St. Louis on the Air

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What St. Louis can — and can’t — expect from juvenile curfews Jul 14, 2026

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The City of St. Louis implemented a targeted downtown juvenile curfew in effect now through Labor Day, adding a new layer to the city’s existing citywide restrictions. But do curfews actually work to curb violence? With Marvin Teer, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, Ashley Wilkinson, Clinical Site Supervisor for Provident Behavioral Health, and Kenya Brumfield-Young, St. Louis University professor and criminologist, we discuss what the research says about their effectiveness, the psychology behind teen risk-taking, the city’s decision and guidance for parents.

Mosquitoes are thriving in St. Louis. Here’s how to stop them without nuking your ecosystem Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

With recent warm temperatures, humidity, and high rainfall, mosquitoes are thriving in St. Louis. And these insects don’t just cause itchy, annoying bites; they can also carry diseases like West Nile. To evaluate the effectiveness of various anti-mosquito tactics — from natural remedies to yard fogging — we talk with environmentalist Jean Ponzi of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff.

SIUE scholar’s new book explores cultural and literary impact of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s ‘Black Panther’ Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

In 2016, acclaimed Black American author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates entered the field of comic books with "Black Panther #1." It met with both fanfare and critique. In a new book, Howard Rambsy II argues that Coates’ take on the superhero story raised the profile and understanding of comics as an art form and affected opportunity for other Black writers. Rambsy, a literature professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, also talks about the ways Coates’ work illuminated the challenges of "attaining" representation in the comic book field.

Missourians will decide on Aug. 4 whether to make some constitutional amendments harder to pass Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Missourians will decide the fate of Amendment 4, which requires constitutional amendments put on the ballot through the initiative petition process to pass in eight out of eight congressional districts. We hear from both sides of the debate on the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins argues the pro side of Amendment 4, while Missourians for Fair Taxation’s Scott Charton explains why it should fail.

Missouri’s parks and farming enthusiasts hoping for another big sales tax reauthorization Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Missourians will be deciding on a lot of high-stakes ballot initiatives on Aug. 4. Some of them are attracting passionate debate – and spurring high-dollar ad campaigns. That’s not what’s happening with Amendment 1. Thus far, there’s no organized opposition for the reauthorization of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that funds soil and water conservation projects and Missouri’s state parks. Missouri Parks Association executive director Kendra Varns Wallis joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to make the case to pass Amendment 1.

'You're not a dictator,' says St. Charles County executive as Republican primary heats up Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

St. Charles County Republicans are engaged in their most competitive GOP primary for county executive in years. On this episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we explore why the contest between incumbent Steve Ehlmann, former state Sen. Bill Eigel, and former Lake Saint Louis Mayor Jason Law are provoking questions about whether the county’s future growth is sustainable.

How St. Louis turned a WashU undergrad into Trackstar the DJ — and led to a successful hip-hop career Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Gabe Moskoff fell in love with hip-hop as a teen in Madison, WI and dreamt of going to college on the East Coast where his favorite hip-hop acts are from. He ended up in St. Louis instead to study at Washington University, and his response to an email and access to WashU’s student radio station led to Moskoff becoming Trackstar the DJ:a member of the acclaimed group Run the Jewels who has toured across the world, and worked with Wu Tang Clan, Rage Against the Machine, and Dave Chappelle. Trackstar is bringing local and national DJs to MATI for his Trackstar and Friends set at Sophie's Artist Lounge, and joining Killer Mike at the Big Top on Saturday, July 18.

How ‘skullduggery and shenanigans’ may have led to Kirkwood Electric’s $15.6 million deficit Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

For decades, Kirkwood’s municipal electric department was so successful that it generated millions in profits while funding other government services. Then, a revelation came last fall: the department was in the hole for more than $15 million. Will there be any repercussions for the two highly paid public servants responsible for managing and overseeing the department’s spending? Where did the massive deficit come from in the first place? Investigative journalist Mike Fitzgerald and Kirkwood resident Jack Cancila discuss the case and what may be uncovered by an independent forensic audit.

In ‘The Small Stuff,’ WashU’s Ian Bogost makes the case for life’s little pleasures Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Technology has made a lot of things better and more convenient — but somewhere along the way, it’s also made some parts of everyday life a little less satisfying. In this episode, Washington University professor Ian Bogost discusses his new book, “The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life.” Bogost argues modern technology has stripped away many of the small, everyday experiences that once brought us joy. Rather than advocating for a return to the past, he encourages us to pay closer attention to simple moments that can still bring gratification and a greater sense of connection to the world around us.

St. Louis says goodbye to some restaurants — and welcomes new ones Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

There’s no single way to succeed in the restaurant industry. In June, St. Louisans said goodbye to several beloved eateries — including O’Fashion Donuts — even as they fell in love with fresh concepts like Chico Bueno in the Grove. This month, STLPR’s Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico talk about the latest openings and closings in the region’s food and dining scenes, their favorite new dishes and how some restaurants have found their way back from closure.

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