St. Louis on the Air

Technology has made a lot of things better and more convenient — but somewhere along the way, it’s also made some parts of everyday life a little less satisfying. In this episode, Washington University professor Ian Bogost discusses his new book, “The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life.” Bogost argues modern technology has stripped away many of the small, everyday experiences that once brought us joy. Rather than advocating for a return to the past, he encourages us to pay closer attention to simple moments that can still bring gratification and a greater sense of connection to the world around us.

There’s no single way to succeed in the restaurant industry. In June, St. Louisans said goodbye to several beloved eateries — including O’Fashion Donuts — even as they fell in love with fresh concepts like Chico Bueno in the Grove. This month, STLPR’s Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico talk about the latest openings and closings in the region’s food and dining scenes, their favorite new dishes and how some restaurants have found their way back from closure.

Loryn Nalic, chef and co-owner of Balkan Treat Box in St. Louis brought home the Best Chef: Midwest honor at the 2026 James Beard Awards. This recognition marks the first time in nearly a decade that a St. Louis-area chef has won one of the U.S. culinary world’s highest honors. Nalic reflects on the achievement, what it’s taken to get to this point, the importance of preserving cultural traditions, and balancing creativity and innovation in cooking.

On July 11, WerQfest returns to the Grove Business District to celebrate Black queer music and culture in St. Louis. The event’s 2026 theme is “Express Yourself,” a spirit that has animated every WerQfest since its debut in 2020. The event was created to give St. Louisans who identify as Black and queer an opportunity to be their authentic selves, fostering community with music, resources, and showcasing the city’s talented residents. WerQfest co-founder Tre G and performer Volume Speaks discuss how WerQfest has evolved since its premiere and why this year focuses on women and femme artists.

On Sunday, July 12, the Missouri History Museum will close its “Mill Creek: Black Metropolis” exhibit, which looks back at the history and community members’ lived experiences of Mill Creek Valley: a neighborhood home to nearly 20,000 people that was erased in 1959 as part of St. Louis' push for urban renewal. In this encore presentation from 2025, we hear from Vivian Gibson, memoirist of “The Last Children of Mill Creek," and Malaika Horne Wells, author of "Mother Wit.” The women share their memories of Mill Creek Valley, and their work to collect oral histories from other former residents for the museum’ exhibit. The conversation includes a special preview of the documentary "Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There."

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 Monday is National Fried Chicken Day, dedicated to all things chicken. In this encore presentation, we revisit a conversation with Adrian Miller, 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.” He shares his insights into the history of fried chicken, where it got its start, the stigma associated with it and the ways the crispy and crunchy dish is celebrated today.

A new storytelling initiative called 250Connect is collecting conversations between American strangers in honor of the country’s founding. In St. Louis and cities and across the country, participants will be paired for recorded conversations that will eventually be housed in the Library of Congress. Nearly 10,000 people have already registered ahead of the project’s July 7 start, said StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. In this episode, Isay explains why stories shared between strangers are so powerful, even in moments of national tension and alienation.

On June 9, three immigrants from Collinsville, including two teenagers, were detained by ICE after a traffic stop in central Illinois. The immigrants, who were in the country without legal status, were on their way to work when they were stopped just outside of Morrisonville in Christian County. A new trove of records obtained by St. Louis Public Radio reveals the minute-by-minute breakdown of the traffic stop and sheds light on conversations among local law enforcement. STLPR visuals editor Brian Munoz discusses his reporting.

St. Louis writer Devin O'Shea's debut book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis" takes readers inside the mysteries of the Veiled Prophet Society, a group that's maintained influence over St. Louis institutions since its founding in 1878. Today, the group lives on as VP St. Louis. Its leaders are behind the non-profit Celebrate Saint Louis and “America’s Birthday Parade,” an event that is returning to St. Louis this weekend after taking last year off. In conversation with STLPR’s Danny Wicentowski, O'Shea traces the Veiled Prophet’s origins, members, rituals and controversies, and builds a case for why St. Louis would be better off without it.

For many parents in Illinois, time is running out to get the specialized help they need for their young children with developmental disabilities. They are waiting to get their kids into a state program called Early Intervention, which is open only to kids under the age of three. An investigation from the Illinois Answers Project found that Illinois pays providers less than other states, including Missouri, which leads to stalled access and reliance on telehealth appointments. The reporters interviewed therapists and identified dozens of Illinois families who have waited as long as 17 months for care. Reporter Meredith Newman talks about the challenges facing the program, what drew her to the investigation, and the impact on families waiting for specialized services.

The United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday will go head-to-head in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 knockout game. And, for many in St. Louis, it means cheering on two countries they can call home. Elvir Kafedzic, founder of the St. Louis Dragons youth soccer club, and his 11-year-old daughter, Emina Kafedzic, a participant in the program, discuss the July 1 match as soccer players and fans and as Bosnian Americans.

In 2006, Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado moved to St. Louis to teach Mexican literature as part of Washington University's Latin American Studies program. Twenty years later, that program has expanded immensely. As Ignacio prepares to leave St. Louis for a new role at Cornell University, we talk with him about his work building WashU's Latin American Studies Program, AI in the classroom, and the importance of — and challenges facing — humanities programs across the country.

Driver fatalities in Missouri have decreased each year since 2022. But crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are becoming more deadly — especially in St. Louis. We discuss Trailnet’s State of Our Streets report, which explores the deadliest corridors in the region, the data-backed solutions that can make St. Louis streets less perilous, and recent traffic calming measures. Our panelists include Trailnet CEO Cindy Mense, pedestrian safety advocate Julie Vomund, and St. Louis 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi.

In this audio essay, STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum asks: “Am I a Missourian?” Prompted by an offhand comment from actress and singer Jennifer Lopez about who gets to claim a place as their own, Rosenbaum reflects on his journey from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to spending more than half his life in Missouri, exploring whether identity is defined by where you're born or by the community you build.

Missouri's Children's Division is overhauling how it investigates child abuse and neglect in an effort to improve retention, reduce burnout and strengthen complex investigations. Director Sarah Smith joins the "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" to discuss her restructuring plan, which will have investigators specialize in specific types of cases while creating a new career path designed to reward experience and encourage employees to stay in one of the state's most challenging public service jobs.

Missouri's abortion landscape shifted dramatically after a Jackson County judge struck down many of the state's abortion restrictions, allowing providers like Planned Parenthood to resume offering medication abortions. STLPR reporter Sarah Fentem joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” about the legal and political ramifications of that ruling, how it expands access to abortion and how it sets the stage for a fight over a proposed constitutional amendment on Missouri's 2026 ballot that could once again reshape abortion rights in the state.

A 30-foot-wide hole caused by a century-old water main tore open beneath I-44 downtown nearly two weeks ago. Though crews are actively filling and stabilizing the area, questions remain. Fletcher Bone, geologist and environmental program specialist with the Missouri Geological Survey, and Bess McCoy with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District discuss the lead-up to the collapse, Missouri’s geological vulnerabilities, distinctions between cave-ins and sinkholes, and the long-term outlook for aging infrastructure beneath our feet.

At the start of every decade the Census redraws America's lines of representation. But in 2025, at President Trump's urging, several states — including Missouri — moved to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade. The result is a high-drama scramble that could reshape who controls the U.S. House. We feature the latest episode of STLPR's podcast "Meet Me" — a conversation between host Luis Antonio Perez and politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum. They break down the "what, how and why" of Missouri's new 2025 map and how the movie “Air Bud” explains part of this saga. With August primaries already underway, we trace where things stand and what's still left to play out.

The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners prompted plenty of controversy earlier this month when members pushed a pay boost for command staff. STLPR’s Rachel Lippmann joins “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air” to explain how the move prompted opposition from St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer — and renewed discussions about how pay boosts for police require salary increases for firefighters.

St. Louis’ top officials are working with members of Missouri’s congressional delegation to obtain much-needed funds to rebuild parts of the city that were destroyed by last year’s EF3 tornado. But getting that money will require Congress to act. Sarah Labowitz of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discusses the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief program on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Get ready for a musical joyride — this month’s new music roundup is filled with tracks that will keep your windows down and the volume up all summer long. Musicians Skylar Townsend, Ryan Koenig and STLPR’s Brian Heffernan dive into their favorite recent releases from St. Louis artists. Check out our new music roundup playlist.

Singer/songwriter Emerson Magaña’s childhood was filled with the rhythms of Central and South America. Born in Colima, Mexico, he first picked up guitar from his father. Eventually, nature, women, and tequila inspired him to write new original music. On this episode, Magana talks about his musical journey and how those songs became his debut album “Tequila Time” – an ode to his home in Mexico and his time playing at tourist resorts in the beautiful Barra de Navidad.

St. Louis is set to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, bringing the nation’s top distance runners back to the city that hosted America’s first Olympics. We hear from St. Louis Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber, Go! St. Louis President Mona Vespa and St. Louis Run Club founder Ricky Hughes about the excitement around the marathon trials and what it’ll take to pull it off. We also listen back to a conversation with public historian Adam Kloppe of the Missouri Historical Society about the disastrous 1904 Olympic marathon.

Created by St. Louisan Lindsey Goodhart, “Closet Space” is a sapphic blind dating show that fosters a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community through its live studio audience. Goodhart reflects on how the show has sparked genuine connections and the importance of establishing dedicated queer spaces in Missouri, both on and off the stage.

Multiple dog attacks in St. Louis have made local headlines and shown up on social media feeds this past week. The issue’s not new, but data shows a marked increase in dangerous animal complaints in St. Louis in recent years. For residents like Slayden Figg, who was attacked by three loose dogs last year, the issue is so pervasive that he’s decided to move out of the city. We talk with him about the attack and the physical, mental and financial hardships he endured from it. We also discuss the underlying causes behind these attacks, city enforcement of animal laws, irresponsible dog ownership, and how to stay safe during a dog attack with the medical director at the Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis and an animal control supervisor with the City of St. Louis.

Encouraging a child’s love of books has benefits beyond reading. Ahead of a literacy event this Saturday, St. Louis authors Darian Wigfall and Pancho Rucker share what motivates their advocacy, and how encouraging youth to love books and write their own stories promotes confidence and self-worth. The writers are part of a free, all-ages June 13 “Reading is Fire” event, organized by Wigfall, that includes books, games, live music, and readings by several local Black authors.

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" introduced readers to characters inspired by the childhood of its author Mark Twain. June 9 is the 150th anniversary of the book's publication in 1876. Multiple events are planned in Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, marking the book’s real-life setting and literary impact. Mark Schneider, development and marketing manager at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, talks about the history of Twain’s book, its unique place in American culture and history, and why its language, characters and lessons remain relevant today – and hotly debated.

Beyond aprons and roadside diners, women helped power and preserve Route 66. Edwardsville resident Cheryl Eicher Jett’s new book “Aprons Away: Women’s Work on Route 66” — which first premiered as a play — chronicles untold stories of more than 80 women who worked along the Mother Road’s 2,448-mile stretch. We talk with the author about some histories of the women who shaped the landmark, including some from the St. Louis area.

More than 20 new restaurants, bars and cafes came onto the St. Louis area food scene in May. We discuss a sampling of them — and a few places that closed — in our monthly new restaurants run-down.

When the Riverfront Times abruptly closed its newsroom and ceased print publication, it marked the end of an era for the alt-weekly that had chronicled St. Louis arts, culture and public affairs for decades. But the newspaper’s history lives on through the archival efforts led by Washington University Libraries. Miranda Rechtenwald, curator of local history in the Department of Special Collections at WashU, discusses how the partnership came together, the importance of preserving local publications and how the general public can engage with the collection.

Each year, the Landmarks Association of St. Louis recognizes projects for its "Most Enhanced Awards." This year, awardees include a former gas station-turned-piano-cafe, a classic shotgun-style brick home and a senior living facility in East St. Louis. Landmarks executive director Stuart Keating talks about why the renovations of those and other cultural institutions like Powell Hall and Uncle Bill’s made the cut for this year. We also meet an awardee, architect Max Bemberg. Keating and Bemberg share their insights into what “most enhanced” means in St. Louis and what these buildings can teach us.

For more than 20 years, so-called “troubled” kids and teens from across the country have been sent to Change Academy at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Now, former students of the youth treatment center are suing, alleging physical assault by its staff, and sexual abuse by fellow residents. Midwest Newsroom reporter Luke Nozicka shares the details of his new investigation into those allegations, and what former students and staff say about years of abuse they witnessed.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, talked about his new book, “The Crisis of the Common Good: The Search for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America," at an event at St. Louis County Library last week. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum talked with him.

One year ago, a few dozen Phelps County residents met at Public House Brewing Company in Rolla to share their thoughts about the U.S. Immigration and Customs detention of immigrants at the Phelps County Jail. That meeting led to the creation of Abide in Love: an organization that’s since supported hundreds of people detained by ICE — along with their spouses and children. Today, the nonprofit has grown across Missouri and Oklahoma. STLPR Rolla correspondent and newscast editor Jonathan Ahl shares what the organization has accomplished this past year and what they hope to do moving forward.

Now in its 40th season, Circus Flora is going back to high school for its “Fly High” show, which runs June 4-21. Circus Flora artistic director and executive director Jack Marsh previews the show, where classrooms are “filled with a mix of world-class acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and class clowns.” We also meet Chad Damiani, an influential figure in the modern clown scene in Los Angeles, who teaches clowning across the country. Ahead of his Circus Flora debut, Damiani talks about the nature of modern clowning and what it means to perform in St. Louis, in a more traditional circus, for the first time.

St. Louis Bosnians will paint the city blue, white and yellow in welcoming the Bosnia and Herzegovina national soccer team on Saturday at Energizer Park. It’s the team’s first appearance in St. Louis since 2014. Ahead of the friendly against Panama, we talk with Elvir Kafedžić, assistant coach for St. Louis City 2 and founder of the St. Louis Dragons youth club, about what this match means for the city's Bosnian diaspora.

Dive into a good beach read this summer with recommendations from Lauren Brickey of St. Louis Public Library and Heather Neill of St. Louis County Library.

During the final hours of the Missouri General Assembly, the GOP-controlled legislature approved a measure moving school-related elections from April to November. Critics contend it will politicize local education. But state Rep. Richard West says it will prompt more people to decide on high-stakes contests, especially around bond issues. West, a Republican from Wentzville, talks about the legislation on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Christian Mitchell accepted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s offer to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. And during an appearance on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air,” Mitchell discussed why Pritzker deserves a third term — and why he says he’s ready to step up as governor if Pritzker departs for the national stage.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a formal diplomatic protest of the United States government in response to Brayan Garzón-Rayo’s death in a Rolla jail last year. STLPR’s Brian Munoz discusses why Garzon-Rayo’s case caught international attention.

At this time, Missouri isn’t joining other southern states in redrawing its congressional maps. But the demise of key Voting Rights Act protections is raising alarms among Black elected officials in the St. Louis-based 1st Congressional District.

St. Louis civic and political leaders want to expand Gateway Arch National Park across the river to Illinois. The project would fulfill the vision of the Arch’s architect, Eero Saarinen, and the dream of Malcolm W. Martin, who dedicated his life to park expansion. In the latest episode of “Meet Me,” we explore the Mississippi River as both a physical and psychological divide — and one effort that seeks to link communities on both banks of the river.

Missouri’s landscape features diverse geology ranging from shut-ins formed by volcanoes, sand dunes and tributaries. Author Don Corrigan and photographer Diana Linsley have compiled more than 80 locations across the state in their new book “Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri,” a full-color guide to encourage emerging and experienced outdoor explorers to enjoy all the splendors Missouri has to offer.

An unusually fast verdict this month from the Missouri Supreme Court has set the stage for Missouri voters to use a map in August that could soon be challenged — and reversed — by a public referendum. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, a state-run police board is seeking an expedited ruling to force the city to spend another $67 million on the police budget. On this episode of the Legal Roundtable on “St. Louis on the Air,” a panel of attorneys analyzes the speed, timing, and politics of these cases. They also discuss a federal court judge who used a local immigration case to make a point about national politics, and a Louisiana couple suing a Creve Coeur fertility clinic.

While many St. Louisans are celebrating signs of the start of summer, heat-related illnesses can put a damper on summertime fun — and can lead to serious harm. In this encore episode, clinical assistant professor and community pharmacist Catherine Gilmore joins St. Louis on the Air to discuss the science behind what happens to the body when it fails to regulate heat and how certain types of medication can increase the risk of heat intolerance.

Multidisciplinary artist Maxi Glamour has shared their storytelling prowess through songwriting, drag and queer-friendly events by way of their Faeded series. Recently, they have completed “Faeded: The Opera” which premieres June 5 at the Contemporary Art Museum in partnership with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Glamour gives us a peek into their motivations to write their first opera, the evolution of Faeded over the years and their take on how “queerness” transcends sexual orientation.

When the diagnostic test PrecivityAD hit the market in 2020, it democratized early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The blood test, developed by C2N Diagnostics, is more accessible than brain imaging and spinal fluid tests, which can be expensive and invasive. WashU Medicine professor and C2N Diagnostics co-founder Dr. David Holtzman talks about his team’s innovation and how their work has contributed to our understanding of the disorder and how to treat it. He also shares how the commercialization process afforded to universities through the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 has brought innovative discoveries like PrecivityAD to the general public. Holtzman and his colleague, Dr. Randall Bateman, will receive the American Innovator Award from the Bayh-Dole Coalition in Washington, D.C. next week.

Sister Nancy Corcoran is an unusual nun. Now 81, she has spent the last two years quietly hosting meetings for Catholic parents of transgender children. The gatherings are intentionally “affirming” meetings. There is no talk of celibacy or prayer that children will stop being trans or gay. Instead, parents share meals and stories about the pressure on their families, and their faith, as they support their kids at a time when transgender Missourians are a focus of heated political and cultural battles. Producer Danny Wicentowski interviews Corcoran to learn how she’s turned her ministry into a gathering place for local Catholics. We also meet the Rev. Eli Anthony, who shares insights from his experiences in Jefferson City with other trans people and faith leaders.

For more than 26 years, Victor López Delara lived a life not unfamiliar to most Americans. The Florissant resident has two children, owns López Mechanics, a small mobile mechanic business, and is engaged. In February, that world began crashing down when he was pulled over by O’Fallon, Missouri, police during a traffic stop for not having a front license plate. López Delara was arrested and will be deported back to Mexico, a country he left 26 years ago when his family migrated to the United States. STLPR reporter Chad Davis shares the latest updates on the case, including that Delar’s fiancée and children will be following him to Mexico.

St. Louisan Stephanie Perkins turned her Rosati-Kain Academy trivia roots into a two-episode “Jeopardy!” run, winning nearly $20,000 earlier this month. The Nerinx Hall High School math teacher and quiz bowl club moderator talks about her time on the show and the impact it’s had on her students.