St. Louis on the Air

The Catholic community in the St. Louis region is at a crossroads. A sweeping plan from the Archdiocese, known as the All Things New initiative, is considering how to close schools and consolidate parishes. Among those preparing for the change is Fr. Andrew Auer, an associate pastor at St. Clare of Assisi in Ellisville. Fr. Auer discusses the reaction to All Things New, why St. Louis’ Catholic community may be “over-planted,” and the impending announcement May 28, on Pentecost, of the final model for parish consolidation.

St. Louis animal rights activist Sasha Zemmel made headlines when a recent disruptive protest at a Moolah Shriners meeting ended in her arrest — and her alleging that members of the group physically assaulted her as she tried to exit. Two weeks later, the Moolah Shriners announced they would retire their elephants from their circus. Zemmel discusses the confrontation with the Moolah Shriners and how she considers their decision to retire the elephants a victory for animal rights groups.

Black Americans are more likely to start menopause early and gain less treatment to manage symptoms — that’s according to a recent review of menopause literature. Dr. Makeba Williams, an associate professor and vice chair of professional development and wellness in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University, encourages more doctors to recognize that the menopause experience is not universal and more care should be taken when treating patients of color, especially Black Americans.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, has some 13 million items in its collection. Now, 100 of them are featured in an online gallery of 3D images that can be enlarged, turned upside down or spun around. Museum director Christina Shutt explains the 3D imaging project and talks about the history of some of the artifacts.

The Missouri History Museum's "St. Louis Sound" exhibit was designed like an album, with both the greatest hits of St. Louis music and some deep cuts from more obscure favorites. The museum's Andrew Wanko discusses the region's impact on popular music. The last day to view the exhibit is Sunday, January 22.

Would you talk to a fifth grader about cannabis? Nichole Dawsey is the executive director of Prevent Ed, and she says that, if done appropriately, around age 10 is a great time to start having conversations with children about cannabis use. Now that Missouri has legalized recreational marijuana and advertisements are going up for where to buy cannabis goods, parents and educators are preparing to have tough conversations with young people about cannabis — but is the conversation tough, or are adults just afraid of being awkward? (Spoiler alert: It’s the latter.)

St. Louis chefs like MJ Stewart and Brandon Panosh have embraced the “pop-up” concept, creating smaller-scale offerings focused around a particular dish, cuisine or atmosphere. Stewart discusses her unique take on a dessert-only menu with “DNFT,” while Panosh dishes about his custom dinner series “Table with Dinner at the Loft.” We also check in about the growth of the pop-up trend with Meera Nagarajan, executive editor of Sauce Magazine.

Aurora Bihler is a union ironworker in St. Louis. She’s working to bring more women and minorities into the skilled labor force as director of the “Building Union Diversity” program, which has graduated some 300 students since its founding in 2014. Bihler discusses her path to the skilled trades, and AFL-CIO Missouri president Jake Hummel provides insight into the ongoing labor shortage.

Statehouse reporter Sarah Kellogg discusses the first week of the 2023 Missouri legislative session and what lawmakers are hoping to focus on in the months ahead.

Just before the start of the new year, the Supreme Court of Illinois halted the implementation of a law that would eliminate the practice of cash bail statewide — hours before the bill was set to take effect. Sarah Staudt of the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and Alexa Van Brunt of the MacArthur Justice Center discuss the future of the law and how the justice-impacted and their families will be affected in the meantime.

NPR correspondent Brian Mann was involved in a violent car crash while covering the war in Ukraine last year. The driver of his military vehicle lost control while trying to evade Russian surveillance. Mann broke his leg but expects to make a full recovery. He also wants to go back to cover the conflict and to talk more with the Ukrainian people. Last month, STLPR’s Rod Milam talked with Mann about his experiences covering the war. The conversation was part of STLPR’s participation in the American Homefront Project. This episode includes much of that conversation.

As the Metro Trans Umbrella Group approaches their tenth anniversary, they embark on a multi-year plan to develop and implement a community needs assessment for the greater St. Louis region. Interim executive director Michaela Joy Kraemer explains how a community needs assessment will improve their work, and talks about the other social issues the organization plans to address in the coming year.

Missouri gave Rev. Darryl Gray unprecedented access to death row inmate Kevin Johnson. Gray served as his spiritual advisor, even holding Johnson’s shoulder as the lethal injection was administered on November 29. Gray discusses his observations from this unusual connection, what he learned from Johnson’s faith, and what it means to find yourself within a system that you believe should be abolished.

Educators today face a myriad of challenges that have affected teacher recruitment and retention. Ferguson-Florissant School District language arts teacher Kem Smith has responded by sharing advice to fellow educators — from how to accurately and appropriately teach U.S. history to how the pandemic has affected the ways students learn and teachers teach with her column, ‘After the Bell.’

Steven Pursley discusses his experience reconnecting with his roots in Japan, what he learned about the different types of ramen during his time there, and what it’s been like to launch Menya Rui in St. Louis over the past year.

In 2022, we said goodbye to a number of remarkable people who lived and worked in the St. Louis region. In this episode, we honor those we lost this year by listening back to conversations with them or by hearing from those who knew them well.

“Neuro Blooms,” a community art exhibition on Cherokee St. in St. Louis brings visibility and awareness to neurodiversity. Artists Con Christeson and Bonita “Bo” Owen share how the project helps break stigma and invites people to talk more openly about mental health.

“In 1998, I nearly lost custody of my three young children. It wasn’t because I was a bad mother. It was because I’m gay.” So begins a recent essay by in the Huffington Post from former St. Louis Public Radio arts and culture reporter Nancy Fowler. Fowler discusses the wrenching decisions she made during the divorce, how Missouri law equated being gay with being an unfit parent, and why she’s speaking out publicly about her experiences now. Nancy’s daughter, Jamie Larson, also shares her perspective on her mother’s perseverance.

St. Louis singer/songwriter Mai Lee has been in the performing arts since she was in grade school. She and her family of restaurateurs joke that the debut album, ‘FRIENDZ’ is 20 years in the making. In this conversation Mai Lee shares how her friends, family, and St. Louis shaped her music and who she is as an artist.

On December 8, recreational cannabis became legal in Missouri. But the stakes are far higher than adults buying legal weed. The law enacted a provision for "automatic expungement" of nonviolent marijuana convictions from criminal records, but there are concerns about the process and its stated deadlines. To discuss what comes next for legal weed in Missouri, we hear from Legal Missouri campaign director John Payne, as well as public defender Matt Schmidt, who has been helping his clients clear their records. We also hear from Brian Pezza, an attorney at Lewis Rice law firm, about the impact on cannabis legalization in the workplace.

What’s next for Lamar Johnson’s attempt to overturn his 1995 murder conviction? And who really owns the Fabulous Fox Theater? What’s the latest on Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s deposition of Dr. Anthony Fauci? Those cases, and more, are tackled by our Legal Roundtable, with attorneys Booker T. Shaw, Sarah Swatosh and Dave Roland.

St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams has led the district through some major changes during his 14 years in the position. The district became fully accredited, returned to a locally-elected school board and passed two major bond measures, including a $160 million measure approved in August that funds school repairs and improvements. Adams reflects on his career, and where SLPS is headed, before his retirement at the end of the month.

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.