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Seg. 1: Can Charter Changes Fix Jackson County Government? Seg. 2: The Value Of 'Frugal Science.'

Luke X. Martin
/
KCUR 89.3
Jackson County Legislator Greg Grounds proposed on Monday several major changes to the charter spelling out how the county's legislative and exective branches function.

Segment 1: County lawmaker says citizens think a charter change "should have been done before."

With all the controversy swirling around Jackson County government these days, it’s hardly a surprise that a proposal has emerged to remake it in a substantial way. Today, we asked three lawmakers whether they think changing the county charter would do anything to fix what ails Missouri's second-largest county.

Segment 2, beginning at 26:51: How Manu Prakash is bringing science to the masses.

You could be forgiven for thinking that scientific advancements necessarily come with a hefty price tag, but Manu Prakash would beg to differ. We sat down with the inventor who's created a print-and-fold paper microscope that costs next to nothing, a paper centrifuge, and a mosquito identifier you can carry around in your pocket.

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.
As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.