St. Louis on the Air

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 versus 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 Sándoval 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.

Four members of the Missouri National Guard and twelve members of the Illinois National Guard are seeking voluntary separations from the military because they are transgender. Specialist Dahlia Dahl enlisted three years ago. She’s now one of thousands of troops who have to make the decision to leave or face the possibility of investigation and removal after the the Department of Defense ruled transgender people can no longer serve in the armed forces. On St. Louis on the Air, Dahl told her story of her gender journey and how that intertwined with her decision to enlist in the Illinois National Guard.

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.

Missouri voters have repeatedly approved ballot measures — from protecting abortion rights and expanding Medicaid to raising the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana. But lawmakers haven’t always honored those decisions, rolling back mandated paid sick leave and gutting a 2012 measure that gave St. Louis’ mayor control of the police. GOP political consultant David Barklage explains the Republican strategy, and STLPR statehouse and politics reporter Sarah Kellogg looks at what’s next for paid sick leave advocates.

The salary of many public sector employees in our region is just a click away. That includes mayors and judges, teachers, cops and professors. For nearly a decade, St. Louis Post-Dispatch data journalist Josh Renaud has worked to produce the paper’s massive, annual database of public salaries. The latest edition went live just a couple weeks ago. Renaud takes us inside the herculean effort of data-collection and how it impacts governments large and small. He also discusses the factors behind the City of St. Louis’ “glacial” 100 days to produce the records.

The salary of many public sector employees in our region is just a click away. That includes mayors and judges, teachers, cops and professors. For nearly a decade, St. Louis Post-Dispatch data journalist Josh Renaud has worked to produce the paper’s massive, annual database of public salaries. The latest edition went live just a couple weeks ago. Renaud takes us inside the herculean effort of data-collection and how it impacts governments large and small. He also discusses the factors behind the City of St. Louis’ “glacial” 100 days to produce the records.

Halloween is just around the corner, but for comic book and horror content fans the “spooky vibes” exist all year-round. St. Louis comic book artist Lorry Jamison joins “St. Louis on the Air” to discuss their new series the “Nightshade Anthology,” and how their love for horror media like “Goosebumps” and “Seed of Chucky” has influenced their storytelling by using monsters as a metaphor for battles fought in the LGBTQIA+ community. Through the use of color and creative storytelling Jamison blends genres with comedic moments, scary villains, and wholesome queer protagonists.

A growing and significant body of research suggests that students benefit from having a teacher of the same race or ethnicity. Yet most teachers in the U.S. are white women. St. Louis entrepreneur Angelica Harris founded <a href=”https://www.toptutorsforus.com”>Top Tutors for Us</a> to pair Black high school students with tutors who look like them. In this encore episode, she shares how their services have led to improved test scores and higher college acceptance rates of their students.

About 15 years ago, Jason Cerrano was working for the Pattonville Fire Protection District when he conceptualized a way to make it more efficient for firefighters to put out fires. He wanted to automate how a fire truck selects its water source and pumps water, and allow pump operators to pay attention to other critical firefighting tasks. In this encore episode, Cerrano, a graduate of Missouri S&T, discusses how he invented the SAM Control System that more than 120 fire departments employ. We also hear from Chief Hans Mueller of the Freeburg Fire Protection District in Illinois about his department’s use of the technology.

Commentary about the Gen Z Stare has gone viral on social media and has garnered the attention from the New York Times, NBC News and NPR. Ashley Wilkinson, clinical site supervisor at Provident Behavioral Health joins “St. Louis on the Air” to discuss how cultural influences, modern parenting styles and neurological development all play a role in how older generations engage with the newest generation in the workforce.

Sauce Magazine was recently acquired by STL Bucket List. But the publication’s cofounder and previous owner alleges in a lawsuit that she’s still owed money from when she sold it to the man who just sold the publication. We break down what the sale means with STLPR digital editor Jessica Rogen and Sauce Magazine executive editor Lauren Healey. We also talk through the latest in St. Louis dining, including the opening of Fordo’s Killer Pizza in the Grove, Bel Air Social in the Central West End, and Pierce Creek in Creve Coeur. Plus, we say goodbye to Pho Long’s original location and El Burro Loco.

Losing tree canopy has consequences far beyond an aesthetic change for a neighborhood. For the St. Louis residents affected by the May 16 tornado, the sudden loss of thousands of trees may have longstanding effects on their physical and mental health. Community organizations share how they are helping the city replace trees lost to the storm — and their efforts to help residents learn about proper tree care and heal from tree-related trauma.

Hair discrimination disproportionately targets Black women, and lawmakers have sought to ban the practice with the CROWN Act. CROWN stands for “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair,” and the first act of its kind was passed in California in 2019. Since then, other states and municipalities have adopted their own measures, including the City of St. Louis in 2021. A statewide measure took effect in Illinois in 2023. In July, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a law banning race-based hair discrimination in the state. In this encore presentation from 2023, Vice President of the St. Louis chapter of NABJ Gabrielle Hays and Frizzy by Nature CEO Leslie Hughes talk about local and statewide efforts to pass the CROWN Act and ways Black women are relearning how to embrace their curls.

Thousands of people move in and out of Missouri’s parole system every year. That includes Norman Brown, who was released in 2022 after serving 31 years in prison for a crime he committed at 15. Brown joins the MacArthur Justice Center’s Amy Malinowski for a critical discussion of the state’s parole system, its flaws and areas for improvement. The system is under scrutiny for improvements pending official recommendations from a “working group” created by an executive order issued this year by Gov. Mike Kehoe. We also hear from Terrell Robinson, who, in an interview from prison, describes the parole system as “draconian, cruel and severe.”

Generations of drum corps enthusiasts filled the stands at Belleville West High School to see some of the nation’s best performers last week. The marching music tradition has deep roots in the Metro East and St. Louis. STLPR’s Visuals Editor Brian Munoz discusses <a href="https://www.stlpr.org/arts/2025-07-29/drum-corps-international-boston-crusaders-belleville">his reporting</a>. He’s joined by Steve McCarty, an alum of the Belleville Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and the admin of the Facebook group dedicated to preserving and celebrating the drum corps’ legacy.

For Aaron Walsh and James Pursell, the work of LEAN-STL is personal. As peer support specialists, they work to break down the stigma of talking about addiction and mental health — often sharing their own experience with addiction, recovery and healing in the process. In the two and a half years since LEAN-STL was founded, the pair has connected hundreds of St. Louis laborers and their families with resources. It’s a model they believe will lower the high rates of substance use and suicide among construction workers — one they hope to see adopted by more trade associations in the future.

Fifty Missouri locales are featured in lifelong resident Caitlin Yager’s new book, “Small Town Missouri: Legends, Lore, and Attractions in the Show Me State.” In addition to responding to listener calls, Yager shares thoughts on the big influence that small towns have across the state and what makes her book more than a travel guide.

On July 20, St. Louis activist Bob Suberi and around 20 others set sail on the ship Handala with the goal of breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza. On Sunday, the boat was intercepted and Suberi was detained by Israeli forces. We first hear Barbara Suberi share her reaction to her husband’s situation in the immediate aftermath of learning of his release from detention. Then Bob Suberi describes his trip to Gaza and confrontation with the Israeli Navy. Suberi also describes his personal connection to Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, who was shot and killed by an Israeli settler on Monday.

St. Louis’ civilian-led Police Oversight Board was founded to review complaints of excessive force and misconduct. But a letter from the City Attorney has thrown the board’s future into doubt. On this episode of Legal Roundtable on “St. Louis on the Air,” attorneys Eric Banks, Sarah Swatosh, and Dave Roland discuss the legal clash unfolding between the citizen board members and Missouri’s takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The panel also discusses the case of a prominent local developer hiring the brother of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother, and more.

Back-to-school will be different this year for many in St. Louis Public Schools. Instead of returning to familiar campuses, many students and teachers have been assigned to different SLPS buildings because of severe tornado damage. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmed provides an overview of what’s happened since the May 19 tornado; announcements about school re-assignments this year and prospective closures the next. She also discusses a recent summit for educators about integrating AI tools into the classroom.

Sunflowers are in full bloom in St. Louis. The hearty plants are an important part of the ecosystem. In addition to being edible for humans and other animals, sunflowers support pollinators — and serve as an attraction for doves during hunting season. The fields at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area also provide a colorful, sunny backdrop for photos.

Medicaid director Todd Richardson gives an in-depth breakdown of how the program works in Missouri. He explains who can access these benefits, what the process of gaining coverage involves, and which benefits are actually available. Richardson also speaks candidly about the challenges ahead given the changing political landscape.

Former Missouri Congressman Bill Clay Sr. received an outpouring of praise after he died last week. He was 94 years old. Clay was a force in regional and national politics, and he left behind a titanic legacy as a champion of civil rights and workers’ rights. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum explores Clay’s career in politics, and why there may never be another Missouri politician like him again.

We’ll listen back to a conversation about emotional intelligence, manners, and their impact on how we handle ourselves among other people. The Modern School of Manners founder Asha Hornaday and WashU professor of organizational behavior Hillary Anger Elfenbein discuss why folks are ruder and how to manage poor manners and low emotional intelligence.

Before a city lawsuit accused her of running a massive illegal rooming house operation, the residents of Virginia Avenue in St. Louis’ Tower Grove East neighborhood knew all about Dara Daugherty. Brittany Marquardt says she watched how Daugherty operated as a slumlord while allegedly renting rooms in condemned houses to vulnerable tenants. Marquardt takes us inside the situation and shares how complaints from her and other neighbors ultimately led to a courtroom confrontation with Daugherty. St. Louis Magazine reporter Ryan Krull discusses the latest on the legal case and the impact of Daugherty’s surprise filing of bankruptcy earlier this month.

For the first time since 1948, St. Louis will soon have an official transportation plan. St. Louis city officials say the new plan will lead to safer streets in the future — but residents want action now. We dig into the city’s Transportation and Mobility Plan and discuss regional efforts to curb traffic violence.

In 1991, St. Louis native Toni Popham was 13 and pregnant when her family sent her to Virginia, to the Liberty Godparent Home. The treatment of pregnant girls at the facility is the subject of "Liberty Lost," a new podcast that features Popham and other former residents describing isolation, coercion and religious manipulation. Popham and the podcast's creator T.J. Raphael discuss the impact of the Godparent Home and the resurgence of maternity homes across the country.

Syrian refugee Nashat Aljerwan, his wife and their children were set to arrive in the U.S. in February as part of a U.S. State Department resettlement program. But days before their travel date, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that suspended refugee resettlement. Since then, St. Louisan Anne Ross has not stopped fighting for the Aljerwans to receive an exception to the order. Aljerwan and Ross share their respective journeys, their work together on his family’s case and their hopes for meeting, in-person, if or when resettlement in St. Louis finally becomes a reality.

Late last week, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that includes the cancellation of nearly $1.1 billion dollars in federal funds for public media – funds that Congress had previously approved for this year and next. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign the measure into law. STLPR’s interim general manager Jess Luther and Vicki Boutwell, Vice President and Chief Planning Officer at Nine PBS share what the St. Louis region stands to lose.

<p>There’s no excuse to be out of the know when it comes to the music scene in St. Louis. <em>St. Louis Magazine</em> contributing writer and Free 4 All showcase co-founder Joe Hess joins “St. Louis on the Air” producer Miya Norfleet and host Elaine Cha as they discuss their favorite new releases from St. Louis-area artists. Check out our “St. Louis on the Air” <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5XniZa0L9Q1pGqy6c6m9G1" target="_blank">new music round up playlist</a>.</p>

In St. Louis, the lines between music genres are blurry. Collaboration shapes every scene — and few embody that spirit like EDM producer Umami, born Pajmon Porshahidy. While many artists resist labels, Umami has no problem pointing out how their sound is directly tied to subgenres of electronic music, hip-hop and R&B. Their latest album “Pajmon” blends their Iranian-American heritage and wide-ranging musical tastes.