De Soto, Kansas, will be the home of a new $4 billion Panasonic plant to make batteries for electric cars. Officials promise the plant will create 4,000 new jobs and bring thousands of new residents to the region, but it took a lot of tax incentives to land the deal.

Kansas makes a $4 billion deal

Missouri scientists say that even though fewer people are getting tested for COVID, wastewater shows increasing evidence of new variants. Plus, Kansas City Manager Brian Platt talks about gun violence and how to stop events like the recent mass shooting in Westport.

Where COVID lives on

Religious institutions generally avoid taking a stance during election cycles, but the anti-abortion amendment in Kansas' August primary offers a rare chance for churches to make their positions known. Plus, a drought in Kansas is devastating this year's wheat harvest, even as prices are at a historic high.

Kansas churches join abortion amendment fight

The new BA.5 variant is making its way throughout the country — and you aren't necessarily immune, even if you recently recovered from COVID. A health expert talks us through what Kansas Citians should do to stay safe.

How worried should Kansas City be about the BA.5 variant?

A new laws signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will make major changes to the state’s elections laws. Starting this fall, residents are required to show a photo ID when they cast a ballot, a controversial rule that may make it harder for some groups to vote.

Inside Missouri's new voter ID law

One of Kansas City's most traveled streets — Troost Avenue — is named after a slaveholder from the 1800s. A small business owner with a storefront along the street wants to change that.

From Troost to Truth

Kansas is dealing with the most severe teacher shortage it’s ever known, and it's likely to be even worse by the fall. Plus, celebrate Sliced Bread Day in Missouri with the story of how one small town revolutionized our food culture — and then forgot about it.

Kansas faces its worst ever teacher shortage

No longer a respite from the triple-digit summer temperatures, Missouri evenings have been just as hot and muggy as the days —one of the many impacts of climate change. Plus, some Phelps County residents were put at risk of losing their right to vote, all because they have court-ordered guardians.

Dangerously hot summer nights

Kansas City's Parade Park, one of the country's oldest Black housing cooperatives, has been deteriorating for years. Now it's running out of time before it faces foreclosure. Plus: How one broker is trying to increase Black homeownership in Kansas City's urban core.

'Hoping for a miracle' at Parade Park

The U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade was met with mixed reactions by faith leaders in Kansas City. From Jewish synagogues to Baptist churches, many leaders are now talking with their congregations about abortion rights and what the decision means for religious freedom.

Faith leaders on the rollback of abortion rights

Kansas City Today is a daily news podcast from KCUR Studios bringing you all things Kansas City, wrapped up in 15 minutes or less. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, it’ll be waiting in your feed every weekday. Hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin.

Kansas City has seen 44 pedestrian fatalities this year compared to 33 this time last year, raising concerns about street safety throughout the city. What's being done to keep pedestrians safe?

Is Kansas City doing enough to keep pedestrians safe?

A small town in northern Missouri was thrown into the headlines when an Amtrak train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago hit a dump truck at an unguarded crossing, killing four and injuring dozens more. Plus, the Kansas City-area farmers who are helping put fresh food on school lunch tables.

Amtrak tragedy in Missouri

Kansas' Aug. 2 primary will determine whether the right to an abortion is protected by the state constitution. But the Kansas Abortion Fund, which gives money to people seeking abortions, is determined to keep helping no matter the outcome.

Kansas, the next abortion battleground

Kansas City residents rally for abortion rights following the fall of Roe v. Wade. Plus, the story of two shuttered Missouri hospitals may well serve as a warning for what happens when private companies acquire rural hospitals.

When private equity came for two rural Missouri hospitals

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the landmark reproductive rights case Roe v. Wade. Missouri immediately implemented its "trigger ban" outlawing most abortions, while the decision raises the stakes even higher for a Kansas ballot issue in August.

Breaking: Missouri bans most abortions after Roe is overturned

Eric Greitens

A new campaign ad from U.S. Senate contender Eric Greitens encourages viewers to acquire a "RINO hunting" permit and go after "Republican(s) in name only." But the video has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans, and removed by Facebook, for encouraging violence.

Eric Greitens campaigns on ‘hunting' fellow Republicans

High food prices are affecting many in Kansas City, and there are two crops that play an outsized role: corn and soybeans. Plus, one rancher in Kansas is outfitting his cattle with GPS collars to save money and protect the grasslands.

Blame corn for your high grocery costs

LEAD

The Biden administration plans to spend $250 million dollars in Missouri and $164 million dollars in Kansas to remove lead pipes — if they can find them. Plus, what Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has to say about gun laws after a threat of a mass shooting closed 10 local school districts.

Lead pipes are a 'time bomb' for Missouri and Kansas

Primary elections in Kansas and Missouri are just weeks away. In Missouri, a crowd of candidates — both Democrats and Republicans — are vying for the chance to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Roy Blunt. Who voters select in the primaries could determine the balance of power in Washington.

The U.S. Senate race in Missouri

One African-American chef from Kansas City is creating a new community around food in the 18th and Vine District. Also, we hear about a Kansas City jazz singer who made waves across the nation 75 years ago for her specific type of blues.

2 of Kansas City's Black women trailblazers

Kansas City Today

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