Susan B. Wilson

Kansas City, MO – The 2008 Olympics have come to an end, and the throngs of tourists have gone home. So what was it like to experience China as it became the center of world attention? And what's it like now that the excitement has died down? Throughout the summer, we caught up with sportswriter and former KCUR intern Anthony Tao, who grew in the Kansas City area. He's now in the fifth month of his visit to Beijing; Susan checked in with him one last time.

Local police tend to expect a rise in violence over the summer, and this year has been no different. There's been about a 22 percent rise in homicides compared to previous years.

Community leaders each have their own approach to the problem: Mayor Mark Funkhouser and City Councilwoman Cathy Jolly are promoting a nationwide program to reduce the availability of guns in the central city.

County prosecutor Jim Kanatzar thinks the city needs better parole re-entry, substance abuse and anger management programs.

By the end of the week, there was no clear answer to who would be leading Zimbabwe. The efforts of South African President Thabo Mbeki to mediate talks between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai failed, and Mbeki headed back to South Africa where he addressed other African leaders this weekend.

Kansas City, MO – The Bejing Olympics have grabbed the attention of Americans this week. We decided to check in with our former KCUR intern, Anthony Tao, who's there, working as a freelance journalist and blogger. Tao is a frequent contributor to ESPN online. You can check out his blog at Heart of Beijing.

When it comes to violence, it's been a long hot summer in Kansas City. Nightly local news is peppered with reports of violent incidents.

According to Kansas City police statistics, 77 percent of the victims are young black males. When homicides spiked three years ago, the city council called for a commission to examine the root causes of violence.

But community leaders say efforts to address the problem have been too little, too late, and they are critical of planners who have not involved young people in finding solutions.

Native people from around the country are gathering in Lawrence this week for the seventh annual Tribal College Summit at Haskell Indian Nations University. Their focus is timely: climate change and the environment. Preparations for the summit go on despite a dark cloud of controversy.

Kansas City, MO – Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is in the middle of its 102nd Anniversary Convention in Kansas City this week. That's why men throughout downtown are wearing the Alpha colors - black and gold. Black fraternities date back to racially segregated times when being a black college student was a rarity. Since then, African American students and alumnae have turned to black Greek organizations to help meet their social, academic and public service needs.

Kansas City, MO – It's hard enough managing your own money as a single person, but how do you negotiate with a partner or spouse about your financial future? KCUR's Susan Wilson recently explored this subject with financial planner David Jackson.

David Jackson is a certified financial planner with Waddell and Reed.

A new Drilldown Study by UMKC's Cookingham Institute of Urban Affairs shows that Kansas City's population, and buying power are significantly higher than estimates from the census suggest. UMKC Professor Robyne Turner directed the research, which could affect federal funding and economic development throughout Kansas City.

Purists sometimes criticize Cray's brand of the blues as "too commercialized." His fans say it's fresh and contemporary approach. KCUR's Susan Wilson asked Robert Cray about that recently, when he was in town for the Rhythm and Ribs festival.

By Susan B. Wilson

The current economy has given just about everyone the jitters. The high cost of gas has triggered price increases in basic necessities at the grocery store. The housing industry is in a downturn and the mortgage industry has been hit hard. Many businesses who count on disposable income restaurants and specialty stores are suffering.