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Commentaries

Visiting the Graves of Two Kansas City Icons

Rex Buchanan – Tuesday, May 18th, 2021

Efforts are underway in Kansas City to restore the house of legendary Negro League and Major League Baseball pitcher Satchel Paige. City officials hope to find a contractor to redevelop the home and have issued a request for proposals. Commentator Rex Buchanan recently paid a visit to final resting place of Satchel Paige and, to the resting place of another Kansas City icon, Charlie "Bird" Parker.

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A Bike Ride to Beat the Pandemic Blues

Rex Buchanan – Friday, April 30th, 2021

Early on during the pandemic, people were told to hunker down indoors and limit any unnecessary travel. But, as restrictions eased, people sought more opportunities to get outside, including Commentator Rex Buchanan. His way of curing "cabin fever" was taking a solo bike ride down a remote and beautiful trail in eastern Kansas. Travel along as we head down the Flint Hills Nature Trail.

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Section of the Flint Hills in Chase County, Kansas (Photo by J. Schafer)

Book Review: Jim Hoy's My Flint Hills

Rex Buchanan – Thursday, March 4th, 2021

On average, more than 2 million acres of rangeland are burned each year in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma. But there's a lot more to the Flint Hills than just torching and scorching the earth. Commentator Rex Buchanan has this review of Jim Hoy's new book, My Flint Hills, published by University Press of Kansas.

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Wintertime at the Max Kade Center, adjacent to Kansas Public Radio, at the University of Kansas. (Photo by J. Schafer)

In Defense of February; An Ode to Winter

J. Schafer – Friday, February 26th, 2021

By late February, many Kansans have grown tired of winter, the bitter cold and all that comes with it. Of course, not everyone agrees with that sentiment. KPR News Director J. Schafer is one of them.

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Scholars Hope to Save University Press of Kansas

Tai Edwards – Friday, February 26th, 2021

Higher education officials will soon decide the fate of University Press of Kansas. Public universities in the state have been hit hard by the pandemic, forcing them to make numerous budget cuts, which could include the academic publisher. Others are hoping to save University Press of Kansas, including Guest Commentator Tai Edwards.

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Overworked and Exhausted; An Open Letter from a Frontline Healthcare Worker at LMH

Shannon Fletcher – Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

The pandemic is taking a heavy toll on healthcare workers, especially those who work long hours caring for COVID-19 patients. As Kansas hospitals become overwhelmed with an influx of coronavirus patients, one respiratory therapist in Lawrence pleads for the public's help.

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Northern Harrier (Photo from The Cornell Lab: www.allaboutbirds.org)

Northern Harriers in Western Kansas Seen as Symbol of Hope

Rex Buchanan – Thursday, February 6th, 2020

The North American bird population has been declining for years, perhaps by as much as 30% since the 1970s. But even in the depths of a Kansas winter, there may be signs of hope. Commentator Rex Buchanan saw one such sign during a recent trip out west.

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Sign at the entrance to an exhibit at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. (Photo by J. Schafer)

Reflections on Two Kansas-Related Books, Written by Actual Kansans

Rex Buchanan – Monday, December 30th, 2019

Some of the most iconic depictions of Kansas have been created by NON-Kansans. Think the "Wizard of Oz" or... "In Cold Blood." That's why it's refreshing to read about the state as seen through the eyes of actual residents. Commentator Rex Buchanan tells us about two Kansas-related books he read this year, written by fellow Kansans.

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Sign at southern entrance to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge near Stafford, in central Kansas. (Photo by J. Schafer)

"Battle of Quivira" Pits Irrigators Against Wildlife

Rex Buchanan – Wednesday, November 20th, 2019

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide and protect a vital habitat for migratory waterfowl. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has expressed concern for decades that the refuge has not been getting the water to which it is legally entitled. In 2016, state water authorities agreed. As officials search for a solution, Commentator Rex Buchanan encourages anyone interested in wildlife, particularly birds, to visit Quivira and experience the majesty of Mother Nature.

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Vietnam War memorial at the University of Kansas. (Photo by J. Schafer)

How Should We Honor Someone's Military Service?

Tai Edwards – Friday, November 15th, 2019

On Monday, the nation observed Veterans Day. Parades and ceremonies were held all across the country to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Relatively few Americans have served in uniform. But most Americans say they appreciate the service of those who have. That raises a question: what's the best way to honor and thank our veterans? Guest Commentator Tai Edwards has a suggestion.

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Upcoming Events

  • Fri, July 9th - 7:00pm
    Virtual Cinema a Go-Go!
    Virtual Cinema a Go-Go!

    Get more info about this event »


    Talent scout hears hipster terrorist gang leader singing along with jukebox and offers him a shot at stardom but the would-be star's pals aren't happy with his shot at fame and get him mixed up in murder! That's on KPR's next Virtual Cinema a Go Go, when we'll be screening The Beatniks (1960), a totally flipsville beatnik teen tale directed by Paul Frees (the voice of Boris Badenov on TV's Rocky and Bullwinkle).

     

     

    Unfortunately, despite the title there are NO actual beatniks in the title.  The movie's original title was Sideburns and Sympathy but apparently someone was under the impression that "beatnik" means something along the lines of "delinquent" or "hoodlum". 

    Eddie Crane (Tony Travis) and his gang of punks are perfectly happy, robbing mom-and-pop stores and boozing it up. Then one day a leathery talent agent overhears Eddie singing along with the jukebox and decides he just might be the next Fabian(!). As Eddie is whisked away to the bright lights, TV shows and romance, his delinquent pals are jealous, especially Mooney (Peter Breck) who goes absolutely nuts in one of the great examples of overacting in cinema history.  Mooney's not about to let Eddie leave him behind, so he murders a bartender and frames Eddie for the crime.  Good times.

    Also on the show, a great short film from Lawrence's own Centron Studios - What About Juvenile Delinquency? (1955), shot right here in Lawrence, KS!  It's all about what happens when a troubled teen drops out of a gang after they mug his father for his pencil. That must be some pencil.

    Virtual Cinema a Go Go is free!  All you need to do is provide your name and email address in this web form, and you'll receive the exclusive log-in information for the event. 
     

     

     

    Fri, July 9th - 7:00pm
  • Thu, July 29th - 6:30pm
    KPR Presents Book Club: Sitting Pretty
    KPR Presents Book Club: Sitting Pretty

    Get more info about this event »

    Ready to jump into the next book in the KPR Presents Book Club series? Join us in reading Sitting Pretty: The View from my Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig. Disability affects all of us, directly or indirectly, at one point or another. By exploring this truth in poignant and lyrical essays, Taussig illustrates the need for more stories and more voices to understand the diversity of humanity. Sitting Pretty challenges us as a society to be patient and vigilant, practical and imaginative, kind and relentless, as we set to work to write an entirely different story. 

    You can register for the event HERE. The event will take place on July 29, via Zoom and will feature a discussion with Taussig and our very own Kaye McIntyre. When you sign up, you should receive an email with the Zoom link for the event. If you don't see the email in your inbox, check your spam folder, or email Christy Imel at christyimel@ku.edu.

    You can buy the book online at Raven Book Store or check it out at your local public library.

    Join the discussion ahead of time by joining the KPR Presents Book Club Facebook page. Meet fellow readers and enjoy discussing new novels together.

    This event requires access to a Zoom account. You can download Zoom here. In order to view the meeting properly, make sure to download the latest version of Zoom even if you already have Zoom. Once you are in the meeting, you will need to make sure you have selected Speaker View in order to see just the speakers during the event. When you get to the Zoom download page, you will select "Zoom client for meetings." Once you have that downloaded, open the app and create your Zoom account - that way you'll be ready to go for the event on July 29!

    Thu, July 29th - 6:30pm
  • Sat, June 19th - 11:00am
    Cornhole Tournament - Social & Competitive | Doubles | Cash Payout
    Cornhole Tournament - Social & Competitive | Doubles | Cash Payout

    Get more info about this event »

    Description: OUTDOORS?!? Grab your partner and your bags and join us for our June tournament at Parlor KC in the Crossroads outdoors in the Sunshine! How It Works:- Find your teammate- Choose your division:   >> Recreational/Social   >> Competitive- Sign up - $50 per team ($25 per person)- Boards at 27 feet- Each team is guaranteed 3 games in pool play.- All teams will make the tournament, double elimination. !!! Registration ends Friday, June 18th at 12PM. Cash Payout to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Finishers in each division! Submitted by: Katy Wade KC Crew

    Sat, June 19th - 11:00am
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