Seg. 1: ACLU Kansas Priorities | Seg. 2: Offensive Chiefs Tradition

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 18, 2020 at 11:54 AM CST

Segment 1: The group is pushing against any new abortion amendment and for probation reform

As a new year kicks off and state lawmakers head back to Topeka for the 2020 session, the country's most visible civil rights organization has laid out a plan to counter conservative lawmakers' push to amend the state constitution over abortion. They're also armed with new research that suggests the current probation process only serves to put more people in jail.

Nadine Johnson, executive director of ACLU Kansas

Segment 2, beginning at 23:02: What's wrong with the tomahawk chop?

The team may no longer play the music to go along with the chant, but thousands of fans still see no problem with taking part in the so-called tomahawk chop, a tradition that many Native Americans find racist.

Rhonda LeValdo, media communications instructor at Haskell Indian Nations University

Tags

Up To Date Talk Show Up to Date Racism Native Americans Kansas City Chiefs football traditions ACLU Kansas Legislature Constitution abortion criminal justice reform 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.

See stories by Steve Kraske

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.

See stories by Danie Alexander

Luke X. Martin

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.

See stories by Luke X. Martin