Podcasts about louis public radio

A gnarly looking corn infection that Midwestern farmers dread is also a culinary delicacy in Mexico. Now, more chefs are introducing it to St. Louisans. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke dove into the local world of corn smut to understand this emerging menu trend.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, also known as “The Rock” officially welcomed its newest priest this month. One of the few majority-Black Catholic parishes still in existence now has its first Black priest in over 20 years. As St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson reports, Father Royce Thomas says he has big plans to revitalize the church.

Questions and concerns continue to swirl about how large-scale data centers could impact the St. Louis region. As more proposals are submitted and elected officials change their stance on these controversial developments, St. Louis Public Radio reporters Kate Grumke and Kavahn Mansouri share their latest reporting about data centers in the St. Louis area. They also answer listener questions regarding the scale of newer data center projects, environmental studies and other states' integration of data centers into their economic and environmental plans.

As public fervor over data centers continues in the St. Louis region and nationwide, local leaders are trying to put guardrails in place on the developments. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl spoke with reporters Kate Grumke and Kavahn Mansouri about where we stand now with local data center policies.

Imagine having ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth' in your basement. A Metro East area man has done just that, creating a near perfect replica of Disney World's Magic Kingdom with Lego. St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson transports us to a Magic Kingdom all the way in O'Fallon, Illinois.

It was vaudeville star W-C Fields who warned, “never work with animals or children.” St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann set off to find out what happens when St. Louis Shakespeare Festival ignores that old axiom of show business.

Missourians will decide Tuesday whether to make it harder for some constitutional amendments to be enacted. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports on how backers say that the current process drowns out rural voices – but opponents counter that the amendment gives too much power to the state legislature.

On Tuesday, Missourians will decide the fate of a proposed constitutional amendment that gives lawmakers the ability to expand sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the state income tax. While proponents of the measure say it would create growth for Missouri, opponents argue it will increase the cost of living in the state. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg reports.

Dogs in St. Louis' Holly Hills neighborhood have a place they must go on their walks. It's a water fountain set up by a resident to help take care of furry friends on hot days, and also bring the neighborhood together. But the reach goes even farther thanks to a camera that puts the good boys and girls online. St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson brings us to the hottest spot on Haven street.

Tim Whitney had always wanted to be in law enforcement. And he achieved his goal by working his way up to being the second-in-command at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. But after a number of years of overseeing day-to-day operations for the agency, Whitney is making the transition to politics by running for Jefferson County executive — something he said is a continuation of his public service and his love for his home county. “I love Jefferson County,” Whitney said on St. Louis Public Radio's “Politically Speaking.” “As I say that, I can hear listeners gasping or rolling their eyes because that's a political answer. As somebody who has been in law enforcement my whole life… When I said those words, they were taken at face value. The day you become a politician, there's a sense of skepticism that applies to that. And there should be because of the things politicians before have done.” Whitney is running against John Stockton in the GOP primary on Aug. 4. The winner will be the heavy favorite to succeed Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon, who is not running for re-election.

The MATI festival — also known as Music at the Intersection —is presenting one hundred artists this weekend across five stages in Grand Center. Hip hop performer and producer Wyclef Jean headlines on Sunday at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. St. Louis Public Radio's Aaron Doerr asked him if he had a specific message for his St. Louis audience.

The Environmental Protection Agency released new rules regulating the controversial herbicide dicamba earlier this year. While it can be an effective tool for farmers to control weeds, it can also drift in the wind and kill other plants. As St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer reports, experts don't expect the new rules to solve all the underlying issues with dicamba.

St. Charles County Republicans are facing their most competitive primary for county executive in years. And St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports, the three major contenders are concerned that the County's growth may be coming to an end.

Detainees at the St. Louis County jail learned to tickle the ivories this spring. St. Louis Public Radio's Lacretia Wimbley reports the piano lessons help to boost the spirits of residents at a jail that has struggled to provide them with enough recreation time.

Gina Mitten returns to Politically Speaking to discuss her next goal in Missouri politics: Becoming the next state senator for Missouri's 4th District. Mitten joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about why she's the best Democrat for the job, what she would focus on in the Senate and her opinions on Amendments 3, 4 and 5.

As immigration enforcement from the Trump Administration has increased across the country, St. Louisans have found ways to help immigrant families who fear deportation. St. Louis Public Radio's Chad Davis reports on how grassroots groups and other organizations have been teaming up and recruiting volunteers.

Steve Butz, a St. Louis Democrat, joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his candidacy for Missouri's 4th Senate District. He also spoke on his vote to place the St. Louis Police Department under state control, what the state still needs to do on tornado recovery as well as his thoughts on some of the proposed constitutional amendments that Missouri voters will decide on.

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.

Last fall, St. Louis pivoted from building a light rail line that runs from north city to south city, to a bus line instead. This week, the final route for the bus rapid transit Green Line was approved. But as St. Louis Public Radio's Rebecca Thiele explains to Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, there's still a long way to go before the city can start work on the project.

This month, a native berry is ready to pick throughout the Midwest. Juneberries — also called serviceberries — have a sweet, nutty flavor. But most people have never tried them. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke reports on a new push to get Juneberries onto plates.

Last summer was the first time Missourians exposed to radioactive waste could apply for compensation under a federal program. But parents whose children died after living near the waste don't get to see that money. St. Louis Public Radio's Lacretia Wimbley spoke with two moms who lost their daughters to cancer and hope for a change.

St. Louis leaders are teaming up with Missouri's federal delegation to try to get much-needed money for tornado recovery efforts. But as St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum explains, getting Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief funds to the city won't be an easy or quick task.

Last week, three teenagers from Collinsville, Illinois were on their way to a job. That's when they were stopped by local police in Christian County. Before long, all three of them were in the custody of federal immigration agents. The family says local police circumvented the TRUST Act — the Illinois law meant to stop that from happening. We'll talk about it with Brian Munoz of St. Louis Public Radio.

Composer Andre Previn's 1995 opera “A Streetcar Named Desire” puts playwright Tennessee Williams' story onstage with an intense, mood-shifting score. Opera Theatre of St. Louis' new production is the first collaboration between its new artistic director, Patricia Racette — and its Principal Conductor, Daniela Candillari. St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin spoke with them about the show.

One year ago, a man detained by ICE in the Phelps County Jail died. That led a group of concerned residents in Rolla to form Abide in Love — an organization dedicated to helping immigrants and their families. The movement has spread to seven chapters across three states. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl was there as members of the group celebrated the one-year commitment to their efforts.

The Missouri legislature passed very few education changes this past session, despite about 10 bills making it close to the finish line. St. Louis Public Radio's Lilley Halloran reports on where things fell apart and what the future may hold.

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival's fast-moving production of "The Tempest" in Forest Park sets the story to the tune of sea chanteys and folk songs, performed live on two stages. As St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin reports, the production evokes the magic encountered by its characters … with music.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to weaken protection of majority-minority districts could lead to Missouri Republicans dismantling the St. Louis-based 1st Congressional District. But while some GOP officials are supportive of that move, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports that another Missouri redistricting gambit carries significant risk for Republicans.

Juan Baltazar is one of five people who died during last year's May 16 tornado. He was known in the St. Louis community for his warm personality – and his wood-roasted corn. As St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson reports, Baltazar's loved ones say his untimely death has been difficult for the family to grasp.

A 29-year-old Florissant man who came to the U.S. when he was four years old is now being deported to Mexico. ICE agents detained Victor López Delara after a traffic stop earlier this year. Now his fiancee and two children are preparing to follow him back to Mexico. St. Louis Public Radio's Chad Davis spoke with López Delara by phone from the Ste. Genevieve County Jail

The Mississippi River is lined with decades-old levees that sit right on the river bank. But some researchers say those levees are doing a poor job of preventing floods — especially as climate change makes historic flooding events more common and more severe. As St. Louis Public Radio's Katie Grawitch reports, a new setback levee system near Spanish Lake is one of many getting a makeover that will help it guard against flooding.

St. Louis is not ready for the next natural disaster. The problems are complicated, but the solutions are possible. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and editor Jessica Rogen walk us through how city government can improve, from better funding its emergency management agency to making mutual-aid agreements with neighboring cities. We also hear a montage of voices from people in north St. Louis impacted by last year's tornado. They gathered recently at St. Louis Public Radio for a special “Meet Me” open mic event to share their stories of May 16, 2025, and what happened afterward.

Nearly a year ago, an EF3 tornado tore through neighborhoods and homes in St. Louis. Roofs are still tarped. Windows still boarded. Many families are still displaced and waiting for aid. St. Louis Public Radio's “Meet Me” project invited residents to an open mic to share their stories of that day — and every day since. =

In the immediate aftermath of the May 16 tornado, volunteer groups and nonprofits stepped into the gap left by city leadership. Nearly a year later, the same groups are still picking up the pieces. St. Louis Public Radio's Hiba Ahmad has been following one group's story of recovery in north St. Louis.

The EF3 tornado that ripped through north St. Louis one year ago exposed the city's long history of neglect in the area, which to many people is the driving factor of the city's slow response. St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson reports many north St. Louis families are worried that long-term displacement will increase vacancies and create population loss.

Since last year's deadly tornado, residents in the impact zone say frustratingly little progress has been made. While St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has repeatedly blamed chaos at the federal level, St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke and Kavahn Mansouri have been working to understand what happened at the local level.

A south St. Louis shop is hoping to make an old-school photography experience new again. St. Louis Public Radio's Brian Munoz takes you behind the scenes at ‘Analog.'

For the first time in 32 years, Lou Magdits is not on the Rolla City Council. He did not seek re-election after 12 years as Mayor, three terms that followed 20 years representing the city's fourth ward. Madgits sat down with St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl to talk about his time in office.

Research shows just 14% of Black students in St. Louis are proficient readers. Literacy organizations like Black Men Read are trying to increase those rates by providing free books and tutorials to students in the area. St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson takes us into a classroom where Black children get to see people who look like them, encouraging them to read.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer delivers her State of the City speech Friday evening. The address comes at a moment of pressure and uncertainty for the city. On the eve of the speech, St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann and Lara Hamdan reached out to city residents about how they feel St. Louis is doing. Some said they were happy with the city's trajectory, while many other people said St. Louis isn't working for them.

St. Charles County has developed a reputation as a Republican stronghold over the last two decades. But recent municipal election results point to the fast-growing county becoming more competitive. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports on what the future may hold for St. Charles County politics.

Microplastics and nanoplastics have been found just about everywhere: in our soil, our bodies, and our water. Recent research involving bioengineered algae has had success in capturing and removing microplastics from water. Environmental reporter Kate Grumke joins Producer Kathleen Davis to talk about the latest approaches to addressing microplastics, and researcher Susie Dai discusses her work using algae to pull them out of wastewater. Guests:  Dr. Susie Dai is a professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of Missouri. Kate Grumke is a senior environmental reporter for St. Louis Public Radio. Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Late last month, St. Louis finally started demolishing tornado-damaged homes. That was 10 months after the deadly storm. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke reports on why it's taken so long to just get started.

Missouri's 2026 election cycle got a jolt last week when longtime Republican Congressman Sam Graves announced his retirement. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports that the Northwest Missouri Republican's departure could tell us a lot about Democratic strength during the midterm elections – depending on which congressional map is used for the contest.

St. Louis native Bobby Carter is at the helm of two Tiny Desk entities: the Tiny Desk contest and Tiny Desk concerts. He shares tips and an insider's view of what makes for a great contest entry, how Tiny Desk concerts have been shaped by audience feedback, and what he's looking forward to when he visits his hometown May 1 to celebrate St. Louis Public Radio at the “Hear the Future” annual celebration.

Six years ago this month, an EF-3 tornado cut a 60-mile path across Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding counties. Among the hardest-hit areas was North Nashville. Like north St. Louis, it is the historic heart of the city's Black community. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann recently traveled to Tennessee to find out the lessons St. Louis leaders can learn from Nashville's recovery.

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.

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.

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.

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.