KCUR (Kansas City's best news source)
banner
kcur.org
KCUR (Kansas City's best news source)
@kcur.org
We're Kansas City’s home for local news and podcasts. 🚎 ☀️ Nonprofit and independent

🌈 Subscribe to our daily newsletter: linktr.ee/kcur
Pinned
Congress has eliminated all federal funding for public media. And now Kansas City’s public broadcasters need YOU. https://loom.ly/pvwG3Dc
KCUR and Classical KC just lost federal funding. Here's what to know and how to help.
Ending federal funding for public media will have an immediate and drastic effect on KCUR and Classical KC. Here are the latest updates, plus what you can do to help.
www.kcur.org
Similar links appear on state and local government sites across the country, including Knoxville, Tennessee, the state of Idaho, the Washington Fire Commissioners Association and dozens of others.
Kansas attorney general site hosts illicit content in apparent national scam campaign
Documents promoting AI deepfakes, money scams and pornography appear under the “ag.ks.gov” domain and dozens of others. The links are now inactive, but the source remains unknown.
www.kcur.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
During a remote broadcast at last week, Valerie Nicholson-Watson, Harvesters' interim president and CEO, told KCUR's Up To Date that this holiday season has been an extremely challenging stretch for the organization.
More Kansas City families need food assistance. Here's how Harvesters is meeting the moment
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, KCUR's Up To Date broadcasted from Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City to hear how the organization is managing a time of extremely high demand.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:02 PM
On Thanksgiving, families will have plenty to debate: politics, football...and pie? Americans also have strong opinions on whether to enjoy pumpkin or sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin or sweet potato pie?
On Thanksgiving, families will have plenty to debate: politics, football...and pie? Americans also have strong opinions on whether to enjoy pumpkin or sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving. Plus: Holiday get-togethers are on the way, and if you’re looking for fun things to do, you might consider a new card or board game.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Scouting for Food became a national Scouting America program in 1988, expanding across the country as thousands of scouts collectively gathered hundreds of thousands of pounds of shelf-stable goods for food insecure residents. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)
A 40-year-old Scouting America tradition of food donation got its start in Missouri
Scouting for Food became a national Scouting America program in 1988, expanding across the country as thousands of scouts collectively gathered hundreds of thousands of pounds of shelf-stable goods for food insecure residents in their local communities.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office argued that the anti-redistricting referendum attempt violates the state and U.S. constitutions by infringing on the legislature's sole authority to draw maps. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)
Federal judge weighs legality of attempt to block Missouri's new congressional map
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office argued that the anti-redistricting referendum attempt violates the state and U.S. constitutions by infringing on the legislature's sole authority to draw maps. The federal case is one of multiple legal battles over state lawmakers' mid-decade redistricting effort.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
For their commitment to bettering the lives of Kansas Citians, Nick Allen and Merideth Rose are this year’s winners of The Pinnacle Prize. The $100,000 award was established by the late Kenneth and Ann Baum to recognize the young visionaries with the passion and drive to be a changemaker.
These 2 Kansas Citians were awarded for creating a ripple of good in the community
One person's drive to make a difference can create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. This year, The Pinnacle Prize recognized the progress and dedication of two Kansas Citians with a passion for helping people find safety and healing.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Nov. 12 ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, would threaten public safety by making it difficult to charge, try or resolve violent crimes, Robert W. Russell, president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, wrote in a “friend of the court,” brief.
Missouri prosecutors fear ruling means deadly force can be self-defense against simple assault
The state’s prosecutors say that if a recent ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals is allowed to become law, “mere shoving matches could justifiably be escalated to gun battles,” and violent crime cases would be difficult to prove, hurting victims.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
When tens of thousands of Kansas City residents take to the roads and skies this holiday season, they will unknowingly spread germs as they go. That’s where the Kansas City mutual aid group 816 COVID Crew comes in — by helping provide free, high-quality masks to the public.
Holiday travel brings higher risk of infection. A Kansas City group is helping people mask up
The Kansas City Aviation Department expects nearly 400,000 people through the airport during Thanksgiving week, meaning an increased chance of local infections. One local group is helping travelers take proper precautions.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A national survey found the smallest business owners are feeling less confident as they close out the year. Inflation, tariffs and shifts in consumer spending are some of the reasons why.
Small businesses feel more uneasy ahead of the holidays after a year of slow sales and high costs
A national survey found the smallest business owners are feeling less confident as they close out the year. Inflation, tariffs and shifts in consumer spending are some of the reasons why.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Kansas City brought multiple departments together for a one-day event to help entrepreneurs get ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games next summer. The training could become an annual tradition as city officials strive to make it less complicated to own a business.
Permit? Check! Kansas City tries to make life easier for small businesses during World Cup
Kansas City brought multiple departments together for a one-day event to help entrepreneurs get ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games next summer. The training could become an annual tradition as city officials strive to make it less complicated to own a business.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
They’re both orange. They’re both sweet with a bit of spice. But for Americans on Thanksgiving, the meal isn’t done until they dig into a slice of pumpkin or sweet potato pie — and for many, there’s no room for both.
Pumpkin pie vs. sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving? Both are part of American history
Are you serving pumpkin or sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving? There's a lot of history and cultural ties that influence why Americans may prefer one or the other.
www.kcur.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
“Death by Lightning,” starring Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen as President James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, is based on Kansas City author Candice Millard’s New York Times bestselling book “Destiny of the Republic.”
Kansas City author’s book inspired new Netflix series ‘Death by Lightning’
“Death by Lightning,” starring Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen as President James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, is based on Kansas City author Candice Millard’s New York Times bestselling book “Destiny of the Republic.”
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Documents promoting AI deepfakes, money scams and pornography appear under the “ag.ks.gov” domain and dozens of others. The links are now inactive, but the source remains unknown.
Kansas attorney general site hosts illicit content in apparent national scam campaign
Documents promoting AI deepfakes, money scams and pornography appear under the “ag.ks.gov” domain and dozens of others. The links are now inactive, but the source remains unknown.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
More than 650,000 people could attend the World Cup in Kansas City next summer, and all of them will need a place to stay. That's why the Kansas City Council is changing its rules around short-term rentals to make it easier for residents to host visitors.
Kansas City is relaxing rules for short-term rentals
More than 650,000 people could attend the World Cup in Kansas City next summer, and all of them will need a place to stay. That's why the Kansas City Council is changing its rules around short-term rentals to make it easier for residents to host visitors.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade normally features dozens of human and horse participants from across the region. The Dec. 6 event is now canceled because of the virus outbreak affecting eight states.
Lawrence cancels its beloved Christmas horse parade because of equine herpesvirus outbreak
The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade normally features dozens of human and horse participants from across the region. The Dec. 6 event is now canceled because of the virus outbreak affecting eight states.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
ArchCity Defenders, the ACLU of Missouri and the MacArthur Justice Center filed the federal lawsuit Monday on behalf of six individuals held in jails across the state. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)
Advocates sue Missouri's Mental Health Department over delays in treating inmates
The federal lawsuit argues that the state Department of Mental Health unconstitutionally delays required treatment for individuals who have been found incompetent to stand trial and does not meet legal deadlines for competency exams.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
More home cooking fires occur in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Your holiday dinner is a huge fire hazard, firefighters say. Here's how to stay safe
More home cooking fires occur in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
People flying out of Kansas City International Airport don’t need to worry about any lingering effects of the government shutdown. An airport spokesperson said flights are back on track and they’re expecting fewer travelers this year.
Fewer passengers are expected to pass through the Kansas City airport this Thanksgiving
People flying out of Kansas City International Airport don’t need to worry about any lingering effects of the government shutdown. An airport spokesperson said flights are back on track and they’re expecting fewer travelers this year.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
In Kansas and nationwide, the number of women having babies in their 40s is increasing. It comes as the overall birth rate declines and younger women are having fewer babies.
More Kansas women are having babies after age 40. This Roeland Park mom is one of them
In Kansas and nationwide, the number of women having babies in their 40s is increasing. It comes as the overall birth rate declines and younger women are having fewer babies.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Mohammad Ali Dadfar, a father of four and immigrant from Afghanistan who helped the U.S. military fight the Taliban, is in a Springfield, Missouri, jail — held with other immigrants picked up in warrantless arrests. (@thebeacon.bsky.social)
Afghan asylum seeker who fought the Taliban is being held by ICE in a Missouri jail
A Kansas City-based immigration attorney has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Mohammad Ali Dadfar’s warrantless arrest and detention. Hundreds of immigrant detainees have been ordered released because the government failed to honor a 2022 consent decree regarding warrantless arrests.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Nine months into a community engagement period, the city has published three potential alternatives for the highway whose construction led to the destruction of 2,000 homes and upended the lives of 25,000 people in majority Black neighborhoods.
Highway, parkway or road? Kansas City considers how to transform Highway 71
Kansas City is considering changes to Highway 71 as part of its project to reconnect the neighborhoods torn apart decades ago by its construction. But some residents who live near the highway wonder if officials have their best interests in mind.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The longest government shutdown in American history resulted in a big spike in demand for food assistance. Now, even though the shutdown has been over for more than a week and federal aid has resumed, the demand hasn’t subsided much.
More Kansas City families need food assistance. Here's how Harvesters is meeting the moment
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, KCUR's Up To Date broadcasted from Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City to hear how the organization is managing a time of extremely high demand.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Trump administration's Justice Department made an unprecedented demand to investigate voting machines, access old ballots and more in Missouri. (@npr.org)
Trump's unusual demands in Missouri show how he might interfere with midterm elections
Less than a year from the midterms, state and local voting officials from both major political parties are actively preparing for the possibility of interference by the Trump administration. In Missouri, the Justice Department made an unprecedented demand to investigate voting machines, access old ballots and more.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The Trump administration’s changes to a federal grant program will lead to a weaker broadband system for Kansas, multiple internet experts warn. (@thebeacon.bsky.social)
Kansas got millions to expand broadband, but the Trump administration shrank the program
Kansas got $451 million from a Biden administration grant for Broadband Equity, Acess and Deployment. But after the Trump administration told states to rethink how to spend the money, Kansas rolled back its proposal.
www.kcur.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Samuel U. Rodger’s Health Center started using a tool, Ambient Assist, with a built-in artificial intelligence (AI) that takes hours off of medical providers' workload. The tool records the patient and provider’s discussion and compiles the information for the patient’s medical chart.
A Kansas City health center uses AI during appointments. Could it affect your checkup?
Medical providers started using Ambient Assist by NextGen Healthcare this year at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. The tool, which transcribes and summarizes an appointment’s conversation, lets providers see more patients and be more present without being overwhelmed with post-appointment paperwork.
www.kcur.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM