St. Louis on the Air

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 larger effort to revive the neighborhood’s memory. Vivian Gibson, author of “The Last Children of Mill Creek," and Malaika Horne Wells, author of "Mother Wit,” share their memories of Mill Creek, their work to collect oral histories from other former residents. and a special preview of the documentary "Remembering Mill Creek: When We Were There."

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 growing up in St. Louis and what it means to him to see stand-up comedy growing and thriving in their hometown.

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. She joined “St. Louis on the Air” to discuss the role, her life and career, and what the Trailblazer Achievement Award from St. Louis International Film Festival means to her.

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: Music, Art, & Splendor in the Court of Akbar the Great,” which takes the stage this weekend as part of Dances of India’s 48th annual performance.

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 roots and Madsen’s legacy.

The federal government shutdown has stretched into the longest in U.S. history, with ripple effects across the country — from unpaid federal workers to stalled safety net benefits. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum sat down with U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt in his Washington, D.C. office to talk about the shutdown’s impact, immigration policy and more. Jason then talks with Elaine Cha to add context and analysis.

Since its introduction in 1977, lethal injection has been the most commonly used method of execution by states with the death penalty. While it’s often viewed as more humane than other methods, when the curtain is pulled back, it is tainted with error, ineptitude and secrecy that has led to many botched executions and unnecessary suffering. University of Richmond law professor and death penalty scholar Corinna Barrett Lain’s debut book “Secrets of the Killing State” explores the secretive world of lethal injection in Missouri and throughout the U.S.

St. Louis’ restaurant scene had a “long-awaited” month. Nicky Slices finally opened its brick-and-mortar location — and sold out almost immediately. New spots like Extra Wavy and Prohibition brought fresh life to vacant spaces near Lafayette Square. And the supper club Mainlander reopened in its new location. We dig into the latest openings and closings with STLPR’s Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico.

Animal shelters in the St. Louis region are facing unprecedented overcrowding as the number of surrendered and abandoned pets continues to grow. The Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis reported a 64% increase in the amount of animals taken in between 2023 and 2024, and shelter staff are currently struggling to take care of more than 100 dogs in a facility that has capacity for 61. Unfortunately, they’re not alone in their struggle. Leaders with CARE-STL, Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis, and St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center share the reasons behind the crisis and what residents and lawmakers can do to help.

Visual storytellers and creatives like filmmaker Cami Thomas are breathing life into the region’s TV and film industry by drawing in the attention of larger production companies. With her narrative short “Keenelan,” Thomas hopes to foster the region’s economic growth and civic pride, and introduce St. Louis to a national audience. Thomas and “Keenelan” editor Jazzy Kettenacker share a behind-the-scenes look into the romantic comedy ahead of its showing at this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival.