St. Louis on the Air
St. Louis Public Radio
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St. Louis on the Air creates a unique space where guests and listeners can share ideas and opinions with respect and honesty. Whether exploring issues and challenges confronting our region, discussing the latest innovations in science and technology, taking a closer look at our history or talking with authors, artists and musicians, St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
12 hours ago
How early childhood educators are preparing for financial loss as ARPA funding dries up
Early childhood educators are bracing for September 30. That’s when the Child Care Stabilization Program — funding allocated as part of the American Rescue Plan Act — will end, leaving hundreds of St. Louis and Metro East facilities in a lurch. Providers Aimee Washington-Hart, Paula-Breonne Vickers and Shona Lamond share what it will take to get early childhood education and the support and funding necessary to keep facilities open.
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19 hours ago
Why one Missouri Republican is leading the push to scale back the state's abortion law
Jamie Corley founded the Missouri Women and Family Research Fund in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which led to Missouri’s ban on most abortions. Corley, a Republican who has worked for several high-profile GOP lawmakers, has put forth six ballot initiative petitions that would chip away at the state’s ban. She shares the details of her proposals and makes the case that the current abortion law is too extreme for most Missouri conservatives.
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1 day ago
Danny Jacobs left St. Louis and escaped his father. He’s come back for the truth
Danny Jacobs thought he knew his father Richard Jacobs. But after his father’s death, Danny began to discover that the man he knew as a manipulator, liar and fabricator had even more layers. Danny and his childhood best friend Darren Grodsky returned to St. Louis to search for the truth behind Richard Jacobs’ life, which is the subject of the new podcast “How to Destroy Everything.”
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2 days ago
STL Assessor welcomes regulations on short-term rentals, Airbnb
St. Louis is among the few cities that don't regulate short-term rentals. That’s left the city’s Assessor Michael Dauphin to investigate units to see if they’re being operated as a business, or if they’re being controlled by absentee landlords or LLCs. City legislators are working on a bill that could change how people use platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Ward 4 Alderman Bret Narayan adds his insight on the challenge of regulating short-term rentals, and shares updates on the bill’s status.
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2 days ago
Menya Rui’s Steve Pursley named ‘Best New Chef’ by Food & Wine
Since it opened in April 2022, St. Louis ramen shop Menya Rui has received plenty of local acclaim, and the long lines of diners waiting to experience the delicious house-made noodles are about to get longer. Food & Wine has named chef-owner Steven Pursley one of this year's 11 “Best New Chefs.” In this encore episode, Pursley discusses his experience connecting with his roots in Japan and what he learned about the different types of ramen during his time there.
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2 days ago
The future of the Midwest includes hazardous heat and most of our homes aren't ready
It’s no question that St. Louis is heating up. The region is part of a “heat belt” that is forming across the Midwest and parts of the South, which will face heat indexes of 125 degrees or higher in about 30 years. As we unpack our sweaters in anticipation of cooler, autumnal temps, you may want to consider whether your home can take the heat. Holly Edgell, managing editor of the Midwest Newsroom at NPR shares her recent reporting on the personal and environmental dangers of “hot houses.”
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3 days ago
United Auto Workers experiences ‘overwhelming’ public support on Day 4 of its strike
GM workers in Wentzville were among the first United Auto Workers in the nation to strike for higher pay. Sonya Wagner, who has worked at General Motors Co.'s Wentzville Assembly plant for 10 years, shares why she is on the picket line and what she and her colleagues demand. Also, Washington University sociologist Jason Rosenfeld provides insight on how this strike fits into the larger labor movement in the U.S.
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3 days ago
Powell Hall renovation has St. Louis Symphony Orchestra on the road this season
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra begins its 144th season this week with one big change — the orchestra is not performing in Powell Hall. SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève and President and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard discuss the ongoing renovation and expansion of Powell Hall and the highlights of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
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6 days ago
From Christopher Columbus to Ferguson, Michael Harriot delivers history that is ‘Black AF’
Columnist and commentator Michael Harriot’s debut book, “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America,” offers a compelling retelling of American history. Harriot discusses how his upbringing in the “middle room” of his grandfather’s home in South Carolina informed his self-education. He also talks about his experience covering protests in Ferguson in 2014 and St. Louis in 2017.
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Sep 14, 2023
Sorry, ladies. Forest Park’s famous great horned owl, Charles, has found a new mate
Charles the great horned owl lost both his mate and their eggs in December. It was tough news for Mark H. X. Glenshaw, the naturalist who has documented Charles’ life for 17 years. However, things are now looking up for Charles. Glenshaw shares the details in this encore “owl prowl” edition of the show.
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Sep 14, 2023
Photos: St. Louis kids turned this abandoned building into art at riverfront graffiti fest
Each September, hundreds of professional artists participate in Paint Louis. The annual music and graffiti festival brings people to the riverfront to pick and paint a two-mile section of the downtown St. Louis floodwall — also known as the Mural Mile. Part of the Paint Louis festival is “Paint Littles,” an area expressly for kids where they get to spray their masterpieces on the walls of an abandoned weigh station building. STLPR audio engineer Aaron Doerr brings us the scene.
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Sep 13, 2023
Food insecurity leaves some college students to rely on campus food pantries in St. Louis
Food pantries at local St. Louis Colleges are reporting an increase in student visits. Shannon Quinn, case manager at UMSL's Advocacy and Care Center, and Jo Britt-Rankin discuss changes to federal food assistance programs and how University Missouri campuses are helping students secure their basic needs.
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Sep 13, 2023
Vivian Gibson opposes SLU's plan to demolish Mill Creek buildings
The fate of two buildings along the Mill Creek Valley footprint — the historic, predominantly Black neighborhood that was raised in 1959 to make way for “urban renewal” in downtown St. Louis — has sparked calls for protest this week after t St. Louis University submitted a proposal for demolition to the city of St. Louis. Vivian Gibson, author of “The Last Children of Mill Creek, shares her thoughts and experiences with attempts to preserve and honor her childhood neighborhood.
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Sep 12, 2023
‘Journalism is not in decline’: U of Illinois professor cites surge in nonprofit newsrooms
In his new book, "Changing Models for Journalism: Reinventing the Newsroom," Global Investigative Journalism Network co-founder Brant Houston explores the deep transformation that journalism has undergone in the last decade, including the decimation of traditional newsrooms, changing revenue streams, corporate ownership and investors, and the surge in nonprofit newsrooms and collaborations.
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Sep 12, 2023
Researchers see new salmonella sensors shaking up the entire chicken supply chain
Visit any grocery store and you can expect that the produce, meat and other products that line the shelves are not contaminated. But sometimes that’s not the case. STLPR economic development reporter Eric Schmid discusses how locally-based researchers are part of a team developing ways to more quickly identify salmonella in the chicken supply chain. Salmonella is one of the top pathogens that cause foodborne illness.
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Sep 11, 2023
Washington University replaces undergraduate federal loans with scholarships and grants
Washington University has unveiled a new policy that removes federal student loans from their undergraduate financial aid packages. The policy takes effect fall 2024, but it has already garnered attention across the nation as a way to make a path to higher education less burdensome. Ronné Turner, Wash U’s vice provost for admissions and financial aid, shares the benefits for students and how the no-loan policy can impact generational wealth.
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Sep 11, 2023
2023 Music at the Intersection festival brings the sounds of soul to St. Louis
12,000 people gathered in Grand Center this past weekend for the 3rd annual Music at the Intersection festival. The lineup included big names like Herbie Hancock, Smino, Taj Mahal, and Thundercat, as well as local talents like Sir Eddie C, Renee Smith, and the Marquise Knox Band featuring the Funky Butt Horns.
Producers Miya Norfleet and Emily Woodbury spoke with festival-goers about why they came out — and what they think of St. Louis’ music scene.
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Sep 11, 2023
A sports columnist finds shared goals in Shakespeare and soccer
A world-premiere is hitting St. Louis theater for the the 10th anniversary of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s “Shakespeare in the Streets.” Rather than Shakespeare, the bard of this particular play, “The Game’s Afoot,” is St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Benjamin Hochman. Hochman spent months interviewing dozens of people in St. Louis’ soccer community, and he discusses what it means to combine St. Louis, soccer and Shakespeare.
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Sep 8, 2023
How the Webster-Kirkwood Times maintains its print edition amid a changing media landscape
Where do you get your news, and how does it get to you? We dive into the current state, value and future of print media in the St. Louis area, including how the Webster-Kirkwood Times survived near-closure the year the coronavirus pandemic hit — because its journalists got together to purchase the paper themselves.
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Sep 7, 2023
Advocates raise alarm as Missouri prisons restrict access to books
A new Missouri law prohibits friends and families from buying books for loved ones serving time in prison. Michelle Smith, the founder of the Missouri Justice Coalition, discusses what the ban means for people in prison, and how access to books is just the latest battleground in Missouri prisons that pits security concerns against the wellbeing and rehabilitation of offenders.
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Sep 7, 2023
A Kirkwood native is relishing the opportunity to drive the iconic Wienermobile
Oscar Mayer’s iconic Weinermobile has a new name and Kirkwood native Mary Clare Kammer is spreading word like mustard on a bun. Before Kammer drives the Frankmobile to a few stops in St. Louis and Warren County she shares her Oscar Mayer origin story from childhood to college student at Mizzou, and special moments on her travels so far.
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Sep 6, 2023
STL, Tennessee Williams’ ‘Static City' celebrates his legacy for 8th year
Tennessee Williams wrote about St. Louis with unconcealed disdain, but it’s undeniable the city played a major role in his life. For the 8th year running, the Tennessee Williams Festival is staging performances and events honoring the legacy of the legendary playwright. Williams scholar Tom Mitchell discusses the festival’s focus this year, his own discovery of seven Williams short stories, and how mental health factored into Williams’ most famous plays like “Suddenly, Last Summer.” (Editor's Note: The on-air version of this conversation incorrectly identified the dates of the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. The festival runs September 7-17.)
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Sep 6, 2023
Over 6,000 St. Louis-area child abuse and neglect cases remain open due to staff shortages
Podcast Description: The Children’s Division of Missouri’s Department of Social Services is severely understaffed. In St. Louis and St. Louis County, there should be 60 investigators total. Instead, there are 16. That shortage has led to a backlog of over 6,000 cases involving child abuse or neglect. And, those backlogged cases have remained open beyond 45 days --- far longer than in other regions in Missouri. STLPR Politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum has been following this story, and shared his reporting done in partnership with NPR’s Midwest Newsroom.
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Sep 5, 2023
Northside Trap Run returns to the Ville with more DJs to get the body moving
The Ville neighborhood in St. Louis’ northside has birthed heroes from librarian Julia Davis to queen of rock ‘n’ roll Tina Turner. But even the Ville couldn’t avoid higher vacancy, empty land and crime — due in large part to disinvestment in the once bustling community. The Northside Trap Run seeks to bring the neighborhood back to its heyday and remind the community how much it has to be proud of. In this episode, race ambassador and St. Louis Run Crew founder Ricky Hughes talks about this Saturday’s race.
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Sep 5, 2023
Hidden bee rocks turn St. Louis greenways into an outdoor scavenger hunt
Greenway Quest is an outdoor scavenger hunt created to get folks of all ages to seek hand-painted bee rocks hidden along the greenways of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. Dallas Adams, communications manager at Great Rivers Greenway, shares fun facts about the event and how their recent projects center community engagement.
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Sep 4, 2023
How Missouri made the Lake of the Ozarks: Crimes, sunken homes and dreams of a Midwest oasis
Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer vacation season. On this holiday, we bring you a special from KCUR Studios that highlights the Lake of the Ozarks, a popular tourist destination in Missouri that’s just a three-hour drive west of St. Louis. Senior producer Suzanne Hogan looks at the story of how this man-made body of water came to be – a story that includes corruption, jail time, communities torn apart and displaced families.
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Sep 1, 2023
Alonzo Townsend takes lessons from his legendary parents to spotlight St. Louis music
Alonzo Townsend is not just a champion for St. Louis music — he was born into it. The St. Louis native founded the Townsendx3 Agency to support local artists by managing them and putting power behind their brands — something he learned to do as a child from his parents, blues legend Henry ‘Mule’ Townsend and gospel and blues singer Vernell Townsend.
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Sep 1, 2023
StoryCorps returns to St. Louis this month. Learn how to get involved and listen to memorable stories
StoryCorps is visiting St. Louis for the first time in nearly a decade. From Sept. 14 - Oct. 20, the nonprofit’s signature Airstream will be in the Public Media Commons just outside STLPR’s studios. In this episode, we talk with Lea Zikmund, director of StoryCorps’ Mobile Tour, and we listen to past, memorable stories with St. Louis ties.
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Aug 31, 2023
Civic boards and commissions in Missouri lack diversity, new report shows
The membership of boards and commissions in Missouri does not reflect the racial, ethnic and gender composition of the state. These boards are important not only for the immediate impact they have on communities; they often serve as a launching pad for individuals seeking public office. UMSL political scientist Anita Manion shares the details of her latest report.
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Aug 30, 2023
Aaron Fowler makes his own big shoes to fill by creating art that embodies hip-hop
For St. Louis-born artist Aaron Fowler, hip-hop is woven into his art. The influence is evident in his nine-foot long, five-foot tall sculpture “Live Culture Force 1’s” which is now displayed at the St. Louis Art Museum’s “The Culture: Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art the 21st Century” through the end of the year.
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Aug 30, 2023
Legislative sports betting stalemate could lead to an appearance on 2024 ballot
Next week, the NFL kicks off its season in Kansas City. Meanwhile, college football started this week. It's a big deal for sports -- and sports gambling. People in Missouri really really want to gamble, but if they want to bet on their favorite teams, they'll have to cross state lines. Missouri lawmakers are getting ready to try, for the third consecutive year, to legalize sports betting. St. Louis Public Radio's Statehouse and Politics Reporter Sarah Kellogg, breaks down the supporters and opponents, where gambling revenue goes, and what might change with the involvement of the state's biggest sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Aug 29, 2023
Michael Sack becomes the latest example of white officers suing St. Louis for racism
The Legal Roundtable dives into local and regional lawsuits and litigation. This month that includes a lawsuit filed by Lt. Col. Michael Sack, a white officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Sack alleges that St. Louis discriminated against him when it hired another white candidate as the new chief of police. This edition of the Legal Roundtable features attorneys Javad Khazaeli, a former prosecutor and founding member with the St. Louis firm Khazaeli Wyrsch; Dave Roland, the director of litigation at the Freedom Center of Missouri; and Susan McGraugh, director of the criminal defense legal clinic at St. Louis University School of Law.
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Aug 28, 2023
At Ritenour High, the teacher pipeline starts in the classroom
The number of U.S. college students pursuing education degrees has dropped dramatically in the past few decades. The Teach & Lead program at Ritenour High School aims to reverse that trend by providing education training and mentorship to high schoolers. In return, participants are expected to return to their local school district as teachers after college graduation. That’s what happened to Christina Andrade Melly, 2023’s Missouri Teacher of the Year. Andrade Melly grew up in the Ritenour School District, and she shares why she returned to teach English and Language Arts.
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Aug 28, 2023
Transitioning to college can be hard. A new WashU course aims to make it easier
The transition to college is filled with complex personal and academic changes. A new Washington University course “Bearprints for Success” aims to guide students through their first few months of college. Tim Bono, a lecturer in psychology studies and assistant dean at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, talks about how the course prepares students for the inevitable challenges of college life.
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Aug 25, 2023
‘Ink Tributes’ pay homage to victims of police brutality, civil rights heroes
University City native and Disney special effects supervisor Marlon West watched protests across the country after the deaths of George Floyd and Brianna Taylor in 2020. West was compelled to “pay tribute” to slain Black Americans and civil rights icons. What started as a four illustration project ended in over forty images and a project titled “Ink Tributes,” many of which are on display at St. Louis University Museum of Art.
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Aug 25, 2023
How ‘giving Black’ can close funding gaps for Black nonprofits
St. Louis is known for its philanthropic generosity. But for many Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits in the region, donors generally don’t fund them at the same level as they fund white-led organizations. Why is that? What can be done to close that gap? Tackling those questions are Gladiator Consulting’s Rachel D’Souza, Shelly Williams of Access Academies, and UrbArts founder MK Stallings discuss how funding gaps stymie growth, and how efforts like Giving Black Day can help.
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Aug 24, 2023
Dangerous heat pushes St. Louis-area schools to close buildings and dismiss early
For the fifth day in a row, the St. Louis region is experiencing dangerous heat that is near record-breaking levels. It’s also the first week of school for many students in the region. STLPR senior education reporter Kate Grumke discusses issues with bus transportation and athletics as well as what schools are doing to cope with the heat including early dismissals and virtual learning.
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Aug 24, 2023
No longer just a rural problem, ticks have become a serious problem in urban communities too
The combination of warmth and humidity in Missouri make it a fantastic place … for ticks. We learn what makes the state even more hospitable to these bloodsucking insects and how we can protect ourselves from tick-borne maladies like alpha-gal syndrome, which makes people allergic to red meat. We also get an update on the nearly 100 illegally transported Antilles pinktoe tarantulas that’ve been living at the Missouri Botanical Gardens Butterfly House since they were seized by federal agents in February.
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Aug 23, 2023
Why 30% of Missouri school districts have transitioned to a 4-day school week
The four-day school week first became an option for Missouri schools 14 years ago. Now, more than 30% of the state’s districts have implemented shorter school weeks. Missouri State University Associate Professor Jon Turner and Warren County School District Superintendent Gregg Klinginsmith discuss how the practice helps recruit and retain teachers, and its effect on student learning.
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Aug 23, 2023
Illinois passes updated law to repatriate Native American remains after years of neglect
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill this month intended to improve the process of returning native remains and cultural artifacts to their nations of origin. It’s part of a yearslong, statewide effort to improve the state’s poor track record with repatriation. Producer Danny Wicentowski talked with ProPublica reporter Logan Jaffe about her reporting on “The Repatriation Project.”
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Aug 22, 2023
The world is built for people with perfect hearing — but 83% of people don't have it
Despite the fact that nearly 83% of the population does not have perfect hearing, most of our spaces are designed to cater, auditorily, to a select few. That’s a problem, according to researchers in the growing field of aural diversity. In this encore edition of the show, former STLPR producer Avery Rogers takes us through the various ways we perceive sound and how understanding these differences can help us better approach hearing accessibility.
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Aug 21, 2023
Early treatment of Alzheimer’s is key — but diagnosis is too often delayed
An estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease, and more than 11 million provide them with unpaid care. On this encore episode, we explore what it means to live with Alzheimer's, to care for those who have it, and the need for early diagnosis.
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Aug 18, 2023
Illinois could get a new flag for the first time in over a century
There's a wave of state and city flag redesigns sweeping the country — and Illinois may be next. Ted Kaye, author of “‘Good’ Flag, ‘Bad’ Flag,” says that trend reflects a deeper understanding of the opportunity a great state or city flag presents. He shares the basic principles of flag design and the role flags play in cultivating civic pride.
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Aug 18, 2023
Missouri has yet to pass the CROWN Act. What’s at stake?
Hair discrimination disproportionately targets Black women, and lawmakers have sought to ban the practice with the CROWN Act. CROWN stands for “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair,” and the first act of its kind was passed in California in 2019. Since then, other states and municipalities have adopted their own measures, including the City of St. Louis in 2021. A statewide measure took effect in Illinois this past January. Missouri has yet to pass a similar law. PBS NewsHour correspondent and vice president of the St. Louis chapter of NABJ Gabrielle Hays and founder and CEO of Frizzy by Nature Leslie Hughes talk about local and statewide efforts to pass the CROWN Act and ways Black women are relearning how to embrace their curls.
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Aug 17, 2023
Metro Transit seeks 200 mechanics and operators to help restore bus services
MetroBus continues to operate at reduced capacity, hampering the needs of St. Louis bus riders eager to get to work, school and appointments. Bi-State Development CEO Taulby Roach says recent hiring events and a new worker contract give him hope that bus and MetroLink services can be restored.
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Aug 17, 2023
STL Fringe Fest sees uptick in sales for hyper local, inclusive stage performances
Regional live theater venues are struggling to attract audiences back to the theater since COVID-19 restrictions shut down productions for nearly two years. STL Fringe Fest have weathered the storm and this year’s festival features 42 acts and organizers are seeing an uptick in sales. In this episode, Matthew Kerns, president and artistic director of St. Lou Fringe, joins Lindy Drew of Humans of St. Louis and burlesque performer Sara Howard aka Dizzy Tunt to talk about what audiences can expect in this years STL Fringe Fest.
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Aug 16, 2023
Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ tour lands in St. Louis on Monday and the ‘BeyHive’ is buzzing
International superstar Beyoncé will be in St. Louis on August 21 for the Renaissance tour at the Dome in Downtown. Local members of the “BeyHive” are buzzing about Queen Bey’s arrival as viral videos of her past performances are shared across the web. DJ Nico Marie will host a Beyoncé-themed party with fellow DJ Makeda Kravitz at Sophie’s Artist Lounge prior to Renaissance’s arrival.
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Aug 16, 2023
Missouri AG Bailey details why a wall should exist between ‘tech and state’
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is at the center of a landmark dispute over how the federal government can interact with social media platforms. In Missouri v. Biden, the state contends an appeals court should keep in place a lower court’s injunction that restricts federal employees from trying to get social media companies to take down content. STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum talks with Bailey.
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Aug 16, 2023
Fashion and hip-hop on display at St. Louis Art Museum’s ‘The Culture’ exhibition
The St. Louis Art Museum's new exhibition, “The Culture,” honors the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and how it influenced art, including how it shaped fashion styles. Exhibit curator Hannah Klemm and former curatorial research fellow Rikki Byrd discuss the exhibit with a focus on aesthetics and how fashion is central in hip-hop culture.
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Aug 15, 2023
How chef Juwan Rice aims to push the boundaries of St. Louis' culinary scene
With his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, St. Louis chef Juwan Rice wants to invite diners into an intimate space — one that has the feel of a private dinner party. Rated Test Kitchen’s seven-course menu will change on a monthly basis, it will be experimental (crystal-clear bread, anyone?) and guests are invited to share their feedback on each course. Rice hopes to provide a space where both locals and tourists will flock to in downtown St. Louis.
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Aug 15, 2023
Vincentians to dedicate new St. Louis mission house to help recruit more Catholic clergy
The Vincentians will dedicate a new mission house on Lafayette near the intersection of I-44 and Grand Blvd. in St. Louis this Saturday. The Catholic community arrived in St. Louis in 1818 and is refocusing its efforts on the city. Named after St. Vincent de Paul, Vincentians are known for their work serving poor people and marginalized communities. The Rev. Patrick McDevitt discusses the new mission house and how he hopes its presence will help the community and recruit more Catholic clergy.
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Aug 14, 2023
Black Business Expo bridges gap between Black and white with green along Delmar Divide
Delmar Main Street aims to counter the effects of the “Delmar Divide.” The organization focuses on the business corridor between Skinker Blvd. and Taylor Ave., and they are the host of the Black Business Expo being held August 26 at Delmar Blvd. and Hamilton Ave. West End resident and Delmar Main Street Vice President Lisa Potts shares what folks can expect at the expo and how “buying Black” helps communities across the region. Marcus Howard, founder and CEO of GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness, also joins the discussion.
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Aug 14, 2023
Amazon workers ask OSHA to investigate STL8 warehouse
At the STL8 Amazon warehouse in St. Peters, workers say their bodies are being broken by a management system that monitors their actions down to the second. Amazon warehouse employee Wendy Taylor is one of 14 workers who submitted a federal complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) earlier this month. She describes what it’s like to be injured on the job, and the pressure to package thousands of items while being monitored by Amazon.
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Aug 11, 2023
Nursing home staffing shortage in St. Louis mirrors statewide problem
Residents of Missouri nursing homes average just three hours, each day, of care. Nursing homes across the state are also facing serious shortages in staffing. Three guests, including a local CNA working to improve worker pay and professional advancement, discuss what needs to be done to change the situation.
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Aug 11, 2023
First Black incorporated town in U.S. placed on Illinois ‘endangered’ list
Brooklyn, Illinois was the first Black town to be incorporated, but its rich history is at risk of being lost. Roberta Rogers, former president of the Historical Society of Brooklyn, and Quinn Adamowski of Landmarks Illinois talk about the town’s history and efforts to support its continued existence.
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Aug 10, 2023
An elk secretly survived Army hunters in the 1950s. It inspired St. Louis and created a park
In 1959, the U.S. Army eradicated the entire elk population in a park in St. Louis County — or at least, they thought they did. A single elk’s remarkable survival changed the course of that park’s history, and gave it its name, Lone Elk Park. “Unseel St. Louis” writer Jackie Dana discusses the fascinating history of the park, and St. Louis County Park Ranger Sgt. Cheryl Fechter shares her insight into how the park’s people and animals have learned to co-exist.
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Aug 10, 2023
Pickleball, America's fastest-growing sport, brings hundreds to Forest Park
More than 400 pickleball players are competing in a national tournament hosted in Forest Park this week. The tournament highlights the growth of the sport in the area that includes permanent courts in seven south St. Louis parks. A former Bed Bath & Beyond in Lake St. Louis is among the area’s newest pickleball venues and two more are expected to open this year. Mike Chapin, who runs St.LouisPickleball.com, discusses the St. Louis area’s pickleball explosion.
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Aug 10, 2023
The heat is on, but the grass is greener at Busch Stadium and CityPark
Keeping St. Louis' outdoor professional sports fields in tiptop shape is a big job when the weather is nice, and a more challenging task during sweltering St. Louis summers. STLPR senior correspondent and morning newscaster Wayne Pratt gets to the root of how these two fields stay fresh, even when the temperatures are soaring.
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Aug 9, 2023
With new album ‘Aqua Phonic,’ Marko Polo dives deep into an oceanic wonderland
Mark Pagano is on a mission to keep the St. Louis kindie music scene on the map. The kids indie musician known as Marko Polo will release his second solo album, “Aqua Phonic,” this Sunday. This episode features Pagano talking about his passion for creating fun and informative music, and we feature songs from the new album.
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Aug 9, 2023
How Midwestern shrimp farms raise seafood far from an ocean
A group of Midwestern shrimp farmers is on a mission to provide Americans with better-tasting, sustainable shrimp. The industry struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but reporter Lilley Halloran found that farmers are hopeful the industry will come back stronger than ever.
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Aug 8, 2023
Missouri librarians express confusion over ‘vague’ language in new state rule
A new statewide rule has Missouri librarians concerned for their ability to curate their collections in a way that serves the entire community. Missouri Library Association President-Elect Kimberly Moeller talks about how the rule comes at a time of increased attention and scrutiny toward Missouri’s public libraries — and what concerned community members can do to support the public library system.
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Aug 8, 2023
Muhammad Mvstermind Austin created Mvstercamp to train local artists on stage presence, guerilla marketing and industry standards — all lessons that he had to learn the hard way.
Many people dream of becoming a star, but most can barely perform without losing their breath after one song, let alone get through a proper soundcheck. For those folks, Muhammad Mvstermind Austin created Mvstercamp — a six-day bootcamp to teach up and coming artists the lessons he learned the hard way.
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Aug 7, 2023
Buckminster Fuller’s dome at SIUE faces a (mini) global climate crisis
The Fuller Dome on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville represents the legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. Designed as a miniature globe, the structure is experiencing its own kind of climate crisis, as its heating and air conditioning system are failing. Benjamin Lowder, director of the Fuller Dome Center for Spirituality and Sustainability, discusses the effort to raise funds to preserve the dome and the impact of Fuller's legacy on the St. Louis region.
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Aug 7, 2023
WashU professor digs into the fizzy history of 7UP, a St. Louis invention
In his recent piece for the Atlantic, Washington University Professor Ian Bogost argues that “all soda is lemon-lime soda.” He shares why he came to that conclusion and the little-known-facts that he learned about 7UP, including its St. Louis origins and one of its original ingredients (a prescription drug by today’s standards).
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Aug 4, 2023
Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon helps No Labels group eyeing a third-party presidential ticket
Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon dove back into the political fray last week when he announced his involvement with No Labels, a group of centrist politicians pushing back against what they see as the extremes of both the Republican and Democratic Parties. The group is rankling some Democrats who think its actions could create an avenue for Donald Trump to return to the White House. STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum talks with Jay Nixon on this episode that first aired on the station’s Politically Speaking podcast.
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Aug 4, 2023
Salt of the Earth celebrates 20 years of making music in St. Louis
The St. Louis roots quartet Salt of the Earth prizes simplicity. The group has released six albums and on Saturday celebrates its 20th anniversary with a concert at the Focal Point in Maplewood. Band members Lynne Reif and Mike Schrand talk about the band and this episode samples Salt of the Earth’s music.
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Aug 4, 2023
How accessible playgrounds foster independence for kids with disabilities
Local non-profit Unlimited Play designed and built dozens of accessible playgrounds in the St. Louis area and many more across the country. Founder Natalie Mackay talks about what makes playgrounds truly inclusive and fun for all kids.
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Aug 3, 2023
How a local video game studio gave Atari its first new cartridge release since 1990
Video games were once synonymous with cartridges. A St. Louis game developer, Graphite Lab, is turning back the clock with its release of “Mr. Run and Jump.” Out on modern consoles from Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo, a version of the game is also being released for the Atari 2600 — and, for the first time since 1990, Atari is releasing the new game on a cartridge. Graphite Lab developer John Mikula reveals how he created “Mr. Run and Jump” as a passion project and what happened after Atari took notice.
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Aug 3, 2023
Traveling art exhibit recognizes St. Louis founder of Black People Who Hike
Debbie Njai, the St. Louis-based founder of Black People Who Hike, is being honored with a portrait that’s part of a national art exhibition focused on Americans who are improving their communities. In this episode, Njai and her portraitist discuss the healing aspects of nature and the ways art can be used as a vehicle for inspiration and education.
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Aug 3, 2023
Sitcom-inspired Shakespeare brings its laugh track to 24 parks
The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival is hitting the road, with its production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Performers Christina Yancy and Joel Moses discuss performing in a different park every night, and how they put on a production (complete with laugh track) while playing multiple characters in a 90-minute, sitcom-inspired version of Shakespeare’s legendary comedy.
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Aug 2, 2023
How a St. Louis queer support helpline is building community
The St. Louis Queer Support Helpline — or SQSH — has experienced an increase in calls for help finding resources and community. Executive Director Luka Cai shares how SQSH’s goals are shaped by the needs of the local queer community — and how infrastructural changes as well as cultural shifts would make for a more welcoming and healthy St. Louis.
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Aug 1, 2023
A deep collection of modern Indigenous American art now open at St. Louis Art Museum
For the first time in its history, the St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM) has curated an exhibition of work by modern Indigenous American artists. “Action-Abstraction Redefined” showcases 20th-century pieces paired with an audio guide featuring their creators. Alex Marr, the museum’s associate curator of Native American Art, talks with STLPR senior reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin about SLAM’s history of collecting, and not showing, Native American art — and how this exhibition aims to bring visibility to Native histories.
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Aug 1, 2023
A dormant Illinois volcano has rare Earth metals. Scientists want to know why
The Hicks Dome volcano sits dormant in southern Illinois. While there’s no chance it will erupt anytime soon, geologist Daniel Hummer says researchers are interested in the site because it’s concentrated with rare Earth minerals and radioactive materials.
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Jul 31, 2023
New restaurants bring cocktails, juices and Chinese hamburgers to St. Louis
Several new restaurants and bars have opened their doors this summer, with offerings ranging from high-minded cocktail combinations to Chinese street food. Sauce Magazine Executive Editor Meera Nagarajan breaks down her picks for what to try at three newly opened eateries and bars: Maryland House by Brennan’s, Dumplings & Tea, and B Juiced.
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Jul 28, 2023
Legal Roundtable tackles St. Louis’ 911 woes: ‘They’re not running it’
St. Louis on the Air’s Legal Roundtable convenes to address a lawsuit targeting St. Louis’ ailing 911 system, a $6.1 million settlement issued to a former guidance counselor, a major ruling in the ongoing defamation lawsuit against The Gateway Pundit’s Jim Hoft, and more. Joining the discussion is attorney Mark Smith, a former associate vice chancellor and dean at Washington University; Attorney Eric Banks, a former city counselor for the city of St. Louis; and attorney Sarah Swatosh, who specializes in labor and employment law.
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Jul 27, 2023
Transracial adoptees take “Joy Ride” as avenue to talk identity, family and belonging
Against the backdrop of the new feature film “Joy Ride,” three St. Louis residents who grew up in Metro St. Louis and near Kansas City, Missouri, talk about their personal experiences as Asian American transracial adoptees navigating identity, family and belonging.
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Jul 27, 2023
How Missouri's abortion law has affected OB-GYN care
Health care facilities in states with abortion bans, like Missouri, find that fewer doctors consider coming to these states to complete their OB-GYN residencies. Washington University physicians Dr. David Eisenberg and Dr. Jeannie Kelly have witnessed this firsthand. In this episode, they also discuss the effects of Missouri’s abortion ban on maternal health outcomes.
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Jul 26, 2023
Homes in St. Louis' floodplains need to be bought out to avoid future damage, advocates say
The St. Louis region experienced historic flooding one year ago, with effects that continue today. We discuss what’s been learned and done since then to prevent a repeat of such damage.
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Jul 26, 2023
'Eliza' imagines life of woman enslaved, and freed, by prominent St. Louis family
“Eliza” is a new historical short film about Eliza Rone, a woman enslaved – and eventually freed – by a prominent 19th century family in St. Louis. Co-writers and co-directors Delisa Richardson and Dan Steadman discuss their use of historical documents and imagination to craft the story and characters in the film.
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Jul 25, 2023
Mosaic Pothole Project makes art out of the city's pothole problem
Artist Lu Ray Waldemer has first hand experience dealing with and witnessing blown tires due to raggedy St. Louis streets. Waldemer would complain to friends and family until she decided to do something about it by starting the “Mosaic Pothole Project.”
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Jul 25, 2023
Black residents were denied wealth in STL. A reparations commission is tackling that history
St. Louis’ commission on reparations began meeting monthly this summer to confront the vast and layered damage of slavery, segregation and discrimination. Commission members Gwen Moore and Kayla Reed discuss the need for reparations, the challenges presented by historic injustice, and their thoughts on what form reparations may ultimately take in St. Louis.
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Jul 25, 2023
This local running club invites all to run through the 314
In this encore conversation, Ricky Hughes talks about how he founded St. Louis Run Crew with inclusion in mind — specifically to introduce Black and brown people to running and to create a space where they can be comfortable. While most running clubs are inherently inclusive, Hughes would often find himself the only person of color in local running groups. He says the crew — which meets in Kiener Plaza Park — is “open to all faces, paces and laces.”
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Jul 24, 2023
Rolla residents pack city council meeting over proposed obscenity ordinance
After a Rolla Pride event in June that included a drag performance, people packed a city council meeting wanting to weigh in on a proposed ordinance that would limit public performance content. STLPR Rolla correspondent Jonathan Ahl shares notes about that meeting and the obscenities ordinance under consideration.
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Jul 24, 2023
Two corpse flowers are expected to bring the funk at Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden has drawn crowds wanting to revel in the smell of the aptly named corpse flower, the amorphophallus titanum, since it first bloomed there in 2012. Its offensive odor has been likened to rotting garbage, dirty diapers and, yes… a dead body. Horticulturist Emily Colletti has cared for the garden's collection of corpse flowers for 21 years. She shared what makes the odoriferous plants happy, and how she can predict when this year’s blooming flower Octavia will dazzle and stink.
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Jul 21, 2023
Missouri’s glades are trapped under trees. Botanists are freeing them by logging
Podcast Description: In 2018, writer Robert Langellier and botanist Neal Humke cut down every tree across 19 acres in the Ozarks in Pioneer Forest. Their aim was to restore one of the Ozarks' rarest ecosystems: a glade. While it may seem counterintuitive to cut down trees in a time of climate change, restoring glades helps ensure biodiversity. Langellier discusses his opinion piece in the New York Times about the conservation effort. Humke, Land Stewardship Coordinator for the L-A-D Foundation — which privately owns the land in the Pioneer Forest — discusses the non-profits’ work there and the importance of glades.
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Jul 21, 2023
Film festival in St. Louis has a supernatural Western and a story of aliens in Forest Park
Cinema St. Louis has curated films with a local connection since 2000. Now in its twenty-third iteration, the showcase has grown to include documentary and narrative shorts as well as feature-length films, experimental film and animations, and master classes for anyone interested in filmmaking in the region. Chris Clark, Cinema St. Louis' artistic director, breaks down the upcoming showcase, and discusses what he’s most looking forward to.
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Jul 20, 2023
Illinois has two months to end cash bail. A judge compares it to ‘turning the Titanic’
A ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court this week opened a path for courts to eliminate the use of cash bail as a condition for release before trial. The decision gives courts two months to prepare for the shift to end cash bail in mid-September. Chief Circuit Court Judge Andrew Gleeson says the time frame is akin to “turning the Titanic,” but he’s also hopeful the change may lead to greater equity in the courts. Community organizer Marie Franklin feels the justice system is “finally moving in a direction that we should be moving in.” Alexa Van Brunt, director of the MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois office, also joins the discussion to share the challenges this new law may bring, as well as the potential positive effects for public safety and community well being.
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Jul 20, 2023
Six weeks in, Gabe Gore says St. Louis circuit attorney’s office has stabilized
Appointed by Gov. Mike Parson, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore has been on the job as the city’s top prosecutor since May 30. He took over after Kim Gardner resigned earlier than expected. In his first six weeks on the job, Gore has increased staffing levels and begun to deal with a backlog of cases. In this extended interview, he discusses that and much more, including how he’s appointed outside counsel to handle the Christopher Dunn innocence case.
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Jul 19, 2023
Breaking down silos to curb violence and create safe spaces for young St. Louisans
St. Louis’ Office of Violence Prevention partners with several non-profits that tackle the systemic causes behind violence. Among other resources, organizations provide quality mental health services, supportive re-entry for former offenders and harm reduction. Director Wil Pinkney shares how St. Louisans can get involved.
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Jul 19, 2023
How St. Louis maintains ‘sister city’ relationships across the world
St. Louis has 16 sister city relationships. The oldest was formed more than six decades ago with Stuttgart, Germany; the most recent, with Rosario, Argentina. We talk with the people who maintain St. Louis’ connection with Rosario and a city called St. Louis in Senegal, and discuss the umbrella organization that houses all 16 sister city relationships.
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Jul 18, 2023
Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ lifts a St. Charles barbershop chorus to its 5th championship
On July 8, 113 costumed singers belted out the melody to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” in a choreographed, frenetic performance that ultimately won gold at the International Barbershop Harmony Society Convention — the fifth championship for the St. Charles-based Ambassadors of Harmony barbershop chorus. The chorus’ co-directors, Jim Henry and Jonny Moroni, recount how they planned and pulled together for the competition, and the enduring popularity of barbershop chorus.
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Jul 18, 2023
Government downplayed risks of radioactive contamination in St. Louis for 75 years
Thousands of previously unreleased documents reveal the federal government knew about the dangers of radioactive waste in the St. Louis area but consistently downplayed them. Reporter Allison Kite talks about government negligence and advocate Dawn Chapman shares how the revelations could put needed pressure on federal agencies to finally clean up.
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Jul 17, 2023
In ‘Wannabe,’ NPR’s Aisha Harris reckons with the pop culture that shapes us
In her new book, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” co-host Aisha Harris shares her experiences as a Black, suburban 90s-kid turned-30-something, city-dwelling journalist while digging into the shifting ways we interact with pop culture — and how it touches us in ways we may not even realize.
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Jul 14, 2023
Evans Howard Place gets a memorial — in the Brentwood shopping center that replaced it
Before it was a shopping center, the area occupied by the Promenade at Brentwood was known as Evans Howard Place. On July 8, a new memorial was unveiled in the shopping center. Former resident Allison Reed shares her experience growing up there, and writer and researcher Beth Miller discusses the history of Evans Howard Place, and why a previous memorial was seen as an insufficient way to honor the neighborhood that had existed there for 90 years.
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Jul 14, 2023
Sk8 Liborius leaders plan next steps after a devastating fire at the St. Louis skate park
In late June, a four-alarm fire destroyed the converted church that housed Sk8 Liborious, a beloved indoor skate park and gathering place in north St. Louis. The picture of long term recovery for Sk8 Liborius is still unclear. Its leaders had put together a nonprofit organization hoping to become a community center and provide opportunities for teens to gain technical career skills and discover artistic talent. Now Sk8 Liborious has to answer the question: What’s next?
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Jul 13, 2023
The Cardinals are on track for their worst season in nearly a century. Can they turn it around?
At the All-Star break the St. Louis Cardinals are in last place in the NL Central and are on track for their worst finish in nearly a century. MLB.com columnist Will Leitch discusses the Cardinals’ woes and how the second half may unfold. Leitch is also a contributing editor for New York Magazine and the founding editor of Deadspin.
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Jul 13, 2023
Lowering the voting age in Missouri will strengthen civic education, students say
Young students with Vote16MO are working to lower the voting age to 16 years in Missouri for local elections. They want a say in school board decisions that impact their lives.
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Jul 12, 2023
Quality child care is hard to find — and it impacts families, the child, and economy
The need for child care is putting pressure on families, the economy, and care centers themselves. According to recent research by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, families are forced to make tough decisions between paying hundreds of dollars a month for a child care center — which often means a substantial portion of a family’s monthly income — or leaving the workforce all together to be with their children full-time. Senior economist at the St. Louis Fed Chuck Gascon and Shona Lamond, executive director of Downtown Children’s Center discuss the worrying trend with data, anecdotes, and ideas on fixing it.
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Jul 12, 2023
Cori Bush fights to maintain access to key abortion drug mifepristone
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush isn’t waiting for the courts to determine whether the commonly used and safe abortion drug mifepristone should remain legal in the U.S. She and the Rev. Love Holt, an abortion doula and community engagement manager with Pro-Choice Missouri, say that protecting medication abortion access is a public health and racial justice issue.
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Jul 11, 2023
911 in St. Louis performs below national standards. Here’s why
Two recent storm-related deaths call attention to delayed 911 response times in St. Louis and St. Louis County. Researcher Karishma Furtado shares what data reveals about the region’s overwhelmed emergency response network.
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Jul 11, 2023
Teens say they need more than expanded rec center hours to feel safe in St. Louis
On June 18th, a shooting at an unsanctioned party at an empty office building in downtown St. Louis left 11 teens injured and one 17-year-old dead, sparking outrage and calls for action to address youth violence. Two St. Louis teens, Justin Boyle and Jeremiah Miller, say they need more than extended hours at recreation centers to feel safe, and they share their lived experiences as young Black men as they offer ideas on ways local leaders can better engage young people about preventing violence.
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Jul 10, 2023
Free speech cases with Missouri connections make waves in federal courts
Two recent, major legal rulings in federal court involving the First Amendment have Missouri connections. Greg Magarian, a law professor and First Amendment scholar at Washington University, breaks down the implications of cases involving whether a business owner can discriminate against gay customers, and whether the government is allowed to ask social media companies to remove content spreading misinformation.
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Jul 10, 2023
Steve Ehlmann has led St. Charles County's growth since 2006. He says its future is tied to St. Louis
St. Charles County’s population has jumped about 35% since 2000, to 410,000 people, and overseeing that growth has been St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. He recently announced he would not seek a sixth term. In this excerpt from STLPR’s Politically Speaking podcast, Ehlmann discusses his career and his concerns about how the county’s growth is tied to the perception among some that St. Louis is a dangerous place.
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Jul 7, 2023
The air quality you experience in St. Louis depends on your zip code
Why are certain areas in St. Louis more susceptible to poor air quality? A researcher and an environmental advocate discuss the history of environmental injustice in St. Louis when it comes to the air we breathe and highlight solutions that can be achieved both on an individual and systemic level. We also hear from a meteorologist about how St. Louis’ air quality has changed over time.
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Jul 7, 2023
Meet the man who designed St. Louis’ best greenspaces
Landscape architect Ted Spaid, founding partner of SWT Design, has designed over 1,000 parks in the St. Louis region. Two of his most talked-about projects are the new basketball courts coming to Tower Grove Park and Forest Park. Spaid shares how he creates green spaces that are welcoming and satisfies the needs of people that compliments the flow of nature.
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Jul 6, 2023
Jon-Paul Wheatley’s handmade soccer balls were a TikTok sensation. Then FIFA called
UK-born, St. Louis resident Jon-Paul Wheatley turned his fascination with crafting soccer balls into more than a half million followers on TikTok. Wheatley discusses how he turned a pandemic hobby into trips to Qatar, the World Cup, and crafting soccer balls for the likes of superstar Lionel Messi and FIFA.
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Jul 6, 2023
St. Louis City SC is defying expectations. Aggressive play and response to injuries are key
Before the Major League Soccer season even started, 13 experts for MLS.com predicted that St. Louis City SC would either finish last or second-to-last in the Western Conference. Sports journalist Julian Trejo explains the keys to the team's success just past the midway point of the season.
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Jul 6, 2023
How T-Rav Man became a celebrity that only St. Louis could love
Nick Lammering achieved St. Louis celebrity status after he was spotted on the Apple broadcast of a St. Louis City SC game in mid-March wearing toasted ravioli headgear. The fame has turned into a side-hustle of selling t-rav merch and dreaming up even more ways to share his passion for St. Louis, soccer and toasted ravioli.
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Jul 5, 2023
How St. Louis artists balance the creative and financial sides of making art
Forbes arts and travel contributor Chadd Scott discusses how large arts institutions support the arts and artists in St. Louis — and how those support systems compare with other cities in the Midwest. Two recent recipients of regional artist grants, musician Kasimu Taylor and video and performance artist Carlos Salazar-Lermont, discuss realities around funding specific projects and sustaining themselves as artists.
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Jul 5, 2023
Artist Brock Seals serves up local talent and good eats at ‘Art, Mimosas and Pancakes’
While St. Louis’ artist communities and art districts are nationally recognized— and homegrown foundations have uplifted the arts for decades — there are still artists that fall through the cracks and struggle to connect with the greater St. Louis art scene. Instead of waiting for a seat at the table, multidisciplinary artist and St. Louis native Brock Seals decided to build his own with his event, “Art, Mimosas and Pancakes.”
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Jun 30, 2023
Legal Roundtable: A Missouri judge put two kids in jail. Now, the law is after him
In a ruling issued last week, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a southwest Missouri judge improperly jailed two kids as part of a bitter child custody dispute. The case involves two children who were semi-finalists on the reality show “America's Got Talent.” That case and more were discussed on the Legal Roundtable edition of the show with attorneys Bevis Schock, Connie McFarland-Butler and Jim Wyrsch.
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Jun 29, 2023
106 years later, historical societies dedicate new marker for East St. Louis race massacre
On July 2, the East St. Louis Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society will dedicate a new historical marker commemorating the 1917 East St. Louis Race Massacre. The new marker is significant, and Will Shannon, executive director of the St. Clair County Historical Society, and Jaye Willis, of the East St. Louis Historical Society, discuss the continuing efforts to educate people on the terrible events that took place there 106 years ago.
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Jun 29, 2023
How a local research team is using spider silk to combat plastic waste
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are using nature as inspiration to combat the growing problem of plastic pollution. With a new $3.6 million grant, the team is working to develop sustainably sourced plastics by mimicking natural materials like spider silk fibers.
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Jun 28, 2023
Chris Dunn was on a path to freedom in St. Louis. Then he wasn't
Chris Dunn has spent more than 30 years in prison for a crime that witnesses now say he did not commit. Shortly before resigning from office, St. Louis’ top prosecutor, Kim Gardner, filed a motion to vacate Dunn’s conviction. But new Circuit Attorney Gabriel Gore withdrew the motion explaining that he needed to review the details himself. We listen back a conversation about Dunn’s case and get a new update from Dunn’s wife, Kira Dunn.
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Jun 28, 2023
How art in St. Louis hopes to inspire the return of Sugarloaf Mound to the Osage Nation
This year, Counterpublic’s art exhibition deals with the tragic histories of St. Louis and the country. The displacement of Indigenous people and loss of their land is showcased through billboards, films and other art installations. Beyond sparking reflection and conversation through art, Counterpublic is working with the Osage Nation to help return the entirety of the sacred Sugarloaf Mound to tribal control.
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Jun 27, 2023
A game about hot dogs became a Jeopardy! clue, and then a hit, for its St. Louis creators
On May 16th, Jeopardy! contestants faced a clue for "A recipe completion card game in which you try to build the perfect hot dog is called 'turn for' this." None of the competitors got it — but in St. Louis, the brother-and-brother team of Phill and Jake Wamser, creators of the rummy-style card game “Turn for the Wurst,” knew their fortunes had taken a turn for the better. Phil Wamser discusses what it felt like to have his game featured on the show, his love of game-making, and the new Kickstarter-backed game, “Shiner,” which is generating its own interest.
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Jun 27, 2023
Art installation near CityPark featured in New York Times’ ‘Walks Around the World’ series
The New York Times recently featured St. Louis in its “Walks Around the World” series. That St. Louis walk starts at “Pillars of the Valley,” the art installation that memorializes the lost neighborhood of Mill Creek Valley, just outside CityPark. We listen back to a February conversation with artist Damon Davis and former Mill Creek Valley resident Vivian Gibson about “Pillars of the Valley.”
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Jun 27, 2023
Why employees at a St. Louis region Starbucks participated in 7 strikes in the last year
Starbucks workers at four unionized stores in the St. Louis region walked off the job Monday, joining a nationwide strike over reports that some Starbucks stores have not allowed LGBTQ+ Pride displays this year. St. Louis region barista Alex Barge shares why she joined the strike and what’s changed since her store joined Starbucks Workers United last year.
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Jun 26, 2023
Tiny House of Benton Park West gets a growth spurt
Dwayne Tiggs and Rikki Watts have shared the progress of their 420 square foot house since last year. Despite a few setbacks and a citywide plumber shortage, the house is taking shape with walls, a deck, and a roof in place. While building their own home, they are teaching others how to do the same all with reclaimed and recycled materials and a lot of help from neighbors and friends.
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Jun 26, 2023
Kranzberg Arts Foundation is on the hunt for a new round of resident artists in St. Louis
Supporting local artists sounds good in theory, but what does it look like in practice? Kranzberg Arts Foundation has put out a call for artist residencies for years, but this year they are expanding the reach in the ways to get involved. Director of artist residencies Larry Morris shares how supporting artists and creating sustainable communities around the arts benefit the region as a whole.
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Jun 26, 2023
Black Rodeo celebrates decade of uplifting cowboy way of life
For 10 years, the the Southeastern Rodeo Association has proudly celebrated the contributions of Black cowboys, including St. Louis cowboy Reggie “Sauce Boss” Smith. St. Louis Public Radio photojournalist Brian Munoz interviewed Smith, and other participants, while experiencing the St. Louis Open Black Rodeo on June 25.
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Jun 23, 2023
Eisner-nominated horror story ‘The Atonement Bell’ draws inspiration from St. Louis
Graphic novel “The Atonement Bell” has a number of direct references to St. Louis. Co-creators Jim Ousley and Tyler B. Ruff took inspiration for both the plot and art of the horror story from their personal experiences in the region. The story has been nominated for an Eisner Award for Best New Series.
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Jun 22, 2023
Teachers changing jobs in Missouri face possible suspensions and $10,000 penalties
On June 6, Missouri’s State Board of Education suspended the teaching license of a Hazelwood preschool teacher. It’s an action that school districts are increasingly seeking: Under a 2016 law, districts are empowered to file for financial penalties as high as $10,000, and to suspend a teacher’s license, if a teacher decides to break their contract. Mark Jones, the communications director of the Missouri National Education Association, says this policy is bad for both teachers and school districts.
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Jun 22, 2023
Local librarians share their top summer reads for 2023
Dive into a good beach read this summer with recommendations from two St. Louis librarians, Tammy Albohaire and Maryann Brickey.
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Jun 21, 2023
SLU nurses demand help with abusive patients, better overall working conditions
Registered nurses Marchelle Vernell and Hadas Becker are sounding the alarm on what they say is a lack of safe staffing levels at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. They say patients are waiting too long for care — and that patient frustration can pose a security risk to staff and other patients.
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Jun 21, 2023
Extreme heat is coming. What is St. Louis doing about 'the silent killer' of climate change?
You’ve likely heard a St. Louisan say, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” when jokingly — or apologetically — talking about the high temps in the region during summertime. However, climate change experts take both the heat and moisture very seriously. Freelance environmental reporter Kelly Smits shared her reporting on the constant rising temperatures and why St. Louis’ history of red-lining neighborhoods, inequity in greenspaces and urban design, and how ‘urban heat islands’ impact predominantly Black neighborhoods most.
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Jun 20, 2023
A St. Louis food writer wants us to rethink what makes ethnic food ‘authentic’
St. Louis food writer and trained chef Holly Fann talks about what inspired her TEDxStLouis talk about the illusion of “authentic” ethnic food, and how candid conversation about it can make us better, more informed diners.
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Jun 20, 2023
Missouri courts expunged thousands of cannabis crimes, but more remain
More than 44,000 marijuana cases, including over 10,000 felony convictions, were expunged in Missouri before a June 8 deadline. However, many remain unresolved. Attorney Dan Viets, Missouri coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and public defender Matt Schmidt discuss where that effort has fallen short.
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Jun 16, 2023
How West End residents took control of their community's future development
With St. Louis’ population in decline and property being affordable, neglected land parcels are desirable to developers. Some might see the attention as a positive — addressing blight which would ideally lead to decreased crime and higher property values. West End residents April Walker and Lisa Potts along with their neighbors and support from Invest STL led by executive director Dara Eskridge created a neighborhood plan that was approved by the city of St. Louis.
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Jun 16, 2023
With his dog and dobro, Mikey Wehling's new album captures the sounds of summer
For lovers of dogs, nature and music, St. Louis musician Mikey Wehling’s forthcoming album, Camp Scout Vol. 2, captures the sounds of summer. Wehling discusses how the album traces his adventures with his dog, Scout, to the Cumberland River in Tennessee and the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, both of which inspired the instrumental album.
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Jun 15, 2023
How LEAN-STL helps St. Louis laborers fight addiction
Construction workers have nearly twice the rate of substance abuse as the national average, and the rate of suicide for men working in construction is about four times higher than the general population. A newly formed St. Louis-based peer support system aims to improve outcomes for St. Louis construction workers who struggle with addiction and/or mental health issues.
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Jun 14, 2023
Telling St. Louis’ LGBTQ history as it unfolds in ‘real time’
The status of being publicly queer or trans has become increasingly fraught in Missouri in 2023. Historian Steven Louis Brawely and artist Steve Willits reflect on commemorating Pride month, and LGBTQ history, at a time when events are playing out, as Brawley says, in “real time.”
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Jun 13, 2023
Aldermen in St. Louis consider 40% water rate hike, warned of crisis if the vote fails
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen could vote as soon as this week to raise water rates by 40% over the next 2 ½ years. Future increases would be tied to the cost of inflation. Curt Skouby, Director of the City of St. Louis’ Department of Public Utilities and Water Commissioner, explains ongoing issues with rising prices and aging infrastructure, as well as why he supports the rate increase.
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Jun 13, 2023
The Missouri man who drove 4,300+ miles to see 115 courthouses
It wasn’t a single destination that spurred Jack Snelling to spend 10 days driving more than 4,300 miles around Missouri. His route, inspired by Missouri’s original highway system, led to 115 historic courthouses. Along the way, he learned to appreciate the state’s many communities, as well as the legacy of a now little-known highway system.
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Jun 13, 2023
Tyler Small takes photos for a living. Being a dad gives him life
Tyler Small, a 27-year-old self-taught photographer and queer Black dad in St. Louis, is commemorating Father’s Day in a special way. He’s taking pictures of fellow Black fathers for a local nonprofit’s event that raises funds for free mental health services and he’s sharing his own story of becoming a father.
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Jun 12, 2023
Exploring St. Louis ‘Bagel boom’ with Bagel Union’s Ted Wilson and Jackie Polcyn
In St. Louis’ food scene, the current star of the show is the humble bagel. New shops, and long lines, have led Sauce Magazine’s Meera Nagarajan to declare it a veritable “bagel boom.” Ted Wilson, co-owner of Bagel Union in Webster Groves, describes the years of work to turn his boiled-and-baked dreams into reality, and Jackie Polcyn, the shop’s head baker and production manager, tells us what it takes to make the perfect bagel.
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Jun 12, 2023
Scientists agree with Army Corps that Jana Elementary is safe, but community still skeptical
Last October, the Hazelwood School District closed Jana Elementary School in Florissant, Missouri, after a company called Boston Chemical Data Corporation issued a report that said there was radioactive contamination in the school and that it was dangerous. But, the scientific consensus shows that radioactive contamination isn’t present. We listen to STLPR education reporter Kate Grumke’s extended conversation with Roger Lewis, a professor emeritus at St. Louis University, who is critical of the report. In a follow-up conversation, Kate also shares how Boston Chemical is responding to the criticism and what parents are saying.
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Jun 2, 2023
Circus Flora’s spy-themed show dazzles with motorcycle stunts, hair aerialist
St. Louis’ intimate one-ring circus, Circus Flora, is back at the Big Top in Grand Center. Artistic and executive director (and lifelong circus performer) Jack Marsh says acts such as aerialist Laura Lippert, the Globe of Speed, and world class juggler Roberto Carlos will thrill audiences in the circus’ 37th season that runs until June 25.
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Jun 2, 2023
Lizzie Weber’s ‘Fidalgo’ traces her music’s ‘full-circle moment’ back to St. Louis
Seven years ago, singer-songwriter Lizzie Weber was living on an island off the coast of Washington state when she was inspired to write her forthcoming album, “Fidalgo.” The pandemic brought her home to St. Louis, and she is now set to release it June 9. Weber calls the journey a “full-circle moment.”
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Jun 1, 2023
Wash U biologist explains how cats evolved from the savannah to your sofa
There are some 600 million cats in the world. Not all of them are pets — between 50 and 100 million in the U.S. — but cats share a fascinating history with humans. Washington University evolutionary biologist Jonathan Losos dives into that history in the new book, “The Cat's Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa.” Losos joins guest host Alex Heuer to talk about all things cats.
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May 31, 2023
Freedom Community Center gives ex-felons a second chance via restorative justice
Restorative justice programs like Freedom Community Centers are gaining attention as the criminal justice system continues to get criticized for racial and economic biases. Kayla Thompson and her colleagues in the Free Us Group Track Program within FCC facilitate an intensive 12-week program which involves community service and therapy.
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May 31, 2023
How one Native Hawaiian family makes aloha in the Midwest
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) became part of the official designation of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 2022. U.S. Census Bureau numbers from 2022 show less than 1% of folks who live in the Metro St. Louis area home identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Edwardsville educator, social worker, and writer Stephanie Malia Krauss, her mother Laurie Nalani Kilstein, and her two boys are among those "onlys." Krauss and Kilstein share what that's like, and talk about ways they maintain and build strong cultural ties to a vital part of their personal, family, and community identity.
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May 30, 2023
Missouri defends law that puts parents behind bars when their kids miss too much school
You’ve heard “attendance is mandatory,” but, in Missouri schools, attendance is actually a matter of state law. During the 2021-22 school year, two single mothers in Missouri discovered just how powerful that law can be: They found themselves sentenced to jail when their children missed more than two weeks of school.
The case is among several burning legal topics taken up by St. Louis on the Air’s Legal Roundtable of attorneys Nicole Gorovksy, Dave Roland and Kalila Jackson
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May 25, 2023
Remembering Tina Turner's deep ties to the St. Louis area
International superstar Tina Turner died Wednesday at the age of 83. Turner moved to St. Louis when she was 16 years old and her ties to the area ran deep. Author Maureen Mahon discusses Turner's time in St. Louis and we hear listener reactions to her death.
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May 25, 2023
Missouri drumline Modulation Z wins a world championship — in convincing fashion
The O’Fallon, Missouri, based winter drumline Modulation Z won their division in the Winter Guard International World Championships last month. The group achieved a score of 96.05. That score was two points ahead of the second-place finisher and the second highest score ever achieved in the division. Modulation Z director Ryan Treasure and senior Lukas McGill discuss what it took to become a champion.
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May 25, 2023
As St. Louis’ Soldiers Memorial adds 254 names, Gold Star families grieve, and remember
Members of Gold Star Families, or families that have lost an immediate family member in active duty, hold Memorial Day in high regards as they honor their loved ones, even those whose true fate remains a mystery. Until recently, the Court of Honor at Soldiers Memorial only listed 214 names of St. Louisans who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. That changes this weekend with a special observation of 254 newly-identified fallen soldiers.
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May 24, 2023
AG report details how Belleville Diocese underreported sexual abuse and enabled a predator priest
The Catholic Diocese of Belleville underreported the number of clergy who sexually abused children. That’s one of the findings of a 700-page report released by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The report also details how the diocese enabled a pattern of abuse. STLPR Metro East reporter Will Bauer explains.
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May 24, 2023
How queer ballroom legends in St. Louis cultivate joy amid political and cultural animosity
The countdown to Pride Month ends in just eight days. Soon there will be parades and parties to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and commemorate the long, continuous fight for basic human rights for queer individuals. For Black queer people, creating space for joy in a time of persistent political and societal oppression is an everyday necessity. One example of that is ballroom culture, which was created and championed by Black members of the LGBTQ community across the nation — and right here in St. Louis.
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May 24, 2023
90 years ago, Black women led a multiracial strike at a St. Louis factory
Ninety years ago, on May 24, 1933, a strike led by Black women workers at a St. Louis nut factory made labor history. Devin Thomas O’Shea, who wrote about the strike in a lengthy feature story in Jacobin, discusses the dramatic events leading up to the strike, including how an 18-year-old ringleader led her co-workers to the streets “with a Bible in one hand and a brick in the other.”
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May 23, 2023
A summer of Shakespeare in St. Louis opens with a Latino-inspired ‘Twelfth Night’
For lovers of theater, a St. Louis summer doesn’t truly start until Shakespeare is being performed. That moment comes next week, on May 31, as the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival opens its annual free performances in Forest Park. Tom Ridgley, the festival’s producing artistic director, breaks down this season’s unique take on “Twelfth Night,” set in Miami, and previews the other performances to come, including “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and an original production that combines Shakespeare and soccer.
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May 23, 2023
Everyone should be carrying the overdose reversal medication naloxone, advocates say
John Gaal witnessed naloxone’s ability to save lives when he stepped in to administer the overdose reversal medication to a fellow passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight in 2022. He shares why he’s pushing for greater access to the drug, including its inclusion in medical kits on all airline providers.
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May 23, 2023
How a St. Louis jewelry company is making it big on social media — and at City Foundry
VibeSzn began as an online business in 2017 and now has a retail location at City Foundry in Midtown St. Louis and has amassed nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram. Co-owner Omar Badran discusses his homegrown business and his family’s journey to St. Louis.
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May 22, 2023
A reporter ID’d 100 St. Louis homes with dead owners. There are likely thousands more
St. Louis is littered with ‘tangled titles.’ The term describes what happens when a person dies without leaving a will or estate plan to define the ownership of their home. St. Louis Magazine senior editor Nick Phillips investigated how tangled titles became common, how they affect Black neighborhoods, block the transfer of intergenerational wealth, and lead to vacancy.
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May 22, 2023
‘The Voice’ shines a spotlight on St. Louis singer Neil Salsich
St. Louis singer Neil Salsich gained national fame over the past several months as a participant on "The Voice." Salsich talks about his time on the NBC reality singing show and as a founding member of the St. Louis-based band, the Mighty Pines.
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May 19, 2023
A total solar eclipse is coming to Missouri and Illinois in 2024. It’s time to get ready
On average a total solar eclipse occurs once every 400 years in the same location on earth. In 2017 the St. Louis region was within the path of totality for the first time since 1869. This coming April millions of residents in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois will find themselves within a two-hour drive of another total solar eclipse. Author and eclipse chaser David Baron joins the show.
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May 19, 2023
Black Tulip Chorale celebrates 5 years of lifting LGBTQ voices
For five years, St. Louis’ Black Tulip Chorale has fused queer history, music and inclusivity. The group celebrates the milestone May 21 with a special show “Shining Through,” that pairs each song with a moment from LGBTQ history. Founding member Dr. Ken Haller explains the group’s origin story, and how its approach to a mixed voice “all-expression, all-gender, all-identity” chorus has attracted more than 40 singers to its ranks.
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May 17, 2023
How St. Louis inspired ‘Witnessing Whiteness’ author and her new book on anti-racism
For more than a decade, groups of white St. Louis residents have used Shelly Tochluk's book, “Witnessing Whiteness,” to explore white racial identity and racism's role in individual and community life. We’ll hear from Witnessing Whiteness facilitator and St. Louisan Mary Ferguson; and talk with Tochluk about the place and purpose of her newest book, “Being White Today: A Roadmap to a Positive Antiracist Life.”
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May 17, 2023
Kim Gardner resigns as St. Louis circuit attorney, 2 weeks earlier than expected
In a sudden announcement on Tuesday, Kim Gardner resigned from her elected position as St. Louis circuit attorney — effective immediately. Her resignation came two weeks before she’d initially planned to step down. STLPR reporter Rachel Lippmann explains what happened and what comes next.
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May 16, 2023
Lessons from the sudden, fatal dust storm that caused a 72-vehicle pileup on 1-55
A sudden dust storm caused low visibility conditions that led to 72 vehicles colliding on Interstate 55 in Illinois on May 1. Seven people died and 37 others were injured. We look into what happened, how common these types of storms are in the Midwest and what drivers can do to better their chances of survival in similar situations.
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May 16, 2023
How Nico Marie uses yoga and music to promote healthy living to Black communities
St. Louis native and yoga instructor Nico Marie McNeese knows all too well about the burden that can weigh down on one’s mental well-being. Social distancing measures meant she could no longer teach in person, so McNeese went to social media to reach her students. She later started a YouTube channel — Black Yogi Nico Marie — to make her yoga videos more accessible. In three years McNeese’s YouTube audience has grown to over 100,000 subscribers from around the world.
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May 16, 2023
CVPA students make triumphant return to stage for first time since school shooting
On Monday night, students at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis made their first public performance since a deadly school shooting last October. Many of the students said they worked through the trauma of the shooting with their art. STLPR’s senior education reporter Kate Grumke covered the event and discussed the highlights.
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May 15, 2023
Parents react to Missouri laws restricting trans healthcare and sports
Missouri’s 2023 legislative session ended as infighting and contention derailed many of the priorities set by the Republican-controlled Senate and House. Two laws that did pass, targeting transgender people. STLPR statehouse and politics reporter Sarah Kellogg breaks down the biggest takeaways from the session. AJ Hackworth, a trans man and dad living in Springfield, MO, discusses the new laws’ effect on his healthcare, while a father in St. Louis County worries about what the laws mean for his 9-year-old trans son.
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May 15, 2023
What America’s ‘lost crops’ tell us about food in the age of climate change
By studying an extinct, domesticated subspecies of the buckwheat family, Washington University researcher Natalie Mueller hopes to uncover wisdom from indigenous cultures about growing new crops that are resilient to extreme drought and flooding.
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May 12, 2023
Webster U alum Matt Vogel, the man behind Big Bird and Kermit the Frog, to deliver commencement speech
Earlier this month, Matt Vogel was in London for the coronation of King Charles III. In the royal box, Vogel also had a very special frog with him: Kermit the Frog. Vogel is the puppeteer behind Kermit, Big Bird, Count von Count and more. The Webster University alum is in town to deliver the 2023 commencement address and he talks about his remarkable career.
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May 12, 2023
Wash U professor Carl Phillips wins Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for 'Then the War'
Washington University professor Carl Phillips won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry this week for his most recent book, “Then the War: And Selected Poems, 2007-2020.” The collection chronicles an era of American culture roiled by crises of politics, identity and the pandemic. We listen back to our 2022 conversation with him.
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May 11, 2023
CityPark is redefining stadium food with 25 St. Louis restaurants
Soccer fans at St. Louis’s City SC CityPark have been treated to a remarkable concentration of local food excellence. The stadium features more than 20 local restaurants, and Sauce Magazine’s Meera Nagarajan says the result is no accident: Fans are enjoying a diverse selection of food that goes way beyond soggy nachos and peanuts — including farm-made ice cream from Bold Spoon Creamery.
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May 11, 2023
Missouri lawmakers seek to overturn St. Louis ordinances that ban cat declawing
While the practice of declawing cats is currently outlawed in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, the Missouri legislature is considering a proposal to nullify these ordinances to make the practice available statewide. Dr. Amanda Gruber of the St. Louis Cat Clinic discusses how declawing affects the health and wellbeing of cats — and why she has never performed the procedure.
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May 10, 2023
As child care centers face staffing woes, families are left in the lurch
Nearly half of all children in Missouri ages 5 and under live in child care deserts. And in places with child care centers, providers struggle to adequately staff their facilities. Families and providers report that the current system is not working — and that it often forces them into tough, life-altering decisions.
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May 10, 2023
VineBrook Homes owns thousands of Midwest properties and tenants are crying foul
VineBrook Homes owns thousands of single-family rental properties, located in mostly Black and brown neighborhoods, throughout the Midwest. Over 2,400 of those houses are in the St. Louis region. Reporter Kavahn Mansouri discusses a Midwest Newsroom investigation of VineBrook that includes complaints of unresolved maintenance issues, unfounded evictions, aggressive rent collection tactics, poor customer service and more.
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May 9, 2023
Why do kids get shot in St. Louis? A new study shows just how little we know
A new study that analyzed 156 cases of children in St. Louis injured by guns found that more than 70% of cases involved victims “shot outdoors by an unknown shooter, the motivation of which was unknown.” The study’s lead author Dr. Mary Beth Bernardin discusses why scientists need to better understand why and how children are shot. Dr. Lindsay Clukies, an emergency medicine physician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, connects the study to what she sees while treating patients.
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May 9, 2023
As Missouri legislators consider a state takeover of St. Louis police, Kansas City’s mayor sounds the alarm
In the final week of the Missouri legislative session, lawmakers could pass a bill that would return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the state. The state controlled the police department for 152 years until, in 2013, the city regained control. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas knows state control well. His city is the only in Missouri that’s under state control, and he shares what a state takeover would mean for St. Louis.
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May 8, 2023
Why Kim Gardner’s resignation isn’t stopping efforts to remove her from office
It was just last Thursday that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced she will resign June 1. But that’s not good enough for Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is seeking her immediate removal. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum discusses Bailey’s actions as well as the person who Gov. Mike Parson might choose to replace Gardner.
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May 8, 2023
Damion Baker was murdered. Now his mother is keeping his memory alive — and helping St. Louis
A star high school football player in St. Louis, Damion Baker’s life was cut short in an unsolved shooting in August 2022. Before his death, Damion had made plans to launch a nonprofit that would teach young people job skills. That dream is now a reality in the form of the D-Bake Foundation. The foundation’s founder, An'namarie Baker, discusses her son’s life, his mission, and how pre-apprenticeship classes can help people get on the path to a career.
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May 8, 2023
5 major issues Missouri lawmakers might tackle in the last week of session
Friction between the House and Senate has delayed some major policy priorities until the final days of the Missouri legislative session, including two anti-trans rights bills and a bill that would make it harder to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. STLPR reporter Sarah Kellogg shares how the last week of the session may shake out.
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May 5, 2023
Missouri denied Mylissa Farmer an emergency abortion. ‘This can happen to anyone’
A federal investigation found that Missouri hospitals violated federal law by denying a woman an emergency abortion when her water broke at 17 weeks. Mylissa Farmer shares what happened when doctors refused to provide an abortion, even though she was told her life was in danger and that the fetus was no longer viable — when Missouri law superseded her need for emergency healthcare. Also, National Women’s Law Center attorney Michelle Banker discusses what comes next for Missouri hospitals in the wake of the investigation.
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May 5, 2023
David Freese became a hometown hero in 2011. Now he’s headed to the Cardinals Hall of Fame
The St. Louis Cardinals are not having a good season: they reign supreme at the bottom of the NL standings. But the team made an announcement earlier this week that was a reminder of better times. Third baseman and St. Louis native David Freese will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame this summer. In this encore, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Benjamin Hochman talks about the remarkable 2011 season when Freese was World Series MVP.
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May 5, 2023
Tens of millions of birds are getting ready to migrate through St. Louis and Quincy
Sixty percent of North American songbirds, 40% of the continent’s waterfowl and many species of shorebirds will migrate through St. Louis in the next few weeks. Regional Audubon Conservation Science Manager Tara Hohman shares tips for bird-watching this spring, the threats facing many bird species traveling through the area and what people can do to help revitalize bird habitat in the region.
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May 4, 2023
Kim Gardner to resign as St. Louis circuit attorney, leaving a legacy of turmoil
Facing a move by the Missouri attorney general to oust her, a contempt of court charge and increasing public and legislative pressure, Gardner announced Thursday that she will resign effective June 1. STLPR correspondent Jason Rosenbaum breaks down the story and what happens next.
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May 4, 2023
LGBTQ film festival, QFest, gets underway at the Hi-Pointe Theatre
Cinema St. Louis Artistic Director Chris Clark gives a preview of this year's QFest and reflects on the role of an LGBTQ film festival in Missouri at a time when trans rights are under attack in the state.
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May 3, 2023
Missouri teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate, advocates report
Missouri’s teacher shortage has been a problem for many years. Now, education advocates report that teachers are leaving the field at an unprecedented rate, while the rate of college graduates obtaining teachers’ certificates also plummets. Advocates discuss the state of Missouri’s teacher shortage and what needs to happen in order for more people, especially those of more diverse backgrounds, to consider the profession.
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May 3, 2023
Why multiple trans teachers in Kirkwood resigned: 'They have sexualized my identity'
Three educators report facing anti-trans discrimination at Kirkwood School District. They say they are considering leaving Missouri in order to continue teaching. STLPR education reporter Kate Grumke joins with the details on this story.
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May 2, 2023
Inside Maplewood’s $3.25 million debtors’ prison settlement
Maplewood has agreed to pay a $3.25 million settlement to potentially thousands of people jailed and fined by its system of predatory court fees and police. We'll talk to ArchCity Defender attorney Nathaniel Carroll about the impact of the city's practices, why he calls it a “debtors’ prison,” and what this settlement means for the similar lawsuits the firm is leading against other municipalities in St. Louis County.
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May 2, 2023
Missouri S&T professor delivers final volume in WWII trilogy
Historian John C. McManus’ latest book opens with Gen. Douglas MacArthur aboard the USS Boise plunging through the deep blue waters of the South China Sea in January 1945. The Missouri S&T professor’s book, “To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945,” completes his trilogy that focuses on the U.S. Army during the Pacific War.
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May 1, 2023
Fresh Produce takes music producers out of the background and into the spotlight
Typically, bands and music groups make stars of the lead singer: the “front man” and spokesperson who gets all the eyes and attention. Most fans don't consider the team of people working behind the scenes to make the music radio-ready — especially those who produce, mix, and master the audio. Music producers are integral to the music-making process. In this encore episode, producer Miya Norfleet explores the Fresh Produce Champions Battle and sits down with emcees, judges, and participants of the competition.
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May 1, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Board ‘stands completely behind’ CEO mired in controversy
The Jazz St. Louis Board of Directors is coming to the defense of its president and CEO, Victor Goines. A story in the Riverfront Times last week detailed issues that some Jazz St. Louis staff and supporters have had with the organization’s new leader including alleged bullying. Public scrutiny of Goines’ leadership started after St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc posted on Instagram an account of how Goines’ passed on his T-shirt design that was to be used as part of a Young Friends board fundraiser.
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Apr 28, 2023
Legal Roundtable dives into Kim Gardner’s ‘rudderless ship of chaos’
A judge has begun the process to hold St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and her deputy, Chris Desilets, in "indirect criminal contempt” because he missed a trial and a hearing this week related to an armed robbery case. Attorneys Sarah Swatosh, Bill Freivogel and Arindam Kar discuss that case and other legal issues.
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Apr 27, 2023
Missouri History Museum seeks to tell the full story of the 1904 World’s Fair
Living in St. Louis means having some knowledge of the city’s remarkable claims to fame. Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis’ signature accent, the infamous, vertically sliced St. Louis bagel and being the site of the 1904 World’s Fair. The Missouri History Museum looks to tell the complete history of the fair by revamping their exhibit on the fair to prominently feature perspectives and interpretations of people of color at the turn of the century.
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Apr 27, 2023
How STL Youth Jobs connects young people with employers in growing industries
Founded in 2012, STL Youth Jobs seeks to prepare a new generation of workers with soft-skills, like how to perform well in a job interview, and hard skills, like knowing safety regulations of specific industries. Since the first group of “job seekers,” the organization has gone from finding employment for 200 area youth in 2013 — to 800 in 2019.
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Apr 26, 2023
Mayor Tishaura Jones details priorities after annual State of the City address
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones delivered her second annual State of the City address on Tuesday night. In this one-on-one conversation with Mayor Jones, she outlines her priorities that include addressing public safety and spending American Rescue Plan Act funds. She’s also not backing down on her criticism of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.
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Apr 26, 2023
‘I’m terrified’: Trans Missourians prepare for nation's widest bans on gender-affirming care
Missouri is on the brink of becoming the first state to implement sweeping restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults. Trans people and providers are raising alarm over new rules issued by Attorney General Andrew Bailey. The rules require trans people prove their gender identity is not being influenced by other people or by a “social contagion" — which trans people say is an impossible standard. We talk with two trans people who say they are terrified by the new rules, as well as Planned Parenthood's Dr. Colleen McNicholas.
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Apr 25, 2023
Inequality at the bathroom door
Not only have public restrooms never been truly public, they’ve disappeared from America’s major metro areas, says historian Bryant Simon. We explore the rise and fall of America’s public restroom campaign and meet the woman behind the “Bathrooms In St. Louis” Instagram page.
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Apr 25, 2023
DJ Whiz teaches DJ fundamentals at Sophie’s Artist Lounge
In 50 years, hip-hop has become one of the most popular music genres in the world. In its early days, the recipe for a hip-hop duo or group was simple: two turntables for the disc jockey and a microphone for the emcee. Darian Wigfall, who DJs under the moniker DJ Whiz, shares the fundamentals of DJing — and why he feels vinyl is the best way to get into the craft.
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Apr 24, 2023
Asylum seekers in St. Louis demand end to abuse and monitoring by ICE contractor
A protest on Monday in front of a nondescript office building just across the street from CityPark in St. Louis highlighted what a group of local asylum seekers says is mistreatment by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor. Two asylum seekers share their experiences and we hear from the co-founder of Migrantes Unidos, a mutual support group for immigrants who have been forced to wear ankle monitors.
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Apr 24, 2023
A St. Louis native pays tribute to immigrants and her great-grandmother in ‘Out of Ireland’
Marian O'Shea Wernicke’s new novel "Out of Ireland" tells the story of a brother-sister pair who emigrate from Ireland to America in the late 1860s. The St. Louis native discusses the book’s real world inspirations, including the work of St. Louis’ notorious Irish gangs and her great-grandmother’s experiences.
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Apr 21, 2023
Missouri librarian calls on libraries ‘to make a stand’ against censorship
This week, a Missouri Senate committee restored all $4.5 million in funding for the state’s 160 local public libraries. But the battle over Missouri’s libraries is about more than money. It’s about books, censorship, parents and students. Joe Kohlburn, of the Missouri Library Association, discusses the state of Missouri’s public libraries, and why many librarians are fearful for the future of their institutions.
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Apr 21, 2023
With 3 weeks left in Missouri’s legislative session — here’s what’s happened, and hasn’t
Missouri legislators are considering a number of issues: expanding I-70, foreign ownership of farmland, anti-trans legislation, sports better, state control of St. Louis’ police department and more. STLPR statehouse reporter Sarah Kellogg discusses what’s happening in Jefferson City three weeks before the legislature’s May 12 adjournment.
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Apr 20, 2023
The high hopes of St. Louisans’ on Missouri’s first legal 420 Day
The origins of 420 Day are hazy. The number has been linked to rumored police radio codes that supposedly indicate whether there is marijuana on a suspect and it’s also a reference to a popular after school meeting time to smoke, popularized by a group of Californian teens in the 1970s. Either way, 420 Day is becoming a larger holiday as more U.S. states legalize the substance for recreational use. Several St. Louisans told St. Louis on the Air it is high time for Missouri to celebrate legalized recreational cannabis — and that there is still work to be done.
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Apr 20, 2023
Why Missouri’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law probably won’t help Andrew Lester in Ralph Yarl case
Last Thursday, Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black teen in Kansas City, went to the wrong house to pick up his younger twin brothers. Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old white man who resides at that wrong address, shot Yarl – twice. STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum discusses the racial dynamics at play and we hear his conversation with SLU Law Professor Anders Walker.
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Apr 19, 2023
Sorry, ladies. Forest Park’s famous great horned owl, Charles, has found a new mate
Charles the great horned owl lost both his mate and their eggs in December. It was tough news for Mark H. X. Glenshaw, the naturalist who has documented Charles’ life for 17 years. However, things are now looking up for Charles. Glenshaw shares the details in a special “owl prowl” edition of the show.
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Apr 18, 2023
A St. Louis mosque is going for a zero-waste Ramadan
As Ramadan nears its end and Eid draws closer, a co-founder of the sustainability committee at the Daar Ul-Islam mosque talks about how sustainability practices in Islam are especially important during Ramadan.
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Apr 18, 2023
Missouri Botanical Gardens helps growers adjust to weather and climate change
Spring is here and gardeners are ready to get back to their yards, porches and balconies to bring life back to their dwellings. Many are hesitant to get started because of the unpredictable weather and a steadily changing climate. But the Kemper Center of Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden is here to help.
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Apr 17, 2023
Celebrating 25 years of Tionól and St. Louis’ Irish music scene
For 25 years, musicians of all levels have gathered for the annual St. Louis Tionól — not just to perform traditional Irish music, but to bask in the companionship of fellow performers and attendees. As festival co-founder Mike Mullins puts it, “The heart of Irish music is a social event.”
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Apr 17, 2023
How Murphy the bald eagle incubated a rock, and then became a dad
There’s a new parent at the World Bird Sanctuary. His name is Murphy. He’s a bald eagle. In March, he began to attract attention when he was spotted incubating a rock in his enclosure. Murphy’s fixation on fatherhood went viral, but his story didn’t end there. Last week, the sanctuary introduced Murphy to an orphaned baby eaglet. World Bird Sanctuary executive director Roger Holloway discusses the incredible story of Murphy, the bird’s unusual journey into parenthood, and what comes next for the now internet-famous pair.
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Apr 14, 2023
COVID-19 policies that emptied jails not linked to violent crime spike
Did pandemic policies that reduced jail populations lead to an increase in violent crime? Two new reports say “no.” Criminologist and professor Beth Huebner and the Freedom Community Center’s Mike Milton discuss the data, and provide an update on how local courts are returning to their pre-pandemic policies — and throwing more people in jail before trial.
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Apr 14, 2023
Comedian Tru Wag wants St. Louis to be proud of its unique accent
First impressions can tell you a lot about a person. The first few words out of a person’s mouth can give you an idea of where somewhere has come from and where they’ve been. Comedian Tru Wag, born Brandon Wagner, is so proud to be from St. Louis that he began making skits and “accent challenges” celebrating his accent on Tik Tok and Instagram, where he has amassed a combined 208,000 followers.
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Apr 13, 2023
The best new comic book releases, handpicked by the Wizard’s Wagon
Looking for a new comic book to read? The Wizard’s Wagon has you covered. Owner and comic manager Jon “Fleet” Norfleet knows every book on the shelves cover-to-cover. He thumbs through up to 70 releases every week, with titles ranging from popular comic book properties to new series from Eisner Award-winning comic book writers and artists.
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Apr 13, 2023
Neil Gaiman, author of ‘Sandman,’ ‘American Gods,’ to receive 2023 St. Louis Literary Award
English writer Neil Gaiman has a lot of credits and awards to his name. They include the Newbery and Carnegie Medals for the young adult novel “The Graveyard Book.” He’s also written “Coraline,” “Neverwhere,” “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” “American Gods,” “Stardust,” and “The Sandman." Gaiman adds to his list of accolades the 2023 St. Louis Literary Award and joins the show ahead of the ceremony.
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Apr 12, 2023
Before WWE, St. Louis wrestling was distinct. Then Vince McMahon entered the ring
Abraham Josephine Riesman, the author of “Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America,” recounts how the WWE went through an aggressive expansion in the 1980s, including in St. Louis.
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Apr 12, 2023
Wildlife Rescue Center warns against accidental ‘abduction’ of baby animals
Wildlife “baby season” is underway! Though they may look small and helpless, most baby animals should be left alone — even if they look lost. Wildlife Rescue Center executive director Kim Rutledge discusses how to avoid causing an “accidental abduction” of a baby animal.
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Apr 11, 2023
Smino, Herbie Hancock and Taj Mahal headline this year's Music at the Intersection
This year's festival will feature more than 50 local, regional and national acts. Chris Hansen, executive director of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, discusses the lineup and the festival's special tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
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Apr 11, 2023
Rupam Ghosh brings devotion, compassion and Hindustani music to St. Louis
North Indian Hindustani violinist Rupam Ghosh connects with local musicians on a spiritual level as much as a musical one. He discusses his tour through the U.S. sharing North Indian classical music with schools, universities, and nightclubs.
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Apr 11, 2023
Benton Park Tiny House is gearing up for big changes this spring
Construction at the Benton Park Tiny House slowed down at the end of 2022. Other than hosting a couple workshops and having their trailer stolen, things have been quiet on the 7,000 square foot lot. Now that St. Louis has shaken off the last of its winter frost, Rikki Watts and Dwayne Tiggs are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
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Apr 10, 2023
How one St. Louis nonprofit is recruiting Black adults to foster Black children
In the St. Louis area 70% of children in foster care identify as Black but only 13% of foster parents identify the same. While interracial foster and adoptive homes can be healthy and safe, providing a racially competent household increases positive outcomes for children. Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition is bringing back a program that hopes to recruit more Black families.
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Apr 10, 2023
U.S. Soccer’s Becky Sauerbrunn talks equal pay, trans rights ahead of St. Louis homecoming
Olivette native and soccer standout Becky Sauerbrunn has been a fixture on the U.S. Women’s National Team for more than a dozen years. She’s been part of two World Cup-winning teams and has earned two Olympic medals. STLPR’s Jeremy D. Goodwin talked with Sauerbrunn about equal pay, trans rights and an MLS team coming to St. Louis. The USWNT plays the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly at CityPark Tuesday night.
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Apr 7, 2023
How Miguel Perez became a hometown soccer hero and made history at St. Louis City SC
At 17, midfielder Miguel Perez is St. Louis City SC’s youngest player. He made his Major League Soccer debut earlier this year and for the Under-19 United States Men’s National team, he scored a goal for his country — all while still enrolled at Pattonville High School. Washington University freshman Julian Trejo discusses his reporting on Perez and details his own experience of playing soccer at a championship level, growing up in Arkansas and coming to St. Louis.
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Apr 7, 2023
You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to chant with STL Santos. They’ll teach you
STL Santos offers more to local soccer fans than mere soccer game camaraderie. They operate predominantly in Spanish, raise money for local Hispanic and Latino focused non-profits and unite different cultures across St. Louis.
Find a Spanish language version of this article at stlpr.org/espanol
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Apr 6, 2023
SLU researchers want your mosquito photos this summer
St. Louis University researchers urge citizen scientists to track mosquito populations this summer via the Mosquito Alert app to help them better understand where mosquito hotbeds are in St. Louis.
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Apr 6, 2023
Answering your questions about population changes in St. Louis
SLU Professor Ness Sandoval breaks down census data on "St. Louis on the Air."
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Apr 5, 2023
Voters across the St. Louis region approve adding a 3% tax on marijuana sales
St. Louis Public Radio correspondents Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann discuss the results of yesterday's municipal elections, where most St. Louis-area voters backed proposals to apply a local sales tax to recreational marijuana. St. Louis voters also elected a new 14-member Board of Aldermen.
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Apr 5, 2023
Teen musicians in the Drum Warriors Ensemble take St. Louis’ biggest stage
This year’s Teen Talent Competition features the Drum Warriors Ensemble, a group of four young Black men from different St. Louis high schools who perform traditional African rhythms. They share how traditional African drumming and dance connects them with their heritage.
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Apr 5, 2023
How a new cookbook project plans to weave together the cultures of St. Louis
Roll up your sleeves and tie your apron — it’s time to get to cooking.
The International Institute of St. Louis and Global Foods Group have put out a region-wide call-to-action for residents and restaurants to submit their favorite dishes that use internationally-sourced ingredients. Professional chefs, hobbyists and amateurs are all welcome to share their top picks.
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Apr 4, 2023
Missouri History Museum crowns St. Louis as soccer capital of the U.S.
You would be hard pressed to talk about sports history without mentioning St. Louis — and that goes for soccer, too. St. Louis’ first Major League Soccer team is off to a record breaking first season, but City SC is far from the first notch in the region’s soccer timeline. Sam Moore, managing director of public history for the Missouri Historical Society, says St. Louis is justified to claim the title of first soccer capital in the U.S.
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Apr 4, 2023
‘There is nothing that I would change about being trans’: One family’s story of gender affirming care
What is gender affirming care? As officials and lawmakers seek to restrict it in Missouri, often lost is an explanation of what it entails. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem discusses her latest reporting on the facts behind gender affirming care. Susan Halla and her 22-year-old son
Joey Borrelli share their experience obtaining gender affirming care at Washington University’s gender clinic — and react to accusations against the clinic by former case manager Jaime Reed.
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Apr 3, 2023
4 new restaurants to try this April
Sauce Magazine staff writer Iain Shaw dishes on the top new St. Louis restaurants to check out this month, including Bagel Union, the Vandy, Fleur STL and Lola Jean’s Pizza.
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Apr 3, 2023
This local running club invites all to run through the 314
Ricky Hughes founded St. Louis Run Crew with inclusion in mind — specifically to introduce Black and brown people to running and to create a space where they can be comfortable. While most running clubs are inherently inclusive, Hughes would often find himself the only person of color in local running groups. He says the crew — which meets in Kiener Plaza Park — is “open to all faces, paces and laces.”
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Apr 3, 2023
A reporter found his story in an escape room. Then he became a main character in it
In 2014, Danny Wicentowski became obsessed with writing about an escape room — and became trapped in a way he never predicted. Wicentowski performed his story at St. Louis Public Radio as part of the Story Collider show “Variables” on February 13, 2023.
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Mar 31, 2023
Legal Roundtable: Facing down Missouri’s AG, Kim Gardner tells supporters she will run again
What’s next for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner? Has attorney Al Watkins played himself into a lawsuit? What happens to Missouri’s gun laws now that a federal judge has ruled the state’s Second Amendment Preservation Act is unconstitutional? The Legal Roundtable tackles those cases, and more, with attorneys Eric Banks, Nicole Gorovsky and Mary Anne Sedey.
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Mar 30, 2023
SLSO international tour puts ‘St. Louis on the map’
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is on its first international tour since 2017 — and the first under Music Director Stéphane Denève’s direction. Denève shares highlights from the tour, what it’s like to perform in different venues (“every hall is like a different instrument”) and what it means to represent the Gateway City abroad.
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Mar 30, 2023
How Black roller skaters put St. Louis skate style on the map
St. Louis' skate style is known across the country: it’s smooth. There are even several moves that are uniquely St. Louis. Skating is also particularly popular for many Black St. Louisans where skating happens at places such as Coachlite Skate Center in Bridgeton and Skate King in Pine Lawn. Longtime skater Xavier Alexander explains what makes St. Louis skate style special.
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Mar 30, 2023
New season. New rules. New lineup. The Cardinals are set for Opening Day
The Cardinals open the 2023 baseball season Thursday afternoon at Busch Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays. St. Louis is hoping to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit from the playoffs last season. STLPR's Wayne Pratt talks with Cardinals beat writer Rob Rains of STLSportsPage.com.
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Mar 29, 2023
The reality of living with Alzheimer’s: ‘We're trying to preserve the person’
An estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease, and over 11 million provide them with unpaid care. We explore what it means to live with Alzheimer's, to care for those who have it, and the need for early diagnosis.
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Mar 28, 2023
U City native Marlon West brings magic to Walt Disney animated movies
Disney animations have been a part of the peoples’ childhoods for generations. Fairy tales, adventure and fictional princesses are brought to life by a team of artists and animators — and that also includes University City native Marlon West. West discusses his work on “Moana,” “Encanto,” and “The Princess and the Frog," and shares details on his latest project.
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Mar 28, 2023
Were you ready to be home alone at 13? That’d be illegal in Illinois
In Illinois, it’s considered neglect for parents to leave kids under the age of 14 alone. Its law is the strictest in the nation. A child psychology professor and a sociologist share how such laws are typically implemented, who they affect the most, and whether 14 years old is a fair age limit for being left alone.
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Mar 27, 2023
As some banks face crisis, a small St. Louis credit union focuses on community
Earlier this month, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank marked the second-largest bank failure in United States history. But amid worry over the risk of a larger banking crisis, smaller financial institutions, like the St. Louis Community Credit Union, are setting their sights on solving longstanding challenges in the industry. CEO Kirk Mills and VP Alex Fennoy explain.
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Mar 27, 2023
How St. Louis plans to use $20 million in APRA funds for development projects
More than $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds are being offered to St. Louis nonprofits through the city’s Community Development Administration. Executive Director Nahuel Fefer shares who is eligible for the money, the types of community-led projects they are looking to fund, and how they are aiming for a bottom-up approach to city development with the grants.
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Mar 27, 2023
Marijuana taxes are on the April 4 ballot for many Missouri voters — there’s controversy
St. Louis County voters get a chance to decide on April 4 whether to impose a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana purchases. Similar proposals are popping up across Missouri and not everyone agrees with the so-called “stacking” of taxes. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum explains.
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Mar 24, 2023
How a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship turned into a 20-year friendship
Kristen Slaughter and Kiara Brown have an unconventional friendship. They’re 22 years apart in age and their relationship was only supposed to last one year. Matched through a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri mentorship program, the two have now been friends for 20 years. Slaughter was recently named CEO of the nonprofit organization, and Brown now has her own career and is the mother of two children.
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Mar 24, 2023
Should St. Louis' 109-year-old charter be updated? Voters will decide April 4
On June 30, 1914, St. Louis residents voted to adopt a city charter. It’s a sprawling document, a blueprint for the city's civic machinery. Now, 109 years later, city voters will decide on April 4 whether to approve Proposition C, which would create a new system for updating the charter every ten years. Discussing the issue are St. Louis Alderwoman Annie Rice and civic engagement advocate Wally Siewert.
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Mar 23, 2023
‘It is hurting us’: Trans kids and parents in Missouri speak out, and brace for bans
Trans kids and their families are being targeted by dozens of proposed bills in the Missouri legislature. But deciding how, when, and why to transition is actually a conversation parents and kids have been having for years — without lawmakers. Three sets of parents, as well as their children, each trans boys between the ages of 9 and 11, discuss what it’s like to grow up trans in Missouri, from how they chose their own names, to their thoughts on why so many adults in the state legislature don’t accept them the way they are.
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Mar 22, 2023
Forest ReLeaf and Scott Joplin House partner to bring quality tree cover to north St. Louis
Healthy trees not only beautify neighborhoods, they promote better health outcomes for residents. Leaders from Forest ReLeaf and Scott Joplin House discuss a partnership to support new tree growth in the city — particularly in its underserved communities.
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Mar 22, 2023
Drag queens to lead protest in St. Louis against proposed bans
As Missouri and other state legislatures pursue bans on drag shows, a new group in St. Louis, It’s All Drag, is pushing back. Jordan Elizabeth Braxton and Prism co-owner Michael Klataske, both fixtures of St. Louis’ drag scene, discuss the meaning behind drag, its impact and why it’s now come under attack.
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Mar 21, 2023
A centuries-old church from London was destroyed twice. It’s now being restored in Missouri
Seventy-seven years ago, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. In the 1960’s, college leaders sought to commemorate Churchill’s visit so they devised a plan to rebuild a church in Fulton that had been destroyed twice in London: once by a fire in the 1600s and then again during World War II. Dedicated in Fulton in 1969, St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury is now undergoing a $6 million renovation. Tim Riley, director and chief curator at America’s National Churchill Museum, talks about Churchill’s connection to Missouri, the restoration of the church and about the parallels to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
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Mar 21, 2023
Remembering Mary Oscko, an advocate for Coldwater Creek contamination victims
Mary Oscko and her family were blindsided by her stage 4 cancer diagnosis in December 2013. She had just finished her nursing degree and was set to walk the stage that same month. Instead of taking up nursing, she began advocating for victims of radioactive waste exposure that resulted from the Manhattan Project. Mary passed away February 20, 2023.
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Mar 17, 2023
Painted streets and the ‘killing’ of rubber snakes — Rolla goes big for St. Patrick’s Day
Rolla, Missouri, boasts one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Midwest. STLPR correspondent Jonathan Ahl and Missouri S&T historian Larry Gragg dig into Rolla St. Patrick’s Day history and the unique traditions that still continue today.
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Mar 17, 2023
Many students can’t afford period products. Now Missouri districts can supply them
A majority of school nurses in Missouri know students who have trouble affording period products — and who sometimes miss school because of their period. That’s according to a new survey published around the time Missouri school districts began offering free menstrual care through the new “Feminine Hygiene Products Grant.” Survey author Anne Sebert Kuhlmann and Jennings Senior High School Principal Cryslynn Billingsley discuss how they hope the grant will help students in St. Louis.
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Mar 17, 2023
She came from Ireland to St. Louis — and found community in the city’s Irish music scene
While St. Louis doesn’t have as many first-generation Irish immigrants as it used to, there are still strong cultural ties in the city. Eimear Arkins, a St. Louis transplant from County Clare, Ireland, is working to strengthen those ties. On this St. Patrick’s Day, she shares her thoughts on local holiday customs and how Americans can engage with Irish culture in meaningful ways.
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Mar 16, 2023
Artists of color expand opera’s view with 3 new works at Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Opera Theatre of St. Louis will present three short operas, all by artists of color who’ve worked largely outside the opera world. The works address the roots of Black, queer ballroom culture, three important inventors who were Black women, and the Supreme Court battle over a rock band’s attempt to reappropriate a racial slur. Mezzo soprano Olivia Johnson and tenor Matthew Pearce talk with us, as does the director of all three plays, Ramoon Rajendra Maharaj.
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Mar 16, 2023
GOP lawmakers target trans rights, risking Democratic filibuster
On Monday, Missouri lawmakers return from their Spring Break. For Missouri’s Republicans, the agenda they’re returning to is squarely focused on restricting the rights of transgender people. Among the bills being debated are those that would prohibit trans girls from playing girls sports and ban gender-affirming health care for minors. Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio political correspondent analyzes the GOP focus on trans issues, and previews what could happen when lawmakers convene next week.
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Mar 16, 2023
Rolla’s Phelps Health is joining a collaboration led by BJC HealthCare
Hospitals that serve predominantly rural areas have long struggled to find ways to have the resources of big-city health care systems without going as far as merging and losing local control. Phelps Health in Rolla is joining a collaborative run by St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare to thread that needle. STLPR’s Jonathan Ahl explains how the partnership will work.
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Mar 16, 2023
The ‘Malt Whisperer’ behind St. Louis brewery Civil Life’s American Brown Ale
When it comes to St. Louis-made beers, there’s a special place in Iain Shaw’s heart for Civil Life’s American Brown Ale. A staff writer for Sauce Magazine, his new essay “An Ode to Civil Life’s American Brown Ale” sings the praises of the popular local ale. Shaw discusses his long-standing fascination with the ale and its status as Civil Life’s flagship drink, and Dylan Mosely, head brewer at Civil Life, reflects on the ale’s creation and his reputation as a “malt whisperer.”
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Mar 15, 2023
‘We absolutely have the power to change things’ says CVPA school shooting survivor
Students Bryanna Love and April Shepard reflect on healing in the wake of a deadly shooting at their high school. They now advocate for gun control measures that they believe will prevent future tragedies.
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Mar 14, 2023
Civic pride sweeps over the region for ‘314 Day’
March 14 is popularly known as ‘Pi Day.’ But in true St. Louis fashion, we do things a little differently. Here we call it 314 Day. It’s a day of civic pride that is shared throughout multiple communities in the region. Ohun Ashe, who founded For the Culture STL to celebrate Black-owned businesses in St. Louis, and Staci Static, a radio veteran, community engagement consultant and host of ‘The Static Podcast,’ sit down with Elaine Cha to talk all things 314.
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Mar 10, 2023
Up Late satisfies St. Louis’ craving for an all-night eatery
St. Louis has an array of award-winning restaurants and a niche foodie scene, but lacks a selection of late-night dining. Nathan Wright and Jason Bockman of Up Late are here to fill that void — and the stomachs of St. Louisans.
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Mar 10, 2023
Weird weather patterns and record-setting temps makes St. Louis a meteorologist’s dream
St. Louis saw its sixth warmest February on record this year and dangerous weather patterns happening more frequently. The region is no stranger to strange weather, but doesn’t it feel particularly stranger than usual? Meteorologist Matt Beitscher with the National Weather Service - St. Louis breaks down the data and shares how we can all become weather-aware.
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Mar 10, 2023
Clearing of St. Louis homeless encampment forces residents to move on
In May 2022 the City of St. Louis halted its plan to clear a homeless encampment near Lacledge's Landing. But, last week, eviction notices appeared once again at the encampment. On Friday, March 10, city workers and bulldozers cleared the site. St. Louis Public Radio’s Britny Cordera reports from the scene of the encampment, and discusses what comes next for its former residents.
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Mar 9, 2023
Missouri school boards are caught in culture wars. Advocates yearn for something more
Highly politicized issues have dominated local school board races the last few years. Education advocates encourage parents and community members to engage with school boards in an effort to keep the focus on what’s best for students, rather than on the priorities of a select few.
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Mar 9, 2023
How a St. Louis cartoonist replaced 'Dilbert' in the Washington Post
St. Louis based cartoonist Steenz Stewart took over drawing Mark Tatulli’s “Heart of the City” in 2020. Now, the comic has replaced “Dilbert” in the Washington Post after its creator Scott Adams made racist remarks on his YouTube channel.
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Mar 8, 2023
Leah Lee has a mission: To reconnect Black women to farming
Many urban farms are started to address food insecurity or provide organic options to communities with few options for obtaining fresh produce. For St. Louisan Leah Lee, urban gardening and farming is an act of service. She founded Growing Food Growing People with a goal to teach people, Black women specifically, how to tend to crops to feed themselves and their family.
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Mar 8, 2023
Illness forced Teri Clemens out of coaching. Pickleball brought her back
Teri Clemens won seven national championships as Washington University’s volleyball coach. She is now making a name for herself, as both a player and coach, on the pickleball court. Clemens discusses her heartbreaking decision to leave volleyball coaching in 1998, her years spent recovering from multiple serious health conditions, and how pickleball has become not just her competitive obsession, but a platform for her return to coaching.
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Mar 7, 2023
How a Chesterfield nonprofit is training crisis counselors in Ukraine
Suzanne Galvin spends most of her time working as an attorney at Thompson Corbin LLP in St. Louis where she’s a partner along with her husband, John Galvin. The Galvins make a habit of traveling to sites of destruction caused by natural or manmade disasters to provide crisis counseling to victims of trauma. Most recently Suzanne and her husband traveled to Poland and Ukraine to serve as crisis counselors and trainers at the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary.
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Mar 7, 2023
To honor Judy Heumann’s legacy, we’re going back to ‘Crip Camp’
Judy Heumann was a quadriplegic who, throughout her life, was instrumental in the progress of disability rights issues. She died at age 75 this past weekend. We honor her legacy by re-visiting her conversation with Sarah Fenske in 2020. They discuss the documentary film “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” in which Judy was featured. Colleen Starkloff, co-founder of the Starkloff Disability Institute, also joined the conversation.
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Mar 6, 2023
Sex, sobriety and rock ‘n’ roll — St. Louis artists find success in recovery
Lately, it seems, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll has been suffering an identity crisis. St Louis musicians Daemon Murray and John Covelli discuss their success in the music industry after their personal triumphs over substance abuse.
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Mar 6, 2023
‘The fans brought it’ as St. Louis City SC wins first MLS game at CityPark
It was a dream-come-true weekend for St. Louis soccer fans. St. Louis City SC opened CityPark with a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday. This segment features an audio postcard that delivers the sounds and excitement of the weekend, and a conversation with STLPR’s Jeremy D. Goodwin and Wayne Pratt.
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Mar 3, 2023
Celebrating Black-owned St. Louis businesses, 28 days in a row — and beyond
Celebrating Black businesses does not have to be reserved just for Black History Month. Ohun Ashe is behind the online directory For The Culture STL and her video series ‘28 Days of Black-owned St. Louis’ shows the diversity of location and industry of local Black-owned businesses.
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Mar 3, 2023
A new Missouri law led schools to ban books. Librarians are fighting back
Under threat of possible prosecution, Missouri school districts have pulled hundreds of books from their shelves since last summer. Now the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri is challenging a new state law that bans what some deem “explicit sexual material” in school libraries and classrooms. Clayton school librarian Tom Bober discusses the legal danger facing librarians and teachers and why his district removed books like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Gillian Wilcox, deputy director for Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri, talks about the group’s lawsuit and why they argue this law is unconstitutional.
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Mar 2, 2023
What will it take to curb traffic violence in St. Louis?
Traffic violence has grabbed headlines the last few weeks. The violence has claimed four young lives, taken a teen’s legs, and injured four people. Scott Ogilvie, the City of St. Louis’ Complete Streets program manager, discusses a new law that allocates millions of COVID relief dollars toward street and pedestrian safety improvements. And NextSTL Editor Richard Bose talks about what has led to such a high rate of pedestrian deaths and what needs to be done to make the region’s streets safer.
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Mar 2, 2023
We Stories was created in response to Mike Brown’s death. Now it's closing
Local nonprofit We Stories focused on anti-bias education aimed toward young white children and families for the past seven years. They are closing their doors and shutting down their website, which includes all of their educational resources, in June 2023. We Stories executive director Maggie Klonsky and board member Pam Washington agree that while anti-racist work is still necessary, now is the time for We Stories to come to an end.
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Mar 1, 2023
How Isaiah Maxi found nature, and new friends, in Missouri parks
Isaiah Maxi has been hiking all over Missouri’s state parks — and he's not doing it alone. He documents his journeys on his Facebook group, “The Journey to 100 Hiking Friends,” charting his connections across the state. Maxi discusses his experience hiking across the state while forging connections along the way — and shares his picks for favorite hiking parks in the St. Louis region.
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Mar 1, 2023
The St. Louis author who predicted the end of abortion in 1997
In the 1997 alternative history novel "The Misconceiver,” the year is 2026, and the United States has almost wholly prohibited abortion rights. Yet the book’s St. Louis-born author, Lucy Ferriss, never got to see the novel make its mark. Now, 25 years, Ferriss is watching “The Misconceiver” get new life in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of abortion rights. Ferriss discusses the book’s chillingly accurate predictions and what might come next.
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Feb 28, 2023
Legal Roundtable: Analyzing the legal pressure on Kim Gardner, St. Louis’ embattled top prosecutor
The Legal Roundtable discusses the latest controversy surrounding St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who is facing calls to resign after a car crash left a 17-year-old seriously injured. The driver who caused the crash, Daniel Riley, was out on bond for a felony charge of stealing a gun, but had violated the terms release more than 50 times. Attorneys Javad Khazaeli, Brenda Talent, Connie McFarland-Butler discuss the case and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s aim to remove Gardner from office.
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Feb 24, 2023
Missouri spent years rejecting distracted driving laws. That could change in 2023
Missouri is one of just two states without a law banning distracted driving for all motorists. Although dozens of states have expanded their bans, Missouri’s law only applies to drivers under 21. Reporter Eric Berger, shares his insights into the different ways these laws have been implemented across the country. He’s joined by former Missouri Republican state representative Jeff Porter, who unsuccessfully sponsored legislation three times to limit hand-held cellphone use.
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Feb 24, 2023
Kim Gardner was asked to resign. She says she’s not going anywhere
Amid the torrent of news this week, the biggest story was the ongoing controversy embroiling St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner that stems from a St. Louis man causing a crash that seriously injured a 17-year-old girl who was visiting from out of town. Missouri’s Attorney General is attempting to use a legal procedure to remove her from office and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones says Gardner has lost the trust of the people. Gardner says she’s not fully to blame and that calls for her to step down are political stunts that undermine the will of the people. STLPR reporter Rachel Lippmann discusses this story.
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Feb 23, 2023
Retelling the story of St. Louis' Chinatown through the experiences of those who lived there
The newly formed Chinese American Collecting Initiative highlights the long lost stories of Chinese American immigrants living in St. Louis from the mid 19th century onward. St. Louis architect and community leader Peter Tao, who serves as chair of the initiative, and Janet Leong, of the well-known Leong family that owned Asia Cafe, talk about why these stories are relevant.
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Feb 23, 2023
The world is built for people with perfect hearing — but 83% of people don't have it
Despite the fact that nearly 83% of the population does not have perfect hearing, most of our spaces are designed to cater, auditorily, to a select few. That’s a problem, according to researchers in the growing field of aural diversity. Producer Avery Rogers takes us through the various ways we perceive sound and how understanding these differences can help us better approach hearing accessibility. Correction: Professor Andrew Hugill works at the University of Leicester.
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Feb 22, 2023
More than one-third of St. Louis K-12 students change schools midyear, new report shows
St. Louis K-12 students change schools midyear at an alarming rate — 38%. The cause of so-called “student mobility” is often unanticipated and, in many instances, it results in low attendance and poor test scores. Those are the findings of a new report from the St. Louis School Research-Practice Collaborative. A researcher and a fifth grade teacher discuss.
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Feb 22, 2023
Teen entrepreneur Sidney Keys III adds ‘author’ to his impressive resume
At 10 years old, Sidney Keys III founded Books N Bros, a book club and subscription service for young Black boys. Since then he has been honored and recognized by CNN and Marvel. Now 17 years old, Keys can add “published author” to his list of many accomplishments.
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Feb 21, 2023
Endangered tarantulas seized by federal agents find new home at MoBot
Hundreds of illegally transported Antilles pinktoe tarantulas were intercepted by the federal government before they could enter the pet trade, and now, 98 of them reside at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield. Missouri Botanical Garden entomologists share what it’s like to care for these endangered spiders, how they are a vital part of the ecosystem in their home country and why it’s important to avoid support of the black market for exotic insects.
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Feb 21, 2023
Beyond Housing welcomes Fields Foods in after grocer left a gap in Pagedale
The City of Pagedale struggled with underdevelopment and underinvestment for decades which led to higher crime rates and poor health outcomes. In 2010 the North County municipality welcomed its first grocery store in over forty years, Save-A-Lot, after years of working with city and community leaders as well as Beyond Housing. In the 11 years after Save-A-Lot opened, Pagedale saw a dip in crime and an uptick in property values. So when the discount grocery chain closed, it was a cause of worry that the progress made would be lost. Soon locally owned Fields Foods will move in and Beyond Housing’s CEO Chris Krehmeyer hopes to make the transition smooth for business and the people of Pagedale.
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Feb 20, 2023
How Missouri Botanical Garden hopes to bring extinct plants back from the dead
Missouri Botanical Garden’s Conservation Scientist Matthew Albrecht and Herbarium Director Jordan Teisher are hoping to bring extinct plants back from the dead. The two scientists are part of a global “de-extinction” project with sixty other herbaria that will result in attempting to germinate seeds of extinct plant species, some of which have not been seen alive in the wild for over a century. Producer Miya Norfleet talked with Albrecht and Teisher about the project and what it means for conservation efforts in the future.
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Feb 20, 2023
Police implicit bias training may impact belief, but not behavior, WashU study finds
Washington University researcher Calvin Lai discusses his latest study showing that the daylong implicit bias-oriented training programs commonly used by most police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing.
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Feb 17, 2023
The hearts and scars of St. Louis author Adina Talve-Goodman
Adina Talve-Goodman lived a life on the edge of death. Born with a congenital heart condition, St. Louis-born author underwent a heart transplant at 19. Yet, tragically, more than a decade later, she was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 2018, at the age of 31. She left behind a trove of published and unpublished essays, drafts and other writings. That material now comprises the new collection, “Your Heart, Your Scars,” which was published last month by Bellevue Literary Press. Sarika Talve-Goodman and Hannah Tinti remember the life and work of Adina Talve-Goodman, and share how they compiled the new essay collection.
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Feb 17, 2023
La Pâtisserie Chouquette takes the crown with their Mardi Gras king cakes
Simone Faure, owner/chef of La Pâtisserie Chouquette, talks about baking the traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras king cake. The bakery opened in St. Louis in 2013 and was recently named a semifinalist in the annual James Beard Awards for outstanding bakery.
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Feb 16, 2023
New Music Circle’s concert will have you questioning what you know about music
New Music Circle has evolved in tandem with boundary-pushing musical movements since 1959. Board members Alex Cunningham and Josh Levi discuss the upcoming New Music Circle concert and how the artists demonstrate the technological potential of experimental music.
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Feb 16, 2023
Meet Lamar Johnson’s attorney. She never gave up hope for his release
Lamar Johnson gained freedom this week after spending 28 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Among the attorneys who worked to secure Johnson’s release was Lindsay Runnels, who represented Johnson since 2015. Johnson called Runnels a sister, a friend and “God’s best angel.” Runnels reflects on the journey that led to Johnson’s release and describes what it was like to experience it in the courtroom.
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Feb 16, 2023
‘Pillars of the Valley’ cements the nearly forgotten history of Mill Creek Valley
Damon Davis’ latest — and largest — work of art, “Pillars of the Valley,” took five years to go from concept to installation. For author Vivian Gibson, the formal recognition of her beloved childhood neighborhood Mill Creek Valley is worthy of celebration. Gibson brought new attention to the neighborhood's history with her 2020 book, “The Last Children of Mill Creek." The two reflect on the years of work that brought them to this moment — and the work left to do.
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Feb 14, 2023
New Afghan Community Center promises to support Afghan refugees in St. Louis
Afghans in St. Louis are welcoming newly arrived Afghan refugees with more support thanks to the new Afghan Community Center. The center also houses a new Afghan Chamber of Commerce, which will provide a number of educational services and mental health programs. Moji Sidiqi, Afghan Community Development Program Manager at the International Institute of St. Louis, and business owner Gul Totakhil discuss what community support means in action — and how they will continue to embrace fellow refugees who have escaped from Afghanistan.