tariffs

Changes to federal food assistance could cause thousands of Kansans to lose some or all of their benefits. The consequences for low-income families will depend now, more than ever, on state lawmakers. Plus: When you're shopping the produce section of a grocery store, you probably want to buy local — but that food probably traveled a long way to get there.

Missouri recently became the 28th state to pass the CROWN Act, banning discrimination against Black students' hair. We'll head to a Kansas City salon to hear how local teens are reacting. Plus: Farmers worry that Trump's on-and-off tariffs could hurt America's reputation with one of their biggest buyers, China.

The agriculture industry has been among the hardest hit by President Trump's tariff agenda. Still, Rep. Sam Graves, a farmer and the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District said he thinks farmers support the president's actions.

Many Latino- and immigrant-owned businesses are struggling to make ends meet as a result of decreased foot traffic along Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. Many reports that sales are down between 30 to 60%, and a community leader says the losses are driven by fears of ICE raids and the impact of President Trump's tariffs.

People across Missouri and Kansas are losing their starry views to light pollution. But the right lighting decisions can help preserve night skies and benefit animal and human health.

Specialty producers exporting to China have been hit just as hard as soybeans and beef. But they often have fewer alternative markets for their crops, worsening the impact of retaliatory tariffs.

Kevin Yoder once represented Kansans from Wyandotte County south to Edgerton, Spring Hill and Louisburg. He joined KCUR's Up To Date for our series "5 Questions."

Next year, transgender teens in Kansas will no longer be able to access puberty blockers and hormone treatments for gender-affirming care. One family in Wichita is worried about navigating the changes. Plus, aircraft manufacturing is a big part of the Kansas economy, but new tariffs by the Trump administration have some companies scrambling.

Critical mineral producers in Missouri are exploring extraction methods as international trade policies fluctuate, and the president's tariff regime plays out.

Experts say the Panasonic plant could tap the breaks on hiring while it waits out economic uncertainty. The company can still collect hundreds of millions of dollars from Kansas even if it does.

KCUR hosted a town hall in Belton, Missouri, with Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of the 4th Congressional District. He answered questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington — including the Trump administration's immigration policies and tariffs, recent protests, and violence against lawmakers.

One Wichita manufacturer says tariffs are buoying demand for its products. But industry leaders warn of long-term harm to American planemakers.