St. Louis On The Air

Through a combination of engineering know-how, imagination and dedication to problem-solving, St. Louisan Kay Wells invented the Posie Pot: a 3-D printed, biodegradable and recyclable self-watering plant pot that’s in stores across the region and online for customers across the country. Wells talks about going from idea to prototype to product, support she’s received through major grants and fellowships, and her commitment to keeping Posie Pots’ production rooted here in St. Louis.

New research out of St. Louis shows that removing invasive plant species and planting native ones have gone a long way toward boosting bird populations in Forest Park. Lead study author Stella Uiterwaal is particularly excited to see the populations of native bird species on the rise.

Refugee resettlement in the U.S. is at a historic low. At the start of his second term, President Donald Trump set the refugee cap at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, down from 125,000. That reality adds urgency to Race for Refugees, a 5K and 1-mile fun run that returns to Tower Grove Park this Saturday, April 18. We talked with race founder Heather Huewe and organizer Samson Hillary of the International Institute of St. Louis about why the event matters now.

Over 40 local artists entered into NPR’s 2026 Tiny Desk Contest. “St. Louis on the Air” producer Miya Norfleet and STLPR reporter Chad Davis talk about some of their favorite St. Louis submissions and the artists behind them.

After decades shaping St. Louis theater, STAGES St. Louis co-founder Jack Lane has stepped into a new spotlight. Following the 2023 death of his husband and creative partner Michael Hamilton, Lane reflects on grief, legacy and what it means to keep moving forward. Now 69, he’s shifting from behind-the-scenes support to lead producer, with four Tony Awards already to his name and a new Olivier Award nomination for a revival of “Evita.” At the same time, his musical “The Karate Kid,” which debuted in Kirkwood, is launching a U.K. tour. STLPR’s Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with Lane about his path from St. Louis to Broadway and London.

Woman grandmaster in chess Dorsa Derakhshani came to the U.S. from Iran to attend St. Louis University. Now a Mizzou medical student, St. Louis Chess Club instructor and U.S. citizen, Derakhshani is watching the war from her Missouri home, unable to communicate with her family and friends still living in Iran. She shares how growing up under the Iranian regime influences her perspective on the conflict, the need for greater compassion for the plight of the Iranian people — including those in the Iranian diaspora — and her hopes for the future.

This year, plant scientist Giles Oldroyd left his previous post at the University of Cambridge to become the new president of the Danforth Plant Science Center. Oldroyd has spent decades studying how plants thrive and communicate with the world around them. He’s now leading a research nonprofit with a mission to use plant science to “improve the human condition.” In conversation with STLPR Senior Environment and Data Reporter Kate Grumke, Oldroyd shares insights from his work in plant genetics, agriculture and sustainability.

Missouri voters went to the polls Tuesday and weighed in on a slate of municipal races, including St. Louis’ overwhelming renewal of the 1% earnings tax and a closely watched Francis Howell school board race that signaled a rebuke of focusing on culture war issues. STLPR reporters Hiba Ahmad and Rachel Lippmann break down the key results.

Diadie Bathily is on a mission to share his culture. Born in Ivory Coast, he’s taken his knowledge of traditional West African dance around the world. That love for dance and culture led him to call St. Louis home and thrusted him into the spotlight at the 98th Academy Awards, alongside ballet star Misty Copeland, for a performance of “I Lied to You” from the “Sinners” soundtrack. Bathily shares what the Oscars performance means to him, his mission to share West African cultures and leading his dance company Afriky Lolo for 20 years.

Laumeier Sculpture Park kicks off its half-century anniversary with “Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting.” The exhibition reflects on five decades of artistic milestones, rare archival materials and ephemeral works that have defined the park’s legacy. Curated by Dana Turkovic, it offers a look into the intersection of art, nature and public engagement that has made Laumeier a cultural gem in St. Louis. We talk with Turkovic and Juan William Chávez, an artist, cultural activist and 2026 Visiting Artist in Residence at the park, to learn more about the exhibition’s highlights.

St. Louis is a premiere destination for traditional Irish musicians from across the pond and throughout the U.S. In this encore episode, we explore the people and institutions that have fostered the region’s Irish music scene since the 1970s. We also get a preview of this year’s St. Louis Tionól — an annual, four-day Irish arts and culture festival featuring music, dancing and community.

Municipal elections often don’t get as much round-the-clock attention as hotly contested congressional elections. But some decisions voters could make this Tuesday could have a profound impact on how St. Louis area cities are governed and financed. We talk with STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad on "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air" about the closely-watched election in St. Charles County to fill out the Francis Howell School Board.

Roughly three weeks ago, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page caused a stir throughout the region when he broached the subject of bringing St. Louis and St. Louis County back together. To gain a deeper understanding, we talk with Jefferson County attorney Joseph Blanner, who was Gov. Mike Parson’s appointee to the Board of Freeholders in 2019, about the renewed attention around St. Louis city reentering the St. Louis County as a municipality.

Jhumpa Lahiri, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection “Interpreter of Maladies,” grew up in a Bengali immigrant family in New England and fell in love with literature at a young age. That early passion led her to writing. In this episode, Lahiri talks about the trajectory of her career, including her decision to move to Rome in 2012. She also discusses how translation continues to shape her work in the classroom and on the page. Lahiri will accept the 2026 St. Louis Literary Award, presented annually by St. Louis University, at a ceremony at the Sheldon Concert Hall on April 8.

With springtime comes insects emerging from their winter dormancy. That includes the often-feared wasp, which plays an important role in the predation of garden pests and pollination of plants. Entomologist Tad Yankoski of the Missouri Botanical Garden makes the case for appreciating wasps and shares advice on how to humanely evict them from our homes. He also shares insight on other insects we’re seeing a lot of lately, including ticks, ladybugs, bees and stink bugs.

St. Louis native Bobby Carter is at the helm of two Tiny Desk entities: the Tiny Desk contest and Tiny Desk concerts. He shares tips and an insider’s view of what makes for a great contest entry, how Tiny Desk concerts have been shaped by audience feedback, and what he’s looking forward to when he visits his hometown May 1 to celebrate St. Louis Public Radio at the “Hear the Future” annual celebration.

This weekend, for the first time in two years, the Granite City Works activated a blast furnace. STLPR Metro East Reporter Will Bauer shares what this means for the mill's employees and why he called this “the latest chapter in a story of uncertainty.” We also hear from Craig McKey, president of United Steelworkers Local 1899, who believes the mill’s activation will help its hundreds of employees stay working if, in 2027, the mill loses its federal protections.

The STLPR food crew convenes to discuss what’s new in the dining scene, including the return of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Vincent Van Doughnut and Truck Norris Twisted Eats. They also discuss their favorite patios for outdoor dining and the St. Louis chefs and restaurants named as James Beard Award nominees.

Missouri’s new congressional map, drawn in 2025 and aimed at giving Republicans an additional seat, is now in effect after a Cole County judge’s ruling. The decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges, questions about precedent and a looming referendum that would let voters weigh in this November. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum breaks down what this ruling means for Democrats and Republicans, including the potential impact on key races including the Kansas City-based 5th District, which is currently held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

A century ago, Missouri's black bear population was believed to be nearly wiped out. Today, the state’s population of bears is around 1,000. The revival of Missouri's bears is the result of years of dedicated work. These animals have been carefully monitored and tracked — and sometimes, that’s meant going into the den of a new mama bear to scoop out her cubs for a quick checkup. In this episode, we get to know Nate Bowersock of the Missouri Department of Conservation. He talks about the work he and his colleagues undertake each year to document Missouri's bear population, and why the state’s management plan includes limited hunting.