St. Louis on the Air

Municipal elections often don’t get as much round-the-clock attention as hotly contested congressional elections. But some decisions voters could make this Tuesday could have a profound impact on how St. Louis area cities are governed and financed. We talk with STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad on "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" about the closely-watched election in St. Charles County to fill out the Francis Howell School Board.

Roughly three weeks ago, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page caused a stir throughout the region when he broached the subject of bringing St. Louis and St. Louis County back together. To gain a deeper understanding, we talk with Jefferson County attorney Joseph Blanner, who was Gov. Mike Parson’s appointee to the Board of Freeholders in 2019, about the renewed attention around St. Louis city reentering the St. Louis County as a municipality.

Jhumpa Lahiri, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection “Interpreter of Maladies,” grew up in a Bengali immigrant family in New England and fell in love with literature at a young age. That early passion led her to writing. In this episode, Lahiri talks about the trajectory of her career, including her decision to move to Rome in 2012. She also discusses how translation continues to shape her work in the classroom and on the page. Lahiri will accept the 2026 St. Louis Literary Award, presented annually by St. Louis University, at a ceremony at the Sheldon Concert Hall on April 8.

With springtime comes insects emerging from their winter dormancy. That includes the often-feared wasp, which plays an important role in the predation of garden pests and pollination of plants. Entomologist Tad Yankoski of the Missouri Botanical Garden makes the case for appreciating wasps and shares advice on how to humanely evict them from our homes. He also shares insight on other insects we’re seeing a lot of lately, including ticks, ladybugs, bees and stink bugs.

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.

This weekend, for the first time in two years, the Granite City Works activated a blast furnace. STLPR Metro East Reporter Will Bauer shares what this means for the mill's employees and why he called this “the latest chapter in a story of uncertainty.” We also hear from Craig McKey, president of United Steelworkers Local 1899, who believes the mill’s activation will help its hundreds of employees stay working if, in 2027, the mill loses its federal protections.

The STLPR food crew convenes to discuss what’s new in the dining scene, including the return of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Vincent Van Doughnut and Truck Norris Twisted Eats. They also discuss their favorite patios for outdoor dining and the St. Louis chefs and restaurants named as James Beard Award nominees.

Missouri’s new congressional map, drawn in 2025 and aimed at giving Republicans an additional seat, is now in effect after a Cole County judge’s ruling. The decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges, questions about precedent and a looming referendum that would let voters weigh in this November. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum breaks down what this ruling means for Democrats and Republicans, including the potential impact on key races including the Kansas City-based 5th District, which is currently held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

A century ago, Missouri's black bear population was believed to be nearly wiped out. Today, the state’s population of bears is around 1,000. The revival of Missouri's bears is the result of years of dedicated work. These animals have been carefully monitored and tracked — and sometimes, that’s meant going into the den of a new mama bear to scoop out her cubs for a quick checkup. In this episode, we get to know Nate Bowersock of the Missouri Department of Conservation. He talks about the work he and his colleagues undertake each year to document Missouri's bear population, and why the state’s management plan includes limited hunting.

In 2025, the Deaconess Foundation partnered with St. Louis nonprofit Vision for Children at Risk to launch the NextGen Grantmaking Initiative. The approach reimagines philanthropy by placing decision-making power in the hands of young people. Led by VCR’s Youth Advisory Council, the initiative awarded a total of $100,000 to five local programs dedicated to community-building, housing, mental health services, and substance use intervention for young people. Alicia Selmon, a Harris Stowe State University junior, describes how she and fellow VCR Youth Advisory Council peers approached the grantmaking process. Rob Donnelly, founder and executive director of Opportunity House — one of the initiative’s awardees — speaks to how NextGen Grantmakers has impacted his organization's work providing long-term housing and mental health support to queer young people ages 17-24.

A single word can make or break a legal argument. That happened recently in the Missouri Supreme Court, where debate over the meaning of the word “when” led to a major ruling on Missouri’s congressional map. On this March edition of the Legal Roundtable, our panel of expert attorneys unpacks the ruling — and what the word “when” really means in the eyes of the law. They also discuss the unusual case of a journalist arrested for recording portions of a trial, a crime bill that could make it easier for courts to charge juveniles as adults, a new lawsuit filed by the former superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, and more.

The father-and-son team behind Dogtown Pizza, a family-owned frozen pizza business in St. Louis, sit down for a candid conversation. On STLPR's podcast "Meet Me," they discuss the early challenges of building the company and how, years later, they worked together to dramatically expand it. They also share a heart-to-heart about the son’s plans to step away from the business and pursue his own dreams.

St. Louis educator and rapper Zeus Rebel Waters is uniting his three passions under one roof: music, community and sweets. Sweets by Sweet Waters opened its doors in St. Ann in January. With it, Waters aims to provide a third space for people of all ages to come together and create. In this episode, he talks about his dreams for his shop, his new album and tour, and his work to build literacy and creativity in the community through his “Reading with Rappers” program, mobile library and his nonprofit summer camp.

With disparities in menopause care — particularly among African American women and those in rural areas — menopause research remains understudied. Dr. Makeba Williams, an obstetrician-gynecologist and certified menopause practitioner, discusses why perimenopause is still overlooked and what research is underway now.

The songs in Ricky Montgomery’s debut album “Montgomery Ricky” are more vulnerable than most — they sound as if they were ripped directly from his personal journal. Now, 10 years after its release, the album’s biggest hits “Mr. Loverman” and “Line Without a Hook” are gaining newfound notoriety. In this episode, he shares the stories behind his music and the inspiration behind his 10th anniversary tour, which begins March 26 in St. Louis.

If life’s hustle has you looking for a reset, St. Louis has a hidden solution. Labyrinths throughout the region can provide a unique, meditative escape. Robert Fishbone, labyrinth designer, artist and owner of “On the Wall Productions,” shares how these spaces offer a unique way to unwind.

Spring has officially sprung — so what’s up with the frost wilting gardens and frustrating gardeners? Missouri Botanical Garden’s Daria McKelvey and University of Missouri Extension’s Eliza Pessereau share their do’s and don’ts for spring gardening and offer words of encouragement for those working to revive their cold and wilted plants.

Before her release in 2024, Patty Prewitt had spent more years in Missouri prisons than any other female inmate. She’s now a college graduate, published author and advocate for better treatment for parents and children impacted by incarceration. During a recent visit to St. Louis, Prewitt discussed her many years in prison, the letters she wrote to her children and friends, and why she turned them into a memoir. Prewitt was joined by her daughter, Jane Prewitt Watkins, who was just 16 when her mother was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Democratic Sen. Tracy McCreery and Republican state Rep. George Hruza join “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” to preview the second half of the 2026 legislative session. The St. Louis County legislators will discuss efforts to end the state’s income tax – and how some under the radar issues may loom large throughout the spring.

Illinois Democrats picked Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton as their nominee to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The Chicago-based politician defeated two sitting Democratic congress members to move on to the November election. STLPR Metro East reporter Will Bauer discusses Stratton’s victory and other notable results from the Illinois primary election on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

The classic film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” portrays the fictional Jefferson Smith going to the nation’s capital to speak out and block legislation from passing in the U.S. Senate. The scene showcases how one voice could stand in the way of corruption and graft. But while the “talking filibuster” was used quite often throughout the history of the U.S. Senate, it’s not in place today. U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison discusses why he supports bringing back the talking filibuster in the U.S. Senate, particularly as it relates to attempts to pass legislation backed by President Trump.

A vision for a cultural corridor in north St. Louis is taking shape in The Ville neighborhood. The MLK Cultural Blvd Project is being showcased at a block party March 21 to celebrate the effort’s progress. The event will also unveil a new report that explains the history and hope behind the corridor plan on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Aaron Williams, president of the nonprofit 4TheVille, and artist and community liaison Dail Chambers, are among the project’s leaders. Williams and Chambers discuss the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in St. Louis and why they see it as the perfect site of a future cultural corridor and tourist attraction.

For Ian Sullivan, a childhood in the Franklin County countryside made Forest Park a sacred destination for adventure and wonder. Now, the St. Louisan asks kids to explore how one of the city’s iconic and beloved spaces came to be. He takes us into his new children’s book, “How Forest Park Was Made,” and the landmark’s history ahead of an author event in St. Charles County.

Miles Davis’ reputation as a jazz giant remains to this day. On March 28, the Sheldon Concert Hall & Galleries will celebrate the world-renowned trumpeter with “Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100,” which will feature contemporary jazz performers who have been inspired by Davis’ musicianship. The Sheldon’s executive director Peter Palermo and Gerald Early, a Washington University professor of African and African American Studies and editor of “Miles Davis and American Culture, Vol. 1” reflect on Davis’ influence on jazz, his relationship with the St. Louis region and what’s to be expected at “Unlimited Miles.”

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was expanded in July to include 21 ZIP codes impacted by atomic waste leftover from the Manhattan Project dumped in different parts of the St. Louis region. The move followed years of advocacy and alarm from residents like Dawn Chapman, co-founder of Just Moms STL, who acted after seeing her neighbors and relatives become sickened with cancers. Since RECA's expansion, the Department of Justice has received more than 11,000 claims and paid out more than $63 million. More people are still applying, but their cases and medical conditions can be complex. Many have found aid from Brent Trout, manager of the St. Louis County Library’s history and genealogy department. Trout and Chapman discuss the challenges of applying to RECA, why records like yearbooks can be critical evidence, and why advocates are encouraging people to apply before the program’s deadline in 2027.

As the United States’ first federal highway system, Route 66 connected people and places across the country. It was also a symbol of independence and adventure. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the highway, we recall notable Route 66 stops, share stories from the former highway’s heyday, and examine its legacy today.

The day after Jordan Ward graduated from Parkway North High School in 2013, he moved west to Los Angeles to pursue a career in arts and entertainment. In the years since, Ward has performed as a dancer with Beyoncé, Janet Jackson and Justin Bieber. He’s also released two albums on his own. His latest project, “Backward,” was released in January through Interscope Records, and he’s currently headlining “The Apartment Tour” with 29 stops in North America and the United Kingdom. Hours before hitting the stage at his homecoming stop at Delmar Hall, Ward joined us to discuss his career, the evolution of his music and the importance of staying connected to St. Louis and its music scene.

Rosemary Woodruff Leary, a St. Louis native, was best known during her life as the wife of the psychedelic pioneer Timothy Leary. But a book highlights her unsung role in that movement, including how she helped her husband escape prison and become international fugitives. We'll revisit a September 2025 conversation with author Susannah Cahalan about her latest book “The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary," which also tells the story what happened after Timothy Leary and Rosemary separated, and her decision to come return to the public eye before her death.

Twenty years ago Terrell “Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk founded 314 Day to recognize March 14 as a day to celebrate all things St. Louis. The civic pride holiday has origins in Black St. Louisan culture, and in the decades passed the celebrations have spread and is now part of the greater St. Louis identity. On this special 314 Day episode of “St. Louis on the Air,” three St. Louisans share their thoughts on the state of St. Louis and its culture. Plus, we join a new St. Louisan on their first 314 Day experience.

St. Louis musicians Eimear Arkins and Eileen Gannon have performed and toured together for years. The Irish fiddle and harp duo’s new album, “The Belles of St. Louis” is a celebration of their musical friendship — and a nod to St. Louis’ rich, and growing, traditional Irish music scene. Ahead of their annual St. Patrick’s Day concert, they perform songs and tunes from the album, share tidbits on Irish music and culture, and discuss last summer’s blockbuster hit, “Sinners,” which has spurred interest in Irish folk music among new audiences.

As Earth awakens from a deep winter slumber, this month’s new music roundup is here to lend you some early spring energy. STLPR reporter Chad Davis and music show originator and producer Miya Norfleet discuss their favorite new releases including the funky dance track “Dance with You” from Starwolf and emotionally driven anthem by national artist with strong St. Louis roots Jordan Ward. <p>. Check out our <ahref="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LM3mtECd649zvoRDM0wEA?si=487146e6d78b4822" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new music roundup playlist</a>.</p>

In 1901, the College Club of St. Louis was founded by a group of women who wanted to socialize and exercise their brains. Five years later, they began awarding scholarships to local young women in pursuit of higher education — a tradition upheld through the present day. Brenda Davis, current president of the College Club of St. Louis, talks about the significance of the organization reaching its 125th birthday and the club’s continued commitment to supporting young women just beginning college.

After his first year as CEO of the St. Charles County Library District, John Greifzu continues to face a number of challenges inherited from his predecessors. STLPR morning newscaster Abby Llorico talks about her recent conversations with Greifzu, which included discussion of what’s driving the district’s funding deficit, its process for responding to book removal requests, and a controversial plan to close several branches.

Agreements between local police departments and ICE have ballooned during Trump’s second term. More than 60 so-called “287(g)” contracts have been signed in Missouri. The spread of these agreements worries Austin Kocher, a Syracuse University researcher who focuses on the federal immigration system. In an interview with STLPR visuals editor Brian Munoz, Kocher shares insights from his research into the contracts and why he is concerned about local law enforcement being used to further the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

St. Louis Public Schools is considering later start times for its students beginning in the 2027-28 school year in hopes of further stabilizing transportation and boosting attendance. The district announced its “Thrive Time” initiative in January. Scientific research backs up later school start times but the idea has received a mixed reception among parents. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and Erik Herzog, a biology professor at Washington University, discuss the idea.

East-West Gateway, the St. Louis bi-state area’s council of governments, is the latest organization to attempt to increase regional cooperation. It wants to build a regional alignment plan that will create a framework to help leaders from different sectors — like government, the arts, and nonprofits — work together. Jim Wild, executive director of East-West Gateway, discusses the regional alignment effort and why it’s happening now.

A proposed Missouri bill would automatically expunge the criminal records of thousands of Missourians convicted of certain non-violent crimes. It's part of a larger, nationwide campaign to pass similar laws. Thirteen states have already passed their own version of the measure, including Illinois. We talk with Empower Missouri Executive Director Mallory Rusch and advocate Patty Berger, president of the St. Louis chapter of All of Us or None, to discuss the four-year effort to help people move on from their past criminal convictions. We also learn about Illinois' successful passage of its own Clean Slate Act with Artinese Myrik, deputy director of Live Free Illinois.

For years, Parkinson’s disease was thought to be primarily genetic. And while some cases are rooted in genetic changes, new studies suggest diagnoses of the disorder, which is the world’s fastest-growing brain disease, is largely driven by environmental toxins — specifically, long-term exposure to the herbicide paraquat. Reporter Mike Fitzgerald discusses why agricultural giant Syngenta is halting global production of the herbicide by the end of June 2026. This move follows massive legal pressure from nearly 6,500 lawsuits filed in East St. Louis federal court. Fitzgerald also talks about the growing push for a national paraquat ban, and why an upcoming Missouri statehouse hearing about the weed killer is critical.

With less than two weeks before the Illinois March 17 primary, the three major Democratic contenders to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin are pulling off all the stops to prevail. St. Louis Public Radio Metro East reporter Will Bauer and Capitol News Illinois statehouse reporter Brenden Moore preview Illinois’ high stakes primary contests on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air."

Missouri kicked off its candidate filing period late last month. But there’s a big, unanswered question still lingering: Whether a congressional map from 2022 or one from 2025 will be in place for the election cycle. Rudi Keller, deputy editor for the Missouri Independent, joins "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to chart out where things stand for the state’s morass of redistricting litigation.

Missouri and Illinois GOP members of Congress largely adopted the opposition to military intervention that President Donald Trump expressed during his presidential campaign. But now that he’s attacked Iran, Trump is placing some of those lawmakers in a tough spot – including Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. Washington University political science professor Carly Wayne talks about the local political reaction to Trump’s decision on "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Michael Holmes spent more than five years in prison after a 2003 drug arrest. But the St. Louis police officers who arrested him were later exposed for planting evidence against innocent people to cover their own thefts. For the first time in a media interview, Holmes tells the story of his wrongful arrest and how he survived as an innocent man in prison. Holmes’ attorney, David Owens, also discusses the case, including a 2016 civil rights lawsuit that ended with a jury awarding Holmes $2.5 million. However, the St. Louis has yet to pay one dollar of that amount.

The traveling exhibition “Resilience - A Sansei Sense of Legacy” brings an artistic lens to the forced incarceration of an estimated 120,000 Japanese Americans — about two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens — following President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Featuring the work of third-generation Japanese American artists, the exhibition explores the effects of that wartime injustice and connects it to the present day. The St. Louis showing of “Resilience” includes pieces by longtime Alton, Illinois resident and SIUE graduate Arthur Towata. To explore local connections to the legacy of WWII Japanese American internment, we speak with Wendy Roll, president of the Japanese American Citizens League - St. Louis; Amy Ozawa, Arthur Towata's niece and executor of his estate; and Kristine Aono, WashU graduate and one of the artists whose work is part of the “Resilience” exhibition’s core collection.

U.S. Transportation Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East, plays a significant role in moving equipment, personnel and supplies for American military operations worldwide — including the recent strikes in Iran. Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, the former commander of TRANSCOM who retired in 2024, explains how the combatant command does its work that includes mid-air refueling of stealth bombers, transporting missile defense systems and more.

Illusionist David Kwong found interest in magic and puzzles by watching the smartest people he knows — his own parents — become dazzled by sleight-of-hand tricks when he was a child. Today, Kwong delights and challenges people with his crossword puzzles, found in the New York Times, and with his live stage show “the Enigmatist,” which runs March 7 through April 5 at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Four years after its founding, St. Louis’ Office of Violence Prevention is still working to address the causes of violence — and trying to stop it before it happens. In November, the city named the office’s new director, Marvin Teer, Jr. A former judge and prosecutor, Teer shares some of his experiences from three decades in the criminal justice system. He also addresses the likely impact of losing access to millions of dollars in federal funding when the American Rescue Plan Act expires at the end of the year. Teer says the change will affect more than 40 programs: “Our mission will go on,” he says, “but just in a very limited, or, at least in a reduced manner.” Joining Teer is James Watson, director of the nonprofit Show Me Peace, who discusses examples of how violence can be interrupted and how OVP creates an “ecosystem” of programs addressing its root causes.

Late winter is notoriously slow for restaurants. Fortunately, the St. Louis area saw many more openings than closures in February. The STLPR food crew convenes to share what’s new in the dining scene, including a literary pub in Rolla and a kosher deli in Clayton. They also discuss the joys of solo dining and the differences between biscuits and scones.

A long stay in the hospital often means dealing with fear and boredom. But for expectant mothers who find themselves hospitalized for weeks to monitor their pregnancies, they face isolation at a time when they need support the most. In 2024, more than 7,400 babies born in Missouri — or 11% — were preterm, before 37 weeks gestation. In St. Louis, a rare antepartum arts program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital is "meant to bridge the gap between hospital rooms," writes Missouri Independent health reporter Anna Spoerre. Spoerre's Feb. 23 story explored the hospital's 15-year-old antepartum program, which is the only one of its kind in the Midwest. Emily Paino-Brenneman, the program’s coordinator, talks about the program and why it's drawing attention from other states. We also learn about the origins of the program (and how art can be an important part of the healing process) with the program's recently retired founder, Sarah Colby.