a Better Bubble™

The Gateway

Thursday, May 1 - MO workers get paid sick leave

4 months 1 week ago
Most Missouri workers will now accumulate an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, as part of voters' approval of Proposition A last fall. But as STLPR's Evy Lewis reports, efforts to undo or change Prop A’s provisions have also been underway in the state legislature.

Wednesday, April 30 - Will tariffs fertilize the local floral industry?

4 months 2 weeks ago
The floral industry has a new thorn in its side—tariffs. In the U.S., the bulk of cut flowers making their way into floral shops throughout the country are imported. The Trump administration’s tariffs mean local florists might have to pivot towards homegrown alternatives. But as St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson reports local flower farmers say it will be a challenge to meet the demand without federal funding.

Tuesday, April 29 - Playing chicken

4 months 2 weeks ago
People are flocking to backyard chickens this year, in part due to the sky-high cost of eggs at the grocery store. Some first-timers have turned to chicken rentals to try out ownership for a few months.

Friday, April 25 - STL man dies under ICE's watch

4 months 2 weeks ago
Lucy Garzón risked everything to keep her children safe, then ended up losing a son to the very country she hoped would protect him. STLPR's Brian Munoz and Chad Davis, and The Midwest Newsroom's Kavahn Mansouri report. Plus: STLPR's Hiba Ahmad takes us to a new literacy program available through St. Louis County Library.

Thursday, April 24 - Durbin bows out

4 months 2 weeks ago
The end of a political era in Illinois is here. Five-term Democratic U.S. Senator and East St Louis native Dick Durbin has decided he will not be seeking re-election next year. Durbin spoke with Dave McKinney to break the news that is sure to set off a major contest to succeed him.

Wednesday, April 23 - Charting the future for MO's Children's Division

4 months 3 weeks ago
After being appointed to lead the Missouri Children’s Division, Sara Smith is facing the difficult challenge of having enough staff — and following through with legislative initiatives aimed at keeping families together. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum has more on Smith’s vision for protecting Missouri’s children.

Tuesday, April 22 - Fears new UM ICE policy could come 'at the expense of the students'

4 months 3 weeks ago
UM System President Mun Choi signed an executive order last month outlining a process for law enforcement compliance. It was passed as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents are going to campuses around the country to detain those whose speech the Trump administration disagrees with. Aminah Jenkins reports on how the UM policy works for both staff and students.

Friday, April 18 - Baby steps into the spotlight

4 months 3 weeks ago
The Asian elephant born at the St. Louis Zoo last fall is preparing to meet the public. But before that can happen, the keepers have been helping little “Jet” reach some important milestones. We paid a visit the Zoo to learn more about what he’s been up to.

Thursday. April 17 - Jail reform advocate is "hopeful, but focused"

4 months 3 weeks ago
Janis Mensah is the former vice-chair of the St. Louis Detention Facilities Oversight Board, and is scheduled to go on trial next month for charges stemming from a 2023 arrest at the City Justice Center. Mensah says police beat them unconscious while waiting to see a detainee, but police say Mensah ignored orders and refused to leave. Mensah spoke with STLPR’s Lacretia Wimbley about the need for greater transparency at the jail, where 19 detainees have died since 2020.

Wednesday, April 16 - A second try at the Second Amendment Preservation Act

4 months 4 weeks ago
Missouri Republican lawmakers are working to pass a second version of the Second Amendment Preservation Act this session, after the first version was struck down as unconstitutional. The Midwest Newsroom's Kavahn Mansouri reports on how the bill was brought back to the table, and why law enforcement groups aren’t happy about it.

Tuesday, April 15 - Preparing for, and pushing back on, change in STL

4 months 4 weeks ago
The president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is suing to knock down parts of a new law placing a gubernatorial board in charge of the city’s police department, and Cara Spencer says goodbye to her aldermanic colleagues before being sworn in as mayor today. Plus, a look at what impact a looming "enrollment cliff" could have on Missouri education institutions.

Monday, April 14 - How Downtown can get its groove back

5 months ago
St. Louis’ reputation was rattled a year ago when the Wall Street Journal described the region’s downtown as a ‘real estate nightmare.’ A year later, the city has made strides, starting by tackling two prominent vacant properties. But St. Louis Public Radio’s Eric Schmid reports a full rebound will take many more years of sustained effort by civic and business leaders across the region and state.

Friday, April 11 - Keeping up with KDHX

5 months ago
Leaders of community radio station KDHX will head to court next week seeking a judge’s approval of their planned sale of the station’s radio frequency to K-LOVE, a national chain of syndicated Christian radio stations. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin reports on how supporters of the station plan to push back on the sale, and what could happen next.

Thursday, April 10 - How the race was won

5 months ago
St. Louis Mayor-elect Cara Spencer cruised to victory by outflanking incumbent Tishaura Jones in high turnout wards. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum breaks down the factors that led to Tuesday’s results. Plus: an audio postcard from a Missouri tree nursery might get you inspired to go outside and start planting.

Wednesday, April 9 - A new mayor for St. Louis

5 months ago
Mayor Tishaura Jones lost in a landslide to Cara Spencer. Long-time comptroller Darlene Green suffered her first election defeat ever. The president of the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education was also ousted. We have a breakdown of the big races in the St. Louis area in Tuesday night's election.

Tuesday, April 8 - Push to limit SNAP purchases

5 months ago
A growing effort to eliminate “junk food” from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has some access advocates worried about a restriction's impact on recipients. Harvest Public Media's Anna Pope examines the push -- and the possible problems.

Monday, April 7 - STL author uses own experience to inspire kids to read

5 months 1 week ago
Soman Chainani is on a mission to get kids to read. And not just one of the millions of books he’s sold as a children’s author – he wants to get kids into any book. As he shared with Laura Spencer from the Kansas City Public Library, the St. Louis author’s debut graphic novel taps into a childhood passion for horror.