St. Louis on the Air

We're listening back to our conversation with Jeremy Boyer. Boyer is part of what makes going to a Cardinals or Blues game special. He’s delighted millions of fans over the years as an organist for both teams. Now, he’s racking up millions of views on TikTok for his in-game renditions of songs from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift.

On this encore episode, Missouri Botanical Garden scientist, Charlotte Taylor, names 500 new species of plants. That makes her the most prolific living female botanist — an accomplishment only revealed last year by researchers from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the University of Cambridge. The researchers found Taylor is the third most prolific female botanist in the field — ever. Taylor discusses her contributions to the field of botany and takes us inside the world of a world-class taxonomist.

What kind of government did the founding fathers envision? Peter Kastor, a professor of history at Washington University, has spent years trying to address that question. He and his colleagues collected records of more than 37,000 people who worked for the federal government between 1789 and 1829. The results are now publicly viewable via the “Creating a Federal Government” digital archive. Kastor shares what he found in those records, the individual histories they contain, and what they say about the founders’ ideas about the federal government.

Jason Hall built a reputation as one of St. Louis’ most vocal cheerleaders in various positions at different economic development organizations over the past 12 years, most recently as the first CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc. Hall is leaving his post to take over the reins of the Columbus Partnership on Jan. 13. He talks with STLPR economic development reporter Eric Schmid about his time in St. Louis and upcoming transition.

St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park plans to open to the public in 2027, but the 425 acre conservation area in north St. Louis County is already home to 38 animals. Park leaders share what it takes to transform a golf course into a safari park, the zoo’s aim to bolster endangered species, and how the park will be a boon to local wildlife and the regional economy.

The Michelin Guide is a gold standard in the culinary world, but you won't find a single Michelin-starred restaurant in St. Louis or even Missouri. As STLPR Morning Newscaster Abby Llorico discovered through recent interviews with St. Louis restaurateurs, it turns out that it's not simple (or cheap) to get a Michelin scout in your city. Along with Llorico, St. Louis Magazine food writer Cheryl Baehr joins the discussion of Michelin rankings and more, including her reflections on the major events in St. Louis' food scene in 2024.

In 2024, Missouri voters got rid of the state’s near total ban on abortion yet overwhelmingly voted for Republicans who were opposed to doing so. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell defeated Rep. Cori Bush in the Democratic primary. And, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan went on trial for public corruption. On this episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR reporters discuss the top Missouri and Illinois political stories in 2024.

Growing up in St. Louis in the 1950s and 60s, Lee Hendrix was taught to fear the Mississippi River. But the sense of adventure it offered ended up being the seed that became a five decade career of piloting boats on the Mississippi. In this encore episode, Hendrix discusses his book, “Peep Light,” where he shares stories about the dangerous work of starting as a deckhand and later ascending to the pilothouse. He also talks about what it was like to pilot passenger vessels, including the grand American Queen, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest towboat, the MV Mississippi.

In 2024, we said goodbye to a number of remarkable people who lived and worked in the St. Louis region. In this episode, we honor those we lost this year by listening back to conversations with them or by hearing from those who knew them well.

Republicans will gain control of the House, Senate and presidency next month and that means Missouri Rep. Jason Smith will become even more powerful, as he’ll have a clearer path as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee to reshape taxation and trade policy. Smith, who represents Missouri’s 8th Congressional District, discusses priorities including renewing or expanding tax cuts — and governing with a narrow majority.