KMUW | Wichita Public Radio

Why Cyber Criminals Are Interested In Attacking Vital Kansas Companies

Hackers pose a growing threat to nearly any network, including the power grid that lets you reliably turn on the lights. Experts say utilities offer an attractive target: operations with money to extort and that simply can’t afford a shutdown. Yet the two largest utility companies in Kansas, Evergy and Kansas Gas Service, declined interviews on their cyber defenses. Instead, they issued statements that they take threats seriously. They say they work with experts and maintain ongoing...

Doc Sunback Film Festival Returns With A Look At Wichita Filmmakers

The Show Will Go On: Crown Uptown Theatre Plans To Resume Operations This Weekend

Special Coverage: The COVID-19 Pandemic

Northwest Bypass Could Energize West Wichita, If It's Ever Built

By Tom Shine • 3 hours ago

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3:17

A massive highway project has the potential to transform much of west Wichita.

The Northwest Bypass would extend K-96 from near 45th and Maize Road to Kellogg, just east of Goddard.

The question is: Will it ever be built?

The Range | June 18, 2021

By KMUW News • 3 hours ago

People use Wichita Transit for all sorts of reasons: to get to work, go to the doctor, visit family. And many rely on the city’s buses for everyday needs, like getting groceries.

This week on The Range, we go en route with a woman to talk about the challenge of going grocery shopping with a walker or wheelchair, all while navigating mass transit.

Eisenhower Presidential Library Expands Hours And Capacity

By Katelynn McIlwain • 13 hours ago

Starting next week, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It used to be open Wednesday through Saturday during the same timeframe.

“We are moving forward,” said Dawn Hammatt, the library and museum’s director. “We have a plan in place, and we are really excited to be able to do this in a safe and healthy fashion.”

Self-Help Groups In Spanish Are Filling A Gap In Mental Health Assistance

By Christian Torres and Claudia Amaro/Wichita Journalism Collaborative • 17 hours ago

Julian Montes / Wichita Journalism Collaborative

Luz María De Loera, who defines health as stability and positive feelings such as happiness and self-fulfillment, has been working hard in recent years on improving her own mental health.

For many years De Loera did not realize that she was experiencing mental health problems. Living with anxiety and depression became a normal state in her life, she said. De Loera believes that she inherited some of those symptoms from her mother and other family members, which eventually caused her to isolate herself, especially when she moved to the United States with her husband and kids.

Kansas Republicans End Gov. Kelly’s COVID Powers, Putting Vaccine Clinics And Food Stamps In Limbo

By Stephen Koranda & Abigail Censky & Abigail Censky • Jun 15, 2021

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas lawmakers abruptly decided to end the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration Tuesday.

Republicans on the Legislative Coordinating Council canceled a meeting where they’d been set to consider Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s request for another extension.

That left the declaration to expire at midnight Tuesday more than 450 days after it was first issued, and further limited the governor’s waning powers to impose mask orders and take a range of other emergency actions.

Meet Our New Korva Coleman Diversity Intern, Katelynn McIlwain

By KMUW News • Jun 14, 2021

Katelynn McIlwain has joined the KMUW newsroom for the summer as our Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern.

Kansas Farmers Find The Only Thing Harder Than Growing Hemp Is Selling It

By Brian Grimmett • Jun 14, 2021

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4:33

PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.

Yet growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many farmers initially expected.

Wichita 'Dreamers' To Mark 9th Anniversary Of DACA

By Katelynn McIlwain • Jun 14, 2021

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1:03

For nine years, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA, has protected people illegally brought to the U.S. as children.

Sunflower Community Action, a nonprofit in Wichita that fights for racial and economic equity, is hosting a “DACA Cumple 9,” or “DACA Turns 9,” celebration on Tuesday. It will be nine years to the date that former President Barack Obama signed DACA into law in 2012.

Help For College, Rent And More Now Available For Former Foster Kids Into Their Mid-20s

By Celia Llopis-Jepsen & Celia Llopis-Jepsen • Jun 13, 2021

Stormy Lukasavage wanted to go to college. So he did his homework on what steps he needed to make it happen, from scholarships to tuition waivers.

“It’s always an extra step when you’re in foster care,” the 25-year-old recalled. “There’s so much more paperwork that you have to go through.”

Lukasavage spent part of his childhood in foster care, an experience that continued to shape his life as he entered college.

Road Trip: Your Guide To Summer Adventures Across Central Kansas

By Libby Hanssen • Jun 11, 2021

This story was first published in KCUR's Creative Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday.

While it may not be first in mind when you think of a road trip destination, the key to a good Kansas adventure is to get off the beaten track — and by track, we mean Interstate 70. The straight shot west makes the whole state seem like an endless track of asphalt and billboards, but that’s hardly the case.

Commentary & Podcasts

Your Move: Announcements From The 2021 E3 Expo

Every year, game companies announce what will be coming up for the next year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, popularly known as E3. This year, it’s an all-online event. E3 for this year ended yesterday, and there were a lot of announcements.

Movie Review: Romero's Recently Unearthed 'The Amusement Park'

It's The Wild West Out Here! | YSIW

KMUW Music

A Brand New Single From Diana Ross Sunday On Soulsations

By Carla Eckels • 16 hours ago

Sunday, June 20

We’ve got some great tunes ahead including a brand new single by legendary Supreme, Diana Ross. Also hear music from Jill Scott and Marvin Gaye, and we’ll step to the latest tune from Ronald Isley and Snoop Dogg. Chicago native Jonathan McReynolds talks about one of his favorite gospel songs he wrote called "Smile." Plus, this week’s DoubleTake features the jam “Workin’ Day and Night" by Michael Jackson with a cover by Lasperanza featuring Kayleigh O’Neill.

June Feature – Erroll Garner, Chick Corea & Tal Farlow + Nancy King & Tom Harrell

By Chris Heim • Jun 14, 2021

Monday, June 14

Night Train continues the June feature with a cover of an Erroll Garner classic, and music from Return to Forever and a Chick Corea special in hour two. There’s also new music from Hammond B3 player Doug Carn, Brazilian guitarist Phill Fest, and saxophonist Brent Jensen, and music from Darius Brubeck for his birthday with father Dave and siblings Chris, Dan and Matthew.

Tuesday, June 15

Today is the centennial birthday of June featured artist Erroll Garner and Night Train celebrates with music from him in hour one and a special including an interview with author Robin D.G. Kelley in hour two of the show. There’s also music from featured artists Tal Farlow and Chick Corea, birthday salutes to singer Nancy King and composer Edvard Grieg (by way of Duke Ellington), and new music from Roseanna Vitro, the Lunar Octet, and vibes player Behn Gillece.

Wednesday, June 16

Music from Brazilian singer and composer Ivan Lins (by way of George Benson), saxophonist Javon Jackson (with special guest Les McCann), singer Dominique Eade, and trumpeter Tom Harrell (featured in a special in hour two of the show), all born on this date. Plus a newly released live recording from Sarah Vaughan doing a classic from June featured artist Erroll Garner; music from another June featured artist, Chick Corea, with Return to Forever; and new releases from guitarists Doug MacDonald and Dan Wilson, and saxophonist Idit Shner.

Thursday, June 17

Night Train highlights piano trios– including June featured artist Erroll Garner, classic lineups headed up by Bill Evans, Nat King Cole, and Red Garland – and contemporary trios led by Alan Broadbent, Bruce Barth, Mike LeDonne, Mulgrew Miller, George Cable, Monty Alexander, and more.

Caribbean Heritage Month + Papa Wemba, Erroll Garner, Femi Kuti, Dobet Ghanore & Paul McCartney

By Chris Heim • Jun 14, 2021

Monday, June 14

Global Village remembers one of the great voices of African music, Papa Wemba, on his birthday. The show features music from Zaiko Langa Langa, a popular group he cofounded and where he first rose to stardom; his acclaimed Viva La Musica lineup; in appearances as a special guest with Manu Dibango and with the Big Blue Ball project from RealWorld; and in covers of his songs from Africando and Juan Luis Guerra.

Tuesday, June 15

Global Village celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month and popular pianist Erroll Garner’s centennial birthday with selections from the Latin side of Garner’s work. We’ll also hear some other sounds from the Latin soul jazz conguero Poncho Sanchez, Raul Gutierrez & His Cuban Big Band, reggae legend Bunny Wailer and, drawing lines from the Crescent City to Jamaica on his new album, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.

Wednesday, June 16

Global Village celebrates birthdays of Lamont Dozier (with a cover of one of his songs by South Africa’s Teaspoon & the Waves), Iain Matthews (with music from his latest album done with Norway’s Salmon Smokers), and Afrobeat star Femi Kuti (including music from his latest album). Plus music from Adonis Puentes (this month’s Global Village at the Savannah Music Festival artist), and new releases from New Orleans’ Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Emmy-winning Latin percussionist Emedin Rivera, and Brazil’s Joao Selva.

Thursday, June 17

Global Village celebrates the birthday of Ivory Coast’s Dobet Gnahore with music from across her career, including her new release, Couleur. We also continue the Caribbean Heritage Month feature with zouk pioneers Kassav and Haiti’s Coupe Cloue, and we’ll hear the latest from Etienne de la Sayette, Wu Man with Wu Wei, and the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc.

Friday, June 18

It’s a Beatle Birthday Party this time in the Global Village as we mark the birthday of Paul McCartney with a wide array of world music covers of his songs. We’ll hear selections from the Skatalites, the Easy Star All-Stars, Willy Chirino, Al DiMeola, Beatlejazz and more.

Howlin' Wolf

By Chris Heim • Jun 14, 2021

Friday, June 18, and Sunday, June 20

Throughout June, Crossroads is celebrating the 111th birthday of Chicago blues legend Howlin’ Wolf. We’ll hear some of his classic tracks along with covers of his songs from a Wolf tribute album and by the Rolling Stones guitarist Hubert Sumlin who was in Wolf’s band. Then a special in hour two will focus on his early recordings. Plus the latest from the Kerry Kearney Band, Peter Parcek, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Misty Blues, Joanna Connor, and Alligator Record’s 50th anniversary compilation.

Celebrating Paul McCartney And Peter Green

By Jedd Beaudoin • Jun 14, 2021

Monday, June 14

Listen for music from Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble, including a selection from the latest release, Now, featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Angel Bat Dawid. Plus music from guitarist Jeff Parker’s Suite For Max Brown.

Tuesday, June 15

Vicious Kid is the latest release from Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Kiss The Tiger. The new release covers a range of influences, including Americana and rock. We’ll hear music from that as well as selections from Among Horses V, a collaborative release from Arizona’s Karima Walker and Nashville’s Katy Kirby.

Wednesday, June 16

Listen for selections from Ignorance, the latest by Canada’s The Weather Station, plus music from Julien Baker’s acclaimed 2021 release, Little Oblivions.

Thursday, June 17

We’ll hear music from Waking The Dreaming Body, the new release from experimental artist Karima Walker as well as music from Arooj Aftab’s highly acclaimed 2021 album, Vulture Prince.

Friday, June 18

We mark the birthday of Paul McCartney with songs from his work as a Beatle, with Wings, and as a solo artist. We’ll also hear versions of some of his songs from Fats Domino, George Benson, The Meters and more.

Saturday, June 19

In early 2020, Mick Fleetwood gathered a number of musicians in London for a tribute concert to former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. Green, a key figure in the British blues explosion of the late ‘60s, named the band after its rhythm section of Fleetwood and John McVie, asserting that he would eventually leave the band but that the group would still have a recognizable name. The 2020 tribute concert featured appearances from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Kirk Hammett of Metallica and others. We’ll hear selections from the newly-released concert as well as music from Pink Floyd’s new Live at Knebworth, 1990 release, which finds the David Gilmour-led version of the band revisiting a number of songs from the band’s 1970s output.