As Heard on KC Currents

Parental Involvement in Urban School Districts

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:58:59 GMT

Although the PTA has a long history in schools, it's not the only approach to getting parents engaged.

Tuskegee Airman Colonel Charles McGee

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:41:34 GMT

Imagine facing enemy fire at wartime, at the same time as facing the humiliation of discrimination. That's the story of the all-black Flying Class 43-G, better known as the Tuskegee Airman. These men took part in an Air Force experiment to find out if blacks could be competent aviators. Former Kansas City resident Colonel Charles McGee was part of this pioneering group. He flew many dangerous missions as a fighter pilot in World World II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Local Pediatrician Missing in Haiti; Friends and Colleagues Offer Reflections

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:17:51 GMT

Turner House Children's Clinic celebrated its twentieth anniversary last week. The event, though, was bittersweet. Dr. Frank Vaughters founded the clinic, but was gone on a medical mission in Haiti when the earthquake hit more than two weeks ago. He's still missing. KCUR's Elana Gordon was at the Turner House anniversary. She caught up with friends, family, and colleagues of Dr. Vaughters, and brought back this audio postcard of their reflections.

Kansas Sees Results of Expanded Gaming Act

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:48:30 GMT

Two years ago, Kansas lawmakers passed the Expanded Gaming Act, which would legalize gambling at four new casinos, all state-owned. Now that Kansas is facing a $400 million dollar budget deficit, the state could use the casino revenue more than ever. While lawmakers in Topeka now consider amending that act, KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross recently went out west to see how it's working.

New Health Concerns about Bannister Federal Complex

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:14:48 GMT

The Honeywell Plant has produced parts for nuclear weapons at the Bannister Federal Complex in South Kansas City for about 60 years. Plans to construct a $650 million new facility near the Richards Gebaur Air Force Base are awaiting final approval of a tax abatement from the Kansas City, Missouri's city council. Some opponents of the project say some of the health problems developed by workers at or near the plant have never addressed.

Missouri Poet Laureate Walter Bargen Talks Shop

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:44:15 GMT

Missouri's first poet laureate talks about his role.

KC Star Reporter Works In Africa

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:08:59 GMT

Kansas City Star reporter Greg Moore talks about his experience working at newspapers in Uganda and Kenya.

Local Haitians Pray, Respond to Earthquake

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:01:12 GMT

This weekend, some local Haitians gathered at church services to seek comfort in the face of tragedy, and look to each other, and God, for support.

Young People Predict Future of Civil Rights Movements

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:56:46 GMT

Area high school students talk about future civil rights movements.

Lawmakers Reconsider Missouri Tax System

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:23:35 GMT

If you pay personal income tax in Missouri chances are you're in the top tax bracket. It takes only $9000 in taxable income a year to reach the state's top tier.

Tough Recession Comes Late to Commercial Real Estate

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:49:19 GMT

Though most of us take it for granted, commercial real estate leasing and construction are very important sectors of our area economy. Commercial real estate is struggling in the Kansas City area, but less so than in some places.

Local Groups, Mexican Consulate Look to Address Health of Area Latino Immigrants

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:10:30 GMT

Kansas City is home to a growing Latino population. But many have difficulty getting medical care due to a combination of factors, including language barriers and a lack of insurance. The situation has several area groups, along with the Mexican government, working to better identify the health needs in immigrant communities and find new ways to address them.

Earnings Tax Debated in KC

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:21:43 GMT

If you live or work in Kansas City, Missouri a 1% earnings tax takes a bite out of your paycheck. The tax has been around for over forty years. But a petition will soon begin circulating around the state, to bring the e-tax before all Missouri voters, and possibility outlaw that Kansas City, and St. Louis from collecting that type of tax.

Homeless Services Reach Out to Most Vulnerable in the Cold

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:25:50 GMT

During the extreme weather of the past week, some of the city's most vulnerable are the homeless.

Winter Storm's Reach Is Wide

cranesj@umkc.edu — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:03:46 GMT

Last week's dramatic winter weather affected people in a variety of ways- on the streets, at home, at work, and at play. KCUR reporters moved around town to see the impact of the storm.

"Stuck in the House by the Snow"

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:50:50 GMT

Frigid weather, piling snow and school cancellations are keeping many people at home these days. And some might be getting a little cabin fever. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross just visited with Joyce Lucas, a Kansas City woman who has only left her house once since Christmas.

KCK Lawyer has Royal Lineage

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:00:39 GMT

Adebayo Ogunmeno came to the United States to study 26 years ago. But because he is a prince in his homeland in Southwest Nigeria, he's potentially in line to become the next king.

Incoming KCK Superintendent Cynthia Lane

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:00:10 GMT

Over the years, KCK schools have received national attention for their success in educating low-income students of color. But this year, the district will face steep budget cuts that could undermine student success. Incoming superintendent Cynthia Lane recently dropped by the studio to talk to KCUR's Susan B. Wilson about the challenges ahead.

Malayalam Community Celebrates Christmas

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:33:26 GMT

This holiday season, some Kansas Citians got an early start on Christmas. The city's Malayalam community, which consists of about 400 families from the Indian state of Kerala, held their annual Christmas party last Saturday at Blue Valley Northwest high school.

New KC Website Looking to go Hyper-Local

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:14:44 GMT

Almost two weeks ago on Wednesday, December 9th, a new local website called KC Free Press launched into cyberspace.