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 homelessnes...
Feb 23, 2024•31 min
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.
Feb 22, 2024•15 min
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.
Feb 22, 2024•15 min
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 individual...
Feb 22, 2024•34 min
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 introdu...
Feb 20, 2024•20 min
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.
Feb 20, 2024•32 min
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.
Feb 16, 2024•29 min
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 ...
Feb 16, 2024•22 min
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 ...
Feb 15, 2024•50 min
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.
Feb 14, 2024•25 min
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.
Feb 14, 2024•25 min
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.
Feb 13, 2024•21 min
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.
Feb 13, 2024•30 min
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.
Feb 12, 2024•23 min
"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.
Feb 12, 2024•27 min
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.
Feb 09, 2024•23 min
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.
Feb 09, 2024•35 min
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.
Feb 09, 2024•20 min
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 v...
Feb 08, 2024•21 min
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.
Feb 07, 2024•28 min
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 tech...
Feb 07, 2024•22 min
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 contribut...
Feb 06, 2024•19 min
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 g...
Feb 06, 2024•29 min
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 litt...
Feb 05, 2024•13 min
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.
Feb 05, 2024•14 min
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.
Feb 05, 2024•25 min
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.
Feb 03, 2024•10 min
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.
Feb 02, 2024•24 min
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.
Feb 02, 2024•17 min
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.
Feb 01, 2024•25 min
