more nimble as news of the day demands. The team will focus on giving listeners the most qualified experts on various aspects of the virus and its impact on our community. We will be providing national programming, NPR’s 1A, during the 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. hours.
1A explores important issues such as policy, politics, technology, and what connects us across the fissures that divide the country. The program also delves into pop culture, sports, and humor. 1A’s goal is to act as a national mirror —taking time to help America look at itself and to ask what it wants to be. With a name inspired by the First Amendment, the show celebrates free speech and the power of the spoken word.
To minimize potential virus exposure, we’re asking our reporters and editors to work from home. This will help us stay committed to a continuous news report. There will be fewer reporters in the field during public gatherings but we’ll be working by phone and text to contact sources and report the news. Listeners and readers should notice no difference in the quality of our news reports. Our reporters are equipped with the technology they need to file quick and compelling reports from any remote location.
We’ve adjusted shifts to stretch coverage windows to ensure we are delivering essential updates in a timely manner.
We’ll be available on social channels such as Twitter, @kcur, or Facebook, and we’ll continue to value your news tips, feedback and check-ins as our community gets through this time of social distancing.
