The Gateway

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.

The Trump Administration is using a legal shortcut to make it easier to cut down trees in national forests. Illinois' Shawnee National Forest, the state's only national forest, is an early battleground against the increasingly popular tactic to fast track timber sales across the country.

A Scout from Missouri did more than just make Eagle Scout - he earned every one of the possible 140 merit badges, joining a rare group to ever complete the feat.

This week the Missouri State Board of Education voted to lower St. Louis Public Schools' accreditation status to “provisional.” On the same day, Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order requiring state education leaders to create a new way to evaluate school districts. Education reporter Hiba Ahmad breaks down a big week of education news.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe gave his second State of the State speech on Tuesday. He says he has wants to eliminate the state income tax, reduce government spending, and allocate more funds to St. Louis for tornado relief. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg sat down with Kehoe after his speech to discuss his priorities for 2026.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said in his State of the State Address that he wants Missourians to decide whether to eliminate the state income tax. Plus, allergic reactions from alpha-gal syndrome can be physically dangerous — even deadly. But it can also impact their mental health by making some of their favorite activities more dangerous. Rebecca Smith reports.

Midwestern scientists say the Trump administration has brought big changes to their fields in the last year - especially when it comes to climate change.

More than a year after Planned Parenthood sued to overturn Missouri's abortion ban, the issue heads to trial this week. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl spoke with health reporter Sarah Fentem about what to expect.

Maria Alexandra Machado moved to St. Louis several months ago, after fleeing political persecution in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro's regime in 2017. Machado is the daughter of a former military intelligence director in Venezuela. She spoke with STLPR's Lacretia Wimbley about her experiences in her home country and perspective on what comes next.

Despite difficulty finding a place to perform, Canaan Wellspring will put on its biggest performance yet to display Palestinian culture — on its own terms. STLPR's Lara Hamdan reports.

Today marks the beginning of the 2026 Missouri Legislative Session. As St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg reports, tax cuts and a smaller state budget are major issues this year, though the specifics of both are yet to be known.

The University of Missouri has lost almost a third of its Black student population over the last decade, and students say a lack of Black faculty is part of the reason. Lilley Halloran reports faculty say hostility from university leadership makes it hard to stay.

Missouri and Illinois Republicans praised President Donald Trump's early Saturday morning decision to invade Venezuela and apprehend its president, while Democrats condemned the strike. Plus, we hear from a figure skater competing for a spot on Team USA in St. Louis this week.

Climate change is affecting many area species. SLU researchers have found for a small bug called the treehopper, it is finding a way to adapt.

For a special edition of The Gateway Podcast, Abby Llorico sits down with STLPR's Visuals Editor, Brian Munoz, for a closer look at the stories behind some of the most poignant and important images from our team this year. We'll be back in your feed with news storytelling January 2.

Economists estimate that it takes six months for college graduates to get a job offer, but with slowing job creation now, that search takes longer. The Midwest Newsroom's Daniel Wheaton checked in with twelve traditional 2025 graduates to understand what the job search looks like for first-timers.