St. Louis on the Air

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What would make St. Louis roadways safer? Advocates and residents weigh in Jun 29, 2026

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Driver fatalities in Missouri have decreased each year since 2022. But crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are becoming more deadly — especially in St. Louis. We discuss Trailnet’s State of Our Streets report, which explores the deadliest corridors in the region, the data-backed solutions that can make St. Louis streets less perilous, and recent traffic calming measures. Our panelists include Trailnet CEO Cindy Mense, pedestrian safety advocate Julie Vomund, and St. Louis 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi.

What Jennifer Lopez taught Jason Rosenbaum about being a Missourian Jun 26, 2026

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In this audio essay, STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum asks: “Am I a Missourian?” Prompted by an offhand comment from actress and singer Jennifer Lopez about who gets to claim a place as their own, Rosenbaum reflects on his journey from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to spending more than half his life in Missouri, exploring whether identity is defined by where you're born or by the community you build.

Missouri Children’s Division launches overhaul of child abuse investigator roles Jun 26, 2026

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Missouri's Children's Division is overhauling how it investigates child abuse and neglect in an effort to improve retention, reduce burnout and strengthen complex investigations. Director Sarah Smith joins the "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to discuss her restructuring plan, which will have investigators specialize in specific types of cases while creating a new career path designed to reward experience and encourage employees to stay in one of the state's most challenging public service jobs.

Jackson County court decision expands abortion access throughout Missouri Jun 26, 2026

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Missouri's abortion landscape shifted dramatically after a Jackson County judge struck down many of the state's abortion restrictions, allowing providers like Planned Parenthood to resume offering medication abortions. STLPR reporter Sarah Fentem joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” about the legal and political ramifications of that ruling, how it expands access to abortion and how it sets the stage for a fight over a proposed constitutional amendment on Missouri's 2026 ballot that could once again reshape abortion rights in the state.

A cave-in collapsed part of downtown St. Louis nearly two weeks ago. Here’s what’s going on now Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

A 30-foot-wide hole caused by a century-old water main tore open beneath I-44 downtown nearly two weeks ago. Though crews are actively filling and stabilizing the area, questions remain. Fletcher Bone, geologist and environmental program specialist with the Missouri Geological Survey, and Bess McCoy with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District discuss the lead-up to the collapse, Missouri’s geological vulnerabilities, distinctions between cave-ins and sinkholes, and the long-term outlook for aging infrastructure beneath our feet.

"Meet Me" — Drawing lines with mid-decade redistricting Jun 25, 2026

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At the start of every decade the Census redraws America's lines of representation. But in 2025, at President Trump's urging, several states — including Missouri — moved to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade. The result is a high-drama scramble that could reshape who controls the U.S. House. We feature the latest episode of STLPR's podcast "Meet Me" — a conversation between host Luis Antonio Perez and politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum. They break down the "what, how and why" of Missouri's new 2025 map and how the movie “Air Bud” explains part of this saga. With August primaries already underway, we trace where things stand and what's still left to play out.

Bid for commander pay raise evokes raw feelings among St. Louis’ police and firefighters Jun 12, 2026

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The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners prompted plenty of controversy earlier this month when members pushed a pay boost for command staff. STLPR’s Rachel Lippmann joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” to explain how the move prompted opposition from St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer — and renewed discussions about how pay boosts for police require salary increases for firefighters.

Missouri officials want federal money to rebuild St. Louis. But Congress will need to act Jun 12, 2026

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St. Louis’ top officials are working with members of Missouri’s congressional delegation to obtain much-needed funds to rebuild parts of the city that were destroyed by last year’s EF3 tornado. But getting that money will require Congress to act. Sarah Labowitz of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discusses the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief program on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Power your summer playlist with these new tracks by St. Louis musicians Jun 11, 2026

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Get ready for a musical joyride — this month’s new music roundup is filled with tracks that will keep your windows down and the volume up all summer long. Musicians Skylar Townsend, Ryan Koenig and STLPR’s Brian Heffernan dive into their favorite recent releases from St. Louis artists. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

Emerson Magaña’s ‘Tequila Time’ is a celebration of home, nature, women and tequila Jun 11, 2026

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Singer/songwriter Emerson Magaña’s childhood was filled with the rhythms of Central and South America. Born in Colima, Mexico, he first picked up guitar from his father. Eventually, nature, women, and tequila inspired him to write new original music. On this episode, Magana talks about his musical journey and how those songs became his debut album “Tequila Time” – an ode to his home in Mexico and his time playing at tourist resorts in the beautiful Barra de Navidad.

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