Central Standard

Wednesday on Central Standard, we drive our proverbial Chevy to Missouri River levees, and ask where the funds went dry.

Our guest Jud Kneuvean, Chief of Emergency Management for the US Army Corps of Engineers, will tell us about their plans to fix 11 of the 68 Missouri River levees in time for the Spring, and how they determined the crucial sites for repairs.

Today on Central Standard, a look at the United Way of Greater Kansas City, and how they're partnering with area non-profits to teach financial literacy.

Joining us for the second half of Central Standard, anchor Brad Porter from Metro Sports joins us for a look at what makes KC one of the best sports cities in the country. Plus, we'll hear latest on the Chief’s decision to fire coach Todd Haley.

Kansas City loves their winter dose of A Christmas Carol, and the KC Rep is always coming up with new ways to present the classic tale.

In this episode of Central Standard, we ask if all IT jobs are handsomely paid and future-proof.

Let's take a look at some common myths and important realities of the IT industry with the Computer Guys. Plus, we'll hear from local IT recruiters about where growth is happening here in Kansas City.

There's an old proverb that asks, how do you eat an elephant? The answer, one bite at a time. Join us for a look at two area organizations that are doing their part, bite by bite, to help address the needs of KC's urban youth in the areas of childhood obesity, literacy and youth violence.

Meet a KC comedian who just took first place at the Seattle International Comedy Festival, the competition that launched comics like Mitch Hedberg. We'll hear how he's developed his technique and routine, and some common myths of stand-up comedy.

GUEST:
Mike Baldwin, comedian

On today's show, a conversation about the influence of 17th Century Renaissance poets on modern environmental thought. Modern environmental thought breaks down into two different schools. One says science can create new technology to solve the environmental crisis, and the other school of thought calls that approach pure hubris, and argues for a more ethical treatment of nature in the first place. We'll speak with Johnson County Community College English professor Anthony Funari about how the origins of this modern debate lies in the 17th Century writings of Francis Bacon.

These days, parents like giving their kids unique names. That means using Google, naming kids after celebrities, and just plain making names up. But does what we're called affect who we turn out to be?

 The U.S. has long been known as a melting pot of different races and cultures. But the diversity within our country isn’t always reflected in the TV commercials, billboards, and other forms of advertising that are ubiquitous. Hispanic people represent more than 10% of the population in the U.S. But according to our guest Nicholas Segura, only about 5% of advertising spending targets the Hispanic market.

GUEST:
Nicholas Segura, 385 Agency

Can you ever love your child too much? Today on the show, join Dr. Bruce Liese for a look at what happens when parents are too attuned to their children, and how our culture’s obsession with happiness can lead our children towards an unhappy adulthood.

GUEST:
Dr. Bruce Liese, University of Kansas School of Medicine 

Poet and mentor Phil Miller believed that anyone can write a good poem who's willing to do the work. Join poets Randy Ratliff and Eve Ott as we remember Phil's determinedly democratic approach to poetry, and his contributions to the Riverfront Reading series.

GUESTS:
Randy Ratliff, poet
Eve Ott, poet

SECOND HALF

For today's show, a reminder that it's never too late to find true love. Newlyweds Fern Shurr, 96, and Paul Tredo, 83, join us to share their story. On her wedding day, Fern told KCTV 5 that it felt like she was embarking on a "whole new life," with Paul.

GUESTS:
Fern Shurr, newlywed
Paul Tredo, newlywed

Just before the end of Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, we sit down with experts in the field. We'll talk warning signs, stages, treatments, and new research happening in the Midwest. Plus, another story from The Creativity Connection.

When TV critic Aaron Barnhart is on his social networks, the question he gets most frequently is, "Should I keep watching (your favorite new show here), or is it about to get canceled?" To come up with an answer, Aaron has developed a mathematical formula for interpreting viewership data across networks. We'll find out what shows he thinks will be sticking around until Spring. Plus, a look at our favorite holiday TV specials.

Today's show features guest host Bill Anderson.