A survey from the National Academy of Sciences suggests most Americans now believe in at least one conspiracy theory. A Missouri researcher says the key to bringing those believers back into mainstream society is leading with empathy. From @kcur.org:

America is awash in conspiracy theories. A Missouri researcher says 'radical empathy' can help

A survey from the National Academy of Sciences suggests most Americans now believe in at least one conspiracy theory. A Missouri researcher says the key to bringing those believers back into mainstream...

stlpr.org

A blighting determination on the Cortex district will continue after all, extending the nearly 20-year determination on the district in the Central West End.

Aldermen approve Cortex bill on second try, extending 20-year blight determination

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen reconsidered a bill that extends a blighting determination from the 2000s on the Cortex district in the Central West End.

stlpr.org

Go check it out!

Zach in STL@radiofreestl.bsky.social · 12mo ago

This is the first I’ve heard of this place. I heard @abbyllorico.bsky.social‘s story a moment ago, and @stlpublicradio.bsky.social‘s morning newsletter talked about it, too. Is it crazy to plan on visiting it Friday morning?

A really interesting story from @marissanne2011.bsky.social about two thorny issues the local flower industry is facing: tariffs AND a lack of federal funding, with great photos as usual from @brianmunoz.bsky.social:

Will flowers fall to Trump's tariffs? St. Louis-grown blooms could be the answer

Florists and wholesalers might have to pivot to homegrown alternatives as tariffs wreak havoc on the floral industry. Local growers say meeting the demand will be a challenge without federal support.

stlpr.org

Important reporting for @stlpublicradio.bsky.social from @brianmunoz.bsky.social, Chad Davis, and @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social:

A mother and son fled Colombia for a better life. He died in St. Louis on ICE’s watch

Lucy Garzón risked everything to keep her children safe, then ended up losing a son to the very country she hoped would protect him.

stlpr.org

Mornings have been BUSY lately, and I fell off my regular a.m. headline posts. May or may not pick those back up. Same with social media in general. The flowers in my neighborhood are blooming and the weather’s warming and there’s just so much world to get sucked into, my phone can’t really keep up.

Today’s Gateway: -Why/how MO Reps passed a nearly $2B supplemental budget -The latest on the future of an FDA facility in STL -Another lawsuit against the new STL Sheriff -A call for help from local refugee groups -A goodbye, for good reason, to a beloved Zoo resident Listen wherever you ‘podcast:

Thursday, March 6 - Animal sanctuary's sudden shutdown leaves little closure

The Gateway · Episode

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Today’s Gateway recaps the STL municipal primary, the latest in the saga involving City Personnel Director Jenkins-Gray, and looks at how MO TikTok creators are planning for an uncertain future:

Wednesday, March 5 - The STL election is set; TikTok's future is uncertain

The Gateway · Episode

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The St. Louis match will also be a homecoming for former U.S. captain Becky Sauerbrunn.

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team heads to St. Louis for exhibition match against China

The U.S. Women’s National Team is squaring off against China for St. Louis game.

stlpr.org

What do looming federal job cuts mean for the St. Louis area’s economy? Some economists said it will have overall trickle-down effects, while others believe it wouldn’t have broader implications:

What do looming federal job cuts mean for the St. Louis area’s economy?

Nearly 26,000 people work for the federal government in the St. Louis metropolitan area. If a portion lose their jobs, some economists said it will have overall trickle-down effects, while others beli...

stlpr.org

Tomorrow is the STL Municipal Primary, with the first round of voting for Mayor and Comptroller. Today’s podcast gives an overview, plus — -Bird flu found at the Zoo -Fed job cuts impact on economy -STL not currently considering cash reparations -Feb. restaurant openings/closures + More: listen!

Monday, March 3 - A primer on the St. Louis municipal primary

The Gateway · Episode

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A NPR interview last year with the filmmaker behind 'No Other Land' which just won an Oscar. www.npr.org/2024/11/21/n...

Documentary 'No Other Land' looks at Palestinians forced from homes in the West Bank

The documentary 'No Other Land' by a Palestinian-Israeli collective looks at rural Palestinian communities in the Israeli occupied West Bank being forced out of their homes by the Israeli military.

npr.org

An employee at Gateway Arch National Park told St. Louis Public Radio that the Trump administration, with its ongoing workforce reduction measures, is “terrorizing” the park’s federal employees. via @abbyllorico.bsky.social www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Gateway Arch National Park worker says employees are being 'terrorized' by job cuts

The employee confirms several staffers were terminated, and the park could be down dozens of workers for peak visitor season.

stlpr.org

I spoke with an NPS worker at the Arch, who described trauma & confusion amid ongoing cuts and changing directives. Separately, Ryan McClure of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation: “These are real people, they're not just lines on a balance sheet. And without them, we have a real problem.”

Gateway Arch National Park worker says employees are being 'terrorized' by job cuts

The employee confirms several staffers were terminated, and the park could be down dozens of workers for peak visitor season.

stlpr.org

Best news of the year?

NPR@npr.org · 2y ago

After weeks at the top of the Sentry list at the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, the asteroid 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a threat to Earth.

What’s in the news this a.m.? -STL authority approves redeveloper for Millennium Hotel site -MO lawmakers concerned about possible plans to cut federal healthcare funding -Thousands of kids lost healthcare coverage post-pandemic -Local Forest Service employees impacted by federal job cuts + more:

Wednesday, Feb. 26 - Rural residents say mail plan fails to deliver

The Gateway · Episode

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As Congress mulls its reconciliation package, one idea raising alarms in Missouri is starkly reducing the 90% federal match to Medicaid expansion states. Because MO Medicaid expansion is constitutionally protected, reducing the match to around 60% could blow a $750 million hole in the state budget:

Missouri budget in peril if Congress slashes federal funding to state Medicaid expansion

Missouri officials doubt the state could stop accepting Medicaid expansion applicants if the federal government provides less money.

stlpr.org

A surprise gnome in the park.

This morning on STLPR: -Fired deputy sues STL Sheriff for defamation, in latest twist in the ongoing drama -SCOTUS declines to rule on abortion clinic “bubble zone” laws -SLPS BOE candidate wants out of the race -MO sports betting delayed for months 🎧 These + more stories on air and The Gateway:

Tuesday, Feb. 25 - Plant libraries, and the answers they provide, are in jeopardy

The Gateway · Episode

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Must see: @brianmunoz.bsky.social snapshots from the Soulard Mardi Gras Purina Pet Parade 📸 🐕🦜🐎 😍

Photos: The pups, pigs and furry friends who strutted in the annual Soulard pet parade

This year marks the 46th edition of the Purina Pet Parade — a staple of St. Louis' Mardi Gras season. Here are the people and pets who made their way to south St. Louis.

stlpr.org

Along with an insightful story on how STL is tackling the vacant property issue, today’s Gateway covers: -Details on city settlement with TN teen, in town for a volleyball tournament, who lost both legs after being hit by a STL driver -Mo House prioritizes “family issues”

So much news today: -Sheriff’s deputy says he was told to roll dice to keep his job -STL Co to resume control of formerly troubled animal shelter -Mo House OKs bills to give state control of STL police and ban DEI -SLPS gives interim superintendent the permanent job, w/o a formal search

“He breaks out a pair of golden dice. Two dice. They're gold. He says, ‘I'll tell you what Tony, if you could roll a seven, you can take your leave. If you don’t, you resign.’” www.stlmag.com/news/st-loui...

St. Louis sheriff made deputy roll golden dice to keep his job—then fired him days later

The bizarre allegations about Sheriff Alfred Montgomery are bolstered by recordings shared by former deputy Tony Kirchner

stlmag.com

Ed Martin’s ascent to a high-profile D.C. gig is recalling his colorful tenure in MO politics. “It may be that the people of Washington, D.C., don't know who he is, have no idea about all of this…It’s on us from Missouri to bring these things to the surface.” @jasonrosenbaum.bsky.social reports:

Former Missouri GOP Chairman Martin in line for high-profile U.S. attorney post in D.C.

Martin's time in Missouri politics included unsuccessfully running twice for statewide and congressional office.

stlpr.org

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a $55.2 billion budget without new taxes, while later comparing President Trump’s legislative playbook to the Nazi movement.

Pritzker unveils $55.2 billion budget with no new taxes, compares Trump playbook to the Nazi movement

The Democratic governor also peppered his seventh budget blueprint — which Republicans derided as the largest in state history — with key policy proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.

stlpr.org

News from STLPR: -More snow overnight! Powdery stuff, and additional flurries/snowfall shouldn’t accumulate much today. After dangerous cold in the coming days, it should warm up by the weekend.

Road conditions aren’t great this morning: I’ve been checking area maps/crash reports to find quite a few crashes, slide-offs, and spin-outs, and hearing from folks who navigated “worse than they look” local roads. This morning, my brakes were certainly tested! Please be safe and take it slow today.

This morning’s Gateway features the latest on the weather, a new grant program for local businesses, drama over who has authority at the city jail, how IL educators are preparing for possible $ cuts, and a story about a program that helps people get back on their feet after incarceration. Listen!

Tuesday, Feb. 18 - A new lease on life for formerly incarcerated individuals

The Gateway · Episode

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Refusing to look at the forecast for this week 🫣 Mentally still living in my photos from this past weekend on Miami’s warm and sunny South Beach 🤩

Back at it this morning at STLPR, where headlines include: -Abortions could resume in MO this week following judge’s additional ruling -Ameren’s plans to build up production capacity spark questions on transparency -Madigan’s IL pension paused -Life sciences company relocates to STL