KMBC 9 Storytellers

Dalton Grant was 11-years-old when he and his mother found themselves trapped in the wreckage of 1981's Hyatt skywalks collapse. Their family was attending a dance in the hotel's lobby July 17, 1981 when two suspended walkways collapsed. The disaster remains the worst accidental structural collapse in American history. Dalton's story was part of the recent KMBC Chronicle: "The Skywalk Tapes." In this episode, listeners will hear there's more to his rescue story.

KMBC 9 Executive Producer Cara Doyle joins host Haley Harrison for an in-depth discussion of the people and stories behind the making of the new documentary "The Skywalk Tapes." The hour-long documentary tells the story of the July 17, 1981 skywalks collapse at Kansas City's Hyatt Regency Hotel. It airs July 13, 2021 at 9pm on KMBC and July 17, 2021 (the 40th anniversary of the tragedy) at 8pm on KCWE. Special thanks to Cara Doyle Wright, photojournalists Turner Twyman, Todd Ummelmann,...

Mindy Corporon joins Haley for a conversation about her new book, "Healing a Shattered Soul." It's the story of the act of domestic terrorism and hate crime that took the lives of her son, father, and another woman in Overland Park, Kansas in 2014. Haley and Mindy also talk about the fact the shooter died in prison the same day the book was published.

Oscar winner, and KU film professor Kevin Willmott joins Haley for a conversation about Hollywood's reckoning with race. It was six years ago the Academy nominated all white actors. The backlash was swift. #OscarsSoWhite drew attention to the lack of diversity in the movie industry. This week, we're asking what, if anything, has changed since 2015. Willmott talks about the 2021 Oscars, and his upcoming film.

The creators of the new movie "Lotawana" join Haley to talk about becoming the first movie in history sold with NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The movie is out later this year and was filmed in Jackson County, Missouri. https://lotawanamovie.com/

The Peace Corps turned 60 on March 1st. 90 year old Kansas Citian Mary Abbott was in the Kennedy administration when the agency was founded. She led its press office. Abbott, now a resident of Bishop Spencer Place, joins Haley to talk about her famous grandfather, and her career in the CIA and at the New York Times. Abbott also shares memories of the beginning of the Peace Corps and Kennedy's assassination. Frank P Walsh: https://pendergastkc.org/article/frank-p-walsh

Anti-Asian sentiment appears to be rising during the pandemic. Reports of harassment, vandalism, and violence against Asian Americans are on the rise, according to the group Stop AAPI Hate. KMBC 9's Bianca Beltran joins Haley this week. They discuss Bianca's interview with Kansas City's JiaoJiao Shen, who says the rising xenophobia is painful. Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/

NASA scientist Roger Wiens joined Haley the day before the new Perseverance rover landed on Mars. It's the first rover to land on the red planet since Curiosity in 2012. They discussed several challenges unique to this mission, the new data we're going to hear, and the next steps in exploring Mars. Follow the mission on Twitter @NASAPerseverance

Blue Springs native Khalil Davis will be playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55. This week, we talk to Khalil, his parents, and high school coach about his rise from foster care to the NFL. It's a story he shares with his twin brother Carlos, who plays for the Steelers. Both men made it to the postseason in their rookie seasons in the NFL.

Longtime KMBC 9 anchor Larry Moore continues the beloved Christmas tradition of reading "'The Night Before Christmas." It started in 1984 with the children of KMBC employees and continues in 2020. Happy holidays. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Episodes will resume in January 2021.

People who suffer "Post-Covid Syndrome," or so-called "Long Haulers," are being studied by doctors. The medical field is trying to learn more about why their symptoms linger for weeks or months after diagnosis. This week, Haley talks with 35 year old Derick Cunigan, a Kansas City musician, who's still on oxygen two months after his diagnosis.

The Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony is Thanksgiving night, and if you've ever looked at the 80 miles of lights in awe, you have Matt Deardorff and two other electricians to thank. They're the unsung heroes of Kansas City's favorite holiday tradition. Their work starts in August each year and continues for much of the year. Kelly Eckerman joins Haley this week as co-host to discuss her interview with Deardorff. Watch Kelly's story:...

Kris Ketz joins Haley this week to discuss the sudden popularity of ultra-cold storage freezers. It follows news Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine candidate needs to be stored at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezers operating that cold are uncommon. Ketz got to look inside a facility in Kansas City that has 10 ultra-cold storage freezers. It's exact location is secret, but wherever it is, it may become essential to distributing the vaccine in the Metro and beyond. See the storage facility:...

American women made huge strides in 2020. They also suffered major setbacks, professionally. As the economic fallout of the pandemic continues, women are leaving the workforce at alarming rates. United WE is out with it's "Status of Women in Missouri" report. It looks at the gender pay gap, family leave, women in government, and yes, the impact of the pandemic on women. Read it here: https://united-we.org/status-of-women-2020

This is your guide to the 2020 general election, which is already setting new records. We're talking to Johnson County, Kansas Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt. Schmidt is expecting an unprecedented 80% voter turnout. Join us to hear her predictions for what we'll know and when on election night. Schmidt also takes us behind the scenes at the election office in the days leading up to the November 3rd election. kmbc.com/commitment2020

Working from home have you eyeing projects around the house? You're not alone. There's a renovation boom. HGTV's Tamara Day joins Haley this week to talk about the trend, and the projects she's tackling at her own home, which are featured in new episodes (airing Monday nights starting November 9th) of her show, "Bargain Mansions." "Why Americans Have Turned to Nesting," The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/fluffing-your-own-nest/616469/ Bargain Mansions on HGTV:...

A popular Lawrence diner has been serving free meals each weekday. The Ladybird Diner remains closed but continues serving up to 200 meals each weekday. Donations are drying up, but owner Meg Heriford has a plan. It may be the end of her restaurant, but she's okay with that if it means she can help feed her community. Order Heriford's new book, "Ladybird, Collected," for $24.99. The proceeds will go toward continuing the free community meals....

Lead to Read KC is a childhood literacy program that pairs 1200 urban 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders with adult reading mentors every year. During the pandemic, the program is online. This week, we're talking about the link between 3rd grade literacy and the crime rate. We're also talking with a Kansas City Public Librarian about some of her favorite diverse books. Lead to Read KC: https://www.leadtoreadkc.org/ - "Get Schooled" virtual fundraiser: https://one.bidpal.net/getschooled/welcome - How...

A new memorial to the nation's 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, has just opened near the National Mall in D.C. This week, we chat about the Kansas native's contributions to American history with Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library director, Dawn Hammatt. To see pictures and learn more, click here: https://eisenhowermemorial.gov/

She was chief of staff to former Kansas City Mayor Sly James. She's a political strategist and consultant. Now, Joni Wickham is adding "author" to her resume. "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch: Taking Action, Driving Change, Getting Results," is about women in the workplace. Although about women, Wickham says she hopes men and women read the book. In it, she tells the story of her humble beginnings in North Carolina, as the daughter of a teenage mother. She shares lessons for...