KANSAS CITY, MO - KSHB-TV, Kansas City’s 41 Action News Station, in collaboration with KCPT-TV, will broadcast a 30-minute special report looking back at a unique chapter in Kansas City’s history. “'68: The Kansas City Race Riots” airs Monday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. and documents the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent days of civil unrest in Kansas City. On April 9, 1968 frustrated citizens took to the streets in protest of the slow pace of civil rights reform. As a result, six people, all African-American, died and several others were hospitalized.
“At 41 Action News we like to look for projects that allows us to use our journalism to take a deep dive into issues important to our viewers. We also look for projects that allow us to live up to our mission to tell stories you won’t see anywhere else,” said Carrie Hofmann, news director for KSHB.
The special report also includes dramatic video from the disturbance, including a number of historic images from the LaBudde Special Collections at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Missouri State Archives. In addition to the special broadcast, 41 Action News will take an in-depth look into the riots at www.kshb.com/race-riots.
“We wanted to give Kansas Citians a chance to reflect back on this challenging time and how it has impacted where the city is today and what still needs to evolve,” said Hofmann. “Fifty years later, we are having the same debates and the same problems in our community.”
KCPT’s broadcast airs April 9 at 8:00 p.m. and will include a roundtable featuring Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Kansas City Mayor Sly James, and former city council member and longtime community activist Alvin Brooks.
About KSHB-TV
KSHB-TV is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company. The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, radio and digital media brands. With 33 television stations, Scripps is one of the nation’s largest independent TV station owners. Scripps runs an expanding collection of local and national journalism and content businesses, including Newsy, the next-generation national news network; podcast industry leader Midroll Media; and fast-growing national broadcast networks Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff. Scripps produces original programming including “Pickler & Ben,” runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”
CONTACT:
Randy Thurman, KSHB/KMCI-TV
Direct: (816) 932-4120
randy.thurman@kshb.com
