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Seg. 1: Voting In Judicial Retention Elections. Seg. 2: Kansas City's Only Pay-What-You-Can Café.

Luke X. Martin
/
KCUR 89.3
Thelma's Kitchen, an initiative of Reconciliation Services at 31st and Troost, has been operating on a pay-what-you-can basis since the summer.

Segment 1: Why voting to retain (or not retain) judges matters.

The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the shift to a more conservative court, has shown that persons picked to serve on the bench matter. This holds true at the state level too. But unlike the federal courts, judges who serve in the Kansas or Missouri state courts are required to stand for retention. That means you decide if they keep their jobs. Today, we got advice on informing yourself and voting responsibly in these oft-overlooked elections.

Segment 2, beginning at 22:22: Can a restaurant transform Troost?

Here’s an intriguing concept for a restaurant: You pay what you can afford. And if you don’t have much money, maybe you volunteer some time. That’s the concept of Thelma's Kitchen, a community café at 3101 Troost Ave. named after a woman who was known in the neighborhood for taking care of others. The eatery builds on Reconciliation Services' 30 years as a community advocate, aiming to transform Troost from a dividing line to a gathering place.

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.