St. Louis on the Air

As highly intelligent and adaptive animals, raccoons have learned to live alongside humans for many thousands of years. For the raccoons that live in Forest Park, adaptability includes the careful avoidance of crossing the road, despite the availability of food sources on the other side. Dr. Sharon Deem and Stephen Blake discuss their latest research, which sheds new light on the lives of 10 racoons, including a particularly adventurous forager named “Frankie.”

In September 2023, then St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones initiated a Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program that gave $500 direct cash payments to qualifying families across the city. Six months into the program, a lawsuit from members of the Holy Joe Society halted its funding for one month. Despite the pause in payments, researchers and city leaders said the pilot program was successful and provided a public benefit in addition to helping families meet their basic needs. Midwest Newsroom Reporting Fellow Naomi Delkamiller discusses the impact of the GBI pilot program in St. Louis.

St. Louis City officials and advocates for the homeless say they are bracing for, and oppose, the Trump administration's cuts to programs that put homeless people in permanent homes. In November, HUD Secretary Scott Turner called the use of billions of dollars to provide permanent housing a “Biden-era slush fund” that would be replaced by a focus on temporary housing. Local advocates for the homeless from Gateway Housing First and the director of the city's Department of Human Services say the change could put hundreds of people in St. Louis at risk of returning to homelessness. In this episode, we also learn how the life of one family was changed through St. Louis' Continuum of Care program, which allowed them to escape homelessness and move into an apartment of their own.

Longtime St. Louis food writer Matt Sorrell's new book is a celebration of his favorite restaurants, bars and shops. Among the 80 selections are old standbys like the Hideaway and Crown Candy Kitchen, as well as newer arrivals like Kain Tayo and Balkan Treat Box. The book, “Matt's St. Louis Food Story,” highlights not just the food, but the atmosphere, history and character that have made each spot memorable.

With the end of 2025 approaching and cold weather keeping us indoors, what better time to dig into some of the best books of the year? Jennifer Alexander of St. Louis County Library and Lauren Brickey of St. Louis Public Library share their top picks.

Many property owners in the EF3 tornado's path are still locked in fights with their insurance companies more than six months after the storm. STLPR economic development reporter Kavahn Mansouri shares what he and fellow reporter Andrea Henderson found as they followed two households on their journeys for fair payouts — and how they hope to hold insurers accountable.

Missouri's first day of legal sports betting drew gamblers to both casinos and mobile apps to place their first bets in the state. Questions about revenue and responsible gambling remain. STLPR journalists Olivia Mizelle and Brian Munoz talk about their reporting, which included visits to Horseshoe St. Louis Casino and a DraftKings event that featured Hall of Fame athletes Brett Hull and Isaac Bruce.

Generations of bleary-eyed St. Louisans have flitted into late night diners like moths to lamplight, drawn in by one of our most treasured regional dishes: the slinger — an artful pile of eggs, hash browns, onions, cheese, meat and chile (or gravy). So the city mourned at the beginning of November when one of the last best places to get a slinger — the Buttery on South Grand Boulevard — closed. STLPR's Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico talk about the latest restaurant openings and closings in the St. Louis area.

Thirty five years after its signing, the Americans with Disabilities Act has led to changes in schools, work, and public spaces. The stories of St. Louisans with disabilities reveal what that landmark legislation — and disability rights activists' work in St. Louis long before ADA — changed. They also illustrate what remains to be done. Guests Lori Becker, Raven McFadden, and Seyoon Choi talk about their classroom, workplace, and social experiences as children and adults living with a disability in St. Louis.

Missourians will finally get their chance to place wagers on sporting events on Monday, Dec. 1. That's because the Show-Me State's voters narrowly legalized sports betting last year, meaning that St. Louisans will no longer have to physically travel to Illinois to place a wager. STLPR's Sarah Kellogg talks about what sports betting enthusiasts should expect.

The trial in the Missouri attorney general's case that could remove St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office came to a close on Tuesday, with more than 30 witnesses testifying over the course of a week. STLPR's Visuals Editor Brian Munoz joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to discuss.

St. Louis County officials are grappling with a major budgetary hole, one that includes a roughly $20 million deficit for the county's health department. But while acknowledging the perilous financial times for the county, St. Louis County Director of Public Health Dr. Kanika Cunningham is pushing back against the idea that the county should shutter some of its Federally Qualified Health Center Look-a-Like health clinics as a way to save money. Cunningham joined the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

Thirty years ago, a group of St. Louis teens walked into the Forum of Contemporary Art, sparking youth programs that have since reached more than 30,000 young people. Now the Contemporary Art Museum, a new exhibit, “We Find Ourselves: 30 Years of Teens Making Art,” looks back on that legacy and showcases new works by emerging artists in St. Louis. We talk with Roseann Weiss, founder of one of the early teen programs, Juan William Chavez, artist and former teen program participant, and CAM education manager Miriam Ruiz. The exhibit is on display until Feb. 8, 2026.

For many people, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. But even the most heartwarming Thanksgiving meal with loved ones can come with sides of social obligation, financial strain and expectation. St. Louis clinical psychologist Dr. Marva Robinson shares advice on connecting with family, managing expectations and making the most of your holiday celebrations.

In Charles County, Elvis has left the courtroom. That's thanks to an official Missouri disciplinary commission whose decision is forcing the retirement of Judge Matthew Thornhill. Thornhill drew complaints for his habit of dressing up as Elvis in the courtroom, wearing an Elvis wig and making jokes about Elvis to litigants. In this month's Legal Roundtable, our experts react to the judge's unusual retirement and discuss other cases. That includes an update on the bizarre case of Bar PM: Two years ago, a police SUV collided with the bar in south St. Louis. The city charged the bar's owner with assault after the accident, but last month dropped the criminal charge.

Bates is a self proclaimed music and horror fanatic. The St. Louis rapper's latest album, “The Terrible Tales of Mother Goose” blends her love of music and scary stories by flipping classic nursery rhymes with twisted origins and showcasing her expansive music tastes with her lyricism. She takes us behind the scenes of her fifth album and she shares her future plans of becoming a music executive producer.

November's new music roundup is full of R&B bangers.. Alternative R&B tracks like “Mistakes” by Brock Seals and Nate Fox blend jazz and hip-hop with soulful vocals. Latoya Sharen's “90's R&B Love (Remix), featuring The HamilTones, takes us on a romantic trip back in time. Along with the music highlights, singer-songwriter Alexia Simone joins host Elaine Cha and music show producer and originator Miya Norfleet to discuss their picks for this month's top tracks. Check out our November new music playlist.

Pigeons are assumed to be common in most urban areas, but St. Louis does not have as many of these birds compared to other major cities. Washington University researchers have found that urban design and planning has a lot to do with that pigeon disparity, which highlights what's missing in the city's ecosystem. Postdoctoral fellow Elizabeth Carlen shares why a lack of pedestrians is the culprit, and how curiosity about minimal pigeon sightings in St. Louis landed her and her research partners in Madrid, Spain.

In reviews of Mexican restaurants across St. Louis, you'll find numerous mentions of “authenticity.” But what makes a Mexican dish, like the taco, truly authentic? For Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado, that's asking the wrong question. In his new book, “Taco,” Sánchez Prado challenges the idea of authentic food by exploring how migration and modernity have shaped the taco from its origins as a working-class staple in Mexico to a transnational icon that comes in many different textures and flavors.

A documentary-style play opening this week in St. Louis presents the experiences of transgender people and allies in their own words. Jamie Linson, a clinical psychologist, wrote the play after conducting more than 30 interviews with trans people and their families. The result is “Just Human: Transgender Lives in the 2020s.” Along with Linson, we talk with performer Jordan Braxton about playing herself, how the show confronts the harsh reality facing trans people face in Missouri, and how it also showcases the ways trans people find joy in their lives.

After the police shooting of Michael Brown, the City of Ferguson entered into a consent decree agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Now, almost a decade later, Ferguson residents and officials are eager for that contract to end. We'll get an update on its progress from Ferguson Consent Decree Coordinator Patricia Washington, who spoke with STLPR reporter Chad Davis earlier this week. Washington shared examples of successful reforms made as part of the consent decree and the impact of cuts to the program's funding. She also discussed the conditions for Ferguson to ultimately make its “exit strategy” from the consent decree.

Each year, more than 10 million visitors make their way to Branson, Missouri. Over many decades, the once-small hillside town developed a reputation for being the U.S. capital for performances with overtly religious and patriotic themes, and sometimes, a Christian nationalist bent. Joanna Dee Das's new book, “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment & the Idea of America,” explores how conservative values and politics have played out on Branson's stages and with audiences. She also describes what makes Branson an important site for the performing arts and how its presentation of American history, values and politics is far more complicated than its reputation suggests.

Firearms are deeply politicized in the United States, hampering regulation and safer gun laws. In St. Louis, 44% of residents say firearm violence is their top public health concern. A new report in JAMA Health Forum outlines a five-step, evidence-based roadmap to safer firearm regulation Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of Washington University's School of Public Health and editor-in-chief of JAMA Health Forum, discusses why the plan — and public health — are key to addressing gun violence.

The Nolan family in St. Louis has been on a long road to recovery since an EF3 tornado tore the roof off their O'Fallon neighborhood home on May 16. We check in with mom Gloria Nolan and her 13-year-old daughter Dylan about how their family's been navigating busy schedules, a new school year, ongoing house repairs and questions they still have about what's next.

The EF3 tornado that ravaged parts of St. Louis six months ago devastated thousands of homes and businesses — and a dozen buildings in the St. Louis Public Schools district. Seven schools were so severely damaged that students were displaced. Now, SLPS administrators plan to have the schools either reopened or renovated by December 2026. STLPR's Hiba Ahmed discusses the impact of the school closures, what the plan to reopen looks like and what the community's response has been in the six months since the tornado.

Six months after an EF3 tornado devastated parts of St. Louis, affected residents are still dealing with debris. Others are just now getting their roofs repaired. Without adequate support to rebuild and repair, some are left asking themselves: “What level of degradation to my home am I willing to live with long term?” STLPR engagement producer Paola Rodriguez shares notes from recent conversations with survivors of the May 16 tornado.

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.