St. Louis on the Air

During the final hours of the Missouri General Assembly, the GOP-controlled legislature approved a measure moving school-related elections from April to November. Critics contend it will politicize local education. But state Rep. Richard West says it will prompt more people to decide on high-stakes contests, especially around bond issues. West, a Republican from Wentzville, talks about the legislation on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Christian Mitchell accepted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's offer to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. And during an appearance on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air,” Mitchell discussed why Pritzker deserves a third term — and why he says he's ready to step up as governor if Pritzker departs for the national stage.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a formal diplomatic protest of the United States government in response to Brayan Garzón-Rayo's death in a Rolla jail last year. STLPR's Brian Munoz discusses why Garzon-Rayo's case caught international attention.

At this time, Missouri isn't joining other southern states in redrawing its congressional maps. But the demise of key Voting Rights Act protections is raising alarms among Black elected officials in the St. Louis-based 1st Congressional District.

St. Louis civic and political leaders want to expand Gateway Arch National Park across the river to Illinois. The project would fulfill the vision of the Arch's architect, Eero Saarinen, and the dream of Malcolm W. Martin, who dedicated his life to park expansion. In the latest episode of “Meet Me,” we explore the Mississippi River as both a physical and psychological divide — and one effort that seeks to link communities on both banks of the river.

Missouri's landscape features diverse geology ranging from shut-ins formed by volcanoes, sand dunes and tributaries. Author Don Corrigan and photographer Diana Linsley have compiled more than 80 locations across the state in their new book “Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri,” a full-color guide to encourage emerging and experienced outdoor explorers to enjoy all the splendors Missouri has to offer.

An unusually fast verdict this month from the Missouri Supreme Court has set the stage for Missouri voters to use a map in August that could soon be challenged — and reversed — by a public referendum. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, a state-run police board is seeking an expedited ruling to force the city to spend another $67 million on the police budget. On this episode of the Legal Roundtable on “St. Louis on the Air,” a panel of attorneys analyzes the speed, timing, and politics of these cases. They also discuss a federal court judge who used a local immigration case to make a point about national politics, and a Louisiana couple suing a Creve Coeur fertility clinic.

While many St. Louisans are celebrating signs of the start of summer, heat-related illnesses can put a damper on summertime fun — and can lead to serious harm. In this encore episode, clinical assistant professor and community pharmacist Catherine Gilmore joins St. Louis on the Air to discuss the science behind what happens to the body when it fails to regulate heat and how certain types of medication can increase the risk of heat intolerance.

Multidisciplinary artist Maxi Glamour has shared their storytelling prowess through songwriting, drag and queer-friendly events by way of their Faeded series. Recently, they have completed “Faeded: The Opera” which premieres June 5 at the Contemporary Art Museum in partnership with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Glamour gives us a peek into their motivations to write their first opera, the evolution of Faeded over the years and their take on how “queerness” transcends sexual orientation.

When the diagnostic test PrecivityAD hit the market in 2020, it democratized early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The blood test, developed by C2N Diagnostics, is more accessible than brain imaging and spinal fluid tests, which can be expensive and invasive. WashU Medicine professor and C2N Diagnostics co-founder Dr. David Holtzman talks about his team's innovation and how their work has contributed to our understanding of the disorder and how to treat it. He also shares how the commercialization process afforded to universities through the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 has brought innovative discoveries like PrecivityAD to the general public. Holtzman and his colleague, Dr. Randall Bateman, will receive the American Innovator Award from the Bayh-Dole Coalition in Washington, D.C. next week.

Sister Nancy Corcoran is an unusual nun. Now 81, she has spent the last two years quietly hosting meetings for Catholic parents of transgender children. The gatherings are intentionally “affirming” meetings. There is no talk of celibacy or prayer that children will stop being trans or gay. Instead, parents share meals and stories about the pressure on their families, and their faith, as they support their kids at a time when transgender Missourians are a focus of heated political and cultural battles. Producer Danny Wicentowski interviews Corcoran to learn how she's turned her ministry into a gathering place for local Catholics. We also meet the Rev. Eli Anthony, who shares insights from his experiences in Jefferson City with other trans people and faith leaders.

St. Louisan Stephanie Perkins turned her Rosati-Kain Academy trivia roots into a two-episode “Jeopardy!” run, winning nearly $20,000 earlier this month. The Nerinx Hall High School math teacher and quiz bowl club moderator talks about her time on the show and the impact it's had on her students.

The St. Charles City Council voted Tuesday to block large-scale data center developments within city limits. The 7-1 vote makes permanent a one-year moratorium on proposals that was put in place in the fall — in part due to widespread community opposition to a $1 billion data center proposal. Scott Stratton-Henderson was among many residents celebrating the council's decision. Last year, the Lindenwood University undergrad launched a petition opposing the data center project. He reflects on his community organizing efforts and his new nonprofit, which aims to advance accountability, transparency and integrity in the city.

The Clean Slate Act now sits on Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk. The bill would automatically expunge the criminal records of thousands of Missourians convicted of certain non-violent crimes. It's part of a larger, nationwide campaign to pass similar laws. Thirteen states have already passed their own version of the measure, including Illinois. In this encore, we talk with Empower Missouri Executive Director Mallory Rusch and advocate Patty Berger, president of the St. Louis chapter of All of Us or None, about the four-year effort to help people move on from their past criminal convictions.

The U.S. immigration system has long faced criticism as overcrowded and broken. In this episode, STLPR's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson speaks with the Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, about how a routine green card appointment in Mexico led to a yearlong separation from his husband and upended their family's life.

When the Arcega family moved their restaurant, Kain Tayo, from Trenton, Illinois, to Midtown St. Louis, they brought more than Filipino cuisine. Through traditional home-style meals and music, Sally and Randy Arcega and their son, Jeross, share the culture and joy they grew up with. Their annual singing competition, Kain Tayo Idol, has become another way they connect with the St. Louis community.

After 24-year-old Jake Zeller took his own life in December 2013, his family faced a decision: “What do we tell people?” Ultimately, they decided to share the truth about what happened. By speaking openly, the Zellers sought to start a movement of radical honesty about mental health. Thirteen years later, their nonprofit Team Jakey is dedicated to ending the stigma around mental illness and suicide. To date, the nonprofit has raised more than $500,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Provident Behavioral Health in St. Louis. Jake's sister, Jenna Zeller, and Team Jakey executive director Logan Janis share their story and how a decision to speak out turned into a decadelong mission to help others.

Tired of costly levee repairs at the Missouri and Mississippi confluence, the Missouri Department of Conservation is turning a portion of the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area back into its natural state. With this strategic flooding, conservationists hope to restore natural wetlands while significantly cutting down on maintenance costs. STLPR's Katie Grawitch shares how the new levee will save taxpayer dollars and increase freshwater supply.

Missouri lawmakers have spent years either repealing or trying to repeal voter-approved initiatives. But a potential November 2026 proposal known as Respect Missouri Voters could make it much harder for the legislature to do that. Respect Missouri Voters' Benjamin Singer and two volunteer petition gatherers, Bridget Salberg and Matt Andrews, talk about the proposal on "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air."

The last week of session didn't feature many moments of dramatic rhetorical duels or heart-stopping parliamentary standoffs. Instead, for the most part, lawmakers in Missouri finished work on legislation overhauling public safety and healthcare. STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Lilley Halloran join "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to break down what passed and what didn't pass during the 2026 legislative session.

Ryan “Big Esco” Brown and Tenelle Winmore have always envisioned their music as a beacon for Black youth. Their latest project, “20,000 Hours Vol. 2: The Devil's Defeat,” doubles down on this ethos, channeling the realities of their lives in St. Louis into musical storytelling. We talk with them and music producer Chris “Klevah!” Shaw about the work behind the music and why they hope their messages resonate now more than ever.

This month's new music round up takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions, genres and vibes. St. Louis Post Dispatch music, arts and entertainment reporter Jasmine Osby joined music show originator Miya Norfleet to discuss what songs from St. Louis artists they are loving. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

St. Louis is not ready for the next natural disaster. The problems are complicated, but the solutions are possible. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and editor Jessica Rogen walk us through how city government can improve, from better funding its emergency management agency to making mutual-aid agreements with neighboring cities. We also hear a montage of voices from people in north St. Louis impacted by last year's tornado. They gathered recently at St. Louis Public Radio for a special “Meet Me” open mic event to share their stories of May 16, 2025, and what happened afterward.

The Nolan family faced many hurdles since an EF3 tornado tore through their neighborhood on May 16, 2025. The storm ripped the roof off their family duplex, displacing their family as well as their tenants next door. Today, they are looking forward to moving into their new home and welcoming their tenants back to the neighborhood. Gloria and Kevin Nolan share an update on how reconstruction has progressed for themselves and their community — and their hopes for the neighborhood they call home.

Veteran astronaut Tom Akers was born in St. Louis, grew up in Eminance, Missouri, and attended Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. Then, he went to space — an experience he calls “an honor of a lifetime.” This weekend, Akers will be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. He joins STLPR's Jonathan Ahl ahead of the ceremony to talk about his upbringing, his love of teaching, and making the leap from small-town Missouri to floating in orbit above the planet.

On a rainy day in 1947, a scrappy alley cat walked into the Hamilton Hotel in St. Louis. Two days later, he made national news for beating his pedigreed peers to win prizes at the Greater St. Louis Cat Club Show. The cat's story is the subject of a new classical composition that will be performed this weekend by the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis alongside a concurrent reading of the children's book, “How Mr. Silver Stole the Show.” Author Kate Klise, composer and Mizzou professor Stefan Freund, and Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis principal conductor Roger Kaza, talk with us about Mr. Silver's story and the art it inspired. The performance takes place at 3 p.m. on May 17 at Washington University's E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall.

It's been nearly a year since an EF-3 tornado tore through the St. Louis region, with north St. Louis bearing the brunt of the destruction. In this episode, we begin the STLPR series: “Torn, the struggle to recover from the tornado, the flailing government response and the fight for north St. Louis.” We hear from St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, who defends the city's work on the recovery while acknowledging some of the shortcomings and the challenges that lie ahead. We also hear from STLPR reporters whose investigation found that inexperience and key decisions within the Spencer administration slowed recovery efforts.

Touted as an effective way to keep people out of the prison system, mental health courts have expanded across the country over the past two decades. But in southern Illinois, around two million residents don't have access to them. The Illinois Answers Project and MindSite News spent months reaching out to every court in the state for data and updates on their mental health courts. The investigation found "a promising model with limited funds supporting small oases in an otherwise barren desert." Illinois Answers Project reporter Grace Hauck and Tony Ohlhausen, director of research and policy at NAMI Illinois, share their insights into the state of Illinois' mental health court system, including the programs in the Metro East in Madison and St. Clair counties.

Lafayette High School Graduate Nathaniel Mahone has always found joy in bringing laughter to others. Now, after several summers as a Muny Kid and Teen and graduating college, Mahone is touring the country with the musical comedy “Monty Python's Spamalot”. Mahone shared his journey from small plays to big stages, and what it means to be coming home to St. Louis on his first national tour.

Since 2022, Transform 314's founder Kelly McGowan has worked to inform Black St. Louisans about the inner workings of local government. As communities continue to rebuild since last year's May 16 tornado, she has focused on helping citizens understand the policies and identify the accountable officials. On May 13, McGowan will be premiering her first film, “Transforming Our Legacy: A St. Louis Story.” The documentary highlights personal stories of Black St. Louisans from the 1930s to the present day. It explores the ways that generations of policies, including segregation and disinvestment, have shaped the city's predominately Black neighborhoods.

“Gifted: The Docuseries” poses the ultimate question: If you could save the lives of eight strangers, would you? The project looks at the humanity behind organ donation, featuring stories from St. Louis and beyond. Its creator, critical care registered nurse and St. Louis native, Robert Horsey, discusses the story behind the series alongside Kim Cupp, who honors her daughter Maissa Abdallah's life-saving legacy in the series.

In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with 31 other men, set out on the Corps of Discovery expedition from a site just north of St. Louis, at the mouth of the Missouri River. A new book by historian Craig Fehrman, “This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark,” draws on newly surfaced documents and oral histories to offer a more layered portrait of the expedition and the people involved.

Music has the power to conjure memory and emotion. In her new book, “Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams,” St. Louis native and professor Elizabeth Margulis investigates the source and implications of music's impact on human cognition. The director of Princeton University's Music Cognition Lab shares insights from her research, including the way that emotion and memory can trigger a person to “find yourself transported to some memory from your past, often quite vividly, or some fictional scene that you've never really experienced.”

Artist and educator Carmon Colangelo retired at the end of April after 20 years as founding dean of Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Blending traditional and digital printmaking techniques, his work is currently on view at the Bruno David Gallery in Clayton. STLPR arts and culture senior reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with Colangelo about his career, the role of artificial intelligence in art and more.

Scott Sifton left the Missouri legislature in 2021. But even though he's been out of politics, he's still making his mark in the legal profession. The former Democratic lawmaker joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis the Air” to talk about his involvement in Monsanto v. Durnell, a high-stakes case the U.S. Supreme Court heard this week about how the herbicide Roundup is labeled.

Scott Sifton left the Missouri legislature in 2021. But even though he's been out of politics, he's still making his mark in the legal profession. The former Democratic lawmaker joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis the Air” to talk about his involvement in Monsanto v. Durnell, a high-stakes case the U.S. Supreme Court heard this week about how the herbicide Roundup is labeled.

A plan to build a data center near the Armory in Midtown provoked passionate opposition – and some passionate support – within St. Louis. Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer talks about why the topic is stoking so many strong emotions and why she has concerns about how this plan came together.

Missouri lawmakers placed Gov. Mike Kehoe's ambitious tax plan on the ballot last month. It gives lawmakers five years to expand sales and use taxes as a way to phase out the state's income tax. The proposal has sparked bipartisan opposition – and raised the ire of some powerful groups who may spend money to defeat it. Economist Aaron Hedlund, a supporter of the plan, joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” to explain why it could help the state in the long term.

Earlier this month in STLPR's Community Room, St. Louis-area residents came together for an open mic event to reflect on how last year's May 16 tornado changed their lives. On the latest episode of our podcast “Meet Me,” we share highlights from an evening of powerful, personal stories about loss, recovery and resilience.

Missouri is teeming with scenic hiking trails and unique ecological features, but it can be intimidating to explore the outdoors alone. Jessie Donovan and Mike Roth founded ShowMe Hikes to connect people with Missouri's natural environment firsthand, and bring beginner, intermediate and experienced hikers together. They share what has shaped their own personal relationships with the outdoors and what hikers can look forward to on ShowMe Hikes' guided treks.

On Wednesday, friends and family gathered in Creve Coeur to say goodbye to Ray Hartmann. The longtime St. Louis journalist, who founded the Riverfront Times and helped launch Nine PBS' “Donnybrook,” died suddenly last Thursday in a car crash at 73. In this episode, we revisit a 2024 conversation with Hartmann and hear from St. Louis journalists Jeannette Cooperman and Sarah Fenske about his legacy.

Nearly six years have passed since Troy Doyle sued the St. Louis County Police Department over what he alleges was a broken promise to promote him to police chief. After multiple delays, the case has cost the county more than $900,000. Attorneys Dave Roland, Arindam Kar and Jenny Woulfe discuss the employment discrimination case in this month's Legal Roundtable alongside other notable, ongoing lawsuits against the City of St. Louis' police department and school system. They also react to news of the lawsuit filed by the influencer “The Woke Ginger,” who alleges his employer violated an obscure Missouri law that prohibits employers from terminating people for their political beliefs.

At Parkway West High School, students play Monopoly and research current issues to learn about the effects of economic systems here in the U.S. and abroad. History and economics teacher Rachel Money — yes, that's her real name! — joins Parkway West senior Lily Overmann to share how such methods not only equip students for AP exams, but build their skills in media literacy, strategic thinking and problem solving.

James Beard Award winner Gerard Craft is open about his experiences with anxiety, pressure and seeking help — and why mental health is a critical issue in the hospitality industry. Craft, the executive chef and CEO of Niche Food Group, is among several acclaimed St. Louis chefs coming together for a May 4 luncheon, “Hands for Mental Health Luncheon.” Some of the proceeds will benefit NAMI St. Louis.

Debate over a proposed hyperscale data center in Festus made local and national news this month when voters ousted city council members who approved the plan. With a lawsuit filed and a new city council, the controversy is far from over. We go behind the headlines with STLPR reporters Kavahn Mansouri and Katie Grawitch, who have spent months covering the debates and voter backlash over data centers in Festus and the St. Louis region. Festus resident Erica Carter shares what a data center would mean for her community, and attorney Steve Jeffrey discusses the lawsuit filed against Festus to stop the project before it breaks ground.