St. Louis on the Air

St. Louis attorney Mark Pedroli discusses his five-year battle over disappearing text apps by officials in the office of then-Governor Eric Greitens, how the probe ensnared the office of then-AG Josh Hawley and what he sees as troubling implications for transparency in Missouri.

St. Louis entrepreneur Akeem Shannon went on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2020 and scored an investment for his product, Flipstik. Pandemic-related supply chain issues dealt Shannon a blow, but he’s overcome those. In this episode, Akeem Shannon explains how and what led to scoring a nationwide deal with Target.

An investigation by ProPublica and APM Reports and St. Louis Public Radio revealed that officials were lowering St. Louis' murder count by classifying some killings as justifiable homicides instead. The report's co-author, investigative reporter Jeremy Kohler, shares the details.

A $100 million expansion of Powell Hall requires the demolition of the historic Culver House — unless preservationists can find an alternative. Recently, backers trying to save the building gained an unexpected ally: Longtime developer Steve Smith.

St. Louis artists have started selling NFTs, and it’s helped them make money and get their work out to a wider audience. Many people say the digital tokens are hopelessly speculative — but one expert says their success points out the underlying nature of the art market in general.

Prop R would shift ward redistricting in St. Louis into civilian hands and require new disclosures for aldermen. Jami Cox, the policy chair for Reform St. Louis, makes the case for Prop R, while former alderwoman Heather Navarro shares her concerns about the changes it would bring.

Attorneys Bevis Schock, Nicole Gorovsky and Connie McFarland-Butler discuss a copyright infringement claim against U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, St. Louis’ aggressive defense of cops accused of civil rights abuses, and more. Editor’s note: During the on-air discussion of AG Eric Schmitt’s case against the Lee’s Summit school district, we wrongly indicated that the judge had granted default judgment to the district; instead, the case is still pending. We regret the error.

John “JT” Thomas was an otherwise healthy 20-year-old when he was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2012. He discusses a life-changing kidney donation alongside his living donor, Niki Nickeson, a former high school acquaintance who felt compelled to give a kidney.

Three decades ago, the Shawnee National Forest was the focus of fierce battles over commercial logging on public lands. A new documentary by filmmaker Cade Bursell revisits that history and calls attention to new efforts to preserve the forest. Bursell discusses the film alongside longtime environmental activist John Wallace.

Attorney Mark Pedroli and journalist Steve Vockrodt discuss revelations and share highlights from the 50-plus hours of recordings that capture meetings of the working group exploring leasing St. Louis’ airport to a for-profit entity.

St. Louisan Gene Litvin traveled to Poland this month to help Ukrainians fleeing the war. Litvin, who himself left Ukraine in the 1990s as a Jewish refugee, shares what he saw, how he raised $20,000 to aid Ukraine and where he spent the money.

Missouri History Museum archivist Dennis Northcott discusses some of his favorite handwritten letters in the museum archives, including eyewitness accounts of a deadly incident in St. Louis during the Civil War and the terrible train accident that killed the father of future author Kate Chopin.

Born without arms, Letisha Wexstten achieved YouTube fame by showing people all the things she can do — drive a car, bake a cake and more. Now, she wants to help other disabled people demonstrate what they can do via her online career development platform V15Able, which links people with disabilities to employers.

MoDOT engineer Shirley Norris earned the admiration of people around the country after we interviewed her about her career as the state’s oldest full-time employee. Producer Kayla Drake checks in as she receives a surprise package from someone who was touched by her story.

Washington Park Cemetery, a century-old Black cemetery in north St. Louis County, is seeing new attention from volunteers after decades of neglect. Producer Emily Woodbury visits the site and talks to descendants of people buried there, while community advocate Aja Corrigan shares her hope for renewal.

St. Louis-based journalist Kathy Gilsinan discusses her new book about the people who tried their best to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic — and how not getting the marriage proposal she expected led her to her first book proposal.

Pups rode free on the Ferris wheel at St. Louis' Union Station on March 23, 2022. STLPR's Lara Hamdan checks in with local people and their pets on how that played out.

Local musician Mark Pagano is leading the way for St. Louis’ “kindie” music scene, making charming kids’ music their parents also listen to. He explains how his band FIRE DOG fell into kids’ music and the reason for his new moniker.

A switch to permanent daylight saving time might seem appealing for those who enjoy lighter evenings. Wash U’s Erik Herzog discusses research that shows it could have dangerous effects on health and safety and our natural biological rhythms.

Jerry Tovo is a successful commercial photographer, but instead of glossy advertisements or models, his new exhibition at the International Photography Hall of Fame turns the focus on homeless veterans. A former drill sergeant, Tovo discusses his past in the military, the challenges of finding his subjects, and his hopes for change.

A spill from Marathon Petroleum unleashed around 165,000 gallons of crude oil in and around Edwardsville. For nearby residents like Toni Oplt, the environmental disaster raises questions — and concerns about the next spill. The Sierra Club also shares its concerns.

Camp Indigo Point is a week-long summer camp for LGBTQ youth. While some camps exist like this on the coasts, this one — located in southern Illinois — is the one of the first in the Midwest. It’s now drawn kids from 19 different states, and will take place for the first time this June. The response from parents and kids has been greater than the founders ever anticipated.

Lance Geiger is “The History Guy” on YouTube. The former corporate trainer was laid off in 2015, and in 2017, he launched the channel. He recently surpassed 1 million subscribers and his videos have more than 2.7 million total views. In this episode, Geiger shares his unusual path to becoming a YouTube star.

Adults who struggle with alcoholism miss an average of 32 workdays a year — double the number of workers who don’t suffer from alcohol use disorder. Two Wash U psychiatrists discuss their new study — and how workplaces hold the solution.

Major St. Louis hospitals rely on one volunteer to place discharged patients who need shelter — instead of United Way’s 211. The hospital has called Nicole Warrington 400 times in the past year. She explains how the unpaid role has affected her life and what local officials need to do to fix the problem.

The EPA admits that nuclear waste at the West Lake Landfill Superfund site is more extensive than previously stated. Dawn Chapman, a Maryland Heights resident who lives two miles from the site, discusses her frustration with the agency — and her fears over what the tests will reveal.

Buildings across St. Louis of 50,000 square feet or more must comply with new energy guidelines — or face fines of up to $500 a day beginning in 2025. The manager of the city's new Office of Building Performance explains the new rules, while Cara Spencer, director of the new Building Energy Exchange St. Louis, explains how her organization will help building owners comply.

A Missouri mom was trapped in a 15-year sentence for selling a few ounces of weed – until a commutation from the governor set her free last month. But clemencies can only chip away at the ongoing effects of Missouri’s draconian drug laws. One lawmaker hopes her new bill can do more.

The Irish immigrants who flocked to St. Louis in the 19th and 20th centuries faced prejudice and violence — but in many cases also found good fortune.

Easton Romer of De Palm Tree, businessman Max Tsai and barber shop owner Carl Walker share their experiences being displaced by the Costco now under construction in University City. They say they received little, if any, information from city officials.

Former First Lady of Missouri Sheena Chestnut Greitens, a foreign policy expert, discusses China's response to the war in Ukraine, China’s strategic partnership with Russia and the lessons China and Taiwan are taking from the conflict.

Fenton native Michael Yochim refused to let an ALS diagnosis stop him from writing a book-length tribute to the national parks. “Requiem for America’s Best Idea” is out now. Yochim’s dear friend, William R. Lowry, discusses the book and his friend’s life.

BandTogether has been a space for LGBTQ musicians and their allies for 25 years. Their artistic director Gary Reynolds and longtime member Jerry Farris discuss the history of the band, how they’ve cultivated a close-knit community, and how society’s views on LGBTQ folks have changed since BandTogether first started out.

For more than eight years, Gary Boyd has donned the crown and scepter of “Mister Gary,” host of the interview show “Them Yo People.” Boyd tells us about his favorite interview subject, the meaning behind “Them Yo People,” and what it takes to be St. Louis’ “King of Hospitality.”

314 Day was celebrated by St. Louis’ Black community in the aughts, but has since become a city-wide celebration. Author Keisha Mabry Haymore explains how she found her way in St. Louis, while others share their favorite things, from the city’s accent to its cuisine.

We explore the origins of 314 Day and what's planned for this year's "homecoming weekend," with perspective from founder Young Dip and STLPR engagement editor Lara Hamdan.

Acclaimed poet Carl Phillips discusses the ideas in his new poetry collection, his interactions with the St. Louis police and why he plans to leave the city.

Missouri lawmakers are considering the biggest expansion of gambling in the state since voters approved riverboat — and ultimately riverside — casinos three decades ago. Rudi Keller shares the details.

Irish folk singer Seth Staton Watkins discusses finding success on TikTok, why everyone can relate to Irish culture, and the special guest who will join him on stage at his first ever in-real-life-concert on St. Patrick’s Day.

One of Cortex’s first tenants in the early aughts, Stereotaxis has now moved to a new headquarters in downtown St. Louis. CEO David Fischel explains why he bet big on the surgical device maker and why the former home of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat makes sense for its future growth.

Washington University is conducting a study to look at the psychiatric toll of divorce in children. We talk to the researcher leading the effort. By studying participants’ brains — and hair follicles — they can see how divorce might affect childrens’ stress levels.

In September 2020, a St. Louis couple took a trip to Lake Centralia in Illinois for a weekend getaway. When they arrived, their dog Zeus jumped in the lake and lapped up the crystal-clear water. The dog died after exhibiting textbook symptoms of toxic algae poisoning. Harvest Public Media reporter Dana Cronin explains why toxic algae is a growing concern, and why Missouri and Illinois don’t regularly test their lakes.

Angela Staehling, an artist based in Wildwood, scored a deal for a book titled “How to Pet a Cat.” It’s available now at retailers across the U.S. She shares the idea behind it and a few petting techniques, including how not to pet.

Community resistance has stalled the $900,000 project to establish St. Louis’ first city-funded intentional encampment. The project’s sponsor, St. Patrick Center, talks about what’s next.

Since the 2014 Maidan Revolution, Ukrainians have become experts at combating Russian disinformation. UMSL Professor Lara Zwarun shares what Ukrainians today are getting right — and how they’re winning hearts and minds around the world.

“Kidz Klub” splices together low-budget children's movies into something new and darkly funny. Hear from the co-founder of the artist collective Everything Is Terrible! about what he calls an “assault on all your senses.” The one-night only event is at Off Broadway this Friday.

Maria Ellis has her choir students rehearsing some 90s classics, like “No Diggity,” for their upcoming Black History Month performance. And, she hopes to take them to Carnegie Hall to perform next year.

At exactly 2 p.m. around the world on March 13, theater lovers will take part in a production of “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit.” St. Lou Fringe Festival President Matthew Kerns explains why — and what makes the play so unique.

At 92, Shirley Norris manages projects worth millions of dollars at the Missouri Department of Transportation. Norris shares her secrets of longevity and tells tales from her nearly half-century of work for the agency.

After nearly 15 years at KSDK, Casey Nolen is leaving St. Louis for WUSA. He discusses his work as a “backpack journalist,” his journey from Missouri’s Bootheel to Mizzou and how he fell in love with coworker Abby Llorico.