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Seg. 1: Kansas Lawmakers On School Funding. Seg. 2: Missouri Choir Gives Local Compositions A Voice.

Segment 1: With deadline looming, Kansas lawmakers struggle to find funding plan that satisfies the state's legislature and supreme court.

After a report commissioned by legislative leaders recommended Kansas spend more money on its public schools — as much as $2 billion more — conservative enthusiasm for the study's merit dried up. Now, lawmakers have until April 30 to find an adequate, equitable and politically-tolerable solution to the conundrum. We spoke with state reps from both sides of the aisle about their priorities for getting over the fiscal hurdle.

Segment 2, starting at 26:59: New choral album features work by contemporary American writers.

The William Jewell College Concert Choir is celebrating their second international release, "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes," which includes several works by local composers. Today, we learned about the process of putting together such a big project, and about the excitement of hearing one's own music come to life.

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 help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.