St. Louis on the Air
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis on the Air creates a unique space where guests and listeners can share ideas and opinions with respect and honesty. Whether exploring issues and challenges confronting our region, discussing the latest innovations in science and technology, taking a closer look at our history or talking with authors, artists and musicians, St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 7, 2022 • 16min
Increased resignations fuel staffing challenges at St. Louis-area schools
Many schools across the St. Louis area have more open positions than normal for this time of year. STLPR education reporter Kate Grumke joins the show to talk about why schools are faced with a shortage of teachers and support staff.
Jul 6, 2022 • 15min
For Cuban chess player, coming to St. Louis was the right move
Since the age of 11, Thalia Cervantes Landeiro has been winning national competitions in her home country Cuba and abroad. Now based in St. Louis, she shares how chess is part of her culture’s identity and the influence St. Louis has on the professional chess world.
Jul 6, 2022 • 23min
A former Marine and police officer is teaching Black St. Louisans responsible gun ownership
Chris Randall believes that anyone who wants to own a gun should receive proper training. In 2020, Randall founded Raider Defense Group. He’s trained about 75 people — particularly Black St. Louisans — how to be a responsible gun owner. Randall, a former police officer and U.S. Marine, joined the show in addition to one of his clients, Erica Alexander.
Jul 6, 2022 • 16min
Remembering Minerva Lopez Montaigne, a pillar of the Cherokee Street community
St. Louis lost a pillar of the Cherokee Street community in late June, when Minerva Lopez Montaigne passed away at the age of 60. Gabriela Ramirez Arellano, the co-host of “We Live Here Auténtico!” and others help celebrate Lopez Montaigne’s legacy.
Jul 5, 2022 • 26min
After prison, a St. Louis actor returns to the stage in ‘Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea”
Olajuwon Davis had big dreams for the theater stage and movie screen, but his arrest during the Ferguson protests of 2014 led to headlines about the Black Panthers, the FBI and a foiled bomb plot. After six years in federal prison, Davis is a free man and back on stage in St. Louis with the Black Rep. Joined by Black Rep founder Ron Himes, Davis discusses his downfall, his time in prison, and his new roles in “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea.”
Jul 5, 2022 • 20min
Report shines light on St. Louis County’s ‘fragmented’ and ‘inefficient’ 911 system
An analysis of 911 calls in St. Louis County shows that few are about violent crime. That raises questions about who is really best-suited to respond. Karishma Furtado, senior director of data and research at Forward Through Ferguson, joins the show to talk about reimagining public safety.
Jul 5, 2022 • 8min
Analysis: Parson calls for special session to cut Missouri income tax
Jeremy D. Goodwin and Sarah Kellogg discuss proposed income tax cut.
Jul 1, 2022 • 20min
With Fusia Fest, Larry Morris of iLLPHONiCS elevates St. Louis hip-hop
Larry Morris, MC of the St. Louis hip-hop band iLLPHONiCS, established a new music festival to elevate rising hip-hop bands while introducing local audiences to the wide range of live hip-hop subgenres.
Jul 1, 2022 • 11min
John Wood launches a bid for the U.S. Senate in Missouri as an independent
Former U.S. Attorney John Wood has launched an independent bid for the U.S. Senate. Most recently, he served as the senior investigative counsel for the House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack. Steve Vockrodt, investigative editor for the Midwest Newsroom, breaks down what effects this could have on the race.
Jul 1, 2022 • 15min
Cori Bush pushes Congress to pass abortion rights and end the filibuster
Rep. Cori Bush sees several avenues to expand abortion rights at the federal level. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Missouri’s subsequent ban on most abortions, Bush wants Congress to codify abortion rights, expand the U.S. Supreme Court and repeal the Hyde Amendment.
