The Gateway

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's Brian Munoz and Chad Davis, and The Midwest Newsroom's Kavahn Mansouri report. Plus: STLPR's Hiba Ahmad takes us to a new literacy program available through St. Louis County Library.

The end of a political era in Illinois is here. Five-term Democratic U.S. Senator and East St Louis native Dick Durbin has decided he will not be seeking re-election next year. Durbin spoke with Dave McKinney to break the news that is sure to set off a major contest to succeed him.

After being appointed to lead the Missouri Children’s Division, Sara Smith is facing the difficult challenge of having enough staff — and following through with legislative initiatives aimed at keeping families together. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum has more on Smith’s vision for protecting Missouri’s children.

UM System President Mun Choi signed an executive order last month outlining a process for law enforcement compliance. It was passed as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents are going to campuses around the country to detain those whose speech the Trump administration disagrees with. Aminah Jenkins reports on how the UM policy works for both staff and students.

Increased tariffs on many countries have been a hallmark of the first months of the second Trump administration. And a researcher in St. Louis finds these new levies will likely have broad and varied effects on the global supply chain.

The Asian elephant born at the St. Louis Zoo last fall is preparing to meet the public. But before that can happen, the keepers have been helping little “Jet” reach some important milestones. We paid a visit the Zoo to learn more about what he’s been up to.

Janis Mensah is the former vice-chair of the St. Louis Detention Facilities Oversight Board, and is scheduled to go on trial next month for charges stemming from a 2023 arrest at the City Justice Center. Mensah says police beat them unconscious while waiting to see a detainee, but police say Mensah ignored orders and refused to leave. Mensah spoke with STLPR’s Lacretia Wimbley about the need for greater transparency at the jail, where 19 detainees have died since 2020.

Missouri Republican lawmakers are working to pass a second version of the Second Amendment Preservation Act this session, after the first version was struck down as unconstitutional. The Midwest Newsroom's Kavahn Mansouri reports on how the bill was brought back to the table, and why law enforcement groups aren’t happy about it.

The president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is suing to knock down parts of a new law placing a gubernatorial board in charge of the city’s police department, and Cara Spencer says goodbye to her aldermanic colleagues before being sworn in as mayor today. Plus, a look at what impact a looming "enrollment cliff" could have on Missouri education institutions.

St. Louis’ reputation was rattled a year ago when the Wall Street Journal described the region’s downtown as a ‘real estate nightmare.’ A year later, the city has made strides, starting by tackling two prominent vacant properties. But St. Louis Public Radio’s Eric Schmid reports a full rebound will take many more years of sustained effort by civic and business leaders across the region and state.

Leaders of community radio station KDHX will head to court next week seeking a judge’s approval of their planned sale of the station’s radio frequency to K-LOVE, a national chain of syndicated Christian radio stations. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin reports on how supporters of the station plan to push back on the sale, and what could happen next.

St. Louis Mayor-elect Cara Spencer cruised to victory by outflanking incumbent Tishaura Jones in high turnout wards. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum breaks down the factors that led to Tuesday’s results. Plus: an audio postcard from a Missouri tree nursery might get you inspired to go outside and start planting.

Mayor Tishaura Jones lost in a landslide to Cara Spencer. Long-time comptroller Darlene Green suffered her first election defeat ever. The president of the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education was also ousted. We have a breakdown of the big races in the St. Louis area in Tuesday night's election.

A growing effort to eliminate “junk food” from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has some access advocates worried about a restriction's impact on recipients. Harvest Public Media's Anna Pope examines the push -- and the possible problems.

Soman Chainani is on a mission to get kids to read. And not just one of the millions of books he’s sold as a children’s author – he wants to get kids into any book. As he shared with Laura Spencer from the Kansas City Public Library, the St. Louis author’s debut graphic novel taps into a childhood passion for horror.

The most competitive race for St. Louis comptroller in decades is nearing the end. Voters are choosing between a 30-year incumbent and a former alderwoman and state representative who says the city needs a new set of eyes on its finances.

Paul Thiel’s poetry collection “Snapshots” is a memoir full of vivid details from 1960’s San Francisco, 1970’s New York and the bygone nightlife scene in St. Louis and East St. Louis. He discusses his work with STLPR's Jeremy Goodwin.

Buildings and light pollution will take a heavy toll on migrating birds this spring – particularly in the middle of the continent. One especially deadly building in the Midwest offers lessons on how residents can help more birds survive the journey.

Ferguson residents will vote on who will serve the city's three wards April 8. Some residents have questioned if one candidate is living in the ward he’s representing. STLPR's Chad Davis dives into the question--and its why the impact of its answers is complicated.

A combative race for mayor of St. Louis is nearing the end. Voters will decide on April 8 whether to keep incumbent Tishaura Jones in office, or give Eighth Ward alderwoman Cara Spencer the keys to the city. St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann takes stock of what was often a bitter and personal campaign so far.