KCUR News

Urban Garden Teaches Youth New Skills

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:37:31 GMT

Gardeners in Kansas City are transforming blighted buildings and weed-filled lots into tiny urban farms. Urban agriculture projects often try to address hunger and teach city dwellers new skills. One example of this movement is Troostwood Gardens - it was started ten years ago on a corner lot donated by Rockhurst University near 52nd and Paseo. KCUR's Susan B. Wilson recently stopped by for a visit.

Women's Full Contact Football

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:18:20 GMT

If you're taking a walk through Gillham Park on a Thursday evening you might stumble across what looks a little like a high school football practice. Complete with cracking helmets, conditioning drills and a coach who's less than pleased. But as helmets come off for a quick water break you might find yourself feeling a little surprised by the sight of twenty or so women donning full football pads.

Farmers Take On Food, Inc.

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:04:57 GMT

Food, Inc., a documentary film about the modern agricultural industry, is a hit with big-city movie reviewers, small-scale organic farmers and vegetarians. Full of disturbing scenes depicting chickens, hogs and cattle being crowded into confined areas, the movie argues that large-scale agriculture produces inexpensive meat and vegetables at a high cost to the environment - as well as Americans' health.

Nixon Vetoes Motorcycle Helmet Repeal

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:41:01 GMT

Governor Jay Nixon has vetoed a bill that would have repealed most of Missouri's motorcycle helmet law.

Chemical Detected in NW Missouri Soil, Officials Say Levels Not Hazardous

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:51:04 GMT

Environmental officials have announced that sludge from a St. Joseph Tannery does not in fact pose any public health hazard. A recent lawsuit had alleged a link between several brain tumors in area residents and the tannery sludge.

Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole on Veterans, Healthcare and the Obama Administration

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:34:14 GMT

Up to Date host Steve Kraske talks with former Kansas Senator Bob Dole.

Fiscal Year Begins, Health Program Reduced

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:37:15 GMT

Major reductions to a program aimed at improving the health of low income Missourians take effect today.

Tick-Borne Diseases Warrant Concern

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:45:42 GMT

Earlier this month, the Johnson County Parks Board voted to bring in sharpshooters and bow hunters, to help solve the problem of too many deer in Shawnee Mission Park. At the time, some residents raised concerns about a rising tick population as a result of the deer increase. To find out more about ticks and tick-borne diseases, KCUR's Elana Gordon recently caught up with Dr. Himal Bajracharya, an infectious disease doctor at KU Medical Center.

Journalist Compares Reporting in Uganda to KC

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:37:19 GMT

The Kansas City Star has a young new reporter on staff; 28-year-old Rodney Muhumuza. Muhamuza is actually a senior political reporter at the Daily Monitor in Kampala, Uganda. He currently had an Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship at the Star, and is developing his skills at a type of reporting that he says is scarce in Uganda. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross caught up with Rodney Muhumuza in the features department at the Star.

KU Veterans Take Advantage of New Benefits

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:36:09 GMT

Soldiers returning from war often find the shift to civilian life to a be difficult one, but the support of fellow veterans as well government programs like the GI Bill can help ease that transition. The federal government has recently passed a major expansion of GI education benefits. KCUR's Alex Smith traveled to Lawrence to talk with Daniel Parker,a recent KU graduate and marine veteran who helped push for the new benefits.

Sebelius Draws on State Data in Push for Health Care Overhaul

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:31:13 GMT

Kathleen Sebelius, the former Kansas Governor who's now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, drew attention to state-specific health problems today.

Wheeew! Keeping On The Cooling

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:21:14 GMT

In current culture, air conditioning becomes more than luxury when the temperature creeps up on a hundred. And it has, this final week of June. Massive amounts of electricity are being consumed with the region's excessive heat this week. And don't be surprised if your power blinks off for a few minutes from time to time. KCUR's Dan Verbeck has the story.

Council Advances Defense Plant, Stalls Citadel

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:03:28 GMT

The Kansas City city council endorsed a Grandview defense plant, but held off on a 63rd and Prospect shopping center Thursday. KCUR's Steve Bell reports

Cordish Adapts Dress Codes; Some Patrons Adapt Dress

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:00:50 GMT

After a little more than a year, the new Power & Light District is drawing tens of thousands of people downtown in a weekend, according to the developers. But with that huge influx has come some controversy. The venues' dress codes and a recently botched concert by a hip hop DJ have led to charges of discrimination. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross stopped by last weekend to see how it's all playing out at the velvet rope.

Health Agencies Ramp Up Efforts to Prevent HIV

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:03:15 GMT

Health agencies across the metro are increasing their efforts to prevent the spread of HIV.

City Faces Bond Rating Downgrade

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:31:59 GMT

As Kansas City prepares to sell municipal bonds for the Performing Arts Center parking garage, the city council Finance and Audit Committee got the news yesterday that one of three companies that rate municipal bonds may be poised to downgrade Kansas City's bond ratings. KCUR's Steve Bell reports.

Death Dealing Apparatus May Go Idle

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:28:39 GMT

The judge who will become Missouri's next supreme court chief justice expects no more executions will be scheduled in the state until a crucial issue is settled. KCUR's Dan Verbeck reports.

KS Officials Consider Closure of Rainbow Mental Health

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:01:43 GMT

Kansas officials are considering merging or closing several state-run facilities in response to the current budget crisis. The adult psychiatric hospital in Wyandotte County is one of six places under review. But as KCUR's Elana Gordon reports, area law enforcement officials are concerned.

EPA Administrator Takes a Close Look at KC

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:38:16 GMT

Administrator Lisa Jackson's trip to Kansas City is mainly promotional, meant to encourage citizens to take more individual responsibility for cleaning up the environment. But, there the agency is taking a close look at the Kansas City area both as a place with problems to be solved, and as one that could stand as a national model.