St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

After Missouri’s RECA’s expansion, scams are moving faster than the government Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

The expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is a watershed moment for activists and an unusual example of political collaboration. Just Moms STL co-founders Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel discuss what the expansion of RECA means for those sickened by Manhattan Project-era radioactive waste dumped in the St. Louis region, and STLPR politics reporter Jason Rosenbaum explains how Missouri arrived at this moment.

Missouri Future Caucus wants to be proactive about disaster response and AI Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

As President Donald Trump suggests cuts and restructuring of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — including bringing it “to the state level" — Missouri Rep. Colin Wellenkamp is focused on how the state can prepare for such a possibility. He chairs the Missouri House Future Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on how the state can prepare for long-term challenges. The St. Charles Republican and his fellow caucus member, Democratic Rep. Marty Joe Murray of St. Louis, discuss the group’s goal to make the state more resilient to emerging challenges like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, grid integrity and natural disasters.

Missouri Republicans say it’s a ‘mistake’ to cut tax that funds Medicaid. Trump’s bill did just that Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” introduces some of the most significant changes to Medicaid in years. But advocates warn that new documentation requirements and restrictions on a key tax that helps fund the program could jeopardize health care access for Missourians. This episode unpacks how the sweeping budget package is fueling uncertainty for Missouri’s budget and rural hospitals. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem joins the conversation.

In its sixth year, WerQfest’s centering of Black queer expression is more critical than ever Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Tre’von Griffith and his husband founded WerQfest in 2020 as a passion project. Their dream was to create a festival that centers Black queer art, entertainment and community — a grand display of representation in a way they had not seen before. July 12 will be WerQfest’s sixth year, and the production team now fully realize how important their work has been to the St. Louis region. Griffith and WerQfest producer and performer Deion Golliday share their reflections of the festival’s legacy so far, their experiences creating music as Black queer men and what’s in store for this year.

The last generation to see fireflies? The future hinges on our choices Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

People report that they’re seeing more lightning bugs now than in years past, but the long-term health of the species is at risk from light pollution, pesticides and habitat loss. We talk about the preservation of fireflies and other insects with entomologists Tad Yankoski of the Missouri Botanical Garden Butterfly House and Emily Althoff of MU Extension.

As needs grow, St. Louis County animal shelter seeks help from community and county council Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

After months of tumult at the St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center, the shelter received its state-issued license to operate last week. County Public Health Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham talks about her vision for the shelter moving forward, and volunteers share why they are hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for the center and its inhabitants.

High fashion and French cars bring St. Louis Art Museum exhibit ‘Roaring’ to a close Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

After World War I, artists in France treated cars as a new kind of canvas — transforming machines into works of high art and fashion. An original exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum, “Roaring,” explores that influence through more than 160 items and 12 vintage cars. The museum says the exhibit is its most popular since 2018. It recently expanded its hours in the leadup to its closing July 27. “Roaring” curator Genevieve Cortinovis shares her insight into the exhibit’s creation and the convergence of high fashion and beautiful cars.

Raised in St. Louis, Lee Hendrix built a life steering boats on the Mississippi Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Back in 1972, Lee Hendrix started a job as a deckhand on a towboat on the Mississippi River. It was the start of a more than 50-year career traversing America’s waterways. Hendrix, a St. Louis native, would later pilot towboats and passenger ships — and work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hendrix discusses his 2024 memoir as well as new writing on the effects of tariffs on the barge industry and the history of the Chain of Rocks.

Missouri’s parole system is due for a makeover. Meet the group working on it Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Missouri's parole system governs the lives of some 52,000 people, more than twice the number locked up in the state’s prisons. But its rules haven’t been updated since 2017, and those who work inside the system say the process is often confusing, complicated and broken. Under an executive order signed by Governor Mike Kehoe early this year, a special working group has been meeting to address its problems. We meet three of the group's members to learn about the parole system, the people inside it, and the most pressing problems in need of solutions.

Fried chicken lovers dish on favorite spots in St. Louis Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Fried chicken is among the top five most popular foods in the U.S., according to recent YouGov data. With National Fried Chicken Day on the horizon, we discuss some regional favorite restaurants, preparations and flavors.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected