People

By Frank Morris

Kansas City, MO – As final preparations are made for funeral services for Coretta Scott-King in Atlanta, police there are bracing for some unwelcome guests from Topeka.

Fred Phelps, and his Westboro Baptist Church has long exploited such public events for their virulent, anti-gay demonstrations. Law makers in more than a dozen state capitols are taking steps to neutralize the protests, but the controversial preacher argues that would take away his First Amendment rights. KCUR'S Frank Morris reports.

By Michael Leahy

Kansas City, MO – On Wednesday, the basic bus fare in Kansas City went up a quarter, to a dollar twenty-five. Express route fares increased to 2 dollars and 50 cents and reduced fares went up from 50 to 60 cents. Michael Leahy hit the streets that day to see how people were reacting to having to dig in their pockets for the extra change.

By Delores Jones

Kansas City, MO – Coretta Scott King, who died last Monday, was known as the strong, solid woman who stood behind Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., in life and after his assassination. Reverend Jesse Jackson described her as the glue that kept Dr. King's home and movement intact. To find out about being the wife of a preacher and activist, we turned to Dianne Cleaver, known by most people as the wife of 5th district Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. He was the first African American mayor of Kansas City and a long time civil rights activist.

By Sylvia Maria Gross

Kansas City, MO – It's been two years since Kansas City Kansas native Janet Murguia was named president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza, a leading Latino civil rights organization. She was in town on Friday to address young people at a leadership conference at UMKC. Sylvia Maria Gross asked her about some current challenges in educating Latino youth, both locally and nationally.

By Delores Jones

By Sylvia Maria Gross

Kansas City, MO – It's become almost a cliche to comment on the growth of the Latino community in every part of the United States - including the Kansas City area. But few can accurately answer the question - how big is this community? And what are its characteristics?

By Delores Jones

Kansas City, MO – Five African American members of Sheet Metal Workers Number 2 are suing their union in federal court for race discrimination. They're alleging they've been passed over fpr construction jobs over the last five years. During this period, Kansas City has enjoyed a tremendous building boom. Minority leaders have been at odds with city officials and the construction industry as to whether jobs have been fairly distributed.