Best KCUR Podcasts (2025)

1
Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins picked this design for its museum expansion. Here's why 12:28

19h ago12:28

12:28

Nelson-Atkins officials announced this week that the New York City firm Weiss/Manfredi will be the lead architect for the museum's upcoming expansion project, which is expected to be the largest investment in Kansas City arts in years.By Steve Kraske, Claudia Brancart

1
Why the measles vaccine is so important now, as outbreak spreads to Kansas and Missouri 13:02

2d ago13:02

13:02

Kansas has so far identified 37 measles cases this year — mostly among children — and the first Missouri measles case of the year was reported just last week. Dr. Sarah Boyd of Saint Luke's Health System says vaccinating is the best way to prevent contracting the airborne virus.By Steve Kraske, Zach Wilson

1
Spring has come to the Missouri state tree nursery 11:20

2d ago11:20

11:20

Every year, 2 million seedlings from the George O. White State Forest tree nursery make their way to front yards and fields all over the region. We'll hear from the staff growing and cultivating trees at the 100-acre site in Licking, Missouri. KBIA’s Jana Rose Schleis brings us an audio postcard from the Ozarks. Contact the show at [email protected]. F…

1
How Catholics in Kansas City will remember Pope Francis: 'He embraced everyone' 18:53

2d ago18:53

18:53

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, died Monday at age 88. Around the world and in Kansas City, Catholic faithful are mourning his loss.By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson

1
We invited Kansas City's Congress members to a Q&A with residents. Only Democrats answered 48:30

3d ago48:30

48:30

KCUR invited Congress members from Kansas and Missouri to answer questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington. Despite multiple invitations to each of the area’s federal elected officials, just Democratic Reps. Sharice Davids and Emanuel Cleaver II chose to attend. Here's what we heard.…

1
Kansas City teens speak up about their mental health 14:14

3d ago14:14

14:14

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, students around Kansas City still struggle with their mental health. A group of students at Guadalupe Centers High School share what they learned when they interviewed each other. The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools for months, upending students’ education and lives. A group of students at Guadalupe…

1
Looking for morels around Kansas City? Here's how to go mushroom hunting like a pro 13:05

4d ago13:05

13:05

The distinctive fungus prized for its earthy flavor has a honeycomb appearance and pops up after heavy spring rains — just like the Kansas City metro experienced this past weekend.By Steve Kraske, Claudia Brancart, Josh Marvine

1
A fight brews over an ICE detention center in Kansas 14:41

4d ago14:41

14:41

A private prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, could reopen to hold detainees for federal immigration authorities. Plus: Farmers fear the trade war could cause another farm crisis. A private prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, that closed amid allegations of mismanagement could reopen to hold detainees for federal immigration authorities. As Zane Irwin of the…

1
Kansas City Police say they're 'close' to catching ATV driver who struck and injured officer 27:56

4d ago27:56

27:56

Kansas Citians are fed up with dangerous and reckless street racing and stunt driving, which led to the injury of one officer earlier this month. KCPD Police Chief Stacey Graves said the department has operations planned to curb it, and are working with elected officials to increase penalties for participants and spectators.…

1
Jackson County needs a budget 14:30

5d ago14:30

14:30

In a 5-4 vote last year, Jackson County legislators approved a budget that was later vetoed by County Executive Frank White. Now more than three months into 2025, Jackson County has yet to pass a spending plan. Hear why the gridlock has led to a lawsuit and why some county services aren't being funded. Steve Kraske spoke with government reporters J…

1
A lead January 6 investigator will be speaking in Kansas City this week 21:33

5d ago21:33

21:33

Timothy Heaphy was an investigator of the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol as well as the 2017 Charlottesville riot. He's the author of "Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal about Rising Threats to Democracy," and will visit Kansas City this week for an event at Rainy Day Books.…

1
Pulitzer Prize for music finalists bring resourceful sounds to Kansas City 14:50

6d ago14:50

14:50

The percussion quartet serves as faculty and ensemble-in-residence at the UMKC Conservatory. Playing on wine glasses and an empty bourbon bottle (in addition to a vibraphones and drums), Sandbox Percussion recently performed a dynamic Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.By Brian Ellison, Halle Jackson, Sam Wisman

1
How federal health funding cuts will hurt Kansas City 14:35

6d ago14:35

14:35

The Trump administration canceled more than $12 billion in public health grants last month. Local public health departments are worried about what that will mean for Kansas Citians. The cuts included millions of dollars for Kansas and Missouri, with effects that trickle down to virtually every local community. Here in the Kansas City area, impacts …

1
KC Soundcheck: Sandbox Percussion 14:50

6d ago14:50

14:50

The percussion quartet serves as faculty and ensemble-in-residence at the UMKC Conservatory. Playing on wine glasses and an empty bourbon bottle (in addition to a vibraphones and drums), Sandbox Percussion recently performed a dynamic Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.By Brian Ellison, Halle Jackson

1
Medicaid and tariffs worry rural Kansas residents. But they don't talk about it 21:46

8d ago21:46

21:46

Many people relying on Medicaid for health insurance are concerned about potential cuts by the federal government, but in rural Kansas, community members don't like to talk about it. A newspaper editor from Marion, Kansas, explains why that is.By Steve Kraske, Elizabeth Ruiz

1
The Van Gogh of the Plains 10:26

9d ago10:26

10:26

More than 100 years ago, Swedish-born artist Birger Sandzén helped shape the way Americans picture the Kansas landscape. Today, the largest collection of his paintings, prints, and drawings is in the small central Kansas town where he immigrated, lived and worked. Whether you know it or not, how you picture the hills and streams of Kansas, and the …

1
Kansas City health agencies brace for more funding cuts: ‘Our fear is about what’s coming next’ 19:36

9d ago19:36

19:36

Kansas City-area public health departments are scrambling to make up for lost funds since the Trump administration canceled over $12 billion in federal health grants last month. Local agencies have been forced to lay off staff and halt research projects.By Brian Ellison, Claudia Brancart

1
Why is the Missouri legislature trying to overturn voter-led laws on abortion and paid sick leave? 24:56

9d ago24:56

24:56

Missouri voters legalized abortion and instituted a paid sick leave policy through the voter-led initiative petition process last November. Just a few months later, state lawmakers are working to overturn both.By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson

1
Why an 'enrollment cliff' could be bad news for Missouri colleges 14:08

10d ago14:08

14:08

The number of students heading to college is projected to decline after this fall. The financial impact is putting some Missouri institutions at risk of significant cuts — or closure. Plus: Some kindergarten classes in Kansas are rediscovering what young children can learn through old-fashioned free play. The number of students heading to college t…

1
Will Missouri lawmakers pass a new abortion ban this year? Here's where the effort stands 21:05

11d ago21:05

21:05

Missouri's elected officials have been productive so far in 2025, a stark contrast to the deadlocked chambers of the last few years. But with about a month left in the session, a budget and new anti-abortion legislation are still on the to-do list.By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson

1
Forget something? Here’s how to improve your memory 32:56

11d ago32:56

32:56

Our memories are a big part of what makes us human. But why do some moments tend to stick in our brain for years, while others fade away? Neuroscientists Kausik Si and Elizabeth Kensinger explain the different types of memories and share tips for how we can remember better.By Kate The Chemist, Suzanne Hogan

1
An unconstitutional Missouri gun rights law returns 10:18

11d ago10:18

10:18

A bill moving through Missouri’s Legislature seeks to prohibit police statewide from enforcing federal gun laws — despite federal courts ruling an earlier version of the law was unconstitutional. How could this bill impact Missouri law enforcement and residents? Republicans in Missouri are pushing a bill dubbed the Second Amendment Preservation Act…

1
Missouri Rep. Cleaver encourages more Trump protests: 'The people are the leaders here' 31:22

12d ago31:22

31:22

Missouri residents have spoken up about how President Donald Trump's aggressive federal workforce cuts and tariffs have hurt the region. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II said there's little Democrats can do in Congress, but that protests remain a powerful tool for pushing back against the government.By Steve Kraske, Elizabeth Ruiz

1
How Kansas Republicans prevailed during governor's 'veto era' 11:29

12d ago11:29

11:29

The Kansas Legislature had a noticeably short session this year. With Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in what lawmakers dubbed her "veto era," how did Republicans override her decisions? Kansas lawmakers hustled through the spring legislative session. While Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly wasn't shy about using her veto pen, Republican supermajorities were…

1
Kansas City is on track for a record year of homicides linked to domestic violence 15:00

12d ago15:00

15:00

Kansas City has recorded 12 homicides linked to domestic violence so far this year — the same number reported in all of 2024. Domestic violence service agencies fear the problem could get worse if social services lose federal funding.By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson

1
Should Missouri and Kansas restrict junk food in SNAP? 13:00

13d ago13:00

13:00

Missouri and Kansas lawmakers are trying to eliminate junk food purchases from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. But food access advocates worry that restricting SNAP will make it harder for recipients. Harvest Public Media’s Anna Pope reports on the efforts across the nation — and in Congress, too — to narro…

1
KC Soundcheck: Fritz Hutchison 20:39

12d ago20:39

20:39

Fritz Hutchison, leader of the band Fritz and Sons, knows his way around the Kansas City music scene. The multi-instrumental singer-songwriter said his "hunger" for music led him to be versatile.By Steve Kraske, Elizabeth Ruiz

1
Former director of Institute of Museum and Library Services says it may not survive Trump's cuts 20:36

14d ago20:36

20:36

President Trump's cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services will impact hundreds of millions of dollars in grant-funded projects around the country. Crosby Kemper, a former director of the Kansas City Public Library who served as IMLS director for four years, worries the agency will be eliminated entirely.…

1
Food recs: The best fine dining in Kansas City 45:06

15d ago45:06

45:06

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to the best money can buy, the metro is brimming with top-tier restaurants that specialize in gourmet fare with impeccable service. Here’s your guide to the city’s most inviting and influential fine dining establishments.By Brian Ellison, Claudia Brancart

1
Manor Fest unites music lovers to support Kansas City artists: 'It gets everybody together' 18:34

16d ago18:34

18:34

What started as basement concerts in Shawnee, Kansas, has grown to an eight day musical fundraiser, and an opportunity to bring the community together to sample Kansas City's local music scene.By Steve Kraske, Elizabeth Ruiz

1
Father Kapaun, a Kansas saint in the making 10:40

16d ago10:40

10:40

Father Emil Kapaun served as an Army chaplain in the Korean war, and was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. In February, Pope Francis named him "venerable," bringing him one step closer to canonization as a saint. But interest in his life — and traffic to his hometown of Pilsen, Kansas — is already picking up. KMUW's Rose Conlon visited Pilsen to…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

KCUR Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide