St. Louis on the Air

When the Riverfront Times abruptly closed its newsroom and ceased print publication, it marked the end of an era for the alt-weekly that had chronicled St. Louis arts, culture and public affairs for decades. But the newspaper’s history lives on through the archival efforts led by Washington University Libraries. Miranda Rechtenwald, curator of local history in the Department of Special Collections at WashU, discusses how the partnership came together, the importance of preserving local publications and how the general public can engage with the collection.

For more than 20 years, so-called “troubled” kids and teens from across the country have been sent to Change Academy at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Now, former students of the youth treatment center are suing, alleging physical assault by its staff, and sexual abuse by fellow residents. Midwest Newsroom reporter Luke Nozicka shares the details of his new investigation into those allegations, and what former students and staff say about years of abuse they witnessed.

One year ago, a few dozen Phelps County residents met at Public House Brewing Company in Rolla to share their thoughts about the U.S. Immigration and Customs detention of immigrants at the Phelps County Jail. That meeting led to the creation of Abide in Love: an organization that’s since supported hundreds of people detained by ICE — along with their spouses and children. Today, the nonprofit has grown across Missouri and Oklahoma. STLPR Rolla correspondent and newscast editor Jonathan Ahl shares what the organization has accomplished this past year and what they hope to do moving forward.

St. Louis Bosnians will paint the city blue, white and yellow in welcoming the Bosnia and Herzegovina national soccer team on Saturday at Energizer Park. It’s the team’s first appearance in St. Louis since 2014. Ahead of the friendly against Panama, we talk with Elvir Kafedžić, assistant coach for St. Louis City 2 and founder of the St. Louis Dragons youth club, about what this match means for the city's Bosnian diaspora.

During the final hours of the Missouri General Assembly, the GOP-controlled legislature approved a measure moving school-related elections from April to November. Critics contend it will politicize local education. But state Rep. Richard West says it will prompt more people to decide on high-stakes contests, especially around bond issues. West, a Republican from Wentzville, talks about the legislation on “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a formal diplomatic protest of the United States government in response to Brayan Garzón-Rayo’s death in a Rolla jail last year. STLPR’s Brian Munoz discusses why Garzon-Rayo’s case caught international attention.

St. Louis civic and political leaders want to expand Gateway Arch National Park across the river to Illinois. The project would fulfill the vision of the Arch’s architect, Eero Saarinen, and the dream of Malcolm W. Martin, who dedicated his life to park expansion. In the latest episode of “Meet Me,” we explore the Mississippi River as both a physical and psychological divide — and one effort that seeks to link communities on both banks of the river.