Local Programs

Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Steve Rose, Chairman of Sun News, returns to KCPT for a live call-in program, TALKBACK LIVE with Steve Rose.

The half-hour program consists of Rose's fifteen minute interview with a guest, after which phones will open for viewers to call in live for the remaining fifteen minutes.

"This will be a great opportunity to get to the bottom of issues facing the Kansas City area," said Rose, "and to put the community leaders in a position where they can explain their side of the issues, first directly to me, then to viewers who call in with questions."

A former Ruckus panel member, Rose believes that TALKBACK LIVE will interest anyone interested in staying involved in the community.

"It's too easy to let policymakers run the show without feedback from citizens or without being challenged to prove their case by a watchdog journalist," Rose said. "This is one of the rare local programs where this can happen."

Wednesday, May 28

Anita Gorman, civic leader from the Northland

From her service as the first woman Chair of the Kansas City Park Board to her leadership on the nationally recognized Missouri Conservation Commission, Anita B. Gorman brings a quiet confidence that the job will be done and done right. Originally from Quincy, Ill., Gorman is something of a Renaissance woman. A former teacher, economist and even a computer programmer and consultant, one of her visible public involvements dates back nearly 40 years to her role as treasurer of the women's division of the Citizens Association, a reform group that helped elect Ilus Davis mayor. Her love and understanding for parks and wildlife areas is no accident. Gorman learned the ways of the outdoors early on her parents' Depression-era farm. The impression that depleted soil and vanishing wildlife left on her have lasted a lifetime. As chair of the Conservation Commission, Gorman initiated the Kansas City Discovery Center. She is also active throughout the community: director, Commerce Bank of Kansas City; director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City; board member, Salvation Army; board member, Full Employment Council; director, City of Fountains Foundation; LINC Commissioner; Mayor's Prayer Breakfast; member, Northland Betterment Committee; Northland Neighborhoods, Inc.; and co- chairman of the Vivion Road Gang. She has served as co-chairman for the successful campaign for the Police Tax Increase, the Lighting the Bridge Project, the Clay County Veterans' Memorial and as an honorary co-chairman for the Metropolitan Community Colleges Campaign.

Wednesday, May 21

Barnett Helzberg, Chairman Emeritus and Founder of University Academy

Former chairman of the Board at Helzberg Diamonds, Barnett Helzberg, Jr., took over the 93-year-old family owned business in 1962 and almost immediately began expanding the company into the nation's third largest jewelry retailer. That dramatic growth took the company from 15 stores to 145 locations in 23 states. At their peak in 1995, he arranged the sale of the enterprise to Warren Buffett. Helzberg then authored the book, "What I Learned Before I Sold To Warren Buffett." Helzberg also founded the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program in 1995. The program is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In 2000, he co-founded University Academy, a charter school for youths in urban Kansas City. The school is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an attendance of 210 sixth through eleventh graders. Helzberg has served as an Adjunct Professor at Rockhurst University since 1991. He is a teacher for the Personal Entrepreneurial Strategy course at Kauffman Foundation and has taught retailing, management, and customer relations to students from Kansas Univ. to the University of Michigan. Helzberg is a member of the World Presidents' Organization and the Chief Executives Organization, and is past president of the Diamond Council of America and past chairman of the KC chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization. He serves on the boards of the Jewish Heritage Foundation and the Kansas City Symphony Foundation.

Wednesday, May 14

Mary Kay Culp, Executive Director of Kansans for Life

Named one of the top 150 most influential people in Kansas City by the KANSAS CITY STAR, Mary Kay Culp has held various volunteer and leadership positions within the Missouri and Kansas affiliates of the National Right to Life Committee. From 1978-1987 she served as the head of the public relations committee for Missouri Right to Life. In 1987 she became the executive director of Missouri Right to Life, Western Region and from 1994-1997 she was the president of Missouri Right to Life. Mary Kay also served as the Associate Director of Education for the Kansas Catholic Conference from 1997-2000 before she became the executive director of Kansans for Life, a position she has held since 2000.

Wednesday, May 7

Kevin Nunnink, Chairman of the Board of Integra Realty Resources

Kevin K. Nunnink is currently Chairman of the Board of Integra Realty Resources and a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Nunnink also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, as well as the President of SAFE, an organization dedicated to support the families of Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Emergency Services Personnel in the Kansas City metropolitan area who have perished while protecting the community and its citizens. Mr. Nunnink has personally developed office buildings, residential subdivisions and redeveloped retail properties. He has also built multi-family and single-family residential housing. He continues to own & develop real estate. He and his firm offer real estate appraisals, market studies, counseling (including investment analysis and feasibility studies), ad valorem tax appraisals and business valuations, as well as environmental analyses and asset management.

Wednesday, April 30

Lewis Diuguid, KC Star columnist

Lewis W. Diuguid is vice president for community resources at The Kansas City Star. He serves on the editorial board, writes a column for the opinion section and is responsible for The Star's philanthropic efforts in the community. Since 1995 he has co-chaired the diversity initiative at The Star and since 1993 has trained Star Co. staff in diversity workshops.

Diuguid joined the staff of The Kansas City Star-Times in May 1977 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. He has worked as a reporter, photographer, copy editor, automotive editor, assistant bureau chief, bureau chief, assistant city editor, associate editor and columnist. He has written a column for The Star since 1987.

Diuguid is a founding member, treasurer, newsletter editor and Media Awards Committee chairman of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists.

Wednesday, April 23

Carl Gerlach, Mayor of Overland Park

Carl Gerlach was elected Mayor in April 2005. He served on the City Council from 1995 to 2005 as a representative of Ward 3.

While on the Council, Carl served as Council President in 2002-2003, and as Chair of the Community Development and Finance, Administration and Economic Development committees.

Carl currently serves on the board of the Overland Park Economic Development Council and the Overland Park Convention and Visitors Bureau. He also is a member of the K-State Leadership Studies and Programs Advancement Council, the Bistate Commission, and the League of Kansas Municipalities Governing Body.

Wednesday, April 9

Carl DiCapo, Civic Leader

Mr. DiCapo has been called a "civic leader extraordinaire." Adele Hall presented him with a proclamation from President and Laura Bush. He was manager and president of the Italian Gardens Restaurant, the family business. In his youth, he joined the Boy Scouts and has been very active in that organization since 1937. He served as District Chairman and served four years on the National Board. In 1971, he became a board member of the Don Bosco Community Center.

Mr. DiCapo's endeavors assisting municipal authorities include director on the City's Convention and Visitors Bureau; chairman of the Mayor's Ethnic Enrichment Commission, chairman of the Kansas City Bicentennial, Commissioner of Land Clearance and Redevelopment, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation; and, chairman of the City's Quincentennial Commission; and Desegregation Monitoring Committee. Today, he serves as a member of the Kansas City Crime Commission.

In 1999, the Native Sons organization named him, along with co-recipient Kansas City legend, Buck O'Neil, as "Citizen of the Year." He is currently the president of the Liberty Memorial Association.

Wednesday, April 2

Jeff Pinkerton, Senior Researcher, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)

Jeff Pinkerton has served as the Senior Researcher for MARC for 7.5 years. He is responsible for researching the local economy and metropolitan development issues. Prior to joining MARC he worked for the Downtown Council and served as Chief Economist for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Jeff has a master's degree in Urban Economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Wednesday, March 26

Mark Huffer, General Manager of Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Mark Huffer has served the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) as General Manager and CEO since December 2000. His emphasis on customer service and technology implementation has propelled KCATA to pursue innovations in service delivery and management efficiencies.

Major initiatives implemented by KCATA include development of the region's first bus rapid transit line - MAX, implementation of a Global Positioning Satellite-based communications and dispatch system, construction of a unique transit center and childcare facility, and passage of a 3/8-cent sales tax in Kansas City for public transit.

Huffer also was responsible for transportation for such events as the U.S. Olympic Festival, the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II, and World Gymnastics Championships in St. Louis.

Wednesday, March 19

Michael A. Boehm, Mayor of Lenexa

Michael A. Boehm was elected mayor in January of 2003 and ran unopposed for his four-year term as mayor in April, 2003 and again in April, 2007. Boehm, a lifelong resident of Lenexa, moved to his current address in 1987. He is vice president of the Business Banking Group, Commerce Bank, N.A., and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Mike is actively involved in city, state and national bodies involved in municipal policy and leadership.

Wednesday, February 27

Kathy Koehler

This week, Steve talks real estate with one of the metro's best. Kathy Koehler is the partner and owner of the Koehler Bortnick Team. She has been the Senior Sales Executive for 15 Years running and was the number one Agent in the entire Kansas City Metro Area from 1993-2005. She has over one billion dollars in sales.

Wednesday, February 20

Bob Regnier

Bob Regnier is the Chairman, President & CEO of Bank of Blue Valley and Chairman & CEO of Blue Valley Ban Corp (the Company). He began his banking career with the Boatmen's Bank organization in 1970 as a Safe Deposit Clerk. In 1989, Bob left Boatmen's with the dream of starting a bank to offer community banking to Johnson County, Kansas, and to the Kansas City metropolitan area. His vision was one of a community bank that would provide banking services to closely-held businesses, their owners, professionals and individuals as well as small to mid-sized commercial borrowers. Bob and his wife, Ann, were named 2006 Good Neighbor recipients by the Blue Valley Education Foundation.

Wednesday, February 13

John Altevogt

John D. Altevogt, a conservative Republican advocate from Edwardsville, Kansas, is communications director for Americas Majority. Altevogt, currently with the Reece & Nichols Premier Realty Office in Basehor, Kansas, is former chairman of the Wyandotte County Republican Party and former associate vice chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.

Wednesday, February 6

Ollie Gates

Kansas City barbecue giant Ollie Gates talks about life in Kansas City, his successful chain of restaurants and his family.

Gates, president of Gates Bar-B-Q, is a native Missourian and a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City. He served as an officer in the United States Army and built his first restaurant in 1956. Currently he operates five restaurant locations in the Kansas City area, aided by his family.

Gates is a strong booster of Kansas City and has received numerous awards for his service, including induction in the Junior Achievement of Middle America Greater Kansas City Business Hall of Fame in 2004, the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association Restaurateur of the Year in 2003 and 1996 Citizen of the Year award from the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, January 30

Bill Hall

Bill Hall is an assistant to the chairman and a corporate officer at Hallmark Cards, Inc. Hall is also president of the Hall Family Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to enriching the Kansas City community. Hall serves on the boards of directors for the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City, Citizens for Higher Education, University of Kansas Cancer Advisory Board, National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation, and The Midwest Research Institute.

Wednesday, January 23

Trey Runnion

Mr. C.S. Runnion, III (Trey) currently serves as the chairman of the Port Authority of Kansas City Board of Commissioners. Under Runnion's leadership, the Port Authority is actively promoting the redevelopment of the 1,400 acres in South Kansas City that was formerly the Richards-Gebaur Air Base and 55 acres of downtown riverfront property on the banks of the Missouri River. Runnion, a veteran of the United States Army, is a former executive with both IBM and Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. In addition to his public service as chairman of the Port Authority Board, Runnion serves on the Kansas City Crime Commission, the boards of Innovia Medical, LLC and Well Spring Resources, LLC.

Wednesday, January 16

Johannes Feddema

Dr. Johannes Feddema is a geography professor at the University of Kansas whose primary interest is understanding the human impact on the Earth's surface, and the consequences of these actions on the environment.

Wednesday, January 9

Mark Funkhouser and Gloria Squitiro

This week, Mayor Mark Funkhouser and his wife, Gloria Squitiro, will take your calls. Mark met Gloria while teaching at Salem College. They have been married over 25 years.

Wednesday, January 2

Mitch Levine

Mitch Levine currently serves as the Lesbian and Gay Community Center's Vice-President, and he also heads up the Strategic Planning Committee. Mitch operates Levine Marketing and Management, a marketing and communications company that specializes in conferences and trade shows. He contributes his time to many community LGBT organizations, including KC Pride and HRC. Mitch chaired the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conference in Kansas City in 2006. He has also served as editor of Verge Magazine.

Wednesday, December 19

Peter Brownlie

Tonight, Steve sits down with Peter Brownlie, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, to talk about the controversial organization and the services it provides.

Wednesday, December 12

Crosby Kemper III

Crosby Kemper is currently the Director of the Kansas City Public Library System. He was Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City-based UMB Financial Corporation and he has served on the boards of many institutions, including the Truman Presidential Library and Institute, Kansas City Symphony, Jefferson National Park Association, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. He was also Chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association.

Wednesday, November 28

Mitch Levine

Mitch Levine currently serves as the Lesbian and Gay Community Center's Vice-President, and he also heads up the Strategic Planning Committee. Mitch operates Levine Marketing and Management, a marketing and communications company that specializes in conferences and trade shows. He contributes his time to many community LGBT organizations, including KC Pride and HRC. Mitch chaired the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conference in Kansas City in 2006. He has also served as editor of Verge Magazine.

Wednesday, November 21

Ed Hayes

Ed Hayes volunteered to perform the monumental task of organizing the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp for the state of Kansas. He was trained for the job by an area director in Oklahoma. A retired police officer from the Kansas City area, he will now ensure that immigration laws are enforced.

Wednesday, November 14

Marjorie Kaplan, Superintendent of Shawnee Mission Schools

Dr. Kaplan has been the superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District since 1992. The Shawnee Mission School District is the largest of the six Johnson County school districts. The district is comprised of an area of approximately 72 square miles in suburban Johnson County and has a national reputation for educational excellence that is fostered by the community's dedication to its schools.

Wednesday, November 7

Gwendolyn Grant, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City

Gwendolyn Grant, president & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, is a Drum Major for economic parity and quality public education. In her role as the chief executive officer of Urban League, she provides leadership, oversight and direction for all Urban League programs.

Wednesday, October 31

Jack Cashill, Writer and Producer

This week Steve sits down with Jack Cashill to talk about his new book, What's the Matter with California. Jack is an independent writer and producer and, on a contractual basis, the Executive Editor of Ingram's Magazine, Kansas City's premier business magazine.

Wednesday, October 17

Jim Nutter, Jr., CEO of James B. Nutter & Company

Shortly after joining his father's firm in 1984, James Nutter Jr. spearheaded the firm's drive to expand beyond Kansas City into the national marketplace. Today, the firm makes loans in all 50 states, and 80 percent of the firm's loans are made outside the Kansas City area.

Wednesday, October 10

Dr. Jill Shackelford, Superintendent of the KCK School District

Dr. Jill Shackelford became superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools on July 1, 2005. She is the first female superintendent in the 138-year history of the school district. Shackelford began her career as an elementary school teacher in Oklahoma in 1966. She has been an administrator for 20 years, beginning as an elementary school principal in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Wednesday, October 3

Yael Aboulhalkah, Columnist

This week, Steve is joined by Yael Abouhalkah to get his unique perspective on issues affecting the metro. Yael is a columnist for the Kansas City Star as well as a member of the Star's editorial board. He also appears weekly as a Ruckette on the weekly KCPT
public affairs program Ruckus.

Wednesday, September 19

David Warm, Executive Director
Mid-America Regional Council

More commonly known as MARC, the Mid-America Regional Council is the metro's largest regional planning agency. It serves as a forum for intergovernmental cooperation, conducts long-range planning for the region, and provides information and services to local governments and the regional community. David Warm has headed MARC since July 1990.

Wednesday, August 29

Rev. Bob Meneilly, Chairman Emeritus, MAINstream Coalition

Wednesday, August 22

Dr. Doug Girod, Professor and Director of Head and Neck Surgery at KU Med

This week, Steve Rose talks with Dr. Doug Girod about his recent medical mission trip to Guatemala. Dr. Girod is currently the director of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Wednesday, August 15

Dennis Moore, U.S. House of Representatives
Dennis Moore, a lifelong Kansan, is serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore was born in Anthony, Kansas, in 1945. He was educated in Wichita public schools. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Kansas, and received his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1970. After service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, Moore started his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas. He entered private legal practice in Johnson County in 1973. In 1976, Moore was elected District Attorney in Johnson County and was reelected twice, serving a total of 12 years. During his tenure, Moore earned a reputation as a tough, but fair, prosecutor. Since being elected to Congress in 1998, Moore has served his country and the constituents of the Third District of Kansas.

Wednesday, August 8

Annabeth Surbaugh
This week, Steve talks with Annabeth Surbaugh, the first popularly elected Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, a new office created under the auspices of the Home Rule Charter for Johnson County Government. A long-time citizen activist and public official, Surbaugh's victory in the November 2002 General Election redefined local history and put her at the helm of a new governmental structure combining political leadership and community representation with professional management of services and programs.

Wednesday, August 1

Joe Reardon
This week, Steve Rose talks to Joe Reardon, who was elected to a four-year term as Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas in 2005. Mayor Reardon will talk about the recent vote to allow gambling in Wyandotte County and take your calls on TALKBACK LIVE.

Wednesday, July 25

Kay Barnes
She's the first woman to hold the office of mayor in Kansas City. She was the spark plug for the revitalization of downtown Kansas City. And now she has her eye on a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This week, Steve Rose talks to Kay Barnes and she takes your calls on TALKBACK LIVE.

Wednesday, June 27

Hearne Christopher, Jr., Kansas City Star Columnist
Christopher is a native of Kansas City and has been writing for the Star since 1992. Prior to his current position as a local entertainment columnist, Christopher was involved with a small monthly paper then known as the KC Pitch. He took over the publication in 1988 and expanded the content to include fine arts, sports, dining, and alternative news. He has also served as senior vice president with B.C. Christopher & Co. and First Kansas City Securities and was a member of the Kansas City Board of Trade and a New York Stock Exchange Allied Member and Financial Principal. He also helped form a local company called Firm Productions, which promoted artists such as They Might Be Giants, The Romantics, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Wednesday, June 20

William David Langston, Criminal Defense Attorney

Steve Rose talks criminal law with a trailblazer in defending the accused, criminal defense attorney William David Langston.

Wednesday, June 13

Walt Bodine, Broadcaster and Author

On this TALKBACK LIVE, Steve Rose welcomes the "dean" of Kansas City broadcasting Walt Bodine. He has been called the King of the Talk Show and the Voice of Kansas City, among other lofty titles. He calls himself "a multi-media public nuisance." Since 1985 he has hosted "The Walt Bodine Show" each weekday morning at 10 on KCUR-FM. He is the author of several books, including What Do You Say to That? and My Times, My Town.

Wednesday, May 23

Mark Funkhouser, New Kansas City, Missouri Mayor

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has a big agenda to fulfill. He has promised to fix the sidewalks and curbs and other infrastructure that has been neglected, particularly in the central city. Will he follow through, and where will he get the money to make these expensive repairs happen? Let's find out.

Wednesday, May 16

Paul Morrison
Kansas Attorney General

Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison. Five months into the job, Morrisson talks about crime, law enforcement and the transition from the Johnson County District Attorney's office to the job of Kansas chief law enforcement officer.

Wednesday, May 9

Shirley Rose, Founder
American Stroke Foundation

Mother's Day is Sunday, and there is no more appropriate time to have as our guest, my mother, Shirley Rose. At 86, she is no little old lady. She is a dynamo who founded the American Stroke Foundation ten years ago, after her husband, Stan, died of multiple strokes, and she works every day as its chief fundraiser. And she has done so much more in her life. If I must say so myself, this is one fascinating lady. And she will be happy to take your calls, on TALKBACK LIVE.

Wednesday, April 25 (Rebroadcast)

R. Crosby Kemper, Jr.

Tonight's guest is a real maverick, a banker and civic leader who's not afraid to speak his own mind, even if he sometimes stands alone. R. Crosby Kemper, Jr. has been a banker in Kansas City for 57 years. But he has been so much more. His generosity has brought us Kemper Arena, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, he saved the symphony from extinction, and has made the American Royal a showcase for Kansas City.

Wednesday, April 11

Mike Shanin, Host of KCPT's Ruckus

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 host at Newsradio 980-KMBZ, 4-7 p.m. He also hosts the Time Warner/Comcast Newsmaker series seen in eastern Jackson and southern Johnson Counties and is a contributing political columnist to KCB (Kansas City Business) Magazine.

Wednesday, April 4

Clay Chastain, Light Rail Activist

Wednesday, March 28

Fred Logan, KCTV Political Analyst

Wednesday, March 21

Steve Kraske and Dave Helling

Wednesday, February 28

Tom Bowser, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Wednesday, February 21

Dave Helling

Wednesday, February 14

Anthony Amato, Superintendent of KCMO Schools

Wednesday, February 7

Rabbi Morris Margolies

Rabbi Morris Margolies, who was the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City for 20 years, is considered a leading scholar in Jewish history. He has become a renowned author and professor since his retirement in 1986. Union Station has tapped Rabbi Margolies as scholar/curator of the magnificent Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, which will run for 90 days, beginning tomorrow.