Podcasts about louis public radio

One of the many bills that didn't cross the finish line this past Missouri legislative session was one backed by agricultural giant Bayer. The bill would have shielded Bayer from liability in some lawsuits where its herbicide Roundup has been accused of causing cancer. With the end of the regular legislative session, the bill is dead for now. But as St. Louis Public Radio's Evy Lewis reports, it's likely not the last Missouri will hear of the issue.

William Shakespeare's “Hamlet” is the story of a Danish prince who can't decide how to respond to his father's murder. St. Louis Shakespeare Festival's production of the play in Forest Park this month is inspired by the fashion and jazz of mid-20th-Century Manhattan. As St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin reports, the production shows that one of the most famous plays ever written can inspire new sounds and surprises.

Sen. Tracy McCreery joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to discuss the end of the 2025 Missouri Legislative Session and her thoughts on the upcoming special session.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's talks with STLPR's Chad Davis about the deadly tornado that ripped through St. Louis and St. Louis County on Friday. It's placing more of a focus on how local, state and federal elected officials are planning to respond to what could be a long rebuilding process. Rosenbaum also talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg, as well Reps. Ian Mackey and Jim Murphy, about the 2025 Missouri General Assembly session.

Cases of measles – the viral infection that can be life-threatening – have exploded across the country this year, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem reports: Missouri and Southern Illinois have seen a handful of cases this year, but the risk is growing as vaccination rates fall.

Linda Lockhart, a longtime St. Louis journalist, with a more than 40-year career died Sunday. She was 72. Lockhart worked at several St. Louis journalism outlets including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Public Radio. In this episode, we listen back to an interview she did on this show in 2019 reflecting on her career. We also hear from others including her daughter, Rachel Seward, and STLPR afternoon newscaster Marissanne Lewis-Thompson.

When you hear "Fight Club," you may think of the movie where guys beat each other up for fun. But a local group of LGBTQ kickboxers has made its own club of the same name to learn self-defense. As St. Louis Public Radio's Abigail Wetteroff reports, these fighters are packing punches and fostering a safe space.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum explores how President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office affected Missouri, Illinois and the St. Louis region. Rosenbaum talks with ProPublica's Jeremy Kohler about former Missourian Ed Martin's controversial nomination as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. And he also talks with Trump fans and foes, and STLPR reporters, about his first few months in office.

The floral industry has a new thorn in its side—tariffs. In the U.S., the bulk of cut flowers making their way into floral shops throughout the country are imported. The Trump administration's tariffs mean local florists might have to pivot towards homegrown alternatives. But as St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson reports local flower farmers say it will be a challenge to meet the demand without federal funding.

Tina Pamintuan served 3½ years as CEO of St. Louis Public Radio. Now, she's headed to an NPR member-station in Seattle, Washington. She reflects on her time at STLPR, and the future of public radio nationally.

After being appointed to lead the Missouri Children's Division, Sara Smith is facing the difficult challenge of having enough staff — and following through with legislative initiatives aimed at keeping families together. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum has more on Smith's vision for protecting Missouri's children.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis Alderman Rasheen Aldridge about his expectations for Mayor Cara Spencer. Rosenbaum also talked with Missouri Children's Division director Sara Smith about her vision for the challenging agency, and the release of documents showing that child abuse investigators visited a Fredericktown mother multiple times before her child died last year.

St. Louis' reputation was rattled a year ago when the Wall Street Journal described the region's downtown as a ‘real estate nightmare.' A year later, the city has made strides, starting by tackling two prominent vacant properties. But St. Louis Public Radio's Eric Schmid reports a full rebound will take many more years of sustained effort by civic and business leaders across the region and state.

Leaders of community radio station KDHX will head to court next week seeking a judge's approval of their planned sale of the station's radio frequency to K-LOVE, a national chain of syndicated Christian radio stations. St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin reports on how supporters of the station plan to push back on the sale, and what could happen next.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Betsy Fogle talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about the Democratic view of the 2025 budgetary process. The Springfield Democrat was first elected to the Missouri House in 2020, and is the ranking Democratic member of the House Budget Committee. That gives her more insight, and arguably more power, into affecting the trajectory of the state budget process.

A combative race for mayor of St. Louis is nearing the end. Voters will decide on April 8 whether to keep incumbent Tishaura Jones in office, or give Eighth Ward alderwoman Cara Spencer the keys to the city. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann takes stock of what was often a bitter and personal campaign so far.

President Trump signed an executive order yesterday to further downsize the U.S. Department of Education, and as STLPR's Hiba Ahmad reports, some St. Louis area education leaders are concerned about this change. Plus, a conversation between St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson and local artist Mee Jey about how the immigrant experience shaped her work in a new exhibit.

The Missouri legislature passed a major utility bill before it left for spring break. The 133 page bill contains dozens of policies. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke explores how some of the changes in the bill could affect power companies and the people who rely on them.

Fairmount Park in Collinsville will open soon for its 100th season. And with that anniversary, there will be major changes at the horse race track. St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer has a preview.

Missouri Republicans who attended the recent Lincoln Days event say they are enthusiastic about the first few weeks of President Donald Trump's second term. As St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports, the state's GOP leaders remain unwavering in their support — despite backlash over Trump's early moves.

Sen. Steven Roberts joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the 2025 Missouri Legislative Session, including a bill on its way to Gov. Mike Kehoe that places the St. Louis Police Department under a state-appointed board.

Sen. Steven Roberts joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the 2025 Missouri Legislative Session, including a bill on its way to Gov. Mike Kehoe that places the St. Louis Police Department under a state-appointed board.

Twelve people are on the ballot for three seats on the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education. St. Louis Public Radio's Hiba Ahmad sat down with the candidates to hear how they plan to handle the district's most pressing issues.

The Mildred Kemper Art Museum is showing an exhibition of artists who use their work to call for a better balance between humans and our natural world. As St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin reports, some of the artwork grew from the work at an urban garden in the Old North neighborhood.

This year's STL Jewish Film Festival includes a work of local significance. Two local journalists were part of a project with students from the Epstein Hebrew Academy in University City. It turned into more than they expected. Ellen Futterman (Editor-in-Chief, St. Louis Jewish Light) & Shula Neuman (former Executive Editor at St. Louis Public Radio) join Megan Lynch in-studio to preview the Documentary "Names, Not Numbers". Futterman says these young journalists are likely the 'last generation' who will be able to speak to these survivors.

Black pediatric patients believed to have neurological conditions are falling through the cracks. A new study finds that just half of Black patients completed the necessary genetic tests for diagnosis and treatment. St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson spoke with Dr. Christina Gurnett, co-author of the Washington University School of Medicine study highlighting the barriers Black families face accessing care.

Voters in St. Louis go to the polls tomorrow to vote in primaries for mayor and comptroller. Some will also select their general election candidates for aldermen. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann breaks down the municipal ballot.

At institutions around the world, there are special libraries called "herbaria," containing millions of plants. As scientists work to understand and adapt to climate change, these plant collections have become even more important. But in some places, their future is in question. St. Louis Public Radio's Kate Grumke reports on why scientists want you to care.

Early voting is underway for St. Louis' municipal primary. In addition to the races for the offices of mayor and comptroller, there are competitive primaries to represent the Third and Eleventh Wards at the Board of Aldermen. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann introduces us to the legislative candidates.

Musician Martha Redbone draws on influences from Black and Native American folk styles to explore the roots of American music. She speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy Goodwin ahead of tomorrow's concert in St. Louis.

The Criminal Justice Ministry in St. Louis is helping hundreds of formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet, many of whom are veterans and have spent at least 10 years in prison. And for some of the nonprofit's case workers, the service hits close to home. St. Louis Public Radio's Lacretia Wimbley has more on how the organization is impacting lives through its housing re-entry programs.

This past Saturday, an abortion took place in a Missouri Planned Parenthood clinic. It's something that hasn't happened in the state since 2022. The development follows a judge's ruling on Friday that's again changed the legal landscape for abortion. St. Louis Public Radio health reporter Sarah Fentem discusses the impact of that ruling, and what's changed since Missouri voters approved Amendment 3, which added abortion as a protected right in the Missouri Constitution.

Coffee is big business in Ethiopia, where farmers and producers are often exploited. St. Louis Public Radio's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson shares how a St. Louis University student's company is attempting to shake up, and humanize, the industry by directly connecting Ethiopian coffee farmers to roasters in the U.S.

For his first Valentine's Day without his best friend and wife Aida Audia, recent widower Jeff Topal talks about his relationship with “the love of my life”: how they met, what they built and shared in health and through Aida's illness, and what made their 45-year marriage so special. This conversation grew out of an exchange that first took place at a 2025 St. Louis Public Radio listening session in Collinsville, Illinois.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen enter their spring elections break this week with no agreement on how to spend nearly $300 million of Rams settlement money. St. Louis Public Radio reporter Eric Schmid covered the whole saga and joins STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum to discuss what happened.

Immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in St. Louis are facing new challenges under the administration of President Donald Trump. Reports of federal immigration agents sightings have sent panic through the region, while local immigration groups are working with people to address those fears — and to try to separate rumors from reality. St. Louis Public Radio's race, identity and culture reporter Andrea Henderson discusses her recent reporting on the new “ICE activity hotline.” She also shares insights from her reporting into how the Trump administration's plans to freeze federal funding for organizations that serve immigrants and refugees will impact St. Louis.

St. Louis Public Radio's Hiba Ahmad reports on why some representatives are stopping by schools during this legislative session, and STLPR's Sarah Fentem shares how students at Washington University have worked at a rapid pace to create adaptive tech inventions for people with disabilities.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe gave his first State of the State Address on this week. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum sat down with Kehoe to discuss his priorities for the state. Plus, St. Louis band Starwolf makes music inspired by synthwave and yacht rock. STLPR's Chad Davis takes us on a journey through their latest album and musical evolution.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is encountering a familiar problem. After the latest election, he only has one reliable ally on the St. Louis County Council — and a host of adversaries who want to exert their power over Missouri's largest county. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports on why voters could have the final say over who gets the upper hand.

Illinois residents have until February 14th to cast their ballot in the contest to pick the state's next flag. St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer spoke with members of the flag commission and a flag design expert about the process, and why the details matter.

Rep. Wick Thomas joins the show for the first time. The Kansas City democrat joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about their expectations for this year's session.

More than 28 billion glass bottles and jars end up in U.S. landfills every year, but a company in St. Louis is collecting some of those glass items and giving them new life. St. Louis Public Radio's Ulaa Kuziez takes us to a glass processing center in North St. Louis.

Missouri Department of Social Services director Robert Knodell is leaving state government next week to become city manager of Poplar Bluff. The southeast Missouri native became well known in state political circles for leading the House Republican Campaign Committee. But in an in-depth conversation with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Knodell detailed what drew him to lead the complex and challenging agency.

The need for inpatient mental health care for pediatric patients has grown in recent years. Health officials say a proposed facility in Webster Groves could provide much-needed treatment, but as St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem reports, some neighbors are concerned about where the proposed hospital will be built.

Greater St. Louis Inc.'s outgoing CEO has been one of the St. Louis region's most vocal champions. Just days before beginning his next gig, Jason Hall sat down with St. Louis Public Radio's Eric Schmid to discuss his career, what he sees for this region, and why he's headed to Ohio.

Senator-Elect Kurtis Gregory makes his debut on Politically Speaking. The Blackburn Republican, who has served two terms in the Missouri House, speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about his decision to enter Missouri politics, his Senate race and his thoughts on the upcoming 2025 Missouri Legislative Session.

The high-stakes primary season and a general election full of impactful ballot initiatives will shape Missouri politics and policy for years to come. And while the election wasn't as monumental in Illinois, there were several contests that could reverberate throughout the Metro East. On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum welcomes the St. Louis Public Radio's politics team to discuss the top stories of 2024.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis will have a new CEO next month. Since 1996, Flint Fowler has grown the club from one location to eleven. The incoming president, Brandon Williams, hopes to build on that momentum and inspire more children to become leaders. St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson spoke with Williams and Fowler about the organization's future.

Tucked within a new wide-reaching Missouri law on property rights is language expanding who can own chickens. St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg explains the sponsor's personal reason for backing it. Plus, Christmas is about love, joy and kindness--but this weekend in Sullivan, it's also about scaring the stockings off people. STLPR's Jonathan Ahl takes us to Santa's Slaughterhouse.

Advocates for reforming the St. Louis City Justice Center say they're concerned that the city hiring a consultant this month is just the latest turn in a carousel of several commissions that have failed to produce meaningful change at the city jail, where 18 detainees have died since 2020. St. Louis Public Radio's Lacretia Wimbley spoke with Reverend Darryl Gray, Chair of the Detention Facilities Oversight Board, which was created in 2021 to scrutinize jail conditions and hold its leaders accountable.