Local Programs

Ruckus is a lively roundtable about the big ticket issues that face our community today. Moderator Mike Shanin leads the ensemble of conservatives and liberals as they duke it out over whose view will stand.

Become a member of the ruckus fan club!

Your fan club membership goes directly to the production budget of Ruckus. Fan Club Benefits include:

  • Ruckus Portfolio notebook
  • Your name listed as an Underwriter on the web site (optional)
  • Access to watch the program being taped in the studio & meet the Ruckettes

Join now for $100, or send a check to:

Ruckus Fan Club
125 East 31st Street
Kansas City, MO 64108

A fan club membership does not include a membership to KCPT. Become a member of KCPT now.

Fan Club Members:

Michael Allison
Stephen and Marcia Bailey
Harvey Bodker
Madeline M. Benoit
Dick and Bette Beutler
Verlin Boes
Sheri Chapman
Jim and Betty Lu Duncan
William C. Eggers
Jim and Claudia Halley
Fred and Lou Hartwig
Hotel and Lodging Association of    Greater Kansas City
Margaret Hurt
Pamela Jenkins
Ann Johnson
Keith and Denise Johnson
Phil Keary
Jonathan and Nancy Lee Kemper
Kris Ketz
Tom Krewson
Lakewood Business Park
   (John and Joyce Levy)

Stu Lang
Eleanor Lowe
Janis McMillen
Bruce and Katheryn McNamara
Lois Meyer
Rachel Morrison
Franklyn and Donna Pogge
Jeremy Richardson
JC Sanders
Matthew M. Scholfield
Joyce Shanin
Stacey Shumate
Peggy Smith
Niles Swenson                                                  Cheryl Thorpe
Kaleen Tiber
Lynne Tiemeier
Rocky Valentine, Edward Jones Investments
Becky Wilson, WDS Marketing & PR
Patricia (Pat) Wright



meet the ruckettes

dishes and cup with saucer

Host, Mike Shanin

Ruckus host Mike Shanin is a veteran Kansas City broadcaster with extensive experience in both radio and television. Mike has moderated the Ruckus program since its introduction on channel 19 in March 1995. Shanin now also serves as managing editor of the weekly program seen Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to Ruckus, Mike is a political analyst and commentator, talk show host, and news anchor at Newsradio 980-KMBZ.

A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, Mike was educated at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and Park University in Parkville where he graduated summa cum laude. He holds degrees in Social Science and Public Administration.

Mike and his wife Joyce live in Kansas City, Kansas. Their feline family includes Miss Piggy, Molly Golightly, and William of Orange Tabby.
man and woman

Yael Abouhalkah

Yael is a columnist for the Kansas City Star and a member of the paper's editorial board.

 

Woody Cozad

Woody Cozad is an attorney and former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. He now heads his own government relations and lobbying firm. Cozad is no stranger to broadcasting, having hosted a three-hour radio program called "Radio for Grown-Ups" on 1190 KPHN. The program featured his pointed political commentary and quick wit. "Food for Thought with Woody Cozad" commentaries have aired on more than twenty radio stations. Cozad is a quintessential conservative with an impressive record of public service. He has been active in politics and government in Missouri for nearly thirty years. He was appointed to the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri in 1991 and was chairman of the state Republican Party and a member of the Republican National Committee from 1995 to 1999.

Cozad graduated from Westminster College in Missouri with a degree in political science and received his law degree from the University of Missouri. Cozad made his career as a trial attorney with Morrison & Hecker in Kansas City, Missouri. He lives in Platte City.

Deborah Holmes

Holmes is an award-winning journalist having reported for stations in Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, and Kansas City. She was a staff reporter at WDAF-TV from 1996 - 2000 and Executive Producer of Public Affairs and News at KCPT and host of Kansas City Week in Review and City Watch from 1985 - 1995.

 

Mary O'Halloran

Political activist and media consultant, O'Halloran is a former Catholic nun, college professor, member of the Iowa House of Representatives, Carter Administration appointee to the Department of Energy and former co-host of a radio talk show for KMBZ.