St. Louis on the Air

When a submerged power line became tangled in the motor of their rescue boat on the Black River last Friday, two Missouri state troopers found themselves on a stalled, and sinking, vessel. It was one harrowing experience among many that played out on July 10 in parts of southeast Missouri, where flash flooding stranded hundreds of people and killed a woman. We learn about the rescue effort that brought 361 people to safety and hear from a 13-year-old who was airlifted out of Camp Taum Sauk by the National Guard.

The advent of stereo dramatically changed our experience of sound. St. Louis audiophile David MacRunnel provides a primer on that audio development: how it works, why it took off in the U.S. in particular, and what makes stereo different from — not necessarily better than — monophonic sound. MacRunnel and his partner Katie Cahill will talk in-depth about stereophonic tech, show early-era equipment, and play full albums by Miles Davis, the Beatles, and the Reiner/Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the St. Louis Science Center's 21+ event “Up Late: Experience Sound” on July 25. *This episode is best listened to with headphones or earbuds, or in a car with dual speakers.

Wyclef Jean's three decades of contributions to the music industry are powerful and global. He first broke through as a founding member of the hip-hop group the Fugees. This weekend, Jean brings that background, and a message of resilience, to his fans in St. Louis as the closing-night headliner of the MATI festival, formerly Music at the Intersection, at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. STLPR audio engineer Aaron Doerr talked with Jean about his message to his fans, what it means to believe in yourself and all the things worth fighting for.

In 2013, Shane Devine felt a creative itch that needed to be scratched. Initially, he just wanted to record some songs that bopped around in his head, but his first album was well received and performance opportunities came knocking. With that success, Devine formed the Opera Bell Band, a music and comedy group that embraces silly humor, catchy lyrics and, most recently, plant science. Their latest album “A Salute to Corn” was commissioned by Missouri Botanical Garden. Devine and his bandmate and wife, Kristina DeYong, share their creative process, the close relationships among the bandmates and the science behind their “corny” music.

St. Louis artists flex their genre-blending muscles for this month's new music round up. Pajmon Porshahidy, also known as Umami, joined producer Miya Norfleet and host Elaine Cha to talk about their local favorites for the month including the sounds of punk band Holofoil, R&B artist Rachel Bouzier, and more. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

Gen Z's love affair with thrifting is real. We dive into the appeal of one-of-a-kind finds and the growing movement toward eco-friendly, secondhand style with the founders of the monthly vintage clothing market Drop Soda Vintage Market and a sustainability specialist at WashU.

Eight-time Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste can't be defined by one genre. The musician blends jazz, blues, gospel, soul, R&B and funk and more. Ahead of opening MATI — formerly known as Music at the Intersection — at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, Batiste joined STLPR arts and culture senior reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin for a conversation about his upcoming albums and his wide-ranging musical career.

The City of St. Louis implemented a targeted downtown juvenile curfew in effect now through Labor Day, adding a new layer to the city's existing citywide restrictions. But do curfews actually work to curb violence? With Marvin Teer, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, Ashley Wilkinson, Clinical Site Supervisor for Provident Behavioral Health, and Kenya Brumfield-Young, St. Louis University professor and criminologist, we discuss what the research says about their effectiveness, the psychology behind teen risk-taking, the city's decision and guidance for parents.

With recent warm temperatures, humidity, and high rainfall, mosquitoes are thriving in St. Louis. And these insects don't just cause itchy, annoying bites; they can also carry diseases like West Nile. To evaluate the effectiveness of various anti-mosquito tactics — from natural remedies to yard fogging — we talk with environmentalist Jean Ponzi of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff.

In 2016, acclaimed Black American author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates entered the field of comic books with "Black Panther #1." It met with both fanfare and critique. In a new book, Howard Rambsy II argues that Coates' take on the superhero story raised the profile and understanding of comics as an art form and affected opportunity for other Black writers. Rambsy, a literature professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, also talks about the ways Coates' work illuminated the challenges of "attaining" representation in the comic book field.

Missourians will decide the fate of Amendment 4, which requires constitutional amendments put on the ballot through the initiative petition process to pass in eight out of eight congressional districts. We hear from both sides of the debate on the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins argues the pro side of Amendment 4, while Missourians for Fair Taxation's Scott Charton explains why it should fail.

Missourians will be deciding on a lot of high-stakes ballot initiatives on Aug. 4. Some of them are attracting passionate debate – and spurring high-dollar ad campaigns. That's not what's happening with Amendment 1. Thus far, there's no organized opposition for the reauthorization of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that funds soil and water conservation projects and Missouri's state parks. Missouri Parks Association executive director Kendra Varns Wallis joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to make the case to pass Amendment 1.

St. Charles County Republicans are engaged in their most competitive GOP primary for county executive in years. On this episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we explore why the contest between incumbent Steve Ehlmann, former state Sen. Bill Eigel, and former Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law are provoking questions about whether the county's future growth is sustainable.

Gabe Moskoff fell in love with hip-hop as a teen in Madison, WI and dreamt of going to college on the East Coast where his favorite hip-hop acts are from. He ended up in St. Louis instead to study at Washington University, and his response to an email and access to WashU's student radio station led to Moskoff becoming Trackstar the DJ:a member of the acclaimed group Run the Jewels who has toured across the world, and worked with Wu Tang Clan, Rage Against the Machine, and Dave Chappelle. Trackstar is bringing local and national DJs to MATI for his Trackstar and Friends set at Sophie's Artist Lounge, and joining Killer Mike at the Big Top on Saturday, July 18.

For decades, Kirkwood's municipal electric department was so successful that it generated millions in profits while funding other government services. Then, a revelation came last fall: the department was in the hole for more than $15 million. Will there be any repercussions for the two highly paid public servants responsible for managing and overseeing the department's spending? Where did the massive deficit come from in the first place? Investigative journalist Mike Fitzgerald and Kirkwood resident Jack Cancila discuss the case and what may be uncovered by an independent forensic audit.

Technology has made a lot of things better and more convenient — but somewhere along the way, it's also made some parts of everyday life a little less satisfying. In this episode, Washington University professor Ian Bogost discusses his new book, “The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life.” Bogost argues modern technology has stripped away many of the small, everyday experiences that once brought us joy. Rather than advocating for a return to the past, he encourages us to pay closer attention to simple moments that can still bring gratification and a greater sense of connection to the world around us.

There's no single way to succeed in the restaurant industry. In June, St. Louisans said goodbye to several beloved eateries — including O'Fashion Donuts — even as they fell in love with fresh concepts like Chico Bueno in the Grove. This month, STLPR's Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico talk about the latest openings and closings in the region's food and dining scenes, their favorite new dishes and how some restaurants have found their way back from closure.

Loryn Nalic, chef and co-owner of Balkan Treat Box in St. Louis brought home the Best Chef: Midwest honor at the 2026 James Beard Awards. This recognition marks the first time in nearly a decade that a St. Louis-area chef has won one of the U.S. culinary world's highest honors. Nalic reflects on the achievement, what it's taken to get to this point, the importance of preserving cultural traditions, and balancing creativity and innovation in cooking.

On July 11, WerQfest returns to the Grove Business District to celebrate Black queer music and culture in St. Louis. The event's 2026 theme is “Express Yourself,” a spirit that has animated every WerQfest since its debut in 2020. The event was created to give St. Louisans who identify as Black and queer an opportunity to be their authentic selves, fostering community with music, resources, and showcasing the city's talented residents. WerQfest co-founder Tre G and performer Volume Speaks discuss how WerQfest has evolved since its premiere and why this year focuses on women and femme artists.

On Sunday, July 12, the Missouri History Museum will close its “Mill Creek: Black Metropolis” exhibit, which looks back at the history and community members' lived experiences of Mill Creek Valley: a neighborhood home to nearly 20,000 people that was erased in 1959 as part of St. Louis' push for urban renewal. In this encore presentation from 2025, we hear from Vivian Gibson, memoirist of “The Last Children of Mill Creek," and Malaika Horne Wells, author of "Mother Wit.” The women share their memories of Mill Creek Valley, and their work to collect oral histories from other former residents for the museum' exhibit. The conversation includes a special preview of the documentary "Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There."

Fried chicken ranks among the top five most popular foods in the U.S., beating out apple pie and even outranking hot dogs. This coming Monday is National Fried Chicken Day, dedicated to all things chicken. In this encore presentation, we revisit a conversation with Adrian Miller, the “Soul Food Scholar” and author of the James Beard Award-winning book “Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time.” He shares his insights into the history of fried chicken, where it got its start, the stigma associated with it and the ways the crispy and crunchy dish is celebrated today.

A new storytelling initiative called 250Connect is collecting conversations between American strangers in honor of the country's founding. In St. Louis and cities and across the country, participants will be paired for recorded conversations that will eventually be housed in the Library of Congress. Nearly 10,000 people have already registered ahead of the project's July 7 start, said StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. In this episode, Isay explains why stories shared between strangers are so powerful, even in moments of national tension and alienation.

On June 9, three immigrants from Collinsville, including two teenagers, were detained by ICE after a traffic stop in central Illinois. The immigrants, who were in the country without legal status, were on their way to work when they were stopped just outside of Morrisonville in Christian County. A new trove of records obtained by St. Louis Public Radio reveals the minute-by-minute breakdown of the traffic stop and sheds light on conversations among local law enforcement. STLPR visuals editor Brian Munoz discusses his reporting.

St. Louis writer Devin O'Shea's debut book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis" takes readers inside the mysteries of the Veiled Prophet Society, a group that's maintained influence over St. Louis institutions since its founding in 1878. Today, the group lives on as VP St. Louis. Its leaders are behind the non-profit Celebrate Saint Louis and “America's Birthday Parade,” an event that is returning to St. Louis this weekend after taking last year off. In conversation with STLPR's Danny Wicentowski, O'Shea traces the Veiled Prophet's origins, members, rituals and controversies, and builds a case for why St. Louis would be better off without it.

For many parents in Illinois, time is running out to get the specialized help they need for their young children with developmental disabilities. They are waiting to get their kids into a state program called Early Intervention, which is open only to kids under the age of three. An investigation from the Illinois Answers Project found that Illinois pays providers less than other states, including Missouri, which leads to stalled access and reliance on telehealth appointments. The reporters interviewed therapists and identified dozens of Illinois families who have waited as long as 17 months for care. Reporter Meredith Newman talks about the challenges facing the program, what drew her to the investigation, and the impact on families waiting for specialized services.

The United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday will go head-to-head in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 knockout game. And, for many in St. Louis, it means cheering on two countries they can call home. Elvir Kafedzic, founder of the St. Louis Dragons youth soccer club, and his 11-year-old daughter, Emina Kafedzic, a participant in the program, discuss the July 1 match as soccer players and fans and as Bosnian Americans.

In 2006, Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado moved to St. Louis to teach Mexican literature as part of Washington University's Latin American Studies program. Twenty years later, that program has expanded immensely. As Ignacio prepares to leave St. Louis for a new role at Cornell University, we talk with him about his work building WashU's Latin American Studies Program, AI in the classroom, and the importance of — and challenges facing — humanities programs across the country.

Driver fatalities in Missouri have decreased each year since 2022. But crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are becoming more deadly — especially in St. Louis. We discuss Trailnet's State of Our Streets report, which explores the deadliest corridors in the region, the data-backed solutions that can make St. Louis streets less perilous, and recent traffic calming measures. Our panelists include Trailnet CEO Cindy Mense, pedestrian safety advocate Julie Vomund, and St. Louis 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi.

In this audio essay, STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum asks: “Am I a Missourian?” Prompted by an offhand comment from actress and singer Jennifer Lopez about who gets to claim a place as their own, Rosenbaum reflects on his journey from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to spending more than half his life in Missouri, exploring whether identity is defined by where you're born or by the community you build.

Missouri's Children's Division is overhauling how it investigates child abuse and neglect in an effort to improve retention, reduce burnout and strengthen complex investigations. Director Sarah Smith joins the "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to discuss her restructuring plan, which will have investigators specialize in specific types of cases while creating a new career path designed to reward experience and encourage employees to stay in one of the state's most challenging public service jobs.

Missouri's abortion landscape shifted dramatically after a Jackson County judge struck down many of the state's abortion restrictions, allowing providers like Planned Parenthood to resume offering medication abortions. STLPR reporter Sarah Fentem joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” about the legal and political ramifications of that ruling, how it expands access to abortion and how it sets the stage for a fight over a proposed constitutional amendment on Missouri's 2026 ballot that could once again reshape abortion rights in the state.

A 30-foot-wide hole caused by a century-old water main tore open beneath I-44 downtown nearly two weeks ago. Though crews are actively filling and stabilizing the area, questions remain. Fletcher Bone, geologist and environmental program specialist with the Missouri Geological Survey, and Bess McCoy with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District discuss the lead-up to the collapse, Missouri's geological vulnerabilities, distinctions between cave-ins and sinkholes, and the long-term outlook for aging infrastructure beneath our feet.

At the start of every decade the Census redraws America's lines of representation. But in 2025, at President Trump's urging, several states — including Missouri — moved to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade. The result is a high-drama scramble that could reshape who controls the U.S. House. We feature the latest episode of STLPR's podcast "Meet Me" — a conversation between host Luis Antonio Perez and politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum. They break down the "what, how and why" of Missouri's new 2025 map and how the movie “Air Bud” explains part of this saga. With August primaries already underway, we trace where things stand and what's still left to play out.

The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners prompted plenty of controversy earlier this month when members pushed a pay boost for command staff. STLPR's Rachel Lippmann joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” to explain how the move prompted opposition from St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer — and renewed discussions about how pay boosts for police require salary increases for firefighters.

St. Louis' top officials are working with members of Missouri's congressional delegation to obtain much-needed funds to rebuild parts of the city that were destroyed by last year's EF3 tornado. But getting that money will require Congress to act. Sarah Labowitz of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discusses the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief program on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Get ready for a musical joyride — this month's new music roundup is filled with tracks that will keep your windows down and the volume up all summer long. Musicians Skylar Townsend, Ryan Koenig and STLPR's Brian Heffernan dive into their favorite recent releases from St. Louis artists. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

Singer/songwriter Emerson Magaña's childhood was filled with the rhythms of Central and South America. Born in Colima, Mexico, he first picked up guitar from his father. Eventually, nature, women, and tequila inspired him to write new original music. On this episode, Magana talks about his musical journey and how those songs became his debut album “Tequila Time” – an ode to his home in Mexico and his time playing at tourist resorts in the beautiful Barra de Navidad.

St. Louis is set to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, bringing the nation's top distance runners back to the city that hosted America's first Olympics. We hear from St. Louis Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber, Go! St. Louis President Mona Vespa and St. Louis Run Club founder Ricky Hughes about the excitement around the marathon trials and what it'll take to pull it off. We also listen back to a conversation with public historian Adam Kloppe of the Missouri Historical Society about the disastrous 1904 Olympic marathon.

Created by St. Louisan Lindsey Goodhart, “Closet Space” is a sapphic blind dating show that fosters a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community through its live studio audience. Goodhart reflects on how the show has sparked genuine connections and the importance of establishing dedicated queer spaces in Missouri, both on and off the stage.

Multiple dog attacks in St. Louis have made local headlines and shown up on social media feeds this past week. The issue's not new, but data shows a marked increase in dangerous animal complaints in St. Louis in recent years. For residents like Slayden Figg, who was attacked by three loose dogs last year, the issue is so pervasive that he's decided to move out of the city. We talk with him about the attack and the physical, mental and financial hardships he endured from it. We also discuss the underlying causes behind these attacks, city enforcement of animal laws, irresponsible dog ownership, and how to stay safe during a dog attack with the medical director at the Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis and an animal control supervisor with the City of St. Louis.

Encouraging a child's love of books has benefits beyond reading. Ahead of a literacy event this Saturday, St. Louis authors Darian Wigfall and Pancho Rucker share what motivates their advocacy, and how encouraging youth to love books and write their own stories promotes confidence and self-worth. The writers are part of a free, all-ages June 13 “Reading is Fire” event, organized by Wigfall, that includes books, games, live music, and readings by several local Black authors.

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" introduced readers to characters inspired by the childhood of its author Mark Twain. June 9 is the 150th anniversary of the book's publication in 1876. Multiple events are planned in Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, marking the book's real-life setting and literary impact. Mark Schneider, development and marketing manager at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, talks about the history of Twain's book, its unique place in American culture and history, and why its language, characters and lessons remain relevant today – and hotly debated.

Beyond aprons and roadside diners, women helped power and preserve Route 66. Edwardsville resident Cheryl Eicher Jett's new book “Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66” — which first premiered as a play — chronicles untold stories of more than 80 women who worked along the Mother Road's 2,448-mile stretch. We talk with the author about some histories of the women who shaped the landmark, including some from the St. Louis area.

More than 20 new restaurants, bars and cafes came onto the St. Louis area food scene in May. We discuss a sampling of them — and a few places that closed — in our monthly new restaurants run-down.

When the Riverfront Times abruptly closed its newsroom and ceased print publication, it marked the end of an era for the alt-weekly that had chronicled St. Louis arts, culture and public affairs for decades. But the newspaper's history lives on through the archival efforts led by Washington University Libraries. Miranda Rechtenwald, curator of local history in the Department of Special Collections at WashU, discusses how the partnership came together, the importance of preserving local publications and how the general public can engage with the collection.