St. Louis on the Air

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A Netflix film went inside a Missouri prison — and sparked a wave of quilting donations Jul 03, 2025

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The Missouri Department of Corrections recently asked people to stop donating quilting supplies. The rush of donations followed the hit Netflix documentary, "The Quilters," which follows a special program in a Missouri maximum security prison, two hours southwest of St. Louis, where the inmates create quilts for foster children waiting for adoption. We'll talk with the filmmaker Jenifer McShane about the film, quilts, prisons and second chances

How Steve’s Hot Dogs began serving St. Louis’ official hot dog Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Why doesn't St. Louis have its own hot dog, like the iconic Chicago dog? That question was on restauranter Steve Ewing's mind when he created a March-madness style bracket and asked St. Louisans to choose the hot dog that best represented their city. Then, in 2022, the Board of Aldermen declared the competition's winner the Official Hot Dog of St. Louis. In this encore presentation, Ewing shares how to make a St. Louis hot dog and the inspiration behind its ingredients.

How Art, Mimosas and Pancakes builds community and provides opportunities for emerging artists Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Ten years ago, multidisciplinary artist Brock Seals was inspired to produce an event that gives emerging artists an opportunity to showcase their work, and to connect with fellow artists as well as potential fans and patrons. The annual showcase has become a space for up-and-coming artists to cut their teeth in a professional creative environment. Seals is joined by “Art, Mimosas and Pancakes” music director Julian Keaton to discuss what’s in store for this year’s event and ways they’ve grown as professionals over the years.

Marking the sizzling history of fried chicken, from KFC to Korea Jul 02, 2025

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Fried chicken ranks among the top five most popular foods in the U.S., beating out apple pie and even outranking hot dogs. This coming Sunday is National Fried Chicken Day, dedicated to all things chicken, crispy and crunchy. Adrian Miller, aka the Soul Food Scholar and author of the James Beard Award-winning book “Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time,” shares his insights into the history of fried chicken, where it got its start, the stigma associated with it and the ways the dish is celebrated today.

How a north St. Louis family is navigating displacement and recovery 6 weeks after the tornado Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

After an EF3 tornado tore the roof of Gloria Nolan’s home in north St. Louis near Fairground Park, she and her family remain displaced. They’re living in a temporary home and expect to wait at least a year for their home to be repaired. More than six weeks after the tornado, Nolan discusses how she’s navigating insurance, inspections, and uncertainty — and what the long road to recovery might look like in her neighborhood.

ICE detainees arrive at jail scared and alone. So Rolla activists are stepping up Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Since March 19, more than 200 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees have been held at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri. Some are there for only one day, while others have been detained for more than two months. With no possessions and limited contact with family or legal help, many face an uncertain future. A group of about 50 local activists is stepping up, helping detainees reach their loved ones and offering small but meaningful acts of comfort and kindness. We talk about the work of Abide in Love with STLPR editors Jonathan Ahl and Brian Munoz.

The St. Louis restaurants that opened and closed in June Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

June was packed with restaurant news across the region. Two food trucks — Bougie Bites and Fufu n’ Sauce — opened brick-and-mortar locations in Overland and Vinita Park, respectively. Lefty’s Bagels debuted in Creve Coeur, and Grace Meat + Three launched Grace Chicken + Fish in Crestwood. In Waterloo, country artist Alexandra Kay opened the Coffee Girl Cafe. STLPR digital editor Jessica Rogen and host Elaine Cha break down the latest openings and closings in the St. Louis food scene.

Legal Roundtable on trans student’s discrimination case, volleyball player settlement, more Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

The Missouri Supreme Court’s use of a 2002 dictionary definition of “sex” in a transgender student’s discrimination case is drawing criticism. Legal Roundtable attorneys Mary Anne Sedey, Bevis Schock and Erica Slater discuss that case — plus a teen volleyball player’s settlement with the City of St. Louis, a hazing lawsuit and efforts to oust the St. Louis sheriff.

Jazz pianist and music producer K Kudda Muzic makes every music genre his own Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Makini Morrision is a musical polymath. His mastering of jazz, hip-hop and soul music as K Kudda Muzic makes him in high demand to produce music in the St. Louis area. He joined “St. Louis on the Air” to share his music journey, starting with his parents album collection, and his approach to creating his original works as well as collaborating with others.

In their latest albums, these St. Louis hip hop artists aren’t afraid to show raw emotion Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

For Ryan “Big Esco” Brown, a St. Louis DJ and artist with the hip-hop duo Souls of Liberty, hip hop is having a moment — a particularly vulnerable and authentic one. He shares a few of his favorite recent music releases from St. Louis artists alongside producer Miya Norfleet in the June edition of our new music roundup. In addition to hip hop tracks, their selections include Irish bluegrass, EDM, R&B and meditative/ambient music.

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