The Gateway

President elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services wants cities and towns to stop adding fluoride to drinking water. St. Louis on the Air host Elaine Cha spoke with Dwight McLeod, dean of A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, about what fluoride has meant to public health.

President Elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportation of immigrants and refugees when he takes office. That will hit some agricultural industries—including meatpacking—especially hard. Harvest Public Media’s contributor Ted Genoways reports on what that may mean for workers and consumers.

The federal government is investing millions of dollars into projects that involve growing hemp. But there’s a lot of work to do before its potential can be realized.

More than 28 billion glass bottles and jars end up in U.S. landfills every year, but a company in St. Louis is collecting some of those glass items and giving them new life. St. Louis Public Radio’s Ulaa Kuziez takes us to a glass processing center in North St. Louis.

Missouri Department of Social Services director Robert Knodell is leaving state government next week to become city manager of Poplar Bluff. The southeast Missouri native became well known in state political circles for leading the House Republican Campaign Committee. But in an in-depth conversation with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Knodell detailed what drew him to lead the complex and challenging agency.

For the first time since 2018, Missouri lawmakers will work with a new governor. While outgoing Gov. Mike Parson pushed a more budget-focused agenda, Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe already has established policy goals. STLPR's Sarah Kellogg has a preview on the issues expected to be front and center this year.

St. Louis was only about halfway to breaking the record for inches of snow Sunday, but it did break a record for the amount of water that fell. The latest on how the region is dealing with continued frigid temperatures. Plus: Female athletes are getting more concussions, and St. Louis doctor wants to know why. Dr. Jamil Neme, director of the Concussion Clinic at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, speaks with STLPR's Marissanne Lewis-Thompson.

The need for inpatient mental health care for pediatric patients has grown in recent years. Health officials say a proposed facility in Webster Groves could provide much-needed treatment, but as St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Fentem reports, some neighbors are concerned about where the proposed hospital will be built.

Greater St. Louis Inc.’s outgoing CEO has been one of the St. Louis region's most vocal champions. Just days before beginning his next gig, Jason Hall sat down with St. Louis Public Radio’s Eric Schmid to discuss his career, what he sees for this region, and why he’s headed to Ohio.

St. Louis Public Radio Editor Brian Moline speaks with health reporter Sarah Fentem about why patients still can’t get an abortion in Missouri even after the passage of Amendment 3. Plus, St. Louis boosters have worked in recent years to elevate its reputation as a “foodie destination.” That’s despite the region being ignored by one of the world’s pre-eminent culinary institution– the Michelin Guide, which recently released its new list of star-earning U.S. restaurants. STLPR's Abby Llorico explores why some local restaurateurs think the omission could be a good thing.

Collard greens are a staple for many households during the holidays. But the majority of collards sold at grocery stores are one of just a few varieties. There’s an effort underway to change that, and get tastier and hardier collard greens onto people’s plates. STLPR's Kate Grumke brings us to a greenhouse in East St. Louis. * The Gateway will be on holiday break for the next week and will be back on January 2, 2025.*

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis will have a new CEO next month. Since 1996, Flint Fowler has grown the club from one location to eleven. The incoming president, Brandon Williams, hopes to build on that momentum and inspire more children to become leaders. St. Louis Public Radio's Andrea Henderson spoke with Williams and Fowler about the organization’s future.

Tucked within a new wide-reaching Missouri law on property rights is language expanding who can own chickens. St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Kellogg explains the sponsor’s personal reason for backing it. Plus, Christmas is about love, joy and kindness--but this weekend in Sullivan, it’s also about scaring the stockings off people. STLPR's Jonathan Ahl takes us to Santa’s Slaughterhouse.

Advocates for reforming the St. Louis City Justice Center say they’re concerned that the city hiring a consultant this month is just the latest turn in a carousel of several commissions that have failed to produce meaningful change at the city jail, where 18 detainees have died since 2020. St. Louis Public Radio’s Lacretia Wimbley spoke with Reverend Darryl Gray, Chair of the Detention Facilities Oversight Board, which was created in 2021 to scrutinize jail conditions and hold its leaders accountable.

St. Louis native Eric von Schrader set his science fiction trilogy in an alternate version of St. Louis, taking real bits of local history and giving them a cosmic twist.

St. Louis native and jazz vocalist Denise Thimes has a knack for putting a new stamp on old songs by connecting with them personally. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin asked Thimes to break down her approach to holiday classics.

The cost of higher education continues to go up. There is a movement in Illinois to overhaul the way public colleges and universities are funded. Proponents concede it will be very expensive in the short term. Lisa Kurian Phillip reports on the plan, and why they think it’s worth it.

Every day, Missourians pay a small tax with each purchase they make that supports conservation efforts in the state. And as Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval reports, with large portions of Missouri regularly in a drought, those dollars have helped farmers prepare.

Illinois law requires transparency when people die at the hands of police officers. But many of those cases remain unseen. Farrah Anderson and Chris Weber explain what happens when prosecutors stay silent on police killings.

Vernon Betts has been at the helm of the St. Louis Sheriff’s Department for nearly a decade, but remains undecided on how quiet his retirement from the post will be. Betts reflects on his tenure in office and contemplates what his life will look like after the badge in this conversation with STLPR's Brian Munoz.