Podcast

Kansas City’s 1% earning tax has won renewal once again, garnering overwhelming support from voters in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Meanwhile, data center supporters lost big in Independence, Missouri. KCUR reporters join Up To Date to discuss the tax and other key issues on ballots across the metro.

A new study from the University of Missouri-Kansas City reveals that people are actually speaking fewer words each day — and the loss is even greater among people under 25 years old. But engaging in small, everyday conversations can help strengthen connections and improve communication skills over time.

At a vacant lot at 49th and Main Street, the Kansas City Symphony plans to build a venue that will seat 4,600 people. The symphony's president and CEO Danny Beckley joined KCUR's Up To Date to explain why the organization is pursuing this venue now.

Residents hope the Westside and Crossroads neighborhoods will be safer and more walkable once the road diet is complete. But some businesses are still struggling in the meantime, and others say there still won’t be enough parking in the area.

New signage is bringing long-forgotten history to light at a Johnson County creek, and reframes a name that residents have debated for years. Instead of changing name of Negro Creek, local leaders chose to tell its story publicly.

A sweeping historical epic, an eerily relevant political dystopia and an adult fantasy book from a beloved children’s author are just a few of the recommendations from KCUR’s book experts this spring.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway told KCUR’s Up To Date that she believes Missouri voters don’t have the authority to block the newly drawn congressional map through a referendum. “I think we know for 2026 what the congressional districts are,” Hanaway said. Legal challenges are still underway.

Longtime KC Tenants organizer Jenay Manley is taking the reins of the tenant rights advocacy organization from founder Tara Raghuveer, who is now focused on tenant issues on the national level. Raghuveer said Kansas City has been at the "vanguard" of this recent movement.

The Kansas City Royals play their first series at Kauffman Stadium of the year this week against the Minnesota Twins. Broadcasting from the ballpark ahead of Monday's game, KCUR's Up To Date was joined by Royals owner John Sherman to talk about the search for a new stadium, plus the team's head groundskeeper Trevor Vance and more guests.

This season, Kansas City Royals fans will see a new face on the team's television broadcasts: Bridget Howard. The Kansas City native will be the first woman to be a regular part of Royals broadcasts. She joined KCUR's Up To Date to talk about her new role and what to look for in the 2026 season.

Kansas City is exploring ways to manage stormwater naturally, using parks, gardens, and special pavement to soak up rains. The effort could reshape neighborhoods, improve water quality, and create more green space across the city.

Central High School in Kansas City went from an all-white student population to all-Black after Brown v. Board. UMKC professor Dr. Bradley Poos tells the story in his new book, "Urban Education: Kansas City’s Central High School and the Enduring Legacy of Racism."