Space's book club: What the astronauts are reading

By | September 8, 2015 |
Astronaut Drew Feustel, from left, actor Matt Damon, director Ridley Scott, author Andy Weir, and Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters Jim Green, participate in a question and answer session about NASA’s journey to Mars and the film "The Martian." The movie, based on the book by Andy Weir, gives a realistic view of the climate and topography of Mars and has been read in space. (Photo: Bill Ingalls | NASA via AP)

The book “The Martian” is earning high praise from space, and the astronaut-reviewer can’t wait to see the soon-to-be-released movie. NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren (Chell LEND-grin) said Tuesday from the International Space Station that both he and crewmate Scott Kelly have read the novel. Lindgren told reporters he really enjoyed the book and hopes to…

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Take 5 for your health

By | September 8, 2015 |
Six Kansas cities have added e-cigarettes to their local smoking bans. (BIGSTOCK)

Health Advocates Will Push To Add E-Cigarettes To Kansas Smoking Ban Kansas’ ban on smoking tobacco products in most public places has been in place since 2010. In those five years, the smoke-free atmosphere of bars, restaurants and other indoor spots has become the norm. Erica Anderson, a health promotion specialist for the Lawrence-Douglas County…

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My Farm Roots: Looking to the future

By | September 6, 2015 |
After growing up on a farm, researcher Jeff Siegfried wants to use technology to make agriculture more efficient. (Photo: Luke Runyon | Harvest Public Media)

Jeff Siegfried knows just about anything you’d ever want to find out about a 50-acre corn field in northern Colorado. The 24-year-old easily rattles off the various gadgets he uses to measure soil moisture, plant health, air temperature. Standing underneath one of his research station’s at a Colorado State University experimental farm, Siegfried is decked…

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It's TIF in a GIF

By | September 6, 2015 |
Illustration of upside down people with coins

Here’s a quick summary of TIF — Tax Increment Financing — what it is, how it works, and its impact on the Kansas City metro. Flatland’s Mike McGraw and The Pitch‘s Steve Vockrodt examine the project in recent reports and join KCPT’s Nick Haines on this week’s edition of Kansas City Week in Review.

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Rockers record 'Love Song' for the third rock from the sun

By | September 5, 2015 |
In this file photo, Jon Bon Jovi attends the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in New York. Bon Jovi has joined forces with Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Fergie and others to record "“Love Song to the Earth," about climate change. (Photo: AP, File)

Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow and Fergie have joined forces to record a song about climate change. Sean Paul, Leona Lewis and Colbie Caillat also appear on “Love Song to the Earth,” which was released Friday on iTunes and Apple Music via Connect. Proceeds from the track will benefit the United Nations Foundation…

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