St. Louis on the Air

Next week, St. Louis’ New Jewish Theatre will open the world premiere of “The Bee Play”. The play addresses climate change through the eyes of Carver Washington, a young beekeeper in the Bronx. St. Louis musician and actor Miles Brenton joins St. Louis On The Air to discuss his experience as the first actor to bring Carver Washington to the stage.

“Dangerous Women” is a new exhibit that features two leaders of the labor movement, Fannie Sellins and Mary Harris Jones a.k.a. Mother Jones. The exhibit debuts 103 years after Sellins was killed at a labor strike in Pennsylvania. Mother Jones Heritage Project director Rosemary Feurer joins the show to share the impact St. Louis had on both women.

Shortly before the newest basketball court in St. Louis was finished, the group who built it was raided by the FBI. The African People’s Socialist Party is accused of being linked to a Russian conspiracy to spread disinformation and promote Russian propaganda. The leaders of the party, Chairman Omali Yeshitela and Deputy Chair Ona Zené Yeshitela, respond to the allegations of conspiracy and explain what brought their group to St. Louis in the first place.

As teachers, kids, and parents head back to school, area districts are dealing with teacher and staff shortages. But it’s not all bad news — This is the first school year in which kids of all ages are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, thanks to St. Louis voters, the city’s public schools will now have 160 million dollars to spend on building upgrades. Education reporter Kate Grumke talks about what back-to-school looks like this year.

Finding quality Indian food in St. Louis is made easy with the help of Sauce Magazine Executive Editor Meera Nagarajan. Nagarajan gave us the rundown of her favorite Indian spots to find staples like naan and samosas.

Podcast Description: Bobby Bostic’s talents recently drew a crowd to a poetry reading of several works. The prolific writer and poet is serving a 241-year sentence in prison — a shocking punishment that has drawn attention from local and national criminal justice advocates. In November, Bostic will finally leave prison on parole. This episode features reflections from Bostic, and Ronnie Amiyn of the Freedom Community Center shares his own experience understanding the redeeming qualities of art in prison.

In the Metro East city of Cahokia Heights, sewer and stormwater systems are often so full that raw sewage seeps into residents’ yards. The city has experienced chronic flooding for two decades, but on August 3, Illinois announced it would spend $21 million to finally fix the problem. Reacting to the news, we hear from resident Sheila Gladney and researcher José Constantine, an assistant professor of geosciences at Williams College.

The floodwaters may be gone, but residents in the St. Louis region are still picking up the pieces after historic flooding in late July. In the weeks since, hundreds of flood victims were forced to wait hours at overcrowded aid centers. Now, more help is on the way: This week, teams from FEMA canvassed areas that were hit hard by extreme weather. STLPR reporter Jeremy Goodwin shares his observations from the first day of canvassing, and we hear from two flood victims about their needs as they wait for more resources.

STL Fringe Fest spotlights stage acts that are far from the mainstream. In its 11th year, the festival boasts their largest playbill yet with over 40 acts scheduled in venues across St. Louis. St. Lou Fringe president and artistic director Matthew Kerns and comedian Mollie Ambrugey joins St. Louis on the Air to discuss the importance of uplifting local indie artists as audiences and performers return to theaters.

August 15 marks the one year anniversary of Zamzama Safi’s escape from Afghanistan. The former translator for U.S. forces discusses her new life in St. Peters, Missouri, and her continued worry for her family still living in Afghanistan.