The language of lullabies: KU professor develops music therapy for preemies

By | October 10, 2014

(Video by Todd Feeback/The Hale Center for Journalism) If the idea of music therapy brings to mind 1960s-era folk singers warbling to bemused patients, you haven’t seen Deanna Hanson-Abromeit at work. At Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, Missouri, the University of Kansas assistant professor sings a good morning song to Daren, a curious, if slightly…

Plans for ‘Healthy Campus’ in KCK move forward

By | October 9, 2014

Updated 9:09 a.m. Oct. 10 Kansas City, Kan., Mayor Mark Holland on Thursday unveiled an initiative to ensure that all residents can use a proposed new community center regardless of their financial circumstances. Holland announced the initiative as part of a community forum for a “healthy campus” proposed for an urban site just west of…

Paving the launch pad for female astronauts: KC woman shares her experience in the Mercury 13

By | October 9, 2014

When Sarah Ratley received the invitation to be part of a secret project testing women as potential astronauts in 1961, she was at the beauty parlor. While working as an engineer for AT&T, Ratley had gone to get her hair done over the lunch hour. “They traced me down to the beauty salon,” said Ratley,…

Ikea and sustainability

By | October 9, 2014

When Ikea opened its 40th U.S. store in Merriam, Kansas, last month, it also opened the largest geothermal project in three states: Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The home furnishings megastore is known for its inexpensive flat-packed furniture that has to be assembled at home. The company also frequently promotes sustainability as a “cornerstone of its…

McCaskill visits Avila U to discuss campus sexual assault bill

By | October 9, 2014

Sen. Claire McCaskill visited Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, Wednesday afternoon to speak with law enforcement and students and representatives of area colleges and universities about sexual violence on campus. This stop, which was the tenth in a series across the state of Missouri, also included representation from Metropolitan Community College, Penn Valley Community…

Is KC an easy or difficult place to live for people with disabilities?

By | October 8, 2014

Share your insights and experiences with KCPT and KCUR.

Kansas City-area hospitals are being fined for ‘excessive’ readmission rates

By | October 7, 2014

Twenty hospitals in the Kansas City area will be penalized by Medicare starting Oct. 1 for excessive readmissions, although eight of them will be hit with lower fines than in Medicare’s previous round of penalties.

Excitement sweeps Kansas City

By | October 6, 2014

As the Royals advance to ALCS, see how fans are sharing their excitement via social media.

Kansas City Week in Review: October 3, 2014

By | October 3, 2014

The clouds surrounding the U.S. Senate race finally cleared as a three-judge panel meeting in Topeka ruled that Democrats do not have to nominate a replacement candidate for Chad Taylor, who abruptly removed himself from the race last month. Hours later, a possible appeal was dropped and the state ordered local officials to print ballots and…

Kansas City is flowing blue

By | October 3, 2014

Six of Kansas City, Missouri’s, fountains, as well as several privately-owned fountains and fountains owned by surrounding cities are dyed bright blue to celebrate the Royals making it to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years.