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O’Fallon Teens' Protest Draws Huge Response Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

Seventeen-year-old Jalen Thompson and his friends Ryan Staples, Joseph Bartholomew and Ryan Fetsch had barely wrapped up their senior year at Fort Zumwalt West High School when protests against police brutality flared up across the country, sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Thompson and his friends wanted to seize the moment and find a way to galvanize their suburban community of O’Fallon, Missouri, which is largely white. They expected maybe a couple hundred people to show up at their June 1 demonstration — what they got was close to 2,000 people. In this episode of the talk show, Thompson joins host Sarah Fenske to talk about how he organized the first protest he’s ever even attended, the pushback he initially faced and how he’s already caught the attention of national media outlets — including MSNBC and the Today Show.

Pandemic Perpetuates 'Period Poverty' In St. Louis Region Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

Last year, a report published in the medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology surveying low-income women in St. Louis found that nearly two-thirds of them can’t always afford pads or tampons — often resorting to rags, diapers or paper towels. According to Laurel Segrist, program manager for the St. Louis Alliance for Period Supplies, such “period poverty” in the region is still as pressing of an issue than ever, perpetuated by the coronavirus pandemic.

How Cognitive Dissonance Explains The Risks We Take, Decisions We Make Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

When Heather Mitchell saw those viral Lake of the Ozarks images of not-so-socially-distanced partying over Memorial Day weekend, she felt concern and frustration — like many people. But she also saw the situation as a clear example of the various ways humans respond when new information conflicts with previously held beliefs. Mitchell is an associate professor of psychology at Webster University, and she specializes in cognitive dissonance. In the age of COVID-19, that means exploring how people deal with that psychological conflict — and the ways they rectify the uncomfortable disharmony between their beliefs and behaviors. In this episode of the talk show, Mitchell talks with host Sarah Fenske and responds to listener comments and questions about this topic.

Analysis From STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum: Ella Jones' Victory, Protests, Curfews Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

St. Louis Public Radio political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum goes behind the headlines with Sarah Fenske on several of the biggest developments in the region over the past couple days. Callers join the conversation as well.

Ferguson's Mayor-Elect Ella Jones On The Future She Envisions Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

Last night, the city of Ferguson elected its first black mayor: Ella Jones. She is also the first woman to hold the position. She talks with host Sarah Fenske about her historic win as well as her concerns and hopes for the north St. Louis County municipality.

6 Years After Ferguson, St. Louis Activists' Message Remains: 'Black Lives Matter' Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

Long before protests against police brutality spread to cities across the country, they took place in Ferguson. In this episode, Ferguson activists leading the community in today's protests share their thoughts on the movement now sweeping the globe, and where things stand right here in St. Louis.

Analysis: Four St. Louis Police Officers Shot During Protests Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

Four St. Louis police officers were shot late Monday night after official protests in the city ended over the killing of George Floyd. Two were shot in the leg, one in the arm and one in the foot, said Police Chief John Hayden. He was visibly frustrated as he gave an update on the shootings shortly before 2 a.m. Host Sarah Fenske talks with STLPR reporter Rachel Lippmann about the events.

Protests Against Police Brutality Spark Across St. Louis Region Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

Protests against police brutality have now broken out around the world in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. That of course includes St. Louis, Clayton, University City and Ferguson. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum joins host Sarah Fenske to discuss what happened over the weekend locally — and why so many St. Louisans are again taking to the streets.

How St. Louis Plans To Conduct Contact Tracing, Hire More Workers Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson has announced a plan to distribute $64 million in federal aid intended to bolster the city’s response to the coronavirus. The plan, which Krewson said she’ll submit to the Board of Aldermen for revisions and approval, includes $2.5 million for contact tracing: to hire 25 people and invest in technology. In this episode of the talk show, host Sarah Fenske is joined by St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer, D-20th Ward, who chairs the city’s Health and Human Services Committee. Acting health department director Dr. Fred Echols also offers his perspective alongside Franda Thomas, the health department’s communicable disease bureau chief.

Local Bike Shops See Uptick In Sales During Pandemic May 29, 2020

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske talks with Big Shark Bicycle Company owner Mike Weiss about why his shop is seeing an increase in bike sales during the COVID-19 crises and talk with Emma Klues of Great Rivers Greenway about her recommendations for specific biking trails and routes to explore while continuing to help limit the spread of the coronavirus

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