The Gateway

There are eight weeks remaining in the 2026 Missouri Legislative Session. After a week off, lawmakers are returning to Jefferson City today to a hefty to-do list, including passing this year's state budget. STLPR Statehouse and Politics reporter Sarah Kellogg breaks down what could happen during the second half of the session.

This week marks 10 months since a deadly tornado tore through parts of St. Louis. As the region enters what has recently been the busiest months for tornadoes, St. Louis's Emergency Management Agency, which leads disaster response and helps prepare the city in case of emergencies, remains underfunded and understaffed. St. Louis Public Radio's Hiba Ahmad breaks down how long the funding issues have been in place and what the future looks like for the agency.

Local breweries are now getting into the THC business by creating hemp sodas and seltzers that can result in a marijuana-like high. But, due to a congressional ban, these products — and potentially the entire industry — now have an expiration date.

The County Council's passage of a resolution opposing any “merger, re-entry, consolidation, or structural reunification of the City of St. Louis with St. Louis County now or in the foreseeable future” came the same day County Executive Sam Page announced a push for public input on the widely discussed plan. Plus, St. Louis singer, songwriter and dancer Jordan Ward has become a rising R&B star in recent years. He took time away from his world tour to sit down with STLPR's Chad Davis to talk about his introspective new album.

As the St. Louis County Justice Center awaits a follow-up visit after failing an inspection last year, a former guard is speaking up about the apathetic culture among some nurses and staff. St. Louis Public Radio's Lacretia Wimbley reports.

Tomorrow is primary election day in Illinois. Illinoisans have contested races for U-S Senate, Governor and some local U-S House seats. St. Louis Public Radio Metro East reporter Will Bauer breaks it all down.

Diving in to the (latest) pitch to merge St. Louis to dig out of a financial pit, to eliminate the income tax in Missouri, and the big game for St. Louis University Basketball. Plus, a conversation with comedian Samantha Bee ahead of her local show.

The city recently learned the Federal Emergency Management Agency won't reimburse for the cost of demolishing most vacant buildings destroyed during the May 16 tornado, leaving the future of the buildings and the north city neighborhoods in limbo. But STLPR's Kavahn Mansouri reports, the vacant buildings in the path of the tornado are just the most recent chapter in the city's long history of vacancy issues.

A Syracuse University researcher says new ICE agreements spreading across Missouri will shift immigration enforcement onto local police — with possible consequences for towns and taxpayers.

East-West Gateway, the bi-state area's council of governments, kicked off an initiative to create a common vision for the St. Louis region. They'll do that by creating a regional alignment plan they hope will create a framework that helps leaders from different sectors, like government, the arts and non-profits, work together. St. Louis Public Radio's Kavahn Mansouri spoke with Jim Wild, executive director of East West Gateway, about what the plan might look like in practice.

Cities and suburbs may not be connected to the region's farms, but they are seeing a growth in FFA chapters.

St. Louis drinkers love Stag – the historic lager with roots in Belleville. But some distributors have recently told bar owners they will soon be out of kegs of the beloved beer. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem reports on the future of Stag, and whether the pints being enjoyed this year could be the last.

In the past few years, video gaming machines have become a controversial public policy and political issue in Missouri. The devices, also known as video lottery terminals or VLTs, resemble slot machines in casinos and can be found in gas stations, convenience stores and fraternal organizations all over Missouri. And while state lawmakers are divided about whether they should be legal or not, a federal judge's ruling is prompting state and local officials to get them removed.

Protein is having its moment in the spotlight. Companies are adding more protein-enhanced products to their lineups as demand grows. The new federal dietary guidelines unveiled earlier this year also put the nutrient front and center. Harvest Public Media's Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval reports on whether Americans actually need more protein.

The increasing cost of electricity and gas has replaced eggs as inflation's poster child. Doing something about it will likely fall on state governments.

More than 1,600 plants and animals are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. And out of all of those, only one is a moss. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke reports on a new effort to protect these tiny plants that are often overlooked, but are very important.

All month long, people have been observing the achievements of Black Americans and historical events as the country celebrates Black History Month. The observance began 100 years ago as Negro History Week and has since expanded. It continues in St. Louis and nationwide despite recent efforts by the Trump Administration to erase the accomplishments of African Americans in libraries, museums and other places. STLPR's Andrea Henderson spoke with local students and educators about the importance of illuminating this history for the next century and beyond.

Mental health hotlines can be particularly valuable in rural areas, where there may not be any therapists or social workers close by. That includes 9-8-8, the national suicide and crisis lifeline. It launched less than four years ago and has already responded to nearly 20 million contacts. But support for 9-8-8 is stronger in some states than in others. Harvest Public Media's Michael Marks reports.

The Missouri Republican Party is riding an unprecedented wave of success into the 2026 election cycle. But the party's leaders acknowledge that in this midterm election with critical ballot initiatives they are facing some serious national headwinds. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum has this report from the recent Missouri GOP Lincoln Days in Springfield.

Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November. They face an uphill battle against a billionaire Democrat in a state that has shifted more and more blue over the past decade.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is making an AI tool to identify plants with technology we might more commonly use in space. Plus: it's hard to keep an independent book store open these days, especially in a small town, but a new shop in Rolla is hoping community – and cocktails – will make it work.

The Missouri Historical Society is making a new commitment to continue telling African American stories – this Black History Month, and beyond. Lyah LeFlore-Ituen is the society's new director of its African American History Initiative. She spoke with St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson at the Missouri History Museum about how the initiative will connect all communities to Black History to ignite city pride.

The documentary, ‘My Mama Joe, Hope & Help' follows the story of JoeAnna Caldwell and her family of caregivers after she's diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. STLPR's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson spoke with Herb Caldwell – the film's producer and JoeAnna's son – about the film, why education around the disease matters, and the moment he noticed a change.

A recently-opened exhibit called “Hey, There's The Arch!” at the Old Courthouse downtown showcases logos and symbols featuring the monument. It's part of the 60th anniversary of the Arch. St. Louis Public Radio's Abby Llorico explores how the Arch's two legs and 630 feet have come to stand for an entire region.

A major voice in the St. Louis blues and jazz community has left the stage. Marsha Evans, whose voice could be heard for decades in the region, has died. She was 75. As St. Louis Public Radio's Chad Davis reports, musicians and friends remember Evans for her contributions to the local music scene and beyond.

Governor Mike Kehoe wants to eliminate Missouri's income tax. It was a major part of his state of the state address, and Republican lawmakers largely support the plan. Tax experts, though, have questions.

Alpha-gal syndrome — which is spread by tick bites — affects nearly half a million Americans, according to federal data. For farmers, who are in close contact with livestock every day, the allergy can be especially challenging.

US Department of Agriculture Climate Hubs across the country aim to better understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry, and help people adapt. But the future of these hubs is uncertain, including the one that serves Missouri and Illinois.

A Florissant man set a new world record by identifying 35 pro wrestling theme songs in one minute.

International artists and musicians have long seen the U.S. and the Midwest as a place to share their work and build their careers. But for many foreign creatives, just getting here has become harder, more expensive, and fraught with fear.

International artists and musicians have long seen the U.S. and the Midwest as a place to share their work and build their careers. But for many foreign creatives, just getting here has become harder, more expensive, and fraught with fear.

In recent weeks, temperatures have plunged into the single digits - creating a dangerous situation for people experiencing homelessness. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem takes a closer look at the issue of frostbite - and how one cold night can create health effects that can last a lifetime.

Nearly nine months later, St. Louis programs aimed to help people impacted by the May 16 tornado are only getting started. City officials say they struggled to get the aid programs running. STLPR's Kavahn Mansouri details why, and what's being done about it.

President Donald Trump's second term in office has been marked by a sharp shift in immigration policy and enforcement efforts — including deadly confrontations in Minneapolis. While St. Louis hasn't seen immigration raids like those, and the Trump administration hasn't announced any, community members are still on edge about the possibility.

Dairy farmers are struggling to stay afloat, turning to side hustles including cow cuddling and churn-your-own ice cream events to make ends meet.

Experts are predicting a shortage of airplane pilots in the coming years. A Missouri Community College is trying to meet that need by getting the first class of a new flight school off the ground.

Gregg Favre has spent most of his professional life in public service, including a decade with the St. Louis Fire Department. Four weeks ago, he returned to city employment to head the City Emergency Management Agency. This morning, a sit down with STLPR's Rachel Lippmann.

On a special episode of The Gateway, we're sharing a new podcast from STLPR that's just too exciting to confine to its own feed: check out the first episode of "Meet Me," hosted by Luis Antonio Perez. It's part of a new project about connecting across divides to find a way forward in a moment when division seems to dictate so much. To learn more, visit stlpr.org/MeetMe.

A newspaper published in St. Louis in the early 1900s had a big impact by building support for the Mexican Revolution. This Saturday at the Missouri History Museum, historian Francisco Perez will explore the life and legacy of Ricardo Flores Magón.

Wheat isn't grown as much as it used to be in Missouri. Last year saw only a half a million acres of wheat planted statewide, compared to almost 3 million acres in the 1980s. Production is also down in big wheat states across the Great Plains. With poor profits and drier climates, the hard red winter wheat has been harder to manage. But as Harvest Public Media contributor Calen Moore reports, new innovations could rejuvenate the wheat belt.

Missouri voters enshrined the right to an abortion in the state constitution in November 2024. Shortly after, Planned Parenthood sued the state over the way it regulates abortion. That lawsuit culminated in a trial in Jackson County Court that wrapped up on Monday. Now, Judge Jerri Zhang will decide whether Missouri's abortion regulations can stand.

The word “affordability” has been in the news a lot over the last few years, especially when it comes to the prices we pay at the grocery store. Holly Edgell of the Midwest Newsroom recently spoke to consumers and experts about affordability one year into President Trump's second term.

When Megan Green became St. Louis Board of Aldermen President in 2022, she said reforming tax incentives for development was one of her top priorities. More than three years later, she sat down with St. Louis Public Radio's Kavahn Mansouri to discuss the progress the city has made ... and what more needs to be done.

We have the latest on this weekend's winter storm heading into the region. Plus, local scientists are looking back at the weather in 2025 in Missouri and Illinois, and they say it was a year filled with extremes. St. Louis Public Radio's Senior Environment and Data Reporter Kate Grumke breaks down findings on last year's local climate.

1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime — often leading to long and arduous treatments that change the way a woman's body looks. Rebecca Smith has more about one option for women after treatment that's helping them regain confidence in their bodies and themselves.