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Seg. 1: Economist Says Kansas City's Size Is Just Right. Seg. 2: Listeners' Favorite Holiday Lights.

This holiday display at 5901 NE Albany Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, is just one of many recommended by the Up to Date audience.
Eric Winkler
This holiday display at 5901 NE Albany Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, is just one of many recommended by the Up to Date audience.

 

Segment 1: A new report shows mid-sized cities are better positioned to see faster growth.

Kansas City, Missouri, isn't as big or as dense as New York or Los Angeles, which may be a good thing, according to economist Jordan Rappaport. Having the amenities of a major city without some of the difficulties (long commutes, expensive real estate) makes metropolises like Kansas City a great location for businesses and residents. Rappaport explained what the city's growth rate says about it's capacity for future economic success.

Segment 2, beginning at 17:50: Where to find the best residential holiday displays in the greater Kansas City area.

Just about every town has at least one house, block or neighborhood that goes all out with its lights and decorations for the holiday season, and the KCUR listening area is no exception. We learned from a professional the latest advancements in display-lighting, and our audience told us where they find those homes and blocks that really light it up for Christmas!

Audience suggestions for holiday light display viewing included:

  • Candy Cane Lane, 7900 Outlook Lane, Prairie Village, Kansas
  • 131st Place and Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas
  • Winterset Valley subdivision, Lee's Summit, Missouri
  • 5901 NE Albany Ave., Kansas City, Missouri
  • Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 MO-291, Liberty, Missouri
  • tree at 56th Street, Mission Hills, Kansas
  • 4312 N. Central St., Kansas City, Missouri
  •  Entire block of Ward Parkway, south of 63rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri
  • 6600 block of Summit Street, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Moss and Raum Streets, Lawson, Missouri
  • 1240 Rhode Island St., Lawrence, Kansas
  • Deanna Rose Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, Kansas
  • 70th Terrace, east of Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri
  • The Masters, Barry Road east of I-435 and just past The Grass Pad

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Steve Kraske is an associate teaching professor of journalism at UMKC, a political columnist for The Kansas City Star and has hosted "Up to Date" since 2002. He worked as the full-time political correspondent for The Star from 1994-2013 covering national, state and local campaigns. He also has covered the statehouses in Topeka and Jefferson City.
Danette (Danie) Alexander first came to KCUR in 2007 as an intern for Up to Date after completing her B.A. in Communications at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. After her KCUR internship was completed, Danie continued to spend her mornings assisting senior producer Stephen Steigman as a volunteer with the show. Her radio experience also includes stints with public radio's New Letters on the Air as a broadcast engineer and on local public radio as host of a weekly overnight call-in show.