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
Apr 7, 2022 • 16min
How utility right-of-ways in Illinois became a key habitat for native plants
Areas near power lines are often desolate. But wildlife biologists see them as an opportunity to plant pollinator habitats. Staffers at Ameren Illinois and Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever discuss how they’ve transformed 175 acres in Illinois by removing invasive species in favor of native plants.
Apr 7, 2022 • 36min
St. Louis treatment court grads say the program is tough — but a life changer
In its 25 years, St. Louis’ drug treatment court has gone from being perceived as a way to keep drug convictions from marring otherwise clean records to helping the city’s most vulnerable. Commissioners Rochelle Woodiest and Matt Melton discuss their work — as three graduates share how it changed their lives.
Apr 6, 2022 • 17min
Local florists at Urban Buds tackle waste and share spring planting tips
Co-owners of Urban Buds, Karen “Mimo” Davis and Miranda Duschack, talk about their path to becoming farmer-florists, how their industry is wasteful and what they’re doing about it. Plus, home gardeners get some tips for planting flowers.
Apr 6, 2022 • 15min
‘Practical abortion fund’ sees surge of patients traveling to Illinois
Illinois has become a destination for people seeking abortion, and “practical abortion funds” make cross-country trips a possibility. Midwest Access Coalition director Diana Parker-Kafka explains how logistics are increasingly key to abortion access.
Apr 6, 2022 • 21min
LoFi St. Louis celebrates 10 years on Cherokee Street
St. Louis’ music video festival involves three crews making 13 music videos on Cherokee Street over a single day. Founder Bill Streeter explains the event’s accidental origins, how it’s changing this year and what he’s learned in a decade of capturing live performances on video.
Apr 5, 2022 • 24min
How Affton High teaches Bosnian American studies to a new generation
Brian Jennings’ Bosnian American studies course at Affton High School seeks to engage the district’s large Bosnian population — and tell the story of a community shaped by genocide. He and his students share what they’ve learned in class.
Apr 5, 2022 • 29min
Disappearing texts could effectively erase Missouri's public record laws, lawyer says
St. Louis attorney Mark Pedroli discusses his five-year battle over disappearing text apps by officials in the office of then-Governor Eric Greitens, how the probe ensnared the office of then-AG Josh Hawley and what he sees as troubling implications for transparency in Missouri.
Apr 4, 2022 • 13min
From ‘Shark Tank’ to Target — St. Louis invention goes nationwide
St. Louis entrepreneur Akeem Shannon went on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2020 and scored an investment for his product, Flipstik. Pandemic-related supply chain issues dealt Shannon a blow, but he’s overcome those. In this episode, Akeem Shannon explains how and what led to scoring a nationwide deal with Target.
Apr 4, 2022 • 17min
One caveat to St. Louis’ lower murder rates
An investigation by ProPublica and APM Reports and St. Louis Public Radio revealed that officials were lowering St. Louis' murder count by classifying some killings as justifiable homicides instead. The report's co-author, investigative reporter Jeremy Kohler, shares the details.
Apr 4, 2022 • 24min
Push to save St. Louis’ Culver House unites developer and preservationists
A $100 million expansion of Powell Hall requires the demolition of the historic Culver House — unless preservationists can find an alternative. Recently, backers trying to save the building gained an unexpected ally: Longtime developer Steve Smith.
