St. Louis on the Air

Metro Transit’s restrictions on photography spur a broad conversation about what rights photographers have involving public places, government buildings and private citizens. Washington University’s Lisa Hoppenjans shares insight on the evolving First Amendment case law.

An hour-long episode of “In Their Words” had its Nine PBS premiere last July. It airs again tonight at 8. The episode features everyone from Berry’s widow and children to musician Keith Richards and St. Louis developer Joe Edwards. We listen back to our conversation from last summer about the episode.

A panel of attorneys discusses Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s lawsuits against 45 local districts, as well as a huge controversy over a sexual assault case in Quincy and a recent 8th circuit ruling on St. Louis police officers’ “kettling” arrests.

People with disabilities have been left in the lurch as the Medicaid-funded direct care provider system sees its worst staff shortage in decades. Providers and parents discuss the fallout — and whether the state is doing enough in response.

The singer began arranging covers of Stephen Sondheim songs three years ago — just for personal enjoyment. Now her indie-folk tribute to the late Broadway legend is headed to St. Louis.

When St. Louis gastroenterologist Dr. Leonard Weinstock realized how much long-haul COVID-19 had in common with a little-known syndrome, he snapped to attention. He and a patient discuss how his research has led to a potential breakthrough in treating her long COVID.

Leah Rothman and Kay Lincoln discuss the case for Rodney Lincoln’s innocence and the new podcast that details his wrongful conviction for the murder of JoAnn Tate.

Jazz drummer Montez Coleman, a native of East St. Louis who returned to the Gateway City after years in New York City, recently died at age 48. Fellow musicians remember him as a joy-filled performer — and friend.

A new study suggests that even more than sleep quantity, sleep consistency is critical for young adults’ happiness and cognitive functioning. Washington University psychologist Tim Bono discusses what we can all take from its findings — and how to fine-tune our sleep patterns.

Lipedema is a big problem for many women — yet the condition is frequently misdiagnosed. Dr. Thomas Wright discusses what happens when it goes untreated, and how a new study at Washington University School of Medicine seeks to advance understanding of its biology.

Dr. Hannah Ha recently uncovered a surprising secret about her mother: Before fleeing Vietnam, Phương Tâm had been a rock star in her native Saigon. Ha and music producer Mark Gergis discuss South Vietnam’s thriving 1960s music scene — and how they compiled Tâm’s decades-old recordings in a new album.

Marc Connor of Rootberry and Rita Childers of Core + Rind both started exploring vegan food after they found it left them more energized and healthier. Now, they’re on a mission to bring plant-based foods to even the most stubborn carnivores — and they’re doing it from St. Louis.

Three elephants at the St. Louis Zoo recently celebrated their 50th birthday. It’s a remarkable milestone, and zoological manager Katie Pilgram-Kloppe explains how the zoo provides specialized care for its “golden girls.”

Speedskater Ian Quinn heads to the Winter Games in Beijing on Thursday. He discusses his humble beginnings as an 8-year-old kid in St. Louis and the changes he made to win a spot on the Olympic team after two previous attempts.

North St. Louis County residents lack options for high quality, affordable produce. A Red Circle is raising money for something its executive director believes will help meet the need: a community-owned and operated grocery store.

The former director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources discusses the unprecedented buyout effort in lead-contaminated Herculaneum, Missouri, in 2003 — and what we can learn from that effort today.

Former Winfield, Missouri, police chief Betty Frizzell discusses how a toxic stew of mental illness, opioid abuse and domestic violence set her family on a tragic path — and her efforts to fight for her sister, who is now serving a life sentence for murder.

St. Louis has gone without a curbside recycling program for eight months now. 28th Ward Alderwoman Heather Navarro discusses what it will take for the city to again separate recyclables from trash.

A federal judge in St. Louis has spent years dealing with the case of the Missouri Primate Foundation, a Festus-based breeding compound where chimps were allegedly held in squalid conditions. Now the legal battle has a new focus: Did celebrity chimp Tonka die, or was he spirited away in violation of court orders?

Occupational therapy students help St. Louis’ homeless residents learn life skills, from setting goals to shopping. Washington University Assistant Professor Quinn Tyminski discusses the program’s benefits to both students and those they serve.

Listen to our special coverage of Gov. Mike Parson’s annual State of the State Address and the Democratic response from state Sen. Lauren Arthur. STLPR host Sarah Fenske guides our coverage along with statehouse reporter Sarah Kellogg and political correspondent Jo Mannies.

Bernie Lee of Akar and Kurt Bellon of Izumi discuss the communal St. Louis food scene, how it’s changed in the past few years — and how it feels to be recognized as an international hot spot for food.

Wolves are often villainized in media and folklore. The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri is on a mission to break that stereotype. Among other programs, the center invites people on wolf howls to learn more about these shy animals.

Dr. Lauren Mitchell and Dr. Jennifer Allen explain why they’ve joined estimated 30-plus Missouri physicians by establishing clinics outside the insurance-based system. Direct primary care clinics charge monthly fees, but doctors say they are overall more affordable and more flexible for patients.

Five new restaurants ranging from late-night hot spots to coffee shops get Sauce Magazine's nod this January.

Community advocates had publicly opposed First Mid Bank & Trust’s plans to purchase St. Louis-based Jefferson Bank. Now they’ve dropped their opposition after reaching a community benefits agreement with First Mid that includes the opening of two new bank branches to serve low-to-moderate-income and minority communities.

Missouri’s current Sunshine Law says citizens cannot be charged for any records review done by government attorneys, but a bill being prioritized by Gov. Mike Parson could change that. Advocates explain how it would affect access to records in Missouri.

Justin King, 28, was killed by a neighbor in Bourbon, Missouri. The county prosecutor says the shooting was self-defense under Missouri law, but civil rights activists say that’s not the full story.

St. Louis Public Radio statehouse reporter Sarah Kellogg discusses what the Missouri legislature has been working on in its first two weeks this year, and what’s to come this session.

Ike and Tina Turner were transplants who met in St. Louis and became a powerhouse duo. NYU professor Maureen Mahon discusses how the clubs of 1950s East St. Louis brought them together and inspired their sound.

Investigative journalist Alison Flowers discusses her forensic analysis of lighting conditions during a 2019 police shooting, which she believes demonstrates that a St. Louis police officer could not have been telling the truth about acting in self-defense.

Known as the “Voice of Selma,” Bettie Mae Fikes describes what got her involved in the civil rights movement, the violence she witnessed and her thoughts on voting rights legislation now pending in Congress.

Jennings School Superintendent Paula Knight finds herself in a constant struggle to maintain what’s best for her students and staff. Despite the odds, her district has managed to stay in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The St. Louis University professor discusses her provocative new book of essays “On Compromise: Art, Politics, and the Fate of an American Ideal,” how she handles strange bedfellows and how her free-wheeling childhood left her wanting more.

Midtown St. Louis is seeing big developments. But the Grand MetroLink Station functions as a car-centric “doughnut hole” in its center. Kim Cella of Citizens for Modern Transit and traffic engineer Chris Beard discuss the problems — and a new report urging improvements.

Afghan refugee Zamzama “ZZ” Safi loves her life in St. Peters, Missouri, but remains terrified for her family that remains in Afghanistan. The former linguist for U.S. forces gives an update on her life in Missouri, five months after fleeing the Taliban.

For those concerned about Superfund sites in Missouri and Illinois, the EPA’s newly announced cleanup plans for 49 sites across the U.S come as great news. But community members say it’s also a reminder of just how much work still needs to be done.

Washington University recently received millions of dollars in grant money that researchers hope will turn the tide on Alzheimer’s research. Dr. John Morris and professor Joyce Balls-Berry explain the work they’re doing.

For residents of Arrow Senior Living communities, writing a mystery novel together proved to be the perfect pandemic project. A resident co-author and the organization’s editor and archivist discuss the creation of “The Old and the Beautiful.”

Missouri state representative Mary Elizabeth Coleman discusses her controversial new abortion bill, modeled after the one introduced in Texas last year, and why she believes banning abortion empowers women.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis digs into the region’s recent huge wave of COVID-19 cases and her approach to combating the pandemic. She also opens up about what keeps her going in a job and a field that has been incredibly challenging of late.

Clayton attorney Al Watkins discusses his representation of Jacob Chansley, the Arizona man who became the face of the Jan. 6 insurrection — and how going viral helps his legal advocacy.

Political anger leads to polarization, and that has Washington University professor Betsy Sinclair worried. She explains what's driving the anger, and how it puts the nation's future at risk.

Qui Tran and Jason Sparks, two local restaurant owners, are mentally and physically exhausted from working to stay afloat during the pandemic.

Service along the passenger rail line that runs between St. Louis and Kansas City was reduced by 50% earlier this week due to a lack of funding from the state of Missouri. Amtrak’s Marc Magliari explains what’s going on.

Local providers and organizers are scrambling to keep a pop-up emergency shelter open during freezing temperatures, while they wait on the city to fund one.

After Carlos Restrepo became a U.S. citizen in 2015, he kickstarted his father’s journey to the U.S. Carlos and his father, Luis, discuss their journey to St. Louis and the local support they found along the way.

"The Opposite of Chance" was published 39 years after author Margaret Hermes wrote its first chapters. She explains what took so long, how she overcame the story's complications, and how intense research allowed her to bring characters far different from herself to life.

The need for blood is on the rise, but the Red Cross is seeing fewer first-time donors — and is down to about one day’s worth of reserves. Joe Zydlo digs into what’s causing the shortfall, and how it plays into the organization’s recent response to tornadoes in Missouri and Arkansas.

By utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Wash U researchers hope to develop a better understanding of how rivers may react to future flooding events. Geomorphologist Claire Masteller joins us to discuss her work studying bedrock river erosion.