St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

‘Don’t stay quiet’ — and other lessons Herculaneum’s cleanup offers decades later Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

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.

A former police chief explores how the system failed her sister — and rural Missouri Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

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.

‘The people of St. Louis want to recycle,’ says alderwoman Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

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.

What happened to Tonka? Missouri chimp at center of court battle is missing — or dead Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

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?

Wash U program shows occupational therapy can be a powerful tool for homeless shelters Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

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.

Special Coverage: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s State of the State Address, Democratic response Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

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.

STL's collaborative food scene earns a place in Eater’s list of where to eat in 2022 Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

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.

Bonus: Listen to wolves at the Endangered Wolf Center howl at the full moon Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

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.

Why some Missouri doctors are ditching the insurance system for ‘direct primary care’ clinics Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

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.

5 new restaurants to try this January Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

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