Up To Date

Historian H.W. Brands has written over 30 books about American history, highlighting prominent figures ranging from the era of the Revolutionary War to the presidency of Ronald Reagan. He’ll be in Kansas City for an event on Thursday to discuss his new book on George Washington.

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell regrets not interviewing and documenting her mother’s life. The former Kansas City Star journalist is helping others not make the same mistake. She talked with KCUR’s Up To Date about preserving a family history and legacy.  

After 30 years of growth, Foundation for Regeneration is restoring the symbolic Heart Forest near Kansas City International Airport, adding an outline, trails and areas for guests to sit and reflect.

Food recs Kansas City's best steaks and steakhouses

Gloria Jackson-Leathers launched the Kansas City Civic Engagement Initiative, which provided after-school programs and funded many museums, helped created the Maker Faire at Union Station and led the development of the KC STEM Alliance.

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Kansas City Manager Mario Vasquez will celebrate one year in office this week as city hall makes its final preparations for the 2026 World Cup. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss next month’s tournament festivities along with his perspective on the Royals’ plans to build a downtown ballpark.

The Mission Gateway site at the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive has sat largely vacant for two decades. While a timeline for the private property to finally be redeveloped is unclear, Mission Mayor Sollie Flora says the city's government is making "making it a focus."

KC Soundcheck Alberto Racanati

There are more than 20,000 foster care cases in Missouri and Kansas. Cornerstones of Care, is a mental health nonprofit, focused on preserving the family unit. Merideth Rose, the organization's CEO, told KCUR’s Up To Date that taking a curious approach and early intervention can help keep the family intact – removing children should be the last resort.

Dave McClung VS MT EVEREST

The hollow heart-shaped sculpture for this year’s Parade of Hearts was the perfect design to make an art piece double as a community space. Artist Abby Gust Hutter created the sculpture “Read it Forward,” which she turned into a little free library outside of Rainy Day Books. Hutter said the positive feedback has been heartwarming.   

Residents of Gardner, Kansas, are confronting a new data center proposal from Beale Infrastructure just weeks after a similar proposal was withdrawn. Members of the community are concerned about the impact on their environment, utilities, and noise levels.

The deadline for the Missouri General Assembly to approve its budget is quickly approaching. KCUR's Brian Ellison joined Up To Date to break down the latest on the budget and other agenda items for the 2026 legislative session.

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Sara Swenson said she pushed boundaries with her latest album “Taller.” The Missouri-native’s fifth studio album is loaded with emotions told through songs celebrating motherhood and belonging, and also heavier lyrics related to the #MeToo movement. “There's a lot of meaning on this album to me,” she said.

Early in his career, while officiating youth soccer matches, Kyle Atkins wanted to quit, but his dad didn’t let him walk away so easily. Now you’ll be able to see Atkins walking onto the pitch as an assistant referee during the 2026 FIFA World Cup – after he and his crew get motivated with music and dancing in the locker room.

Weather Flooding Businesses

A Kansas City woman shares the toll of being a caregiver for her father diagnosed with Parkinson's

Prairie Village-based Flint Development sold a Texas warehouse to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for use as an immigration detention facility. Local activist group The People for Prairie Village is protesting and calling for the company to cut ties — or leave town.

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Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss why he changed his mind about filing to run for office, the task force he assembled to assess the future of the Truman Sports Complex site, and his approach to addressing property tax concerns.

Kansas City Council still has a lot of questions and financial details to work through before the new Royals stadium is a done deal. The new ballpark location at Crown Center brings the team back into the heart of the city, which to some advocates means leaving a legacy for generations to come.

Now under new management, Powell Gardens Colonial Farms plans to gradually shift its growing practices. The goal is to improve environmental health while preserving the fruit-picking and family-oriented experience that Kansas Citians expect.

Midtown

Quindaro Townsite

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Many women struggling to get pregnant also experience depression and anxiety – some without support. After their own personal experiences, two mental health providers founded The Village Fertility Co. to support the psychological and emotional well-being of women experiencing infertility. 

Historian Douglas Brinkley will be in Kansas City on the 23rd for the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum's annual "Wild About Harry" event. He joined KCUR's Up To Date ahead of his visit.

Food recs: Kansas City's best women-owned and -led restaurants

Debate is growing among Catholics in Kansas City and beyond after President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, and shared an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus.

The USDA has canceled a grant program that supported small and emerging farmers, cutting nearly $300 million nationwide. Kansas City-area organizations like Cultivate KC and MyCo Planet say the loss is disrupting projects already in progress.

Sarah Saldaña, who served as the director of ICE during the final two years of Barack Obama’s presidency, is in Kansas City for an American Public Square event on Wednesday. She joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss the tactics used by the agency during the current presidential administration.

In his latest book, “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer,” Steves writes about his own transformational travels and what can be gained from getting out of your comfort zone. He’ll be speaking at the Unity Temple on the Plaza on April 23.

The UMKC Conservatory and KCUR's sister station Classical KC have deepened their partnership through adding "The UMKC Conservatory Hour" to the station's local content offerings.

Kansans hoping for a break on their property taxes will have to wait. The legislative session adjourned with Republicans unable to compromise on property tax reform. Sherman Smith, editor-in-chief of the Kansas Reflector, joined KCUR’s Up To Date to provide an overview of the session. 

KC Soundcheck The Royal Chief

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR’s Up To Date live from Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company to discuss the city’s plan for a Royals downtown ballpark, the World Cup and much more.

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Karell Martinez, a Kansas City, Kansas cafe owner, is collecting aid to send to his native country of Cuba. The country is near economic collapse following U.S. actions in Venezuela and a temporary oil embargo on Cuba. Martinez said Cubans want the U.S. help to free the people from the oppressive regime.