St. Louis on the Air

Inspired by barbershop chats and a brotherly contest over hip-hop facts, the Black Lit Network is a digital resource designed to make African American literature more widely accessible. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor Howard Rambsy II co-leads the project. He discusses how a recent $1.6 million grant to SIUE for the project will boost its reach and impact. He also speaks to the significance of investing in efforts to amplify African American writers, works, and ideas – especially through a public higher education institution in the Midwest, and the larger St. Louis region.

For years, the St. Louis metropolitan area has shown troubling signs when it comes to its population numbers. Preliminary results from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey offer both encouragement and caution for the region's future. Demographer and St. Louis University Professor Ness Sándoval breaks down the latest census data and shares why elected officials and residents should prioritize the development of single family homes to boost — or at least maintain — the region's population.

Missouri lawmakers are closing in on the end of one of the state's most contentious special sessions in recent memory. At stake: a Republican-backed redrawing of the state's congressional districts that would transform Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City-area district into one that's GOP-leaning — and a push to make it harder for citizens to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum discusses the latest developments in the Missouri Senate, how Democrats are responding and what these changes could mean for the state's political future.

St. Louis native Keyon Harrold loves coming home, and Music at the Intersection is bringing him back this weekend. Harrold is the only artist to perform at every Music at the Intersection festival since its inauguration in 2021. The Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter and composer discusses his love for St. Louis and how Music at the Intersection has evolved since its inception.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis' incoming artist director is taking audiences on a journey into the music of legendary French singer Edith Piaf. Although Patricia Racette is known for her work on stage as an opera soprano, her one-woman show "Patricia Sings Piaf" focuses on interpretations of Piaf music and celebrating the career of a performer who attained stardom at the height of World War 2. Racette discusses the October 9 show, her favorite Piaf songs, and her vision as the new artistic director for Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

Protesters gathered at the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers aim to push through redrawing the state's congressional districts during a special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe. The move would eliminate the Democratic-leaning 5th District in the Kansas City area. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum joins us from Jefferson City to break down what's happening on the ground, why the redistricting fight is contentious and what comes next as the Senate prepares to vote on the proposed map later this week.

A proposal to build a 440-acre data center in St. Charles sparked intense backlash from residents worried about property values, water contamination, energy costs and a lack of transparency. After growing pressure, the developer withdrew its application — and the St. Charles City Council responded with a one-year ban on new data center proposals. STLPR reporters Kate Grumke and Kavahn Mansouri discuss what happened and how their reporting uncovered that the project may have ties to Google.

St. Louis–based nonprofit Meds & Food for Kids has treated more than one million malnourished children in Haiti and has gained recognition for its sustainable and locally driven solutions to hunger. Ahead of the organization's September 18 event at the Courses at Forest Park, we speak with Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, and Meds & Food for Kids CEO Chris Greene about the urgent fight against hunger, the global challenge of malnutrition, and how MFK's innovative model is making an impact.

The August edition of our new restaurant round-up covers spots in St. Louis, the Metro East, and Rolla: places that serve curries of the Indian, Himalayan, and Thai varieties; Instagram-worthy sandwiches; street-style Peruvian kebabs; and Palestinian beef and lamb burgers. The discussion includes local recommendations for delicious dumplings, and a case is made for dropping “underrated” to describe St. Louis' food scene.

St. Louis is the sixth most dangerous city in the U.S. for fall migratory birds. Many species of birds are drawn to the light of the region's urban areas, where their chances of colliding with a building increase. Longtime birder Matt Schamberger and St. Louis Audubon Society conservationist Matt Barton discuss ways to support migratory birds along their journey. They also share tips for unique species to look out for this fall migration season and the best spots for bird watching in the region.

Rosemary Woodruff Leary, a St. Louis native, was best known during her life as the wife of Harvard psychologist and LSD evangelist Timothy Leary. But a new book highlights Rosemary's unsung role in that movement. Author Susannah Cahalan's “The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary," uses diaries and Rosemary's own writing to explore how she guided the public persona and mythmaking of Timothy Leary — including how Rosemary helped him escape prison to become international fugitives. Cahalan argues that Rosemary was so much more than a side character, but “a pioneer whose unacknowledged sacrifice helped safeguard an underground movement.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe isn't just calling lawmakers back to Jefferson City to redraw the state's congressional lines. He's also urging lawmakers to make monumental changes to Missouri's initiative petition system. Kehoe's proposal would drastically raise the bar for some proposed constitutional amendments to be enacted. The idea has received strong support from Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican. Hoskins responds to points raised by the plan's detractors and explains why he feels the proposal will fare well at the ballot box.

President Donald Trump and his staff have been pressuring Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and GOP lawmakers to engage in mid-decade redistricting ahead of next year's elections. Missouri Republicans explicitly rejected a similar plan just three years ago, but Democrats expect those GOP lawmakers to change their mind. Democratic House Minority Leader Ashley Aune talks about the daunting challenge for her caucus during this special session, how Democrats plan to respond to the remapping plan, and whether it could actually boost her party's prospects in the Kansas City area.

It's estimated that up to 1,000 monkeys and apes are owned as pets in Missouri. Despite the challenges, and even dangers, of such ownership, pet primates are legal to own in the state. But most arrive in the U.S. through illegal smuggling operations. Animal advocates share the dark side of the exotic pet trade, why primates don't make good pets, and the effort to end the illegal sale and trafficking of primates at the federal level.

After 46 years at KSDK Channel 5, veteran sports and news journalist Art Holliday has retired. Holliday shares stories about his earliest days in sports reporting, memorable moments with fans of the morning show he co-anchored for 22 years and reflections on ways the positions he held at KSDK informed his time as the station's first ever Black news director.

The inaugural Free 4 All showcase this weekend features 100 local music acts. Co-founder of Free 4 All Joe Hess joins “St. Louis on the Air” to share the motivations behind curating Free 4 All. He also shares the emerging and well-known artists on the showcase. Hess is joined by hip-hop artist and one of the Free 4 All performers Tamara Dodd, who performs as Bates, to share her experience as an independent musician and what she's looking forward to during the showcase on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7.

St. Louis mom Amanda Hausmann knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed with the demands of a career and parenthood. It's why she left her job as an attorney to create MomMoment. The app connects moms who need support tackling everyday household tasks with other parents who are looking for flexible income. Hausmann discusses the demands of modern parenthood and why she believes labels like “stay at home mom” and “working mom” are divisive and insufficient.

A love of cookbooks inspired Sara Johnson and Stephanie McKinney to found Anchovy Book Co., a bite-sized, brick-and-mortar store on Cherokee Street that's just six feet wide. There are only about 20 cookbook-exclusive stores nationwide. Anchovy, which opened in November, is the first in the Midwest. We explore the store's origin and the cookbooks that remain beloved by its founders. We also look at cookbook recommendations and local authors with St. Louis Magazine food writer Cheryl Baehr.

Rock music has its roots in Black culture and with his docuseries “They Called Me a Sellout: Being Black in the ‘White' Rock & Roll Industry”, Chan Maurice Evans explores that history. The series features St. Louis legends like Bernie and Uvee Hayes, Steve Ewing, and rock icons like Ben Kenny of Incubus. The series centers Black artists in the rock genre and their experiences. Evans joins St. Louis on the Air to discuss how, after years of being called a “sellout” for being a Black rock artist, he made it his mission to show Black people that rock is rooted in Black culture.

More than 100 days ago, an EF3 tornado ripped through St. Louis. In the weeks since, volunteers have stepped up, frustrations have grown over slow recovery efforts and many residents are still struggling. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer reflects on the past 15 weeks and shares what her administration is doing to help the city move forward.

GOP leaders across the country are rallying around redistricting efforts at the encouragement of President Donald Trump. Detractors say this move is an attempt to help President Trump avoid accountability and maintain a slim Republican majority. STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum talked with Representative Bob Onder of Missouri's third congressional district about the history of redistricting and what redrawing of district lines could mean for Missouri and Onder's own district in St. Charles.

For the past 24 years, filmmakers from across the world got together for the annual 48Hr Film Project in a race to make the best 5 to 7 minute short film. From amateurs just out for a good time to working professionals in search of a challenge, no one is excluded from the festivities. The event kicked off on August 22nd at Bad Dog Pictures and concluded on Sunday with teams turning in their projects at 7am. The festival's producer Ria Ruthsatz and 2 time winner Keith Kennedy about the importance of the festival and its global reach.

On August 20, Missouri changed its policies around placing inmates with HIV in solitary confinement. The change stems from a lawsuit filed by Honesty Bishop: In 2015, after she was the target of an attempted sexual assault by her cellmate in a Missouri prison, prison officials deemed Bishop “sexually active” and kept her in isolation for more than 2,000 days. Bishop took her own life before the suit could conclude. Her family took it over after her death. STLPR reporter Kavahn Mansouri and Marshall Project reporter Katie Moore share their insights from reporting on the case, including their interviews with Bishop's family and analysis of Missouri's prison policies.

St. Louis comedian Nikki Glaser's star is on the rise. Her latest comedy special, “Someday You'll Die,” broke an HBO streaming record, she earned rave reviews for roasting Tom Brady and she made history as the first woman to solo-host the Golden Globes. Glaser joins producer Emily Woodbury to talk about her skyrocketing career, being honored with her own bobblehead at Busch Stadium and why she still calls St. Louis home.

Missouri's newly appointed Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is stepping into a complicated role that includes baggage of her three predecessors — Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, and Andrew Bailey — who each left for higher office before finishing a full term. On this episode of the Legal Roundtable, our panel of expert attorneys discusses whether Hanaway can break new ground as AG. The roundtable also talks about the latest developments in the felony charges filed against County Executive Sam Page; a series of recent lawsuits targeting St. Louis businesses whose websites are allegedly not accessible to blind people; and a lawyer's argument that Washington University police are not actually “law enforcement officers.”

One hundred days after an EF3 tornado tore through St. Louis, many residents are still living with boarded up homes, stalled insurance claims and frustration with getting government assistance. Central West End resident Ali Rand and Academy resident Monet Beatty each have damaged homes. They share how they forged an unexpected friendship in the aftermath of the storm.

STLPR reporters Kavahn Mansouri and Hiba Ahmad join the show to share what they've learned while covering the aftermath of the May 16 tornado. They discuss recovery efforts, the ripple effects across education and economic development, and where the city still faces major challenges.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world — from automating customer service to powering financial decisions — but it also raises urgent questions about ethics, policy, and the environment. Oliver Roberts, co-director of the WashU Law AI Collaborative, explains how policymakers are grappling with regulating AI. Then, STLPR senior environment reporter Kate Grumke talks about AI's environmental footprint and shares how she recently used the technology in her own reporting.

Congressman Mark Alford, R-Cass County, isn't shying away from doing town hall meetings while Congress is in recess. He's planning a four-day swing next week through the 4th Congressional District, which takes in portions of the Kansas City area and Mid-Missouri. On the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Alford talks about holding town hall meetings and why he supported defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University provides mentorship and resources to support Black entrepreneurs in overcoming systemic barriers. We talk with Kristy Jackson, the center's executive director, and Emilia Robertson, CEO of ShotsByEmilia and a 2022 program graduate, about how the center empowers innovators, preserves Black history, and inspires the next generation of leaders.

The reciprocal tariffs President Trump announced in April went into effect this month. It's too early to tell exactly how these tariff increases for 70 international trading partners will impact St. Louis directly, but economists are looking to history and data for insights into possible effects. Max Dvorkin of the Federal Reserve Bank - St. Louis shared what he and fellow economists are tracking. Global Food Group's Shayn Prapaislip and Sincerely, the Craft's Jade Moore provided updates on how their respective businesses are faring as they navigate tariff-related aspects of the changing business landscape.

Citing dumpster contamination and the high cost of providing the service, the City of St. Louis is officially moving away from alleyway recycling. But Jess Watson, executive director of earthday365, is not giving up hope that it could return in the future. She discusses the challenges and costs involved in recycling with host Elaine Cha, and residents share what they think of the city's decision.

Weeks of high temperatures in St. Louis is raising concerns about heat illness. 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.

Ten years ago, the killing of a Black 18-year-old in St. Louis named Mansur Ball-Bey ignited protests and calls for justice. At the center of this killing were competing claims about whether Mansur was armed and why police opened fire. But in January this year, at trial for a wrongful death lawsuit, a federal jury awarded Ball-Bey's family $19 million. Along with attorneys Javad Khazaeli and Jermaine Wooten, Mansur's father Dennis Ball-Bey brings us inside the story of that trial, the key evidence that turned the case on its head, and why, instead of paying millions, the City of St. Louis is now fighting for a new trial.

After months of uncertainty following the loss of federal funding, the International Institute of St. Louis' Festival of Nations is returning to Tower Grove Park this weekend. Terry Bates, director of marketing and communications for the Institute, shares how donors stepped up to make sure the festival would stay on track, and what makes the annual event – a St. Louis staple for decades – important to the Institute's mission of serving refugee and immigrant families.

Sumner High School students began the year not at their historic north St. Louis campus, but at Stevens Middle School. It's a temporary home after damage from the May 16 tornado forced their temporary relocation. Alumni turned out in force to welcome them, determined to keep Sumner's legacy alive. We hear from STLPR reporter Andrea Henderson and alumna Jackie Vanderford, Class of 1963, on the school's history, traditions and uncertain future.

The Mississippi River is only 1,800 feet wide between St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, but the “us verses them” mentality can be felt throughout the region. Anthony Lucius is determined to create connection between the two cities through music. His latest album, “SKWAD Goals Vol. 1,” brings musicians together from both sides of the river. Lucius gives a behind the scenes look at the making of “SKWAD Goals” and talks about his plans for Vol. 2.

On this month's music round-up, DJ KC Mackey joins St. Louis on the Air's Miya Norfleet and Elaine Cha to discuss their favorite new releases from local artists. Songs like “Come Back” by Paige Alyssa ooze sensuality and swag while Daemon and Trackstar the DJ challenge the state of the world on the powerful “Red Pill 84”.

A library card is a gateway to countless universes of storytelling, visual art and audio. St. Louis County Library aims to introduce local musicians to new fans with Listen Up STL. Sarah Kuntz Jones of the Glaize Branch shares how musicians within the St. Louis County Library network can get their original music to the ears of library patrons.

A documentary that chronicles years of efforts to prevent violence in St. Louis will hit streaming services on August 15. “Catching Bullets” follows the story of activist Darren Seals. Decades after his career as a drug dealer in Walnut Park, Seals returned in 2018 to buy a condemned church. Seals transformed the church into a site for youth mentoring called the Sankofa Unity Center. Seals, director Ben Scholle and producer Derrick Phillips discuss the film's creation and how young people in St. Louis become trapped in a cycle of violence and revenge.

The American prairie once stretched across Missouri and Illinois, a vast grassland teeming with wildlife and rich biodiversity. Today, less than 1% of that prairie remains — disappearing even faster than the Amazon rainforest. Environmental journalists Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty discuss how prairies were destroyed, why their loss is one of the world's greatest ecological disasters, and what it will take to bring it back. Hage and Marcotty are authors of the new book, “Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie.”

The U.S. birth rate has dropped to a historic low — and demographer Ness Sandoval warns St. Louis will be one of the first major cities to feel the economic and social fallout. He shares what needs to happen for St. Louis to avoid more loss and why the city should take cues from Detroit to incentivize young families to live and work in the region. Action St. Louis Executive Director Kayla Reed also joins the conversation to discuss the May 16 tornado's displacement of north St. Louis residents and why temporary housing programs are so important to keep affected families as close to their homes and communities as possible.

When a murder is committed in the City of St. Louis, it usually doesn't get solved. An investigation by St. Louis Public Radio, APM Reports and the Marshall Project found that detectives solved fewer than half of the nearly 2,000 homicides committed in the past decade. While these cases are unsolved, the victims of these crimes should not be forgotten. Ivy Scott, engagement reporter for The Marshall Project-St.Louis, discusses her findings from multiple interviews with the families of homicide victims. We also meet Erica Jones, mother of Whitney Brown, who was shot and killed on August 13, 2015 in an unsolved homicide.

President Trump's January executive order bans trans people from serving in the military. Specialist Dahlia Dahl is one of 12 transgender service members in the Illinois National Guard seeking a voluntary and honorable discharge. Four trans members in the Missouri National Guard have made the same request. Dahl shares her experience as both a soldier and a trans woman — and her fight to leave the military with honor.

President Trump is pushing Republican-led states like Missouri and Texas to redraw their congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections to keep his party's slim majority in the U.S. House. But Missouri Democratic state Sen. Patty Lewis of Kansas City says the plan could backfire, and she lays out why during an appearance on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.