St. Louis on the Air

Washington University researchers find cognitive decline is linked to having too little or too much sleep. Dr. Brendan Lucey discusses how the data untangles the complicated relationship between sleep, Alzheimer’s and cognitive function and gives advice on better sleep.

Two St. Louis County corrections officers were brutally attacked by inmates in recent weeks. Attorney Elad Gross describes the attacks as acting jail director Scott Anders explains what he’s doing to prevent them from happening again.

Colin O'Brien's quest for a date made him an internet sensation earlier this year. And now, he has some news, as he explains in this episode.

Author Lisa Napoli discusses her book “Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie” and the early days of NPR with Sarah Fenske before a live audience at St. Louis Jewish Book Festival.

North St. Louis neighborhoods get help tackling big problems with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative. Attorney Peter Hoffman and neighborhood advocate Tonnie Glispie-Smith discuss the progress they’ve seen and the grant that will allow program expansion.

The co-founders of Airly Foods explain how they invented a snack cracker that actually takes carbon out of the air, how they’re already seeing demand from grocers across the U.S., and how they hope to be a “lighthouse brand.”

Missouri is a local control state, so COVID policies in schools vary statewide. Margie Vandeven, commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, discusses the options available to schools and how to keep kids in the classroom.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Molly Wilson to seek a deeper understanding of vaccine hesitancy — and the possibilities for breaking through it. She discusses how public health officials might persuade parents as they weigh vaccinating their kids.

Cori Bush's "no" vote on the infrastructure bill went against the votes of many of her democratic colleagues. St. Louis Public Radio political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum digests the vote and its implications.

Service dogs can make a big difference for veterans suffering from PTSD. Nicole Lanahan of Got Your Six Support Dogs discusses her organization’s work, and Navy veteran Andy Canning shares how his dog Arkum helps him and his family.

Spire’s Nov. 4 email about its STL Pipeline sparked alarm. UMSL economist Lea Kosnik says higher energy bills are a concern for this winter but residents shouldn’t be too concerned about the pipeline closing. Carondelet Mechanical owner Jesse Irwin, whose phone has been blowing up with people hoping to switch to electric heat, also joins the conversation.

Harry Truman’s grandson, Clifton Daniel, portrays the late president in a one-man show, “Give 'em Hell, Harry!” Daniel talks about his grandfather and this weekend’s performance in Rolla.

Conventional wisdom holds that leaves are changing colors later than they used to due to climate change. But Susanne Renner, an honorary professor of biology at Washington University, says that’s not true — and explains what her research shows about fall foliage.

Metro Transit plans to suspend six MetroBus routes and reduce the frequency of service along 31 others later this month in response to an ongoing operator shortage. Local Metro operator union rep Catina Wilson and rider Mitch Eagles join the talk show to share their concerns and ideas for a way forward.

Military historian John C. McManus of Missouri S&T is the author of the new book “Island Infernos.” It explores the U.S. Army’s Pacific War during World War II. McManus joins guest host Jeremy D. Goodwin.

Lawyer and author Areva Martin discussed her book “Awakening: Ladies, Leadership, and the Lies We've Been Told” before a live audience. The St. Louis native explained the lies told to women and why society needs an overhaul, not a tweak.

We'll listen back to when Rob Mellon, executive director of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County, guided us through SeeQuincy's new self-driving tour. It highlights 20 historically significant sites and stories in Quincy, Illinois.

Biologist Bruce Carlson joined our program in June to talk about the evolution of communication in the animal world. In this encore discussion, he explained how fish use electric pulses as they signal their peers.

In this encore discussion, journalist Connor Towne O'Neill delves into his new book, “Down Along With That Devil’s Bones," which explores monuments to Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest in four Southern cities — and the people seeking to take them down.

In 2012, St. Louis residents voted to cut the number of wards in half – 28 to 14. STLPR reporter Rachel Lippmann talks about how this process is playing out now that the Board of Aldermen has released its first draft of a map.

A dispatcher explains how the St. Louis County Police Department is paving the way for centers across the region to formally recognize 911 dispatchers as first responders.

The documentary film "Ferguson Rises" focuses on Michael Brown Sr. in the five years after the death of his son. Filmmaker Mobolaji Olambiwonnu discusses the film ahead of its showing at the St. Louis International Film Festival.

Augusta is seeing a big increase in economic development. While it seems like a positive change for the small St. Charles County town, some residents worry that too much is happening too quickly.

British-born writer Zadie Smith comes to town this week as the 54th recipient of the St. Louis Literary Award. She discusses everything from death, anger and the COVID-19 pandemic to her first foray into writing a historical novel.

The Illinois legislature has repealed parental notification laws for abortion — one of the state’s last abortion restrictions. An abortion provider discusses why she pushed for the repeal, and how it will affect her practice.