St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

College Club of St. Louis celebrates 125 years of supporting women’s education Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

In 1901, the College Club of St. Louis was founded by a group of women who wanted to socialize and exercise their brains. Five years later, they began awarding scholarships to local young women in pursuit of higher education — a tradition upheld through the present day. Brenda Davis, current president of the College Club of St. Louis, talks about the significance of the organization reaching its 125th birthday and the club’s continued commitment to supporting young women just beginning college.

After years of controversy, St. Charles library leader wants to tell a different story Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

After his first year as CEO of the St. Charles County Library District, John Greifzu continues to face a number of challenges inherited from his predecessors. STLPR morning newscaster Abby Llorico talks about her recent conversations with Greifzu, which included discussion of what’s driving the district’s funding deficit, its process for responding to book removal requests, and a controversial plan to close several branches.

Why an ICE researcher is worried about Missouri police signing agreements with the agency Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Agreements between local police departments and ICE have ballooned during Trump’s second term. More than 60 so-called “287(g)” contracts have been signed in Missouri. The spread of these agreements worries Austin Kocher, a Syracuse University researcher who focuses on the federal immigration system. In an interview with STLPR visuals editor Brian Munoz, Kocher shares insights from his research into the contracts and why he is concerned about local law enforcement being used to further the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

St. Louis Public Schools renews effort to push back start times for students Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

St. Louis Public Schools is considering later start times for its students beginning in the 2027-28 school year in hopes of further stabilizing transportation and boosting attendance. The district announced its “Thrive Time” initiative in January. Scientific research backs up later school start times but the idea has received a mixed reception among parents. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and Erik Herzog, a biology professor at Washington University, discuss the idea.

East-West Gateway launches effort to get St. Louis regional leaders on the same page Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

East-West Gateway, the St. Louis bi-state area’s council of governments, is the latest organization to attempt to increase regional cooperation. It wants to build a regional alignment plan that will create a framework to help leaders from different sectors — like government, the arts, and nonprofits — work together. Jim Wild, executive director of East-West Gateway, discusses the regional alignment effort and why it’s happening now.

What to know about paraquat and Parkinson’s as Missouri lawmakers consider restrictions Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

For years, Parkinson’s disease was thought to be primarily genetic. And while some cases are rooted in genetic changes, new studies suggest diagnoses of the disorder, which is the world’s fastest-growing brain disease, is largely driven by environmental toxins — specifically, long-term exposure to the herbicide paraquat. Reporter Mike Fitzgerald discusses why agricultural giant Syngenta is halting global production of the herbicide by the end of June 2026. This move follows massive legal pressure from nearly 6,500 lawsuits filed in East St. Louis federal court. Fitzgerald also talks about the growing push for a national paraquat ban, and why an upcoming Missouri statehouse hearing about the weed killer is critical.

After four years of attempts, a bill to automatically expunge crime records moves closer to law Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

A proposed Missouri bill would automatically expunge the criminal records of thousands of Missourians convicted of certain non-violent crimes. It's part of a larger, nationwide campaign to pass similar laws. Thirteen states have already passed their own version of the measure, including Illinois. We talk with Empower Missouri Executive Director Mallory Rusch and advocate Patty Berger, president of the St. Louis chapter of All of Us or None, to discuss the four-year effort to help people move on from their past criminal convictions. We also learn about Illinois' successful passage of its own Clean Slate Act with Artinese Myrik, deputy director of Live Free Illinois.

All eyes on Illinois Democrats as the state’s March 17 primary inches closer Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

With less than two weeks before the Illinois March 17 primary, the three major Democratic contenders to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin are pulling off all the stops to prevail. St. Louis Public Radio Metro East reporter Will Bauer and Capitol News Illinois statehouse reporter Brenden Moore preview Illinois’ high stakes primary contests on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air."

Lack of clarity over Missouri’s congressional map clouds start of 2026 election season Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Missouri kicked off its candidate filing period late last month. But there’s a big, unanswered question still lingering: Whether a congressional map from 2022 or one from 2025 will be in place for the election cycle. Rudi Keller, deputy editor for the Missouri Independent, joins "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to chart out where things stand for the state’s morass of redistricting litigation.

Trump’s attack places Missouri and Illinois Republicans in a tough spot Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Missouri and Illinois GOP members of Congress largely adopted the opposition to military intervention that President Donald Trump expressed during his presidential campaign. But now that he’s attacked Iran, Trump is placing some of those lawmakers in a tough spot – including Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. Washington University political science professor Carly Wayne talks about the local political reaction to Trump’s decision on "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

St. Louis on the Air

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6