St. Louis on the Air

MoDOT engineer Shirley Norris earned the admiration of people around the country after we interviewed her about her career as the state’s oldest full-time employee. Producer Kayla Drake checks in as she receives a surprise package from someone who was touched by her story.

Washington Park Cemetery, a century-old Black cemetery in north St. Louis County, is seeing new attention from volunteers after decades of neglect. Producer Emily Woodbury visits the site and talks to descendants of people buried there, while community advocate Aja Corrigan shares her hope for renewal.

St. Louis-based journalist Kathy Gilsinan discusses her new book about the people who tried their best to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic — and how not getting the marriage proposal she expected led her to her first book proposal.

Pups rode free on the Ferris wheel at St. Louis' Union Station on March 23, 2022. STLPR's Lara Hamdan checks in with local people and their pets on how that played out.

Local musician Mark Pagano is leading the way for St. Louis’ “kindie” music scene, making charming kids’ music their parents also listen to. He explains how his band FIRE DOG fell into kids’ music and the reason for his new moniker.

A switch to permanent daylight saving time might seem appealing for those who enjoy lighter evenings. Wash U’s Erik Herzog discusses research that shows it could have dangerous effects on health and safety and our natural biological rhythms.

Jerry Tovo is a successful commercial photographer, but instead of glossy advertisements or models, his new exhibition at the International Photography Hall of Fame turns the focus on homeless veterans. A former drill sergeant, Tovo discusses his past in the military, the challenges of finding his subjects, and his hopes for change.

A spill from Marathon Petroleum unleashed around 165,000 gallons of crude oil in and around Edwardsville. For nearby residents like Toni Oplt, the environmental disaster raises questions — and concerns about the next spill. The Sierra Club also shares its concerns.

Camp Indigo Point is a week-long summer camp for LGBTQ youth. While some camps exist like this on the coasts, this one — located in southern Illinois — is the one of the first in the Midwest. It’s now drawn kids from 19 different states, and will take place for the first time this June. The response from parents and kids has been greater than the founders ever anticipated.

Lance Geiger is “The History Guy” on YouTube. The former corporate trainer was laid off in 2015, and in 2017, he launched the channel. He recently surpassed 1 million subscribers and his videos have more than 2.7 million total views. In this episode, Geiger shares his unusual path to becoming a YouTube star.

Adults who struggle with alcoholism miss an average of 32 workdays a year — double the number of workers who don’t suffer from alcohol use disorder. Two Wash U psychiatrists discuss their new study — and how workplaces hold the solution.

Major St. Louis hospitals rely on one volunteer to place discharged patients who need shelter — instead of United Way’s 211. The hospital has called Nicole Warrington 400 times in the past year. She explains how the unpaid role has affected her life and what local officials need to do to fix the problem.

The EPA admits that nuclear waste at the West Lake Landfill Superfund site is more extensive than previously stated. Dawn Chapman, a Maryland Heights resident who lives two miles from the site, discusses her frustration with the agency — and her fears over what the tests will reveal.

Buildings across St. Louis of 50,000 square feet or more must comply with new energy guidelines — or face fines of up to $500 a day beginning in 2025. The manager of the city's new Office of Building Performance explains the new rules, while Cara Spencer, director of the new Building Energy Exchange St. Louis, explains how her organization will help building owners comply.

A Missouri mom was trapped in a 15-year sentence for selling a few ounces of weed – until a commutation from the governor set her free last month. But clemencies can only chip away at the ongoing effects of Missouri’s draconian drug laws. One lawmaker hopes her new bill can do more.

The Irish immigrants who flocked to St. Louis in the 19th and 20th centuries faced prejudice and violence — but in many cases also found good fortune.

Easton Romer of De Palm Tree, businessman Max Tsai and barber shop owner Carl Walker share their experiences being displaced by the Costco now under construction in University City. They say they received little, if any, information from city officials.

Former First Lady of Missouri Sheena Chestnut Greitens, a foreign policy expert, discusses China's response to the war in Ukraine, China’s strategic partnership with Russia and the lessons China and Taiwan are taking from the conflict.

Fenton native Michael Yochim refused to let an ALS diagnosis stop him from writing a book-length tribute to the national parks. “Requiem for America’s Best Idea” is out now. Yochim’s dear friend, William R. Lowry, discusses the book and his friend’s life.

BandTogether has been a space for LGBTQ musicians and their allies for 25 years. Their artistic director Gary Reynolds and longtime member Jerry Farris discuss the history of the band, how they’ve cultivated a close-knit community, and how society’s views on LGBTQ folks have changed since BandTogether first started out.

For more than eight years, Gary Boyd has donned the crown and scepter of “Mister Gary,” host of the interview show “Them Yo People.” Boyd tells us about his favorite interview subject, the meaning behind “Them Yo People,” and what it takes to be St. Louis’ “King of Hospitality.”

314 Day was celebrated by St. Louis’ Black community in the aughts, but has since become a city-wide celebration. Author Keisha Mabry Haymore explains how she found her way in St. Louis, while others share their favorite things, from the city’s accent to its cuisine.

We explore the origins of 314 Day and what's planned for this year's "homecoming weekend," with perspective from founder Young Dip and STLPR engagement editor Lara Hamdan.

Acclaimed poet Carl Phillips discusses the ideas in his new poetry collection, his interactions with the St. Louis police and why he plans to leave the city.

Missouri lawmakers are considering the biggest expansion of gambling in the state since voters approved riverboat — and ultimately riverside — casinos three decades ago. Rudi Keller shares the details.