Earlier this week, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum spoke with Elizabeth Shackelford — the author of the new book The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age. It was part of a live event for Left Bank Books. You find out more about Shackelford's work by going here: https://www.left-bank.com/event/elizabeth-shackelford-dissent-channel
Twenty years ago, a record release on June 27 changed the course of St. Louis’ presence in the hip-hop world and overall cultural identity. Cornell Haynes Jr., a.k.a. Nelly, debuted his first solo album, “Country Grammar,” bringing national attention to St. Louis’ distinct accent and steez. The album rose to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and is in a rare class of hip-hop albums to be awarded a diamond certification, having sold more than 10 million copies. Host Sarah Fenske revisits that moment with Vango Jones. Jones is a St. Louis native, and he recently wrote an in-depth piece for the St. Louis American about how “Country Grammar” helped shape St. Louis pride in many aspects, from sports to fashion. Residents also share their fondest memories and what they admire most about Nelly’s success and representation of the region.
The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services has issued a one-year license for Planned Parenthood's St. Louis abortion clinic. The issue has been the subject of a lengthy legal battle.
Also, Missouri’s first medical marijuana dispensaries were supposed to open this month. But now, the earliest they will start selling the drug is late summer or early fall.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced St. Louis courts to close, there were about 150 eviction cases in the works. Since then, the St. Louis Sheriff's Department says phones have been ringing off the hook with requests from landlords whose tenants have failed to pay rent. In this episode, Sarah Fenske talks with Sheriff Vernon Betts about how his office is preparing for a surge in evictions once the courts fully reopen. Several housing advocates also join the discussion to contextualize the broader housing crisis they foresee if hundreds of St. Louisans end up being evicted in the months ahead.
Host Sarah Fenske explores the 13th annual QFest, presented by Cinema St. Louis. The film festival showcases contemporary gay cinema, spotlights the lives of LGBTQ people and celebrates queer culture. Joining the discussion is Chris Clark, Cinema St. Louis' artistic director and QFest organizer, to talk through what this year's festival has to offer. Also joining the discussion is local director Dan Steadman, who’s participating in QFest for the first time and has two short films on the lineup.
St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar says two Florissant officers will not face criminal charges after a detective driving an SUV hit a man in Dellwood. That detective has been fired and charged with assault. The case has sparked protests outside the Florissant Police Department. Also, we examine the impact of canceling cultural events to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Earlier this year, the federal government intercepted an unusual find: egg cases holding what could become hundreds of black market praying mantises. Host Sarah Fenske explores how those egg cases ended up at the Missouri Botanical Garden —and what happened when they hatched.
The author of the “The Immortals of Tehran” is an Iranian translator and writer. He was born in Tehran. But for the past four years, he’s lived here in St. Louis, where he's a PhD student at Washington University. He discusses his new book, and time in the Midwest, with host Sarah Fenske.
Two economic development announcements in the St. Louis region will lead to more workers in downtown St. Louis and in St. Louis County. Also, we examine how coronavirus cancelations have prompted increased interest in hunting.
As schools look toward re-opening amid COVID-19, a new toolkit from Women's Voices for the Earth helps parents talk to teachers and school officials about harmful disinfectants — while also promoting safer and effective product alternatives and best-practices, aimed to reduce toxic exposures, and help keep not only our kids, but also our educators and school staff, healthy and safe.
This toolkit promote safety, health, and sensible use of product and their chemicals - and dialogue among stakeholder humans! Maria Ignacia Miranda Santis, WVE Program and Outreach Manager, details this campaign and it's "parent" project, Parents Against Quats, a campaign supporting parental leverage with schools to eliminate products using quartenary ammonia.
The science based grass-roots organizing power of Women' Voice for the Earth, and WVE's consumer-savvy campaigns, have been taking on corporate and government interests for 25 years. Efforts to amplify concerns specific to women - from moms to workers in nail salons. Successes include pressuring Johnson & Johnson to remove a carcinogenic ingredient from (are you ready for this?) Baby Shampoo in 2011, when Earthworms first met WVE. WVE's Detox the Box campaign takes aim at manufactures of tampons and other menstrual products that harbor toxic ingredients. This is a powerful, focused group!
THANKS to Andy Coco and Jon Valley, engineers for this Earthworms edition.
A drug developed in St. Louis is beginning human trials with the idea of helping those most at risk of dying from COVID-19. ATI-450 was originally developed by Confluence Discovery Technologies in 2013 as a treatment for autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Confluence co-founder Joe Monahan discusses with host Sarah Fenske how it might now also help with the new coronavirus -- and what it will take to bring it to market.
There are concerns among health officials that many people don't realize coronavirus is still a deadly threat. That comes as restrictions throughout Missouri and Illinois are lifted. Also, the Ethical Society of Police says the St. Louis County Memorandum of Understanding with the African American police union is more than a year too late.
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democratic Missouri attorney general candidate Elad Gross talks about his bid for the office — and the steps he would take to reshape the post.
Gross is a former assistant attorney general who currently runs his own law firm. He’s also served as a special public defender in St. Louis. He started a nonprofit called Education Exchange Corps that primarily helps students in the St. Louis Public School system.
Gross received his undergraduate degree at Duke University and his law degree from Washington University.
Nearly 90% of the Crime Victim Center’s cases deal with domestic violence, and according to the nonprofit’s executive director Marti Kelly, there is currently an increase in such cases in the St. Louis region. She believes this is due to recent stay-at-home orders. In this episode, Sarah Fenske talks with Kelly about the organization's work, and domestic violence survivor Alexis shares how the Crime Victim Center helped her and her son in the courtroom.
The city of St. Louis approved a $5.7 million contract last week to outfit its police officers with body cameras. City officials said some cops could be wearing cameras within a month. But the policies surrounding the cameras remain unclear. The spokesman for the city’s police union argued in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that any changes to equipment need the union’s approval. The city counselor disagrees, saying the power rests solely on Chief John Hayden. And with the union spokesman (a controversial figure in his own right) claiming he has “no confidence” in Hayden, the details could become a flashpoint. Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards joins host Sarah Fenske to discuss the body cameras and the devilish details that could keep the police union and transparency advocates at loggerheads in their implementation.
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democratic attorney general candidate Rich Finneran talks about his bid to unseat Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt — and his priorities for the office.
Finneran is a University City resident who most recently worked for the Bryan Cave law firm. Before that, he served as an assistant U.S. Attorney during most of Richard Callahan’s tenure as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Finneran grew up in St. Louis County and got his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina. He then received his law degree from Washington University.
Missouri health officials say Sunday is the first day since the pandemic started that more than 400 new cases of COVID-19 were reported. Most of the spike is coming from rural counties in the southwest part of the state. Also, the pandemic has prompted courts throughout Missouri to close. We examine the slow process of reopening the state's legal system.
Juneteenth, sometimes called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is one of the oldest celebrations practiced in the United States. And it has taken on added significance during periods of the country’s history where the push to end racial inequities has been in the spotlight. Local Juneteenth parade organizer Carla "Coffee" Wright and Calvin Riley Jr, director of the George B. Vashon Museum, join host Sarah Fenske to talk about the holiday's origins and commemoration of it.
In recent weeks, many St. Louis institutions have begun to reopen after months of coronavirus-mandated closures. City Museum General Manager Rick Erwin discussed the difficulties of adapting a free-for-all playland to the age of COVID-19. Reps from the St. Louis Science Center and Magic House also shared their thoughts.
June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates when some of the last slaves learned they had been freed by the surrender of the Confederate Army. The day has more significance this year amid the racial injustice protests following the death of George Floyd. Also, we explore the renewed efforts to privatize St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
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