St. Louis on the Air

Education reporter Ryan Delaney joins to discuss the move by St. Louis Public Schools to reduce the number of schools in the district — closing at least eight schools and giving three others a reprieve — in an effort to put more funding toward support services and academics, rather than facilities costs.

Leona Augustine wrote “I’m Dreaming of No One But You" in 1942 while missing her beau, who'd enlisted in the Army. It was published as sheet music. But it's only now being released as a single, all thanks to her grandson. He explains how the song became his pandemic project.

Ever since it opened in 1997, Cooper House has prided itself on offering a vibrant quality of life to people who are unable to live independently as a result of HIV/AIDS. The residential facility, located in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, typically serves 36 individuals. But in 2020, that community dwindled to 27 people. We talk with Pat Plumley, chief program officer for Doorways, the nonprofit that oversees Cooper House, and medical director Dr. Jim Hinrichs, an infectious disease specialist.

Matthew Stock and Sid Sivakumar started out talking crossword puzzles and soon became fast friends. Now a puzzle they co-wrote has been published in the New York Times. They discuss the joy of puzzle making with host Sarah Fenske.

Carol Diaz-Granados and Jim Duncan have researched rock art — referred to as petroglyphs and pictographs — for more than 30 years in Missouri. They discuss how the petroglyphs and pictographs in Missouri came to be and what they tell us about the state's indigenous history.

NPR Illinois statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel gives a preview of this year's Illinois legislative session, where lawmakers are expected to address the state budget (which is $4 billion out of balance) and several proposals designed to narrow racial economic inequities.

Republicans (and former Republicans) formed the Lincoln Project to defeat Donald Trump. Now Sen. Josh Hawley is in their sights. Co-founder Reed Galen explains how they plan to get inside his head -- and what it will take to end their campaign against him.

Along with Alex and Carly Garcia, UMSL political scientist Adriano Udani and St. Louis-based attorney Javad Khazaeli, both sons of immigrants, discuss the changes they anticipate President Joe Biden's administration making when it comes to U.S. immigration policy and regulation — and what it all could mean for immigrants in the region.

Terri Krueger worked at KSDK for 41 years, and went from the lone female photographer in the TV market to one of many. She discusses her career and what changed in her four decades of journalism.

Singer Aloha Misho and rapper Rockwell Knuckles discuss their latest music projects as The Knuckles band. They describe their debut album’s vibe as joyous, aimed at combating the “spiritual lows” brought on in 2020. In addition to the “Good Timing” album, each artist has their own individual music projects planned for the year.