© 2026 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Seg. 1: Ammunition Plant Safety | Seg. 2: Kansas City Stockyards

Segment 1: Concerns linger regarding Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

The largest manufacturing plant for smaller caliber rounds is in Independence, Missouri. It suffered an accidental explosion in 2017 causing the death of one person and injuring four more.  Chris Haxel explained what contributed to the fatal event and the operation's questionable safety record under the current contractor.

Segment 2, beginning at 17:52: Race, labor, and the Kansas City stockyards. 

The labor force behind Kansas City's meat processing industry altered labor activism in the Midwest. A diverse group of workers helped establish a foothold for blacks in labor politics and made Kansas City's first million-dollar industry possible. 

The Kansas City Public Library presents John Herron and "Making Meat: Race, Labor, and the Kansas City Stockyards" on 2 p.m., Sunday, April 28, at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. Kansas City, Missouri 64105. RSVP at kclibrary.org 

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.
Devin Davis