St. Louis on the Air

For the past 24 years, filmmakers from across the world got together for the annual 48Hr Film Project in a race to make the best 5 to 7 minute short film. From amateurs just out for a good time to working professionals in search of a challenge, no one is excluded from the festivities. The event kicked off on August 22nd at Bad Dog Pictures and concluded on Sunday with teams turning in their projects at 7am. The festival’s producer Ria Ruthsatz and 2 time winner Keith Kennedy about the importance of the festival and its global reach.

On August 20, Missouri changed its policies around placing inmates with HIV in solitary confinement. The change stems from a lawsuit filed by Honesty Bishop: In 2015, after she was the target of an attempted sexual assault by her cellmate in a Missouri prison, prison officials deemed Bishop “sexually active” and kept her in isolation for more than 2,000 days. Bishop took her own life before the suit could conclude. Her family took it over after her death. STLPR reporter Kavahn Mansouri and Marshall Project reporter Katie Moore share their insights from reporting on the case, including their interviews with Bishop’s family and analysis of Missouri’s prison policies.

St. Louis comedian Nikki Glaser’s star is on the rise. Her latest comedy special, “Someday You’ll Die,” broke an HBO streaming record, she earned rave reviews for roasting Tom Brady and she made history as the first woman to solo-host the Golden Globes. Glaser joins producer Emily Woodbury to talk about her skyrocketing career, being honored with her own bobblehead at Busch Stadium and why she still calls St. Louis home.

Missouri’s newly appointed Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is stepping into a complicated role that includes baggage of her three predecessors — Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, and Andrew Bailey — who each left for higher office before finishing a full term. On this episode of the Legal Roundtable, our panel of expert attorneys discusses whether Hanaway can break new ground as AG. The roundtable also talks about the latest developments in the felony charges filed against County Executive Sam Page; a series of recent lawsuits targeting St. Louis businesses whose websites are allegedly not accessible to blind people; and a lawyer’s argument that Washington University police are not actually “law enforcement officers.”

One hundred days after an EF3 tornado tore through St. Louis, many residents are still living with boarded up homes, stalled insurance claims and frustration with getting government assistance. Central West End resident Ali Rand and Academy resident Monet Beatty each have damaged homes. They share how they forged an unexpected friendship in the aftermath of the storm.

STLPR reporters Kavahn Mansouri and Hiba Ahmad join the show to share what they’ve learned while covering the aftermath of the May 16 tornado. They discuss recovery efforts, the ripple effects across education and economic development, and where the city still faces major challenges.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world — from automating customer service to powering financial decisions — but it also raises urgent questions about ethics, policy, and the environment. Oliver Roberts, co-director of the WashU Law AI Collaborative, explains how policymakers are grappling with regulating AI. Then, STLPR senior environment reporter Kate Grumke talks about AI’s environmental footprint and shares how she recently used the technology in her own reporting.

Congressman Mark Alford, R-Cass County, isn’t shying away from doing town hall meetings while Congress is in recess. He’s planning a four-day swing next week through the 4th Congressional District, which takes in portions of the Kansas City area and Mid-Missouri. On the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Alford talks about holding town hall meetings and why he supported defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University provides mentorship and resources to support Black entrepreneurs in overcoming systemic barriers. We talk with Kristy Jackson, the center’s executive director, and Emilia Robertson, CEO of ShotsByEmilia and a 2022 program graduate, about how the center empowers innovators, preserves Black history, and inspires the next generation of leaders.

The reciprocal tariffs President Trump announced in April went into effect this month. It’s too early to tell exactly how these tariff increases for 70 international trading partners will impact St. Louis directly, but economists are looking to history and data for insights into possible effects. Max Dvorkin of the Federal Reserve Bank - St. Louis shared what he and fellow economists are tracking. Global Food Group’s Shayn Prapaislip and Sincerely, the Craft’s Jade Moore provided updates on how their respective businesses are faring as they navigate tariff-related aspects of the changing business landscape.