St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

Behind The Headlines: Will The Loop Trolley Be Able To Get Back On Track? Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

Only eleven months into its operating life, the Loop Trolley may not be long for this world. The Loop Trolley Company announced Oct. 12 that it needs an influx of $200,000 to continue running the trolley cars through the end of 2019 — and another $500,000 for next year. In this episode, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin goes behind the headlines with STLPR political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum for analysis of the latest developments surrounding the trolley. Years in the making, the Loop Trolley took $51 million to build, with the majority of the funding coming from a Federal Transit Administration grant.

St. Louisans Are Undertaking A Reenactment Of Robert Campbell's Wake 140 Years After His Death Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

Halloween-related celebrations are legion in St. Louis, with wide-ranging revelry options available each year for enthusiasts of every sort. At the Campbell House Museum — located downtown and at the less ghoulish end of the Halloween spectrum — the holiday observance typically involves a lot of history as well as a coffin, leeches and more. This month marks 140 years since the death of the fur trader Robert Campbell, one of early St. Louis’ most prominent citizens and the museum property’s former owner, and on Friday evening members of the Mourning Society of St. Louis will be on hand to oversee this year’s iteration of the Twilight Tours. Three members of the small but active society join St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin on this episode for a preview of the nearly sold-out event — and they talk about their historical reenactment work more broadly as well.

Meet CAIR-MO’S New Executive Director, Mojda Sidiqi Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske talks about Missouri's Council on American Islamic Relations' past and future with its new executive director Mojda Sidiqi and her predecessor Faizan Syed.

Haitian-American Writer Edwidge Danticat To Receive 2019 St. Louis Literary Award Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske talks with Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat, recipient of the 2019 St. Louis Literary Award given by the St. Louis University Library Associates.

Sports Writer, Players And Alderwoman Weigh In On Coach Firings At Roosevelt, Cardinal Ritter Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Last week was a busy one for David Kvidahl, who covers high school sports for STLhighschoolsports.com and STLtoday.com. On Tuesday he was calling Cardinal Ritter College Prep to let school officials know he planned to publish a story about a football player at the Catholic school taking to the field while ineligible. The next day he was reporting that St. Louis Public Schools had terminated Roosevelt High School athletic director and head football coach Trey Porter. Then, on Friday, Cardinal Ritter announced that its entire football staff had been “permanently released” by the school. In this episode, Kvidahl joins host Sarah Fenske to go behind the headlines on the latest developments in both the Roosevelt and Cardinal Ritter stories. The conversation also includes comments from two Roosevelt football players who have come to Porter's defense and from St. Louis Alderwoman Christina Ingrassia (D-6th Ward).

St. Louis BWorks Celebrates 3 Decades Of Helping Youth Gain Skills And Confidence Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Through a “learn and earn” method, the organization BWorks, helps hundreds of kids each year, having expanded to include instruction in creative writing and computers as well. The organization was recently awarded a Quality of Life award from St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson’s office.

Many St. Louis Area Trees Aren’t Changing Colors — Here’s Why Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Drives around the St. Louis area have so far been a little less colorful this fall. That’s mainly due to unusual daytime and nighttime temperatures that are preventing chlorophyll from breaking down. The breakdown in chlorophyll causes leaves to lose their green color.

Continuity's 'In Motion' Conference Brings Filmmakers To St. Louis Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Continuity’s executive director and co-founder, Dan Parris, joins host Sarah Fenske to talk about the organization’s efforts. They are also joined by YouTuber Letisha Wexstten and continuity graduate Erica Renee Walker

Researching African American History And Genealogy Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske discusses how research has led some locals of African descent to a better understanding of their complicated American stories

Researching African American History And Genealogy Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske discusses how research has led some locals of African descent to a better understanding of their complicated American stories