This week on The Local Show, Sam Zeff explores why picking judges in Kansas has more to do with the classroom than the courtroom. We share a recent Religion and Ethics Newsweekly segment which explores a local woman’s efforts to capture the oral history of those who witnessed lynchings in a dark chapter of American history. And we look at the upcoming Störling Dance Theater production of Underground.
You probably don’t realize how much time is spent trying to figure out how to pay for education in Kansas and Missouri.
Did you know for instance, that in Kansas last year, 62 percent of the entire budget went to fund schools and universities? It’s so important that even the courts have got involved setting up one of the most contentious fights in this legislative session.
But should judges be telling lawmakers how much they should be spending in the classroom? As Sam Zeff reports, its an issue you could soon be deciding at the ballot box as the clash over education funding turns into a battle over how the state picks its judges.
Lead funding of KCPT’S reporting of education issues is funded in part by a generous grant from the Kauffman Foundation and additional civic funders.
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In a week in which we mark the Martin Luther King Day holiday, we are reminded that, despite great strides in racial equality, there are still Kansas Citians who remember vividly a shameful chapter in American history including a time when lynchings were a commonplace occurrence in America.
Before the generation of people who remember such atrocities dies off, a Kansas City scholar is trying to record eye-witness accounts and what she’s finding is not just graphic photos and consuming hate, but the ability of some of those most affected to forgive.
The PBS series Religion and Ethics Newsweekly recently came to Kansas City to report on that work. Bob Faw filed that report for the PBS series Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, which runs Sunday afternoons at 1:30 on KCPT.
WARNING: This report contains some disturbing images. Viewer discretion is advised.
Watch Lynching and Forgiveness on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.
In a week where our nation pays tribute to Dr. King and his accomplishments in the struggle for civil rights, preparations are also underway for an annual event which tackles similar issues in a most unusual and dramatic way.
It’s the Störling Dance Theater’s production of Underground, inspired by activities along the Underground Railroad. The company’s artistic director, Mona Störling-Enna may come from Finland, but working with a team based out of the Culture House in Olathe, Underground emerges to tell a very American tale.
Underground, featuring original music by Jay Pfeiffer, will be performed on Saturday February 2 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
