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Seg. 1: Tornado Coverage | Seg. 2: Trains In Kansas

Segment 1: Tornado Aftermath

On Tuesday night, a large tornado hit parts of Lawrence and Johnson County, causing several injuries and property damage across neighborhoods. With many communities in recovery mode after the storm, we speak with reporters who were on the ground in the tornado's aftermath and hear from folks who witnessed it firsthand.

  • Nomin Ujiyediin, reporter, Kansas News Service
  • Sam Zeff, metro reporter, KCUR 89.3
  • John Kurtz, meteorologist, National Weather Service
  • Quincy Vagell, meteorologist and storm chaser


Segment 2, beginning at 26:33: Trains In Kansas

Trains have played an influential role in shaping Kansas history; they're even responsible for bringing the first European settlers to the area pre-statehood. They've since connected communities across the state and beyond, but plans for long-distance passenger routes are uncertain. We talk to a reporter to explain the showdown between Congress and Amtrak, and an historian to discuss how trains have shaped the state.

  • Corinne Boyer, reporter, Kansas News Service
  • Virgil Dean, Kansas historian

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

Sylvia Maria Gross co-hosts and produces KC Currents, an award-winning weekly news magazine that covers news and culture in Kansas City’s diverse communities. Her stories have aired nationally on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Marketplace, The World and Studio 360. Gross grew up in New York City, Brazil and the suburbs of Washington, DC. She studied English at Yale University, and then spent a year researching arts education in Brazil on a Fulbright grant. When she returned from Brazil, she taught middle school math and English while completing a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York City. She reported in New York about education and culture before moving to Kansas City in 2004.
Brian Ellison is substitute host of Central Standard and Up To Date and has served in a variety of roles at KCUR since 2008. He has been acting producer and associate producer of Up To Date and was acting producer of The Walt Bodine Show. A member of the Religion Newswriters Association, he also contributes occasionally to KCUR news coverage. Even before joining the KCUR staff, he was a producer and frequent guest on Up To Date's "Religion Roundtable," as well as a committed listener and volunteer.
Melody Rowell
Celisa Calacal