St. Louis on the Air

With roughly a year before the nation heads to polls for the 2026 midterm elections, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum examines some of the Missouri-based races that could foretell a national Democratic wave – or continued GOP dominance. Some of those contests include Missouri's 2nd Congressional District contest, a slew of high-stakes ballot initiatives – and the race for the 8th Congressional District seat in southeast Missouri.

Sunday marks six months since a devastating tornado struck St. Louis and St. Louis County. And the recovery process still has a long way to go. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to talk about the challenges of rebuilding parts of the city and whether the St. Louis region needs to work together on emergency management efforts.

St. Louis County is facing a sobering financial reality: The budget is nearly $80 million in the red. While a combination of reserve funds and special pots of money like the NFL settlement may bridge the gap this year, policymakers will have to make some tough decisions that may not be popular with residents. STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Days about the council's posture toward the budget — and a public uproar over the future of the county animal shelter.

St. Louis is no stranger to sports championships, but you may have missed the news of the St. Louis Australian Football Club's victory over its division rival Denver in the USAFL championships last month. Club players Dave Zitko and Rhiannon Duryea take us inside the championship season. They also break down the basics of the sport, from the hits, the kicks and many distinctive rules that make it unique.

As open enrollment is underway for people who rely on getting health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, many are facing steep premium hikes. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem talks about what's driving the increases, how subsidies factor in and what the changes mean for consumers. We also hear real-life stories from people weighing tough coverage decisions.

On November 15, the Missouri History Museum will open a major new exhibit focused on Mill Creek Valley. Home to nearly 20,000 people, the neighborhood was erased in 1959 as part of St. Louis' push for urban renewal. We get to know two former residents of Mill Creek Valley who experienced that destruction as children, and who now are part of the larger effort to revive the neighborhood's memory. Vivian Gibson, author of “The Last Children of Mill Creek," and Malaika Horne Wells, author of "Mother Wit,” share their memories of Mill Creek, their work to collect oral histories from other former residents. and a special preview of the documentary "Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There."

Identical twin brothers and stand-up comedians Jason and Randy Sklar have become household names in the world of entertainment. The St. Louis natives will be returning home to headline the eighth annual Flyover Comedy Festival on November 13-16 . Jason Sklar joined us to talk about his and his brother's comedy origins, their favorite memories growing up in St. Louis and what it means to him to see stand-up comedy growing and thriving in their hometown.

Wanda Sykes is most known for her stand-up prowess, comedic roles and activism on and off the stage. Sykes steps into a new kind of spotlight as a dramatic actor in “Undercard,” portraying Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart: a former boxing champ and trainer trying to reconnect with the 21-year-old son she gave up when he was a child because of alcoholism. She joined “St. Louis on the Air” to discuss the role, her life and career, and what the Trailblazer Achievement Award from St. Louis International Film Festival means to her.

The reign of Mughal emperor of India Akbar the Great was more than four centuries ago, but for Dances of India President Nartana Premachandra, the story of his court — and its welcoming of all nationalities, religions and perspectives — is as salient as ever. She shares some of that history in her original dance-theater production, “Nine Jewels: Music, Art, & Splendor in the Court of Akbar the Great,” which takes the stage this weekend as part of Dances of India's 48th annual performance.

St. Louis-based writer Daniel Blake Smith turned his 2018 novel “Mr. Wonderful” into a feature film starring the late Michael Madsen of “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” fame. Ahead of its St. Louis premiere at the St. Louis International Film Festival on Tuesday, Smith talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Chad Davis about the film, its personal roots and Madsen's legacy.

The federal government shutdown has stretched into the longest in U.S. history, with ripple effects across the country — from unpaid federal workers to stalled safety net benefits. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum sat down with U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt in his Washington, D.C. office to talk about the shutdown's impact, immigration policy and more. Jason then talks with Elaine Cha to add context and analysis.

Since its introduction in 1977, lethal injection has been the most commonly used method of execution by states with the death penalty. While it's often viewed as more humane than other methods, when the curtain is pulled back, it is tainted with error, ineptitude and secrecy that has led to many botched executions and unnecessary suffering. University of Richmond law professor and death penalty scholar Corinna Barrett Lain's debut book “Secrets of the Killing State” explores the secretive world of lethal injection in Missouri and throughout the U.S.

St. Louis' restaurant scene had a “long-awaited” month. Nicky Slices finally opened its brick-and-mortar location — and sold out almost immediately. New spots like Extra Wavy and Prohibition brought fresh life to vacant spaces near Lafayette Square. And the supper club Mainlander reopened in its new location. We dig into the latest openings and closings with STLPR's Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico.

Animal shelters in the St. Louis region are facing unprecedented overcrowding as the number of surrendered and abandoned pets continues to grow. The Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis reported a 64% increase in the amount of animals taken in between 2023 and 2024, and shelter staff are currently struggling to take care of more than 100 dogs in a facility that has capacity for 61. Unfortunately, they're not alone in their struggle. Leaders with CARE-STL, Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis, and St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center share the reasons behind the crisis and what residents and lawmakers can do to help.

Visual storytellers and creatives like filmmaker Cami Thomas are breathing life into the region's TV and film industry by drawing in the attention of larger production companies. With her narrative short “Kennelan,” Thomas hopes to foster the region's economic growth and civic pride, and to introduce St. Louis to a national audience. Thomas and “Kennelan” editor Jazzy Kettenacker share a behind-the-scenes look into the romantic-comedy ahead of its showing at this year's St. Louis International Film Festival.

Journalist Jesse Bogan of the Marshall Project reports on the case of Megan Jolly, a 52-year-old woman who has been jailed at the St. Charles County Justice Center for nearly two years. Jolly is among more than 500 Missouri defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial and are waiting for a state-mandated treatment to restore competency. The backlog has surged since 2013, leaving many in limbo. Bogan discusses why the Missouri Department of Mental Health is “continually at absolute bed capacity for competency restoration”. He also gives further details on Jolly and other defendants awaiting psychiatric treatment.

In the 1930s, the St. Louis sky was frequently darkened with coal smoke so dense that it could block out the sun for days at a time. Many cities in the country faced some form of this problem, but none of them solved it until 1941 — when St. Louis showed off its clear, blue skies. Journalist Bob Wyss, author of “Black Gold: The Rise, Reign and Fall of American Coal,” takes us inside St. Louis' fight against coal. Joining the talk is local historian Andrew Theising to share insight on the role of Raymond Tucker, who became a key opponent of coal in the years before he became the city's mayor. Theising is the author of the 2024 book, "Mid-Mod Mayor: How Raymond Tucker Shaped St. Louis."

As the federal government shutdown continues, people in the St. Louis region are stepping up to get food into people's homes. Yet even with strong community support, local organizations can only fill a fraction of the gap left by suspended federal aid. Operation Food Search CEO Kristen Wild shares how she and her partners have prepared for an influx of clients seeking their help and what she wants more people to understand about food insecurity in the region.

American politics is littered with trends, coincidences, and dare we say … curses? Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg discuss those that seem to plague Missouri politics, including the curse of the Missouri House Speaker's office, the Missouri Democrats 41.7% curse, why a woman has never won the Missouri governorship, and more.

When Missouri Republicans made a bid to redraw the state's congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, many of them didn't expect the logistical nightmare that has ensued. The map is being challenged by lawsuits and a petition to bring it to a statewide vote. That effort is making headway — and it's looking increasingly likely that enough signatures will be gathered. Jason Rosenbaum speaks with Missouri lawmakers and activists about how this unexpectedly complex redistricting plan might shake out on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Witchcraft is where former St. Louis County councilwoman Kelli Dunaway found empowerment. Soon after stepping down as councilwoman in 2024, she launched Legal Witchcraft. The new venture combines her experiences as an attorney and witch to provide personal development counseling through tarot card readings, moon phase classes and shadow work. Dunaway shares how she found witchcraft before leaving her position as a lawmaker, and how she helps people find magic and power in their own lives.

In September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided a St. Peters restaurant and arrested more than a dozen workers.They have now spent weeks detained and awaiting deportation. Attorney Jim Hacking, who represents ten of the workers, discusses the lead-up to the raid, the legal process so far, and why authorities are detaining people even though they have pending asylum cases and work authorizations.

We revisit our May conversation with Mary Lacanlale, an ethnomusicologist at California State University, about the role of the Philippine Constabulary Band at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. Lacanlale's great-grandfather, Pedro B. Navarro was a key member of the band during the monthslong event. Lacanlale's book, “Instruments of Empire,” detailed the experiences of the band members. They were among hundreds of Filipinos who took part in the World's Fair, though many were put on display for attendees to demonstrate the “savage” culture of the Philippines. Lacanlale also shares a new story from Pedro Navarro's time in St. Louis — involving an incident when the lights went out in the middle of a performance.

Día de Muertos traditions can be seen as macabre, but in actuality, Day of the Dead observances are joyous celebrations of life. The practice of remembering loved ones after they have passed is also one that resonates with people everywhere. In this episode, we learn about the rich history of Día de Muertos from historian and Latinos en Axión STL podcast host Leticia Seitz and actress Carmen García. STLPR Engagement Producer Paola Rodriguez also describes the first digital ofrenda, which launches Friday, October 31.

People with low- to moderate-incomes have less access to credit because they either don't have a credit score or their score is lower than average. Research shows that such individuals tend to use credit with higher borrowing costs, like payday loans, that increase the likelihood of debt, delinquency and bankruptcy. Liz Deichmann of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank discusses her research on the credit barrier and what can be done about it. We also hear from two women who struggled with their own credit and were able to get help from local resources.

Missouri is one of several states where state officials are working quickly to redraw voting maps to benefit the Trump administration and congressional Republicans before the next election. Those efforts have hit multiple legal obstacles in the Show Me State, including lawsuits and a looming referendum. How these legal battles end could decide the political future of Missouri, and even the country. Erica Slater, Nannette Baker and Michael Wolff analyze those possibilities for this month's Legal Roundtable. The panel also dives into the latest developments in a lawsuit against Bayer, a new lawsuit from a victim of the 2022 CVPA school shooting against BJC Healthcare, and more.

Sixty years ago, a construction crew added the final section to the very top of the Gateway Arch. In recognition of its 60th anniversary, we talk with two local historians about the monument's place in American history, its influence on international architecture and labor movements, and why the Arch is still considered a modern engineering marvel today. We also explore what existed on the riverfront before the monument was constructed.

In January, streets across St. Louis were covered with ice and snow — as much as 10 inches in some places — and the ice remained on the roadways for weeks. Frustrated residents complained that the response from the City of St. Louis was inadequate.This week, Mayor Cara Spencer announced newly updated plans for snow removal. STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks about those plans, which include more snow clearing vehicles, thousands of additional pounds of salt and updated street clearing protocols.

The monumental work of artist Anselm Kiefer presents visitors at the St. Louis Art Museum with six 30-foot-tall paintings and dozens of other works in a new exhibit, “Becoming Sea.” The German-born artist is renowned for his massive paintings, which use different textures to create vast landscapes. Museum director Min Jung Kim discusses the exhibit, Keifer's 60-year career and learn about how Keifer was inspired by St. Louis and the Mississippi River. “Becoming the Sea,” runs Oct. 17 - Jan. 25.

Accomplished journalist Marty Baron will speak at the Gateway Journalism Review's 14th First Amendment Celebration on Nov. 2 on “The Case for Worry...and for Optimism.” Baron served as editor of the Boston Globe during its Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Catholic priest sex abuse scandals and later as executive editor of the Washington Post when Amazon owner Jeff Bezos became its owner. Baron speaks with producer Olivia Mizelle about the state of journalism and how the industry has evolved over his decades-long career. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of First Amendment protections, journalism's role in democracy and how the industry can move forward during uncertain times.

Landmarks Illinois awards nine landmarks statewide with its Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award. Among this year's winners are the Old Millstadt Water Tower in Millstadt and the Edison Avenue Arts Lofts in Granite City — two projects that showcase the importance of community buy-in when it comes to historic preservation.

Jessica Hicklin co-founded Unlocked Labs while serving what she thought would be a life sentence in Potosi Correctional Center. She taught herself how to code using the prison's library books, and when she was released in January 2022, the company grew from there. Unlocked Labs provides secure software on computers for detainees to access educational content. It is available in state prisons in five states across the country, and the St. Louis City Justice Center is the first jail to receive the service. Bretton Delaria from the Office of Violence Prevention, which collaborated with Unlocked Labs and the CJC on this rollout, joins Hicklin on the show to discuss the company's current efforts and goals for the future.

Jonathan Pulphus was a sophomore at St. Louis University in 2014 when Michael Brown, Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer.. He says his participation in the Ferguson uprising was central to his education. In his new book, “With My People,” Pulphus shares the lessons he learned as a young community organizer, reflects on what makes student activism distinctly powerful, and provides a blueprint for grassroots organizing.

Economists in the U.S. are sounding the alarm on what they call a “she-cession” – a term started during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the steep decline in the number of women in the workforce. Since then, that decrease has continued with more women leaving the workforce than entering it. In St. Louis, Rung for Women trains women in professions with greater chances of upward mobility. Chief Program Officer Katie Gallen and former cohort participant Sarah May share how the holistic approach to career training helps employees, employers and the city's economy.

Time Magazine recently named University City native Dara Eskridge as one of the world's most influential rising stars. As the CEO of Invest STL, she leads community-building efforts where she and her team put money directly into the hands of residents to create the neighborhoods they want for themselves. Eskridge shares the intentionality behind Invest STL's programming, how her childhood inspires her mission and how Invest STL's tornado response reflects the work they've committed to since 2022.

St. Louis Magazine editor Nick Phillips spent three days kayaking across the state of Missouri in the MR340, the world's longest nonstop paddling race. He crossed the finish line after nearly 74 hours. Writing about the experience in St. Louis Magazine, Nick describes the journey as a "sweaty, maddening hell.” Along with Phillips, MR340 race director Steve Schnarr discusses the race's history and the extremes it places on the bodies and wills of its participants.

The St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education voted Friday to fire Superintendent Millicent Borishade without cause during a closed session. Borishade served in the role for just over a year and previously served as deputy superintendent and Chief of Schools. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad shares what we know so far about what happened, and what's next, for the school district.

As officials in Missouri and St. Louis try to attract data center proposals, advocates and academics are raising the alarm about the effects such centers may have on utilities. Energy policy expert Ari Peskoe shares how the data center boom is changing the utility landscape, why everyday consumers may be left footing the bill for big tech's use of electricity, and what regulators and lawmakers can do to protect the public.

Just over a month into her new role as Missouri's attorney general, Catherine Hanaway is outlining her priorities — focusing on fighting crime and defending the state's abortion laws. A former Missouri House speaker, U.S. attorney and chair of Husch Blackwell, Hanaway discusses her agenda and the case to remove St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.

Missouri's Republican and Democratic elected officials have been underwhelmed by the federal response to the May 16 tornado in St. Louis. And at least one member of Missouri's congressional delegation, Republican U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, said the problems he sees this year aren't new – and should prompt lawmakers to overhaul the disaster response agency. The Tarkio Republican talks about his bipartisan legislation to overhaul FEMA on the “Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

There are a multitude of stories waiting to be discovered at the historic, 175 year old Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. The annual event “Voices at Bellefontaine” brings new life to the stories of those buried and memorialized there. In collaboration with theatre company Hawthorne Players, Bellefontaine puts on the outdoor theatrical experience throughout the cemetery grounds. Cemetery chronicler Dan Fuller and writer/director Larry Marsh talk with producer Darrious Varner about the lives of notable people buried at the cemetery, how their stories are rediscovered, and how Voices at Bellefontaine uses theatrical elements to preserve such history.

The story of the Lemp beer dynasty still holds sway in St. Louis, but it's the tragedies, suicides — and a supposedly haunted mansion — that have made the family name infamous. But there is so much more to the Lemp family than tragedy. A new book, “Adam Lemp and Western Brewery,” has uncovered records that give us a better picture of what it took to build that beer dynasty, and provides new hints of the dysfunction behind the scenes. We talk about the Lemps with the book's author, historian Chris Naffziger, and Amanda Clark, a public historian and See STL Tours Manager at the Missouri Historical Society.

Missouri passed legislation earlier this year that requires school districts to adopt a cellphone policy that limits usage during the school day. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and two student journalists from Rockwood Summit High School discuss how the school and its students have adapted to the policy so far.

In 1972, Martin McNally hijacked American Airlines Flight 119 out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport – and years of chaos ensued. His story inspired the 2020 true crime podcast “American Skyjacker.” Now, a feature documentary film of the same name premieres in St. Louis on Friday, Oct.17 at Ronnie's Cinema. St. Louis on the Air producer Danny Wicentowski's 2017 cover story for the Riverfront Times first brought McNally's story to the attention of filmmakers Eli Kooris and Josh Shaffer. Wicentowski and Kooris break down the ins and outs of the notorious skyjacking, and what it took to transform it into a film.

Research shows that when people form strong emotional bonds with their home, communities experience greater economic growth, recover faster from natural disasters and foster deeper connection and meaning among residents. The Missouri Historical Society's “I am St. Louis” campaign seeks to do just that. President and CEO Jody Sowell, alongside STLPR lead producer Luis Antonio Perez, share what they love about St. Louis — and how confronting the city's darker chapters helps us better understand and approach the challenges we face today.