St. Louis on the Air

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Train fans cheered Big Boy across Missouri, celebrating the last and biggest of its kind Jul 21, 2026

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The legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 came through St. Louis this week, drawing big crowds along the route to see the world’s largest operating steam train. Aiden Drohr, a tour guide and train operator at the National Museum of Transportation, talks about the history of this massive train, why it’s gained such popularity and spending a day “chasing” the Big Boy across the region.

St. Louis Lambert Airport's Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge prepares for takeoff after 16 years Jul 21, 2026

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In conversation with STLPR's Abby Llorico, the outgoing director reflects on privatization efforts, hub dismantling and how the region began rethinking its airport.

Pop quiz! Can you name St. Louis’ pop culture royalty? Jul 20, 2026

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The King of Ragtime, the Queen of Rock and Roll and the King of Cool all cut their teeth at clubs in St. Louis and East St. Louis. The Mother of Black Hollywood graduated from Webster University and the Father of Rock and Roll grew up in north St. Louis. Can you name them all? Lyah LeFlore-Ituen, director of the African American History Initiative at the Missouri Historical Society joins the show for a quiz and conversation about the members of pop culture “royalty” with strong ties to the St. Louis region

In Missouri's flash floods, two rescuers lost their boat. It didn't stop them Jul 17, 2026

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When a submerged power line became tangled in the motor of their rescue boat on the Black River last Friday, two Missouri state troopers found themselves on a stalled, and sinking, vessel. It was one harrowing experience among many that played out on July 10 in parts of southeast Missouri, where flash flooding stranded hundreds of people and killed a woman. We learn about the rescue effort that brought 361 people to safety and hear from a 13-year-old who was airlifted out of Camp Taum Sauk by the National Guard.

How the arrival of stereo changed the way we experience sound Jul 17, 2026

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The advent of stereo dramatically changed our experience of sound. St. Louis audiophile David MacRunnel provides a primer on that audio development: how it works, why it took off in the U.S. in particular, and what makes stereo different from — not necessarily better than — monophonic sound. MacRunnel and his partner Katie Cahill will talk in-depth about stereophonic tech, show early-era equipment, and play full albums by Miles Davis, the Beatles, and the Reiner/Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the St. Louis Science Center’s 21+ event “Up Late: Experience Sound” on July 25. *This episode is best listened to with headphones or earbuds, or in a car with dual speakers.

Wyclef Jean will reply to your post-MATI DM Jul 17, 2026

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Wyclef Jean’s three decades of contributions to the music industry are powerful and global. He first broke through as a founding member of the hip-hop group the Fugees. This weekend, Jean brings that background, and a message of resilience, to his fans in St. Louis as the closing-night headliner of the MATI festival, formerly Music at the Intersection, at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. STLPR audio engineer Aaron Doerr talked with Jean about his message to his fans, what it means to believe in yourself and all the things worth fighting for.

The Opera Bell Band’s ‘A Salute to Corn’ showcases their commitment to fun with a side of science Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

In 2013, Shane Devine felt a creative itch that needed to be scratched. Initially, he just wanted to record some songs that bopped around in his head, but his first album was well received and performance opportunities came knocking. With that success, Devine formed the Opera Bell Band, a music and comedy group that embraces silly humor, catchy lyrics and, most recently, plant science. Their latest album “A Salute to Corn” was commissioned by Missouri Botanical Garden. Devine and his bandmate and wife, Kristina DeYong, share their creative process, the close relationships among the bandmates and the science behind their “corny” music.

Genre bending songs from St. Louis artists you need to hear Jul 16, 2026

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St. Louis artists flex their genre-blending muscles for this month’s new music round up. Pajmon Porshahidy, also known as Umami, joined producer Miya Norfleet and host Elaine Cha to talk about their local favorites for the month including the sounds of punk band Holofoil, R&B artist Rachel Bouzier, and more. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

Why young St. Louis shoppers opt for vintage over fast fashion Jul 15, 2026

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Gen Z’s love affair with thrifting is real. We dive into the appeal of one-of-a-kind finds and the growing movement toward eco-friendly, secondhand style with the founders of the monthly vintage clothing market Drop Soda Vintage Market and a sustainability specialist at WashU.

Musical shape-shifter Jon Batiste opens big St. Louis music festival Jul 15, 2026

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Eight-time Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste can't be defined by one genre. The musician blends jazz, blues, gospel, soul, R&B and funk and more. Ahead of opening MATI — formerly known as Music at the Intersection — at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, Batiste joined STLPR arts and culture senior reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin for a conversation about his upcoming albums and his wide-ranging musical career.

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