St. Louis on the Air

A case that began with a Missouri prison guard suing the state for workplace discrimination has “concerned” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. The problem: The possibility that religious people who view homosexuality as a sin will be “labeled as bigots and treated as such.” Attorneys Erin Lueker, Connie McFarland-Butler and Bill Freivogel dive into Alito’s concerns, as well as the art of jury selection. The panel also discusses a case of donors suing Webster University, hazing at Eureka High School, and a Missouri lawyer using AI to write legal briefs.

Dr. Travis Threats is a professor and chair of St. Louis University’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. He’s also the grandson of Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter, parents who dared to force Mississippi to recognize the injustice of the state’s “freedom of choice” in 1965 — one year after the passage of the Civil Rights Act. He shares how his grandparents’ fight inspires his work today including his efforts to diversify the field of speech pathology.

STLPR politics editor Fred Ehrlich, in 2022, wrote a memoir about his life with dogs. A few weeks ago, he gifted that book to producer Aaron Doerr, who was grieving the loss of his dog, Tallis. In this episode of “St Louis on the Air,” we talk about the close bonds we have with our pets and the healing that comes with saying goodbye.

A Girl Scout troop in St. Louis County made bracelets to raise funds for child war victims in Gaza. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri told them to stop — or face legal action. The troop’s co-leaders, and one of the scouts, discuss what happened next, why they’ve decided to disband from the organization to create their own group, and their continued efforts to fundraise for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. (Correction: Mariyah Abdelbaset is in fifth grade, not sixth grade, as mentioned in this episode.)

John Ulett started as a DJ at KSHE-95 in 1976 when he was just 19 years old. He’s never left, and he’s about to begin his 40th full season as the Cardinals’ PA announcer at Busch Stadium. Ulett reflects on his long career in his hometown in advance of Thursday evening's event at the Sheldon, “Life, Death & Other Scary Things: An Evening with KSHE-95's John Ulett.”

With a high violent crime rate and claims of inequitable policing in St. Louis, local leaders are questioning the $100,000 per year Chief Robert Tracy receives from local business owners. “Can the criminals get together and pay the chief?” asked one alderwoman. ProPublica reporter Jeremy Kohler talks about his story on the topic.

In the Missouri legislature, 2023 was the year of bills targeting trans people. But there is a bigger picture here: For observers of the national picture, Missouri is a bellwether and a trendsetter. We sit down with two trans journalists to talk about what they’re seeing in Missouri in this movement, and this moment. Joining the discussion is Erin Reed, the author of the newsletter Erin in the Morning; and Evan Urquhart, founder of Assigned Media.

Earlier this week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his annual budget address that outlined his priorities. Among the priorities in the $52.7 billion state spending plan are more money to address the migrant crisis and education, and tax hikes for businesses and for sports bettors. STLPR Metro East reporter Will Bauer discusses Pritzker’s speech, and we include Pritzker’s address in this episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

St. Louis is in an unusual position of having a lot of extra money — primarily from a settlement from the departure of the St. Louis Rams. City leaders also got more positive news last year with a drop in violent crime. Even with the good news, policymakers still have a lot of work to do to fully address some long-standing problems. In a wide-ranging interview on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones discusses those issues and addresses homelessness, the cause of bad police driving and more.

Like most Illinois Republicans in Springfield, Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, said she’s largely skeptical of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $52.7 billion proposed budget. And, Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly are limited in what they can do because they are in the super minority in both chambers. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer talk with Sen. Tracy on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

Jazz great David Sanborn, a Kirkwood native, got his start playing teen hangouts and clubs around St. Louis. Known for his warm sound on alto saxophone, Sanborn has won acclaim as a solo artist and as a collaborator with a long list of stars in the worlds of jazz, rock and pop. He joins STLPR senior reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin to discuss the lively, mid-century St. Louis jazz scene, the magic of genre-bending in music, and ways the music industry has evolved throughout his storied career.

Relationships look differently than they did 50, even 25 years ago. Millennials aren’t getting married at the same ages and rates compared to older generations. And while most people desire companionship, relationships today often vary from the traditional romantic relationships seen in classic films. Dr. Dixie Meyer, professor at St. Louis University and director of SLU’s relationships and brain sciences research laboratory, shares why romance is taking a back seat and how it impacts individuals, families and society.

What do Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes, and Bayard Rustin have in common? They are all Black American trailblazers that have had their queerness understated or erased from their identities or in the retelling of their influence in pivotal historic moments — and they are far from the only ones. Tre’von Griffith co-founded werQfest with his husband, Shelton Boyd-Griffith, to uplift Black, queer artists in St. Louis. For this year’s Black History Month, their mission has expanded with the introduction of the digital campaign, “Black, But Make It Queer.”

Missouri Children's Division Director Darrell Missey talks about where the massive backlog of child abuse and neglect case investigations stands, and other issues affecting children in the state. Last year, St. Louis Public Radio reported that the division's office serving St. Louis and St. Louis County had a backlog of 6,124 cases that remained open after 45 days. Missey describes the division's improvements since then, and where things stand now.

A Missouri researcher’s study of “prosocial” behavior in classrooms is getting a big boost of federal money — but it’s already made a difference in hundreds of classrooms. Now in its fifth year, the program emphasizes kindness, compassion, empathy and respect. University of Missouri researcher Christi Bergin and program director Jen Foster discuss how prosocial behavior can help teachers and students support each other through empathy.

Ragtime evokes images of old-timey saloons and the beginning of the 20th century. The “King of Ragtime” Scott Joplin lived in St. Louis from 1900 to 1902 — during which he published his most popular rags, including “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” Fast forward to the 21st century: Musician and composer Royce Martin has picked up where Joplin left off with the album, “Memories on Morgan Street.” Royce joins the show to talk about Joplin’s influence on his music and how he ties ragtime and hip-hop together to make a new genre he calls “swagtime.”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long cemented their legacy in higher education across the country. A new book edited by NPR Weekend Edition Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe now celebrates that legacy. "HBCU Made” is a collection of personal essays of Black figures including authors, journalists and political figures. Rascoe spoke with STLPR's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson at the Ethical Society of St. Louis on Feb. 8 — an event sponsored by Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis County Library and STLPR.

Dating is messy, nerve wrecking and oftentimes discouraging. Single St. Louisans have taken to social media to inquire — and vent — about how dating is difficult because of St. Louis being a “small big city.” Brittany Forrest and Simonne Kimble started a community and online platform called Relationship.ish to have open conversations about relationships and create opportunities to network. The duo shared their strategies to finding “the one,” even in a small dating pool.

Though not a household name, a company headquartered in downtown St. Louis is behind some of the most popular local and international destinations. PGAV architects Mike Konzen and Emily Howard discuss what it takes to design buildings including the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum and the world’s largest aquarium that opened last year — SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Throughout most of human history, lunar and solar eclipses were considered to be bad omens, and the fates of many have been determined by the celestial phenomenon. Washington University physicist Manel Errando shares details about the most notable solar eclipses in history, including one that ended a six-year war in Anatolia (present-day Turkey) and another that is credited for propelling Albert Einstein to fame.

Missouri Botanical Garden scientist Charlotte Taylor has named 500 new species of plants. That makes her the most prolific living female botanist — an accomplishment only revealed last year by researchers from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the University of Cambridge. The researchers found Taylor is the third most prolific female botanist in the field — ever. Taylor discusses her contributions to the field of botany and takes us inside the world of a world-class taxonomist.

Propel Kitchens in Pagedale gives people a second chance by combining career training with care that goes beyond a traditional food industry job. Executive director Kisha Lee and trainee Chavi Jackson share how the program has been able to uplift St. Louisans in vulnerable situations and put them on a path toward success.

"I had this thought that if anything comes of this, it's the perfect script for a Hallmark Hall of Fame geriatric romance." In this encore episode, Roz Lewy and Ralph Insinger discuss their book, "Beyond Beyond: A Chance Encounter, an Online Courtship and the Language of Love," which details how the couple fell in love late in life via the exchange of hundreds of emails.

The leaders of a ballot item to legalize abortion in Missouri have a tight time frame to gather more than 171,000 signatures by May. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum sits down with Mallory Schwarz of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, as well as Lisa Williams, one of thousands of Missourians who signed up to gather signatures.

Three K-12 educators who’ve taught in different U.S. states discuss Missouri social studies standards and challenges around teaching civics, and the practical benefits of focusing on civic participation amid today’s polarized political climate. Then, STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum talks with Elaine Cha about why we’re tackling this issue and what we’re hearing from listeners.

Missouri’s political parties are in charge of organizing and executing the contests that will choose 2024 presidential delegates. And both Republicans and Democrats have expressed profound irritation that election officials aren’t running the show. The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air host Jason Rosenbaum talks with Republican Chris Grahn-Howard and Democrat Matthew Patterson about how we got here — and how the selection processes will work.

After decades of disinvestment and a lack of engagement by city leadership, many Black St. Louisans report feelings of hopelessness, unsure of what to do or who to turn to. When problems like crumbling infrastructure and food deserts remain unresolved, people become less interested in local government, and in turn, the work of elected officials goes unchecked. Kelly McGowan believes that civics education is the answer to solving many problems the city faces, and that’s what she aims to provide via her nonprofit Transform 314.

Michael Vines’ grandfather, Harry Beckerman, arrived in St. Louis in 1919. The Jewish immigrant from Poland was escaping violence and oppression and, in north St. Louis, he set up a shoe repair shop. That true story serves as the inspiration for, “Harry Gets Wise,” a new novel deeply rooted in St. Louis history and culture.

Seven out of 10 Missouri students are not reading at fourth grade proficiency, and only one in 10 Black students reads at proficiency expected by that grade. With the “Right to Read” campaign, St. Louis and St. Louis County NAACP chapters aim to boost literacy in the region and raise Black student performance to meet state academic standards. St. Louis NAACP education chair Ian Buchanan and former teacher and literacy advocate Kareem Weaver discuss the importance of implementing educational techniques rooted in the science of reading and promoting collaboration between communities, parents and teachers.

During Black History Month, St. Louis Public Radio is participating in the “Lift Every Voice” initiative, which highlights the lives and accomplishments of more than 50 Black Americans throughout history. The project was created by a familiar voice in St. Louis: Geri Mitchell, who hosted Morning Edition on STLPR from 2013 to 2017. Now the midday host at WAMU in Washington D.C., Mitchell joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss the project, and its goal to call attention to “the countless contributions of African Americans, many of whom were and are still obscured in history.”

Film and TV award season means increased attention to diversity of talent in front of and behind the lens. Critiques about lack of diversity in media production apply to St. Louis, where Black people are the largest non-white population – yet less than 2% of staff in local commercial video production houses. Kyle Montgomery and Quinsonta Boyd of Continuity, a nonprofit that helps more St. Louis creatives from marginalized communities prepare for and start careers in media, share ways they make getting a foot in the door possible.

A majority of the top ten recipients of federal COVID-19 relief funds via Missouri’s State Assistance For Housing Relief program are privately owned property managers or landlords located in St. Louis. Despite receiving up to six and seven figures in aid, many of these companies failed to provide basic maintenance or upkeep of their apartment complexes. Journalist Mike Fitzgerald discusses his latest report on the SAFHR program and the problems that stemmed from the funds being awarded with little accountability.

While elected leaders are celebrating a decline in crime in the region, community members — especially those who've lost loved ones to violent crime — think the celebration is premature and unwarranted. STLPR reporter Lacretia Wimbley discusses her reporting on the topic, including a conversation with Precious Jones, a mother whose son was killed in the summer of 2022.

Celebrating Lunar New Year is a longstanding tradition for Vietnamese St. Louisans. Kris Le and Tila Nguyen speak to the history of the nonprofit St. Louis Vietnamese Community, its place among other AANHPI organizations in the region, and what’s planned for two Vietnamese Lunar New Year events happening this February.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, a Republican from Salem, withstood bipartisan scorn of legislation that boosts the Child Tax Credit and provides business tax incentives. STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum talked with Smith about the legislation and the road ahead it now faces in the U.S. Senate.

Each year, an estimated 60,000 acres of wetlands are lost in the United States. They are the most threatened ecosystem in the country. Shaw Nature Reserve's restoration and land stewardship manager Mike Saxton talks about current threats to wetlands and makes the case for why we should preserve and build upon the few, but critically important, wetlands that remain.

St. Louis’ best theater performances and productions of the year are being honored once again. On Friday, the St. Louis Theater Circle announced its award nominations, covering approximately 100 shows from 2023. Theater critics Michelle Kenyon and James Lindhorst join the show.

A special SLMPD police unit, created to investigate police shootings, was the subject of a damning audit in 2018. Six years later, only portions of that audit have found their way to the public eye. St. Louis Post-Dispatch metro columnist Tony Messenger obtained portions of the audit, which found problems in all 50 of the unit’s investigations between 2014 and 2018. Messenger shares his findings and insights into the ongoing efforts to obtain the full audit.

Caroline Eiseman has donned the big hair of teen dance phenom Tracy Turnblat in more than 100 performances of “Hairspray.” The St. Louis native shares her insights into the role, what it took to land the part and what it will mean when she performs in her hometown later this month.

Was it legal for Starbucks to fire two baristas who fought back against a robbery? This month’s Legal Roundtable convenes to discuss the legal merits behind a wrongful termination suit by a St. Louis Starbucks employee. Attorneys Sarah Swatosh, Eric Banks and Bevis Schock also discuss what’s next for Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s lawsuit against the People’s Republic of China and a purported class action lawsuit over the city's aborted curbside recycling program.

According to Dr. Alex Garza, the best way to prepare for a future pandemic is to improve social resources, such as food access, education and transportation. Garza, who serves as Chief Community Health Officer at SSM Health, shares major takeaways from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, how pandemics and wars have a “tremendous amount in common,” and the extent to which institutions — and the general public — are ready for future disease outbreaks.

Southwest Airlines will now carry naloxone on flights — that’s in part due to the efforts of Ballwin resident John Gaal who has lobbied the airline to include the opioid overdose-reversal drug in its emergency kits. Gaal witnessed the medication’s ability to save lives first-hand when he stepped in to administer naloxone to a fellow passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight in October 2022. He reflects on that moment, the importance of greater access to the drug and what needs to happen next for flight crews to better respond to overdoses while in the air.

Wayne Pratt joined St. Louis Public Radio in June 2014. For nearly a decade he anchored morning newscasts at the station and later, became host of the station's weekday morning podcast "The Gateway." After a national search, Wayne was selected and promoted to the position of Broadcast Operations Manager. He joins us to talk about his experiences of being on the air in St. Louis for about 10 years.

On January 24, Louisiana bounty hunter Wayne Lozier was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. St. Louis on the Air featured his case in October, exploring the dramatic story of bounty hunters, bail, and body cameras. In this rebroadcast, Katie Kull, courts reporter for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, describes her experience covering Lozier’s trial from the courtroom. She discusses the bounty hunter industry, Lozier’s defense, and the trial’s dramatic verdict. We also provide an update on Lozier’s sentencing last week.

After months of crowdsourcing recipes that reflect the cultural and culinary diversity of St. Louis, the Global Foods Market Cookbook is published and available for purchase at the grocer’s storefront in Kirkwood. Shayn Prapaisilp, chief operating officer of Global Foods Market, Inc. shares a sample of the recipes featured in the Global Foods Market Cookbook, as well as personal stories from the chefs themselves.

Earlier this week, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson delivered his final State of the State speech. In this episode of the “Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” from the Missouri State Capitol, Parson talks with STLPR reporters Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about his priorities and legacy. We also hear analysis of his speech, and hear the Democratic reaction from Rep. Ashley Aune.

The city of St. Louis has brought a lawsuit against six Missouri residents who the city says are running a massive illegal rooming house operation in nearly every neighborhood in south city. Riverfront Times staff writer Ryan Krull shares how the operation may have been heavily subsidized by taxpayers through pandemic relief funding, why it took so long for the city to take action, and the effect the lawsuit may have on other problem landlords operating in St. Louis. Tower Grove East resident Joe Goodman, who lives near two of the defendant’s properties, also joins the conversation.

The untimely death of Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey and allegations of mistreatment while serving as Lincoln University’s vice president of student affairs has sparked conversation about hostile work environments and bullying across industries — particularly with employees that are part of marginalized communities. Wash U sociology professor Adia Harvey-Wingfield discusses research on who’s most likely to face such situations and how to avoid further tragedy.

In his final State of the State Address, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson outlined his priorities for the year and reflected upon his legacy. In edition to the Governor's speech, this episode includes pre- and post-analysis from STLPR journalists Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum.

The historic, four-story building at 3509 Page Boulevard is an example of abandonment. Built in 1927, the former ABC Auto Sales and Investment Company building’s roof is crumbling onto the sidewalk, and it’s been broken into, boarded up, and broken into again. St. Louis developer Paul McKee has been ordered to repair the building in a first-time ruling on one of hundreds of properties he owns under his NorthSide Regeneration project. Attorney Peter Hoffman discusses the ruling and what it may mean for other neighborhoods where McKee owns property.