FALL 2018 THE MEMBER NEWSLETTER OF KCUR 89.3

COUNTDOWN TO THE MIDTERMS MEET THE TEAM DEDICATED TO KEEPING YOUR TRUST THIS ELECTION SEASON ON THE How we’re working COVER Meet the team to earn the trust delivering election coverage you can you’ve placed in us trust as we enter the midterms (left to right): Madeline Fox, t KCUR we are committed Amy Jeff ries, Lisa to fact-based journalism and Agreat storytelling. To better Rodriguez, Brian serve members like you, we’ve Ellison, Samuel King, been working hard to expand Sam Zeff and Maria our audience on regional issues Carter. Photo by and connect with listeners on Brandon Parigo. both sides of the aisle and both sides of the state line. We are See story ...... 6-7 always looking for partners that allow us to incorporate a broad perspective and delve deeper into the most signifi cant issues of WHAT’S our time. This summer, we added Samuel INSIDE King, a reporter dedicated solely We’re incredibly proud of our growth and partnerships, but StoryCorps makes to Missouri politics, to our team. most of all, we’re proud of the another trip to He’ll be working closely with partner stations in St. Louis relationship we have with you. Kansas City to hear and Columbia as we cover the As trust in media continues to tales of life, love and mid-term elections together. In erode across the country, we being a baby ...... 2-3 addition, we are continuing to are constantly hearing how grow the Kansas News Service’s much you value our fact-based Achieving justice ability to cover the state with journalism. MY FELLOW KANSANS through story ...... 4 partners in Lawrence, Wichita and Garden City. No matter what we accomplish, New podcast examines state’s it doesn’t mean anything if Rethinking guns Our reach is not only regional; you don’t trust our reporting. political past, present and future in America ...... 5 we are also one of 10 NPR Our success is built on our stations collaborating in a relationship with you — as a My Fellow Kansans, a new podcast from the RadioActive nationwide reporting project on listener and a supporter. Thank you for listening, for reading, for Kansas News Service, is a far cry from your 2018 celebrates “Guns & America.” the power of giving us feedback, for sharing everyday election coverage. Host Jim McLean storytelling ...... 8 And in August, we hosted and supporting our work. examines the history of Kansas politics, the StoryCorps for the fourth time Summer of Mercy and its impact on Kansas, in Kansas City and recorded the We look forward to being your and the likelihood of another course-changing stories of 150 Kansas Citians. continued source for trusted reporting and insight. election for governor of Kansas. These partnership, our sustaining members and the success of My Fellow Kansans is available wherever you fundraising initiatives such as get your podcasts, including NPR One, Apple RadioActive — which drew more Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast and Stitcher. than 900 guests this year — allow us to continue to grow our For more information, visit kcur.org/my-fellow- award-winning coverage. kansans. Nico Leone KCUR General Manager (Left to right) Amy Jeffries, Jim McLean, Grace Lotz, Matthew Long-Middleton. Photo by Brandon Parigo

1 In summer 2018, StoryCorps visited Kansas City “It’s incredibly humbling,” says Long-Middleton. to collect and share stories of everyday people. “People share some very vulnerable parts of themselves, and it’s my responsibility to honor This is the fourth time StoryCorps has collected that gift and the spirt of what they say, all while interviews in Kansas City. Thanks to members crafting a very focused story. I feel like I’ve been like you, KCUR is able to partner with given a very rare and intimate glimpse into StoryCorps to bring some of those stories to the Kansas City.” air. StoryCorps’ booth provides participants the A TRAILER FILLED WITH You may have seen the iconic StoryCorps structure and space to ask questions that get at modifi ed Airstream trailer parked in front of The the heart of our experience: What are you most Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in August and proud of? What do you regret? How did this early September. People from across Kansas event effect you? And sometimes the questions City and the entire region made the trip into the are beautifully curious, like a 10-year-old trailer to share conversations about our shared asking, “What was I like as a baby?” human experiences. In late August, more than 300 people came Each Monday during Morning Edition, KCUR together to listen to some of the powerful stories broadcasts some of the most compelling of collected in Kansas City, refl ect on their impact these interviews, including the story of a boy and get a behind-the-scenes look at how it all — now a man — who ended up in a juvenile came together. It was a celebration of the power correctional facility after a childhood prank, of story. and a woman yearning to learn more about her STORIESStoryCorps makes another trip to Kansas City to hear mother two years after her death. We’ll be airing more stories through the fall, tales of life, love and being a baby so keep tuning in to Morning Edition every KCUR’s Sylvia Maria Gross and Matthew Monday from 5–10 a.m. Long-Middleton sifted through more than 120 40-minute interviews and compressed a select few down to three and a half minutes.

To revisit some of the stories told in the StoryCorps trailer, visit kcur.org/storycorps.

2 3 Achieving justice through story Your support helped fund an investigative piece that told the truth and restored the reputation of Ryan Stokes

hat’s in a name? For the “Some of my heartache was family of Ryan Stokes, it’s lifted by KCUR 89.3/Peggy Whis once tarnished legacy. Lowe,” Narene wrote on Facebook the day the “KCUR When the 24-year-old was shot Investigates” piece was aired. and killed by police in July 2013, KCUR’s Steve Kraske hosts a panel discussion at the event “Up in Arms: Kids & Guns” at Unity Temple. some painted him as an armed A seven-minute piece aired on thief refusing to surrender to July 25, just days before the fi fth police. anniversary of Ryan’s death, accompanied by a 5,000-word But using police documents, multimedia story on KCUR’s court records and interviews, website. KCUR Investigative Reporter Reporting (and rethinking) Peggy Lowe revealed that Stokes Thanks to your support, this story was not armed. In fact, he was is just one of the deep dives guns in America obeying an offi cer’s order when KCUR is committed to as part of another cop shot him twice in a larger investigative reporting the back. collaboration with APM Reports. To read Lowe’s full story, visit Narene Stokes is comforted by a friend after Among the outpouring of kcur.org/stokes. ere’s a simple yes or no cultural signifi cance of hunting “I spent four years holding guns a Board of Police Commissioners meeting in comments the piece received question for you: Do you and sport shooting, the role guns for this country, and now I’d like July. Stokes’ son, Ryan, 24, was killed fi ve own a gun? play in suicide, homicide, mass to spend two more examining was one from Stokes’ mom, years ago by a Kansas City Police offi cer. H Narene. shootings and beyond. why we can’t seem to put them Now, the complex follow-up: down,” Haxel says. What’s your gut reaction to KCUR started its exploration someone who answers that with American Public Square Haxel comes to us from the Car donations keep us moving! question differently from you? at a remarkable event Sept. 6 Lansing State Journal, where at Unity Temple on the Plaza. he covered breaking news and Did you know KCUR accepts vehicle donations? Gun ownership, gun rights, gun “Up in Arms: Kids & Guns” the courts. He’s been a stringer Thanks to you, we’ve raised more than $160,000 use. For many Americans, these brought together panelists from for The Washington Post and for the station in the last fi scal year. are critical points of unity and both sides of the gun debate to a reporter for The Manhattan division. explore the causes of gun-related Mercury in Manhattan, Kansas. Here’s what listener Lestlie Berryhill had to say deaths among children and While in the Army, he spent about donating her 2000 Ford Focus in July: They’re also the starting point teens. The program, moderated four years in Special Operations for KCUR’s involvement in an by Steve Kraske, was broadcast where he learned to speak We decided to get rid of my 18-year-old Ford, important national reporting on Up To Date and is available Russian and was deployed to and wanted to donate it to a cause that we collaborative. Because of your on kcur.org Mali and Nigeria. support. We’re a family of public radio listeners, support, we’re proud to be one so this was the perfect opportunity. The donation of 10 public media newsrooms We also hired a new reporter, We’re confi dent Haxel and the process through Car Talk Vehicle Donation investigating the role of guns in Chris Haxel, to work with the team behind him will bring you Services was really simple! It took maybe two American life. other reporters in the national stories and conversations you weeks from the time I fi lled out the online form collaboration over the next two won’t forget. And, perhaps, Over the course of two years, to the time the driver picked up my car. I hope to years. change your gut reactions. the 10 stations, representing a have the opportunity to do it again! diverse range of communities Haxel, an Army veteran, knows Lestlie Berryhill with her family — Archer Kinney, Matt Kinney and all over the country, will report guns. And he’s a storyteller at Hunter Kinney — on the day they adopted their dog, Max. To donate a car to KCUR, visit kcur.org/cars. on how guns impact us. We will heart. report on topics such as the

4 5 and government. That’s Samuel King, part of our Our election coverage continues on the evening growing commitment to providing you smart, of Nov. 6, as our election team gathers for a in-depth coverage. In the coming months, he’ll traditional election-night meal (aka pizza), report on the congressional and state legislative before fanning out to area watch parties to races, as well as ballot questions the state is bring you reactions from candidates and putting to voters this November, including organizations as the results roll in. medical marijuana, ethics changes and a gas tax increase. Reporting on the ground helps us accurately capture the atmosphere in the room and discuss We also spent a week in September asking the outcomes with the people who have a stake Missouri voters what they want and expect in them. Meanwhile, KCUR editors will track out of the people they put into offi ce. This the results carefully so we bring you the most shared reporting effort among KCUR 89.3, St. up-to-date numbers without misleading you on Louis Public Radio, Ozarks Public Radio in who’s ahead. Springfi eld and KBIA in Columbia went beyond the usual “he said, she said” political coverage And, knowing the news doesn’t sleep when we to give a nuanced look at the state and its do, we’ll begin to discuss what threads to follow residents. To read or listen to that coverage, visit in the coming months as the policies take effect kcur.org/beyondballot. and people take offi ce.

Election day is our big day Follow all our political coverage at kcur.org COUNTDOWN and on 89.3 FM. Leading up to the midterm election — TO THE MIDTERMS especially in those crucial last days — our reporters will give you the information you need to make informed decisions at the polls.

We’ve got you covered on all things political in Kansas and Missouri

olitical news is everywhere, especially in the talking points and presses them on voters’ the months before an election. The national concerns. Before the primaries, he interviewed P headlines feature a range of important both Democratic and Republican candidates topics, from unemployment to Supreme Court for governor and Congress in Kansas, and U.S. nominations to President Trump’s latest tweet. Senate in Missouri. As election day nears, Up To Date will continue to feature conversations with But those headlines don’t tell you what matters candidates as well as examine top ballot issues. most to Kansas and Missouri voters. Who are the candidates running for state and local offi ce, Meanwhile, the Kansas News Service draws and what do they believe? on its reporters in Topeka and throughout the state to paint a picture of the state races as no That’s where KCUR comes in. We focus on other news organization can. These reporters issues that affect Kansas City and the region. track not only the daily stories in a slew of We know you trust us to tell you the truth statewide races, including the three-way race and provide fact-based journalism in our for Kansas governor. In the new podcast My programming. Fellow Kansans, Jim McLean explores not only the current race, but also how Kansas has taken The many faces of KCUR election reporting a turn to the right over the past few decades.

On Up To Date, Steve Kraske sits down one- You also may have noticed a new voice on the on-one with the candidates. He gets beyond air bringing you the latest on Missouri politics

Photo by Brandon Parigo

6 7 Planned Giving The idea of planned giving might sound scary or complicated. But it isn’t!

Planned giving is about fi nding smart ways to make signifi cant contributions to the people and causes you care about. And anyone can make a planned gift , regardless of age, income level or assets.

If you place a high value on KCUR’s outstanding news and programs, you can sustain the station well into the future with your planned gift . You might include KCUR as a benefi ciary of your IRA or 401K Celebrating the plan. Or KCUR could be just one of the benefi ciaries of your life insurance policy. power of storytelling All these are simple ways to leave a legacy. Third-annual gala sets new records in fundraising For more information about smart ways and attendance and supports the next generation to leave your legacy, visit kcur.org/ of storytellers planned-giving.

ith a three-fold goal of each person’s story and how bringing our listeners important the storytelling form Anniversary W and members together, is in reporting news each day. elevating the civic role of KCUR Challenge Fund within the community, and In line with that theme is our raising funding for our efforts, commitment to training and Report this year’s RadioActive benefi t mentoring future storytelling event did not disappoint. journalists. At RadioActive, General Manager Nico Leone In celebration of KCUR’s 60th anniversary in Led by co-chairs Scott Smith announced the station’s decision 2017, an anonymous donor gave $30,000 in and Russ Welsh, the RadioActive to begin paying KCUR interns. matching funds to help the station attract committee planned and The station’s Anniversary new and increased gift s. By December, executed another successful Challenge Fund provided the gift was matched with $34,000 from dinner with 900 in attendance $15,000 in matching funds members of KCUR’s Leadership Circle, a and, thanks to sponsors and toward the paid internship group of major donors to KCUR. table hosts, raised $225,000. program. RadioActive guests more than responded to the KCUR wondered if the combined $64,000 RadioActive 2018 focused on challenge by giving nearly could then be matched by our members. the power of storytelling and the $50,000. This program will So, the Anniversary Challenge Fund was incredible stories our members strengthen both the quality created with a goal of raising $60,000 in new and increased gift s. and listeners have to tell. and diversity of our internship

program. The featured speaker was Members and listeners were challenged to give through various appeals during the StoryCorps founder and CEO Mark your calendars now for the winter and spring membership drives and Dave Isay, who announced that next RadioActive on Friday, June at RadioActive. The response was terrifi c, StoryCorps would be visiting 14, 2019. resulting in an additional $96,000. Kansas City later that summer.

Isay illustrated the value of KCUR is grateful to this anonymous donor whose single gift helped the station raise more than $130,000 in celebration of Photo: Brandon Parigo KCUR’s 60th anniversary.

8 9 WHY I’M A KCUR MEMBER KCUR COMMUNITY KEY Connection, warmth keep sustaining member engaged with KCUR ADVISORY BOARD CONTACTS MEMBERS

my husband and I have from annual to sustaining Nico Leone moved to a new city, one of membership. We wanted General Manager the fi rst things we do is fi nd KCUR to have the ability [email protected] the public radio station and to do more for the listeners become members. knowing they could count Danny Baker on a designated amount of Director of Development We moved to Kansas City money each month from [email protected] in 2006 and immediately us. I encourage friends Maria Carter fell in love with KCUR. The to consider a sustaining Sarah Baum Angela Bennett Mary Bloch Marilyn Carbonell News Director feeling of being connected membership and tell them [email protected] to the community and it was so easy to set up. world is strong due to the Thank you KCUR for all David M. Fulk Members like you are programming offered by you do for the Kansas City Director of Philanthropic the foundation of KCUR. KCUR, but also the staff listening audience and Giving [email protected] Your support helps us tell who bring it all together community! and have such warm and stories that matter from our Ron Jones caring personalities over the Thanks to you, Dolora, and Jane Gard Dale Jarka Pat Macdonald Madeleine McDonough community to an audience Director of Community that wants to be engaged airwaves. One never feels all our members! You make Engagement with the world around alone listening to KCUR KCUR strong. [email protected] them. and it does enrich our lives with pertinent, factual, To become a sustaining Deloris Phelps Recently, we asked Dolora and stimulating news and member, visit kcur.org/ Director of Membership Rose-Herrera why she is a topics. sustainer. [email protected] KCUR member. Sam Meers Regina Nouhan Steve Paul Steve Roling I don’t want to ever have to Jeanne Rooney Manager of Business I have been a fan of public imagine not having KCUR Operations radio and public television in our community. That is [email protected] for over 30 years. Each time why this year we changed Stephen Steigman Chief of Broadcast Operations Jeff rey Simon David Smith David Warm Nico Leone , ex-officio [email protected]

Bringing the Funky Butt back Donna Vestal Director of Content Strategy Get into the holiday spirit with KCUR’s music extravaganza [email protected]

The holidays bring to mind drew its inspiration from New To send general comments, traditions: family gatherings, Orleans brass bands. Since e-mail [email protected] or call 816-235-1551. presents, turkey and the old then, they have spiced their Rhonda Hale Warren, Sarah Morris, Charlie Upchurch, NPR favorite, Mama Stanberg’s musical gumbo with fl avors of ex-officio ex-officio ex-officio Cranberry Relish. classic soul, funk and R&B. Their December show features their A few years back, the Fish Fry unique take on holiday classics, and KCUR launched a new as well as R&B standards like holiday tradition — the Funky Butt Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’. extravaganza at Knucklehead’s Newsletter design by UMKC Strategic Marketing Saloon. Stop by and celebrate this and Communications. holiday tradition with other Fish Based at the Broadway Oyster Bar Fry fans at Knuckleheads on in St. Louis, the Funky Butt Brass Band originally Sunday, Dec. 9.

10 11 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

WEEKDAY

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

12 a.m. BBC World Service BBC World Service BBC World Service BBC World Service BBC World Service 5 a.m. Morning Edition Morning Edition Morning Edition Morning Edition Morning Edition

10 a.m. Central Standard Central Standard Central Standard Central Standard Central Standard 11 a.m. Up to Date Up to Date Up to Date Up to Date Up to Date Noon Here & Now Here & Now Here & Now Here & Now Here & Now

1 p.m. Here & Now Here & Now Here & Now Here & Now Science Friday 2 p.m. BBC Newshour BBC Newshour BBC Newshour BBC Newshour Science Friday 3 p.m. All Things Considered All Things Considered All Things Considered All Things Considered All Things Considered 6:30 p.m. Marketplace Marketplace Marketplace Marketplace Marketplace

7 p.m. Fresh Air Fresh Air Fresh Air Fresh Air Fresh Air

8 p.m. TED Radio Hour This American Life The Moth Radio Hour Snap Judgment Fish Fry 9 p.m. Classical 24 Classical 24 Classical 24 Kansas City Symphony Fish Fry 10 p.m. Classical 24 Classical 24 Classical 24 Classical 24 Fish Fry

WEEKEND

SATURDAY SUNDAY

12 a.m. BBC World Service 12 a.m. 12th Street Jump 6 a.m. Only a Game 1 a.m. BBC World Service 7 a.m. Weekend Edition Saturday 6:30 a.m. New Letters on the Air 10 a.m. Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! 7 a.m. Weekend Edition Sunday WELCOME SAMUEL KING 11 a.m. Ask Me Another 10 a.m. This American Life TO KCUR! Noon Snap Judgment 11 a.m. Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! (encore) Noon The Moth Radio Hour 1 p.m. Planet Money / How I Built This Samuel King joined KCUR in August in a 2 p.m. Freakonomics Radio 1 p.m. TED Radio Hour new position as the Missouri politics and 3 p.m. Radiolab 2 p.m. The Splendid Table government reporter. During his 14-year 4 p.m. All Things Considered 3 p.m. Fresh Air Weekend career, he’s covered politics and other topics 5 p.m. Live from Here 4 p.m. All Things Considered for television stations throughout the country. 7 p.m. Beale Street Caravan 5 p.m. Reveal He is a graduate of Northwestern University 8 p.m. Fish Fry 6 p.m. On the Media in Evanston, Ill., with a double major in Photo by Brandon Parigo 7 p.m. Studio 360 journalism and political science. 8 p.m. Night Tides

12 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Kansas City, MO Permit #6113 KCUR 89.3 5100 Rockhill Road Kansas City, MO 64110-2499 UMKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.