As Heard on KC Currents

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.

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.

Parents React to Proposed School Consolidations

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:46:33 GMT

About a hundred and fifty people showed up at Kansas City Missouri school district headquarters last week to comment on a plan to close about a dozen schools. But most parents were there on behalf of just two elementary schools; McCoy Elementary and Longan, a French magnet school. Administrators say parents' concerns will be taken into account as they make their final recommendations on next year's budget.

Local Radio Host Follows Iranian Elections

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:38:58 GMT

For a local perspective on the events in Tehran, KCUR's Susan B. Wilson spoke to Nilufar Movahedi, who hosts two radio shows on KKFI 90.1 FM called Saba: Wind of Love, for English speaking, second generation Iranians, and another show called Sayeh for Persian-speaking listeners.

Our Relationship with the Automobile

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:47:19 GMT

A lot of people are calling the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler the end of an era and a turning point in the history of the American auto industry. Ever since Henry Ford developed the Model T, cars have been a way of life for many Americans. That's as true in sprawling Kansas City as in any place. Our KC Currents intern Ashly Kissman took to the streets to find out what kind of relationships people have with their automobiles.

My Two Cents: Vlad Rangotchev

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:47:39 GMT

Vlad Rangotchev didn't expect to fall in to his current career path. He was just breaking into the graphic design field, when a car accident and the loss of his job set him on a different course. Now, a few years down the road, Rangotchev says a down economy has brought new challenges to his business...but at the same time, reaffirmed his career change and even inspired some innovation.

Family Copes With Medical Bills And Eviction

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:48:02 GMT

The Day family has health insurance, but they still face tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills after one child went to intensive care several times with diabetes. Now that they've been evicted from their Kansas City, Kansas home the family is faced with the dual challenges of trying to find another place to live while digging out from under a pile of medical bills.

DJ Jazzy Jeff Show Ends Abruptly at Power and Light District

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:53:59 GMT

When you hear the name DJ Jazzy Jeff, the hit 90's sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air might come to mind. Jeff Townes played Will Smith's friend Jazz, who often got kicked out of the house by Uncle Phil. And now almost 30 years later, just a week ago on Saturday night, Jazzy Jeff says he was kicked out of the Power and Light District.

Multiracial Families Share Strategies for Raising Children

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:29:45 GMT

People who identify themselves as multiracial are the fastest growing group in the country. So why are people feeling more comfortable identifying themselves as multiracial now? KCUR's Susan B. Wilson recently visited a local group of multiracial families to find out more.

Primitivo Garcia's Double Dutch Dynasty Jumps to the Beat

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:30:16 GMT

Last month, Primitivo Garcia Elementary School's Double Dutch Dynasty went to Jefferson City to participate in a statewide competition. Just before school let out a couple of weeks ago, KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross stopped by Primitivo Garcia to find out what happened.

Voices from Kansas City's Latino Past

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:15:14 GMT

What do silver smelting, railroads and meatpacking have in common? They are all part of the history of early Latino immigration to Kansas City. Educator Gene Chavez gathered first-hand accounts of Latinos who came to this area during the 1920's. He gathered the oral histories as a part of a 2005 project sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council.

Budget Cuts Threaten Violence Prevention Programs

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:04:47 GMT

In some places across the country, homicides are down recently; but in some mid-size cities, like Kansas City, the number of murders is climbing. But some programs that combat violence in Kansas City are under fire, due to cuts in the 2009-2010 city budget.

At Tiller Vigil, Reflections on the Future of the Abortion Debate

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:35:29 GMT

This weekend, a funeral was held in Wichita for Dr. George Tiller, one of the area's most controversial figures since the 1980s. Tiller was one of just a few physicians in the country who provided late abortions, until he was shot inside his church last Sunday. The day after that, some two hundred people gathered near JC Nichols Fountain on the Plaza to mourn his death. KCUR's Elana Gordon was there, and asked people how Dr. Tiller's murder might affect the tone of the abortion debate.

National Spelling Champion Kavya Shivashankar

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:47:27 GMT

Olathe eighth grader Kavya Shivashankar was the last speller standing on Thursday night's final round on the Scripps National Spelling Bee. KCUR's Susan B. Wilson caught up with Kavya Shivashankar on the Saturday after her victory.

Dozen Area Residents Indicted for Labor Trafficking

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:09:03 GMT

A dozen people, mostly area residents, were charged this week in a giant labor trafficking ring that extended out to 14 states. The leaders of this ring allegedly lured more than a thousand people to the US with promises of work and documentation.

Remembering African Americans' Service in the Great World War

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:10:50 GMT

Professors Pellom McDaniels and Chad Williams discuss the contributions of African American soldiers who served in World War I, including a man from Kansas City who was the last soldier killed during the Great War.

Teachers Look Back on First Year in the Classroom

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:12:16 GMT

Joe Fox and Derek Hutchinson were recruited to teach in the Kansas City Missouri school district by the program Teach for America. They look back about their first year as teachers at Troost Elementary School.

Graduates Commit to Urban School Districts

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:28:40 GMT

The Institute for Urban Education, which opened in 2005, recruits urban high school graduates who want to become teachers. The first class graduated from UMKC this month.

MO School District Gets Surprise Stimulus Funds

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:12:40 GMT

Many school administrators are faced with a challenge: a large influx of federal stimulus money and a small window of opportunity to use it.