The Gateway

The Mississippi Valley Library District Board of Trustees has been caught up in culture war-like issues for the past two years. On Tuesday, three of its seven seats are open, and the winners will steer the board as it navigates aging facilities, staff unionization and more. STLPR's Will Bauer reports.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic label is supposed to give consumers confidence that their food was grown without pesticides, and with care for the animals. But high certification costs have some smaller farmers looking for alternatives. Harshawn Ratanpal reports on one label that's trying to establish itself as an alternative.

The James Beard Awards are considered some of the most prestigious culinary honors in the nation – and in a new national category, two women from St. Louis are being celebrated. Abby Llorico speaks with Natasha Bahrami of The Gin Room and Alisha Blackwell-Calvert of Madrina about the honor.

A new trail is coming to Mark Twain State Park in Monroe County near Hannibal this summer. As Harshawn Ratanpal reports, volunteers came together recently to clear the trail and remember a friend.

The second half of the 2025 Missouri Legislative session begins today: STLPR's Sarah Kellogg has a preview of what lawmakers in Jefferson City hope to accomplish in the upcoming weeks.

President Trump signed an executive order yesterday to further downsize the U.S. Department of Education, and as STLPR’s Hiba Ahmad reports, some St. Louis area education leaders are concerned about this change. Plus, a conversation between St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson and local artist Mee Jey about how the immigrant experience shaped her work in a new exhibit.

Explore St. Louis CEO Brad Dean says the local tourism industry is on the rebound and this is the year it will rebound to pre pandemic levels.

Demolition has begun at the Medium Security Institution in north St. Louis known as the Workhouse, following a years-long fight to close it. Plus: Harvest Public Media contributor Frank Morris reports on how uncertainty over federal programs is impacting rural communities.

The Missouri legislature passed a major utility bill before it left for spring break. The 133 page bill contains dozens of policies. St. Louis Public Radio’s Kate Grumke explores how some of the changes in the bill could affect power companies and the people who rely on them.

Thousands of people are still without power and hundreds are working to repair damage and clean up debris from deadly storms and tornadoes that came through the region Friday night. Plus: Peat bogs are a type of wetland found in Missouri and Illinois that absorb a lot of the Earth’s carbon dioxide, but these natural air purifiers are at risk. A story of how scientists are working to protect the bogs and educate the public.

Fairmount Park in Collinsville will open soon for its 100th season. And with that anniversary, there will be major changes at the horse race track. St. Louis Public Radio’s Will Bauer has a preview.

Doug Burris, credited with turning things around at the St. Louis County jail, is now the new leader of the St. Louis City Justice Center. Burris sat down with STLPR reporter Lacretia Wimbley to discuss his plans to improve conditions at the city jail.

Missouri Republicans who attended the recent Lincoln Days event say they are enthusiastic about the first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term. As St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum reports, the state’s GOP leaders remain unwavering in their support — despite backlash over Trump’s early moves.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, fired 800 employees earlier this month. Experts are warning that cuts to the agency could have serious impacts on weather forecasts and climate research, but As Harshawn Ratanpal reports, University of Missouri students are grappling with what cuts to the agency mean for their careers.

Twelve people are on the ballot for three seats on the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education. St. Louis Public Radio’s Hiba Ahmad sat down with the candidates to hear how they plan to handle the district’s most pressing issues.

The Mildred Kemper Art Museum is showing an exhibition of artists who use their work to call for a better balance between humans and our natural world. As St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin reports, some of the artwork grew from the work at an urban garden in the Old North neighborhood.

The 2017 escape of the St. Louis Six brought the Gentle Barn to Missouri. Its abrupt closure left volunteers abandoned and grieving -- then, animals started dying. STLPR's Danny Wicentowski discusses his investigation.

Results of the St. Louis municipal primary, which sets the ballots for the April 8 general election, and a look at how Missouri TikTok creators are preparing for life after the app.

Black pediatric patients believed to have neurological conditions are falling through the cracks. A new study finds that just half of Black patients completed the necessary genetic tests for diagnosis and treatment. St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson spoke with Dr. Christina Gurnett, co-author of the Washington University School of Medicine study highlighting the barriers Black families face accessing care.

Voters in St. Louis go to the polls tomorrow to vote in primaries for mayor and comptroller. Some will also select their general election candidates for aldermen. St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann breaks down the municipal ballot.