St. Louis on the Air

The St. Louis nonprofit Doorways has spent decades connecting people living with HIV/AIDS with housing. The organization recently moved into a headquarters on its $40 million campus on Jefferson Avenue. Doorways President and CEO Opal Jones discusses the group’s strategy that prioritizes connecting people with housing while also stabilizing their health. Cory McCormick, a Doorways program participant who moved into a new apartment on the group’s campus last week, discusses what the program means to someone who has experienced homelessness.

Missouri has killed 93 men since 1976. Amber McLaughlin, a convicted murderer, could be its first woman. But Amber's story goes deeper than her crime. Jessica Hicklin met Amber while both were incarcerated. In 2018, Jessica won a landmark transgender-rights case in a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Corrections, allowing her and other trans inmates, like Amber, access to hormone therapy. Jessica Hicklin discuses her friendship with Amber, and why she's asking Gov. Mike Parson to grant her clemency. Riverfront Times staff writer Ryan Krull discuses Amber McLaughlin's crimes, and how her case fits into the larger pattern of Missouri executions.

A documentary about Bosnians who took refuge in St. Louis during the Bosnian War, “A New Home,” can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. We spoke with the film’s director Joseph Puleo as well as two Bosnians featured in the film, Nejla Mustafic and Nedim Ramic, about their experiences.

New basketball courts are scheduled to make their debut next year in St. Louis’ two largest parks: Forest Park and Tower Grove Park. In Forest Park, development progress has been slow because of efforts to get as much community input as possible. Their next advisory board meeting is set for December 15. In this encore episode, producer Miya Norfleet talks with St. Louisans and park leadership about how access to basketball courts tells the story of St. Louis’ past and hopes for the future.

This week, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has been making its case to overturn the conviction of Lamar Johnson. Johnson has spent the last 28 years serving a life sentence for murder – and was sent there by the same prosecutor’s office that’s now working to exonerate him. St. Louis Public Radio justice reporter Rachel Lippmann breaks down the case, and the story behind what one attorney has called a "historic moment in this court."

Sauce Magazine Executive Editor Meera Nagarajan shares her team’s picks for best new restaurants of 2022, as well as recommendations for holiday-themed pop-up bars in the St. Louis region.

St. Louis natives Brian Owens and Sophia Stephens joined forces in 2020 to release “A New Holiday,” a Christmas movie that features a little girl celebrating her first Christmas without her beloved grandmother. The movie is inspired by the life of local philanthropist, Thelma Steward, wife of David Steward, founder of World Wide Technology, and his mother, Dorothy Steward, who passed away in July 2020. Owens also lost his mother in March 2020 to cancer. The main character, “Thelma,” is learning how to find joy and hope again as she processes her loss.

Conservation geneticist Christy Edwards never expected to use her knowledge of plant phenotyping to help solve a murder. The experience seemed more akin to a script of “Law and Order” or “CSI”: A young wife and new mother disappears, the investigators suspect her husband of foul play, and they just need the evidence to prove it. Instead of blood, mud and juniper needles become the focus — and Edwards and her colleagues at the Missouri Botanical Garden rush to collect samples and analyze over 100 trees around Mengqi Ji’s burial site, evidence that ultimately ties her husband to the crime.

Sports historian Ed Wheatley shares stories from his latest book, “St. Louis Sports Memories: Forgotten Teams and Moments from America’s Best Sports Town.”

Mixologists share tips for making low- and zero-proof drinks that are balanced and complex.

Podcast Description: The Amazon warehouse where six employees died in a tornado a year ago Saturday is nearly rebuilt. The plans don’t include installing a tornado shelter. Instead, Amazon says they're taking other steps to keep employees safe such as training them on how to respond to extreme weather, and it hired a meteorologist. STLPR’s Metro East reporter Will Bauer discusses this story.

Kohn’s Kosher Meat and Deli is an institution in St. Louis’ food scene. Yet, earlier this year news of the store going up for sale triggered many to worry that the beloved deli could be in danger of closing for good. As it turns out, Kohn’s isn’t going anywhere — and it’s keeping its original name. St. Louis chef A.J. Moll discusses his love for Kohn’s, how he became its new operator and part-owner, and his hopes for the deli’s future.

Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East plays a critical role internationally, housing U.S. Transportation Command, which is one of 11 unified combatant commands. TRANSCOM is responsible for the logistical movement of troops and supplies for the country’s military. The command’s role has been on display recently, coordinating and delivering supplies for the war in Ukraine. STLPR reporter Eric Schmid talks with Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost about the TRANSCOM’s work and future challenges.

Starting a small business and finding financial support and mentorship to get dreams up and running is … difficult. The University of Missouri-St. Louis’ DEI Accelerator aims to make “making it” less difficult. Their third cohort of startup founders are each receiving $50,000 grants, including Cami Thomas of My Friends and I and Kay Wells of Posie Pots. They share their stories along with UMSL Acclerate’s Director of Operations, Michael Butler.

St. Louis Mayor TIshaura Jones says there is a lot to like about the four finalists to be the city’s next police chief. In a wide-ranging interview, Jones discussed this week's candidate forum, and also shared her support for the movement for universal basic income. Jones also talked about how the city moves on after the indictment of three aldermen.

Nearly 35 years have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, on January 13, 1988, that Hazelwood East High School had the right to censor its student newspaper. The landmark decision set a precedent that’s allowed administrators at other high schools and colleges to restrict students’ free speech — and, decades later, the decision still rankles Cathy Kuhlmeier. In 1983, she was an editor at the Hazelwood East newspaper. She would become the named plaintiff in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. Cathy Kuhlmeier reflects on the legacy of the court case, and why she’s still fighting it.

On November 17, workers in three St. Louis-area Starbucks stores left their stores to join the picket line. It wasn’t the only St. Louis-area protest staged with notable timing. Less than a week after the “Red cup rebellion” at Starbucks, dozens of Amazon warehouse workers joined a protest against their employer, calling for an end to grueling conditions and higher pay. Amazon warehouse worker Jennifer Crane, fired Starbucks supervisor Bradley Rohlf, and Starbucks barista Spencer Blackmon discuss this moment in organizing for St. Louis workers.

Dwayne Tiggs and Rikki Watts are building their home together literally and figuratively with the help from their community. The couple and their two children are in the process of constructing “the smallest house on the biggest greenspace” in the Benton Park West neighborhood using mostly reclaimed materials. Their home will be 420 square cubic feet (the original plan was just 300 square cubic feet) and will also house their two cats, Nutmeg and Joan. The rest of the 7,000 square feet of land is transforming into a permaculture space where native plants and produce will grow and the community around them to share. Tiggs and Watts want to share the fruits of their labor and teach others how they can, too, can build a home with their own two hands.

Ibram X. Kendi and Cbabi Bayoc joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss their recent collaboration on Kendi’s book, “Goodnight Racism.” Kendi and Bayoc discuss the importance of talking about racism with children, and how the prose and illustrations in “Goodnight Racism” make these concepts easier for kids to understand.

Jeremy Kohler, St. Louis-based reporter for Pro-Publica, discusses his new investigation into St. Louis’ unusual use of “neighborhood orders of protection.” Over the last two decades, the city’s government, police and municipal court have used the the practice to effectively banish people — often those with mental health issues or who may be homeless — from entire neighborhoods or large swaths of the city. According to experts in law enforcement, it’s an extreme use of the law, Kohler found.

When Darren Young and Charlene Lopez Young moved to St. Louis, they saw an opportunity to add Filipino cuisine to the city’s barbecue scene. In this episode, the married duo discuss what’s special about Filipino barbecue, how they launched their business and where they hope to go in the future.

Produced in St. Louis, the new animated kids show “Drawn In” combines comic books, representation and literacy. Alex Stallings, senior director of early learning at Nine PBS, discusses the origin of the new show, and why engaging the imaginations of young viewers is key. We’re also joined by Ricco Martin, Jr., Riley Adams, and Leia Yogi. The cadre of talented local voice actors are giving life to the show’s characters.

On Dec. 1, the City of St. Louis launched winter operations to help support people without housing during the coldest months of the year. Community volunteers and organizers who work to support those who are homeless, however, have serious concerns St. Louis is not ready for this winter. They discuss their most immediate concerns and possible solutions.

Artist Kelly Kristin Jones joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss her exhibition at The Luminary called ‘nwl’ or ‘nice white ladies’. We talk about how the exhibition addresses white women’s role in upholding white supremacy, and the importance of community conversation in rejecting it.

Artinces Smith founded Fabulously Vegan to help those considering a vegan lifestyle. Her own journey to veganism included mentors and peers who looked like her. Smith’s veganism honors and respects cultural influences, and includes advocacy for distinct and important conversations that need to happen in Black communities.

It’s December: What better time to cozy up and open a great new book? Or, perhaps you’re looking for the perfect book to give as a gift this holiday season. Librarians Tammy Jones of St. Louis County Library and Megan Temple of St. Louis Public Library share their favorite books released in 2022.

A Missouri inmate who fought his death sentence up until the final hour of his life was executed on Tuesday by the state of Missouri. Kevin Johnson, 37, died by lethal injection. He had been sentenced to death in 2005 for murdering Kirkwood Police Sergeant William McEntee as a teenager. A special prosecutor claimed that racial bias infected Johnson’s conviction and judgment. We talk with Riverfront Times staff writer Monica Obradovic about this story.

Elaine Cha begins as host of "St. Louis on the Air" on Thursday. We’re excited! She has a wealth of community engagement and journalism experience. Most recently she came from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri where she was the senior manager of external communications and before that, for nearly five years, the nonprofit’s founding storyteller and journalist. Her media experience includes work for Nine PBS in St. Louis and KPCC in Southern California. Listen to hear about how she’s approaching the role as host of STLPR’s flagship show.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis is on a mission to introduce opera to younger audiences. This year they connected with third grade students from Jefferson Elementary in the Normandy Schools Collaborative to write an original libretto that they’ll perform Tuesday night. Opera Theatre of St. Louis teaching artist Valerie Smith and Normandy Schools Collaborative’s fine arts director Suzanne Palmer discuss their collaboration along with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

On November 9, Bobby Bostic walked out of the Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City. Outside the gates, he embraced retired judge Evelyn Baker, who in 1997 sentenced Bostic to an astonishing prison term: 241 years. Without a chance for parole, the sentence effectively doomed Bostic to death behind bars. But that’s not what happened. After his release on November 9, Bostic discusses the path of his unlikely freedom, which included a reunion, and forgiveness, for the judge who sentenced him to more than two centuries’ imprisonment.

Seventeen years after killing a Kirkwood Police officer, Kevin Johnson has been given a date with the executioner. He’s scheduled to die by lethal injection Nov. 29. Now he’s making what’s likely his final plea to avoid execution. The special prosecutor on his case now wants the Missouri Supreme Court to put a halt to his death sentence. Analyzing the case is our Legal Roundtable of expert attorneys: Mark Smith, a former associate vice chancellor and Dean at Washington University; Erin Lueker, previously a public defender for St. Louis County and a prosecuting attorney for the state of Missouri; and Erin Banks, former St. Louis City Counselor.

Andy Taylor, son of Enterprise Holdings founder Jack Taylor, talks about ‘Jack Taylor: The Enterprise’ documentary and his father’s life and legacy.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Marva Robinson discusses how to navigate complex family dynamics and hot button topics that may come up during gatherings this holiday season.

Elon Musk’s recent acquisition of Twitter has users of the social media platform bracing for the app’s downfall. In St. Louis, activists and journalists that have been heavy users of Twitter since the police shooting death of Michael Brown, Jr. are concerned about the future of the app and the potential loss of how everyday people could lose power in social movements. Action St. Louis co-founder and executive director Kayla Reed and New York Times bestselling author Sarah Kendzior discuss how Twitter has shaped the narrative about St. Louis, the Ferguson uprising, and the ways social media impacts policy.

Megan Green was sworn in as St. Louis Board of Aldermen President on Friday. She joins us today to discuss her priorities and agenda for the next five months she will serve in the position.

Roughly a year after a landmark settlement over the St. Louis Rams’ departure to Los Angeles, the parties involved in the lawsuit still haven’t agreed how to split up more than $500 million. STLPR Political Correspondent Jason Rosenbaum discusses what's next including an idea to place the funds into something resembling an endowment — an idea that’s gotten a mixed reaction from policymakers.

A new report from the Freedom Community Center compiles data from a year of bail hearings, which it describes as “the front door to the criminal punishment system.” In April, Freedom Community Center released its first six-month report, finding that judges in the 22nd Circuit Court opted to deny release for 57% of. The full report, released today, evaluated more than 1,000 bail hearings over the course of a full year: It found judges reject bond in 62% of cases. Freedom Community Center Operations Manager Patrick Sullivan discusses the new report, and shares his insight on the impact “no bail” rulings have on the people forced to wait for trial behind bars.

A Missouri woman who was denied an abortion prompted an unprecedented federal investigation into whether a hospital violated the law by failing to provide her medical care. Farmer’s story was first told by reporter Susan Szuch of Springfield News-Leader, who discusses the case alongside attorney Michelle Banker, the director of reproductive rights and health litigation at the National Women’s Law Center, and who represents Farmer.

In the early 1970s, Chol Soo Lee, a Korean American immigrant, was falsely convicted for a San Francisco Chinatown murder and later sentenced to death. Activists led by a Korean American journalist and college students initiated a pan-Asian American movement to exonerate Lee. This largely unknown piece of history is the focus of the 2022 documentary film “Free Chol Soo Lee.” Liz Lenivy, attorney and Gateway Korea Foundation board member, joins the show to talk about the one-night screening in St. Louis.

Wednesday marked a milestone for St. Louis’ soccer fans, as thousands packed CityPark, the newest stadium in St. Louis and home to the latest MLS expansion team, which begins play in February. STLPR's Jeremy D. Goodwin and Wayne Pratt discuss CityPark's debut that featured an international exhibition.

In 1973, just a few years after coming out as gay, Patrick Haggerty and his band Lavender Country recorded their self-titled album. It would take more than 40 years for music lovers, and a record label, to rediscover “Lavender Country,” and for it to be recognized as the first openly gay country album. But it was a second country musician, St. Louis songwriter Jack Grelle, who helped propel him back into the spotlight he deserved. Grelle joins the show to remember Patrick Haggerty, who passed away in October after a stroke.

STLPR correspondent Jason Rosenbaum discusses Senator-elect Eric Schmitt's official foray into the world of federal policymaking.

Researchers are still learning and discovering what happens after someone has COVID-19 and what recovery looks like. Lasting effects of the viral infection are dubbed ‘long COVID’ by those experiencing mysterious conditions that linger well after harsh coughs subdue and fevers lower. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, clinical epidemiologist at the VA St. Louis Health Care System and Washington University’s School of Medicine, discusses his latest long COVID research.

St. Louis filmmaker David Kirkman, co-founder of the Black Speculative Arts Movement Reynaldo Anderson, and multi-disciplinary creative Dacia Polk discuss the rising interest in Afrofuturism and why St. Louis is uniquely positioned to be a hub of Afrofuturist creativity.

Smidley’s new album, "Here Comes The Devil" is Foxing vocalist Conor Murphy’s first solo album since his 2017 self-titled debut. It was released on Friday. He discusses the album, its influences and what Smidley allows him to explore outside of his work with Foxing.

ProPublica Local Reporting Network and the Kansas City Beacon released a new investigation into Missouri employment centers for disabled adults. Employees of these centers, or ‘sheltered workshops,’ are paid $4 an hour on average. The author of the report Madison Hopkins discusses why Missouri workshops have such low success rates and why state officials refuse to change the program.

Seven years ago, the Department of Justice called out St. Louis County police for detaining people without a warrant. Now, a federal appeals court says that system is “fraught” with constitutional risk. So, why do local police keep doing it? Maureen Hanlon, the Lead Attorney for Civil Rights Litigation at ArchCity Defenders, discusses the case, and the various ways the federal appeals court attacked the “wanteds” system — even while upholding its legality.

In the summer of 2020, several St. Louis women took to social media to share serious allegations about safety at restaurants, bars and a tattoo parlor in the city’s Grove neighborhood. Sam Hunerlach later founded St. Louis Against Sexual Assault to help train local bars and restaurants on how to prevent sexual harrassment and assault and make their establishments safe for patrons and staff.

There are almost 25,000 vacant houses, commercial buildings and land plots in St. Louis, and about 60% are privately owned. Some nuisance properties can be a blight on communities.. STLPR reporter Chad Davis talks about how neighborhood associations have been trying to acquire them or compel owners to fix them.

In the past four decades, smaller-brained birds have been shrinking, but a Wash U study finds that’s less true of their bigger-brained counterparts. We revisit Sarah Fenske's February 2022 conversation with study co-author Justin Baldwin about what’s driving the changes, as well as his passion for birds both as a researcher and bird watcher.