St. Louis on the Air

Fried chicken ranks among the top five most popular foods in the U.S., beating out apple pie and even outranking hot dogs. This coming Sunday is National Fried Chicken Day, dedicated to all things chicken, crispy and crunchy. Adrian Miller, aka the Soul Food Scholar and author of the James Beard Award-winning book “Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time,” shares his insights into the history of fried chicken, where it got its start, the stigma associated with it and the ways the dish is celebrated today.

After an EF3 tornado tore the roof of Gloria Nolan’s home in north St. Louis near Fairground Park, she and her family remain displaced. They’re living in a temporary home and expect to wait at least a year for their home to be repaired. More than six weeks after the tornado, Nolan discusses how she’s navigating insurance, inspections, and uncertainty — and what the long road to recovery might look like in her neighborhood.

Since March 19, more than 200 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees have been held at the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri. Some are there for only one day, while others have been detained for more than two months. With no possessions and limited contact with family or legal help, many face an uncertain future. A group of about 50 local activists is stepping up, helping detainees reach their loved ones and offering small but meaningful acts of comfort and kindness. We talk about the work of Abide in Love with STLPR editors Jonathan Ahl and Brian Munoz.

June was packed with restaurant news across the region. Two food trucks — Bougie Bites and Fufu n’ Sauce — opened brick-and-mortar locations in Overland and Vinita Park, respectively. Lefty’s Bagels debuted in Creve Coeur, and Grace Meat + Three launched Grace Chicken + Fish in Crestwood. In Waterloo, country artist Alexandra Kay opened the Coffee Girl Cafe. STLPR digital editor Jessica Rogen and host Elaine Cha break down the latest openings and closings in the St. Louis food scene.

The Missouri Supreme Court’s use of a 2002 dictionary definition of “sex” in a transgender student’s discrimination case is drawing criticism. Legal Roundtable attorneys Mary Anne Sedey, Bevis Schock and Erica Slater discuss that case — plus a teen volleyball player’s settlement with the City of St. Louis, a hazing lawsuit and efforts to oust the St. Louis sheriff.

Makini Morrision is a musical polymath. His mastering of jazz, hip-hop and soul music as K Kudda Muzic makes him in high demand to produce music in the St. Louis area. He joined “St. Louis on the Air” to share his music journey, starting with his parents album collection, and his approach to creating his original works as well as collaborating with others.

For Ryan “Big Esco” Brown, a St. Louis DJ and artist with the hip-hop duo Souls of Liberty, hip hop is having a moment — a particularly vulnerable and authentic one. He shares a few of his favorite recent music releases from St. Louis artists alongside producer Miya Norfleet in the June edition of our new music roundup. In addition to hip hop tracks, their selections include Irish bluegrass, EDM, R&B and meditative/ambient music.

The recovery from St. Louis' tornado is affecting both the physical and mental health of residents. Dr. LJ Punch, founder of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic in St. Louis, shares how his group and others are continuing to help the community heal in the Fountain Park neighborhood. The nonprofit is one of dozens of organizations that lost half of their federal funding just before the storm. Dr. Punch says that loss isn’t stopping them from getting resources to residents who need them.

At La Pâtisserie Chouquette in south St. Louis, Juneteenth is a time for celebration and stories. Simone Faure, pastry designer and co-owner of the James Beard-nominated bakery, shares the inspiration behind the bakery’s Juneteenth menu this year, which includes items with Gullah Geechee influences and backstories that involve genealogical research and an international recipe exchange.

Thousands of St. Louisans impacted by the May 16 tornado are beginning to apply for aid programs provided by the city and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. STLPR reporter Hiba Ahmad discusses where relief efforts stand so far, what impacted communities need to move forward, and what’s still to come.