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
Jan 8, 2021 • 20min
‘The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning’ With Tom Vanderbilt
Author Tom Vanderbilt talks with host Sarah Fenske about his new book "Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning" which highlights his year-long experience tackling five new skills: chess, singing, surfing, drawing, and juggling.
Jan 8, 2021 • 12min
Missouri Lawmakers Convene In Jefferson City For The 2021 Session
St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jaclyn Driscoll joins Sarah Fenske to discuss the major issues likely to be debated this session at the Missouri Statehouse, including COVID-19 liability protection for businesses, Medicaid expansion and the state budget.
Jan 7, 2021 • 16min
Aldermanic Committee Backs Aerial Surveillance To Fight Crime In St. Louis
On Tuesday, the public safety committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted to endorse a controversial aerial surveillance program in hopes of solving violent crime. In this episode, we discuss the proposal with Missouri Independent reporter, Rebecca Rivas.
Jan 7, 2021 • 19min
Hawley 'Knows He's Lying' And That Makes Him Dangerous, McCaskill Says
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was the first senator to announce his challenge to Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s electoral college victory. Does he bear responsibility for the violent scene yesterday at the Capitol? Host Sarah Fenske explores that question with former Senator Claire McCaskill.
Jan 7, 2021 • 16min
Made In St. Louis, The ‘GenerIter’ Could Open Music Composition To The Masses
Thomas Park’s invention, the GenerIter, uses Python code to transform a series of sounds into a piece of music. Would-be composers can plug in short clips of their choosing and let the code do the rest. With it, he’s generated thousands of unique pieces in just a few minutes, and he hopes other musicians and music enthusiasts will join him in doing the same.
Jan 6, 2021 • 15min
Analysis: St. Louis' March 2 Primary Looms Large, And Looks Different, In The Wake Of Prop D
The mayor's race in the city of St. Louis is coming up fast, and with the recent passage of Proposition D plus Mayor Lyda Krewson's decision not to run for reelection, there are some big changes compared to the mayoral race four years ago. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann brings us up to speed.
Jan 6, 2021 • 17min
Fast Democracy Lets You Track Government In Action In 50 States
Husband-and-wife co-founders Sara Baker and Anatolij Gelimson discuss their St. Louis-based startup Fast Democracy, which lets activists and professionals alike keep an eye on legislatures in all 50 states.
Jan 6, 2021 • 18min
MoBot Discovered About 200 New Plants In 2020
Missouri Botanical Garden President Peter Wyse Jackson and Senior Vice President of Science Jim Miller share examples of the center's new plant discoveries worldwide and talk about the overarching view and particularities of this work.
Jan 5, 2021 • 17min
St. Louisans Enter The New Year With Modest Stimulus, Big Needs And Eagerness To Help
The year 2020 changed our world in a multitude of ways — and fueled escalating levels of need in our communities. That the United Way of Greater St. Louis experienced its highest number of 211 calls ever is just one indicator of how many people are struggling.
Jan 5, 2021 • 20min
St. Louis Stars, Kansas City Monarchs Now Part Of Official MLB Record
Major League Baseball announced in December that it would recognize Negro League players as Major Leaguers in the official records. Local baseball historian Ed Wheatley says the move reflects an important declaration from MLB that “Black players matter.”
