Best St Louis Public Radios Podcasts (2025)

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Operation Night Cat, Episode 3: A Duck’s a Duck 37:24

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1h ago37:24

37:24

“Operation Night Cat” is a special three-part series from NHPR’s Document team and Outside/In. Episode 3: A Duck’s a Duck Two sets of potential crimes, investigated by more than five sets of law enforcement agencies. Why most of them never took a shot at accountability. News audio clip credit: WMUR. For a full list of credits and transcript, visit …

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Branson has a reputation. A new book explores what’s true — and what’s missed 30:02

2h ago30:02

30:02

Each year, more than 10 million visitors make their way to Branson, Missouri. Over many decades, the once-small hillside town developed a reputation for being the U.S. capital for performances with overtly religious and patriotic themes, and sometimes, a Christian nationalist bent. Joanna Dee Das’s new book, “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entert…

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Evidence — not politics — is key to tackling gun violence, says WashU dean 20:05

18m ago20:05

20:05

Firearms are deeply politicized in the United States, hampering regulation and safer gun laws. In St. Louis, 44% of residents say firearm violence is their top public health concern. A new report in JAMA Health Forum outlines a five-step, evidence-based roadmap to safer firearm regulation Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of Washington University’s School of …

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Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Sheriff heads to trial 14:52

4h ago14:52

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St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery heads to trial this week: St. Louis Public Radio’s Brian Munoz breaks down the removal effort. Plus: The City of Ferguson has been under a consent decree for almost ten years. The city’s consent decree coordinator says her goal is to make sure reforms become deeply embedded in Ferguson’s identity. Consent decree …

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Six months post-tornado, a north St. Louis family has its roof back, and seeks answers 28:46

16h ago28:46

28:46

The Nolan family in St. Louis has been on a long road to recovery since an EF3 tornado tore the roof off their O'Fallon neighborhood home on May 16. We check in with mom Gloria Nolan and her 13-year-old daughter Dylan about how their family's been navigating busy schedules, a new school year, ongoing house repairs and questions they still have abou…

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Tornado damaged schools could see repairs, reopening as soon as next semester 11:50

16h ago11:50

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The EF3 tornado that ravaged parts of St. Louis six months ago devastated thousands of homes and businesses — and a dozen buildings in the St. Louis Public Schools district. Seven schools were so severely damaged that students were displaced. Now, SLPS administrators plan to have the schools either reopened or renovated by December 2026. STLPR’s Hi…

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Why St. Louisans affected by the tornado are concerned about the future of their neighborhoods 10:02

14m ago10:02

10:02

Six months after an EF3 tornado devastated parts of St. Louis, affected residents are still dealing with debris. Others are just now getting their roofs repaired. Without adequate support to rebuild and repair, some are left asking themselves: “What level of degradation to my home am I willing to live with long term?” STLPR engagement producer Paol…

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Monday, Nov. 17 - Touring the destruction in SLPS schools 11:06

4h ago11:06

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St. Louis Public Schools closed seven of its buildings and relocated nearly two-thousand students six months ago after the deadly May 16 tornado. As weeks turned into months, community members began to wonder whether the schools would ever reopen. St. Louis Public Radio’s Hiba Ahmad toured some of the schools and has this report.…

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Missouri may be GOP-dominated. But some 2026 races could foretell Blue Wave 50:27

4d ago50:27

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On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer about how the city is handling recovery efforts six months after the tornado. Rosenbaum also speaks with St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Days about the county's budget problems. And Rosenbaum explores wh…

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What Missouri’s 2026 races could reveal about national enthusiasm 13:42

24m ago13:42

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With roughly a year before the nation heads to polls for the 2026 midterm elections, STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum examines some of the Missouri-based races that could foretell a national Democratic wave – or continued GOP dominance. Some of those contests include Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District contest, a slew of high-stakes ballot initiatives – a…

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As the 6-month anniversary of the St. Louis tornado looms, Spencer reflects on recovery 20:40

12m ago20:40

20:40

Sunday marks six months since a devastating tornado struck St. Louis and St. Louis County. And the recovery process still has a long way to go. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to talk about the challenges of rebuilding parts of the city and whether the St. Louis region needs to work together …

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St. Louis County Council Chairman Days sees a ‘dire’ budgetary trajectory 17:09

42m ago17:09

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St. Louis County is facing a sobering financial reality: The budget is nearly $80 million in the red. While a combination of reserve funds and special pots of money like the NFL settlement may bridge the gap this year, policymakers will have to make some tough decisions that may not be popular with residents. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. …

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Cara Spencer (Nov. 2025) 31:12

2h ago31:12

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STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer about the recovery efforts around the May 16 tornado. This is an extended interview from Spencer's appearance on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

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Friday, Nov. 14 - Area food banks stretched thin 11:56

3h ago11:56

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St. Louis-area food banks and pantries are being put to the test. The uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits during the government shutdown along with rising food costs and the ongoing impact of the May 16th tornado are adding extensive pressure to the upcoming busy holiday season.St. Louis Public Radio’s Olivia Mizelle reports.…

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Australian football club brings hits, kicks and a championship to St. Louis 24:25

33m ago24:25

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St. Louis is no stranger to sports championships, but you may have missed the news of the St. Louis Australian Football Club’s victory over its division rival Denver in the USAFL championships last month. Club players Dave Zitko and Rhiannon Duryea take us inside the championship season. They also break down the basics of the sport, from the hits, …

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Why health insurance marketplace premiums are on the rise 25:57

2h ago25:57

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As open enrollment is underway for people who rely on getting health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, many are facing steep premium hikes. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem talks about what’s driving the increases, how subsidies factor in and what the changes mean for consumers. We also hear real-life stories from people weighin…

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Thursday, Nov. 13 - Documentary highlights "butterfly wing" disease 11:01

7h ago11:01

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A documentary making its St. Louis debut this weekend takes a familiar format — the rock concert movie — and adds a few unexpected elements. As St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Fentem reports, the film "Matter of Time" uses the genre to introduce audiences to a rare skin disease and the people searching for a cure.…

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Mill Creek exhibition presents a ‘Black Metropolis’ before its 1959 destruction 28:31

1h ago28:31

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On November 15, the Missouri History Museum will open a major new exhibit focused on Mill Creek Valley. Home to nearly 20,000 people, the neighborhood was erased in 1959 as part of St. Louis' push for urban renewal. We get to know two former residents of Mill Creek Valley who experienced that destruction as children, and who now are part of the lar…

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Flyover Comedy Festival has made St. Louis a comedy destination says co-headliner Jason Sklar 21:43

4h ago21:43

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Identical twin brothers and stand-up comedians Jason and Randy Sklar have become household names in the world of entertainment. The St. Louis natives will be returning home to headline the eighth annual Flyover Comedy Festival on November 13-16 . Jason Sklar joined us to talk about his and his brother’s comedy origins, their favorite memories growi…

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Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Gotta catch 'em outside 11:53

3h ago11:53

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More than nine years have passed since the mobile game Pokémon Go was released, allowing people to spend time outside while playing a video game. And some are still going outside. Finnegan Belleau caught up with a group organizing regular meetups to play the game.

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Operation Night Cat, Episode 2: Behind the Brick Wall 28:41

7d ago28:41

28:41

“Operation Night Cat” is a special three-part series from NHPR’s Document team and Outside/In. Episode 2: Behind the Brick Wall The poaching investigation takes a surprising turn when it reveals another set of potential crimes – this time, behind the brick walls of New Hampshire’s State Prison for Men. This episode contains strong language that may…

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Wanda Sykes shows her dramatic side at St. Louis film festival 24:07

8d ago24:07

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Wanda Sykes is most known for her stand-up prowess, comedic roles and activism on and off the stage. Sykes steps into a new kind of spotlight as a dramatic actor in “Undercard,” portraying Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart: a former boxing champ and trainer trying to reconnect with the 21-year-old son she gave up when he was a child because of alcoholism. …

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Dances of India St. Louis brings the story of a 16th century king to new audiences 20:35

7h ago20:35

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The reign of Mughal emperor of India Akbar the Great was more than four centuries ago, but for Dances of India President Nartana Premachandra, the story of his court — and its welcoming of all nationalities, religions and perspectives — is as salient as ever. She shares some of that history in her original dance-theater production, “Nine Jewels: Mu…

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Monday, Nov. 10 - Local nonprofit focusing on a different kind of trauma 11:10

5h ago11:10

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As the government shutdown lingers and the future of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remains uncertain for two-and-a-half-million people in Missouri and Illinois, the UnGUN Institute in St. Louis is providing free groceries and other essential items to local residents. St. Louis Public Radio’s Lacretia Wimbley reports on…

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Eric Schmitt (Nov. 2025) 23:20

3h ago23:20

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During a trip to Washington, D.C., St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum spoke with Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt about the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, Tuesday's elections and much more. This conversation also was broadcasted on Friday's St. Louis on the Air.…

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In a final role, Michael Madsen shows new depth in St. Louis debut of 'Mr. Wonderful' 20:03

4d ago20:03

20:03

St. Louis-based writer Daniel Blake Smith turned his 2018 novel “Mr. Wonderful” into a feature film starring the late Michael Madsen of “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” fame. Ahead of its St. Louis premiere at the St. Louis International Film Festival on Tuesday, Smith talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Chad Davis about the film, its personal root…