St. Louis on the Air

Thousands of people move in and out of Missouri’s parole system every year. That includes Norman Brown, who was released in 2022 after serving 31 years in prison for a crime he committed at 15. Brown joins the MacArthur Justice Center’s Amy Malinowski for a critical discussion of the state’s parole system, its flaws and areas for improvement. The system is under scrutiny for improvements pending official recommendations from a “working group” created by an executive order issued this year by Gov. Mike Kehoe. We also hear from Terrell Robinson, who, in an interview from prison, describes the parole system as “draconian, cruel and severe.”

Generations of drum corps enthusiasts filled the stands at Belleville West High School to see some of the nation’s best performers last week. The marching music tradition has deep roots in the Metro East and St. Louis. STLPR’s Visuals Editor Brian Munoz discusses his reporting. He’s joined by Steve McCarty, an alum of the Belleville Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and the admin of the Facebook group dedicated to preserving and celebrating the drum corps’ legacy.

For Aaron Walsh and James Pursell, the work of LEAN-STL is personal. As peer support specialists, they work to break down the stigma of talking about addiction and mental health — often sharing their own experience with addiction, recovery and healing in the process. In the two and a half years since LEAN-STL was founded, the pair has connected hundreds of St. Louis laborers and their families with resources. It’s a model they believe will lower the high rates of substance use and suicide among construction workers — one they hope to see adopted by more trade associations in the future.

Fifty Missouri locales are featured in lifelong resident Caitlin Yager’s new book, “Small Town Missouri: Legends, Lore, and Attractions in the Show Me State.” In addition to responding to listener calls, Yager shares thoughts on the big influence that small towns have across the state and what makes her book more than a travel guide.

On July 20, St. Louis activist Bob Suberi and around 20 others set sail on the ship Handala with the goal of breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza. On Sunday, the boat was intercepted and Suberi was detained by Israeli forces. We first hear Barbara Suberi share her reaction to her husband’s situation in the immediate aftermath of learning of his release from detention. Then Bob Suberi describes his trip to Gaza and confrontation with the Israeli Navy. Suberi also describes his personal connection to Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, who was shot and killed by an Israeli settler on Monday.

St. Louis’ civilian-led Police Oversight Board was founded to review complaints of excessive force and misconduct. But a letter from the City Attorney has thrown the board’s future into doubt. On this episode of Legal Roundtable on “St. Louis on the Air,” attorneys Eric Banks, Sarah Swatosh, and Dave Roland discuss the legal clash unfolding between the citizen board members and Missouri’s takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The panel also discusses the case of a prominent local developer hiring the brother of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother, and more.

Back-to-school will be different this year for many in St. Louis Public Schools. Instead of returning to familiar campuses, many students and teachers have been assigned to different SLPS buildings because of severe tornado damage. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmed provides an overview of what’s happened since the May 19 tornado; announcements about school re-assignments this year and prospective closures the next. She also discusses a recent summit for educators about integrating AI tools into the classroom.

Sunflowers are in full bloom in St. Louis. The hearty plants are an important part of the ecosystem. In addition to being edible for humans and other animals, sunflowers support pollinators — and serve as an attraction for doves during hunting season. The fields at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area also provide a colorful, sunny backdrop for photos.

Medicaid director Todd Richardson gives an in-depth breakdown of how the program works in Missouri. He explains who can access these benefits, what the process of gaining coverage involves, and which benefits are actually available. Richardson also speaks candidly about the challenges ahead given the changing political landscape.

Former Missouri Congressman Bill Clay Sr. received an outpouring of praise after he died last week. He was 94 years old. Clay was a force in regional and national politics, and he left behind a titanic legacy as a champion of civil rights and workers’ rights. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum explores Clay’s career in politics, and why there may never be another Missouri politician like him again.