The Gateway

For years, boosters of St. Louis’ technology sector have argued the region needs to double the number of jobs here, but a new report shows fewer openings than in years past. It's prompting some to look to startups as a solution. STLPR's Eric Schmid digs into some of the barriers keeping more startups from flourishing in the St. Louis region.

Missouri is one of the big battleground states over reproductive rights, where abortion is almost entirely illegal. One group that has recently given a significant amount of money to keep it illegal here is Catholic bishops. The Catholic church is strongly opposed to all abortion, but a majority of the faithful in Missouri don’t see it that way. A recent study shows many parishioners don't agree with their church's leadership on the issue, finding six out of 10 Catholics support abortion rights. Reporter Katia Riddle came to Missouri to talk to some of them.

St. Louis Cardinals fans who watch the games on Comcast X-finity were thrown a curveball last week when the Bally Sports Midwest channel disappeared from their TV service. Comcast and Diamond Sports Group couldn’t come to an agreement to keep Bally Sports Midwest and eleven other regional sports channels on the cable tv provider by the May first deadline. St. Louis Public Radio’s Brian Moline spoke with Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic about this dispute and how it’s indicative of larger issues for Major League Baseball’s television rights.

Pitcher Adam Wainwright retired last year after an impressive 18-year career with the Cardinals. His final season had multiple milestones. Two weeks after securing his landmark 200th win, he performed three original songs after a game at Busch Stadium. It was a preview of his new country album, “Hey Y’all.” St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin asked Wainwright what it was like to perform for Cardinals fans, not with a ball and a glove, but a microphone and guitar.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey opened a tip line last year to get information about care of transgender people that could be considered abusive or illegal. St. Louis On The Air Producer Danny Wicentowski submitted a sunshine request for what was sent in during the first 48 hours it was open. He spoke with Elaine Cha about what he found: that most of the input was in favor of transgender care and critical of Bailey.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wants state employees to have access to medication to help them lose weight. But the price tag, and how it was passed, has lawmakers and taxpayers outraged. Dave McKinney has more on the plan to cover injectable weight-loss drugs like Ozempic on the tax-payer dime.

Since 1952, Schwan’s has gone door to door delivering frozen food. Its yellow trucks, ice cream treats and customer service won the company a dedicated customer base. But recently, Schwan’s changed its name and stopped deliveries in most states. Harvest Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert explores the company’s legacy and future.

The work of Colombian artist Delcy Morelos makes connections between political bloodshed and degradation of the natural environment, particularly in places where conflict over the land has left a legacy of blood. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy Goodwin reports on a rare solo exhibition of the artist’s work now on view at Pulitzer Arts Foundation.

St. Louis has the highest rate of syphilis infections in the state. Cases of congenital syphilis among newborn babies are rising, too. St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Fentem speaks with Suzanne Alexander of the St. Louis Department of Health about how local officials hope to reduce the infection's spread.

If backers of an abortion rights initiative turn in enough signatures by May 5, Missourians could be voting to end the state’s ban on the procedure in November. While polling shows some GOP support for the measure, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum reports that it’s up for debate whether the ballot item hurts Republican electoral prospects.

An article published this month in a national publication put St. Louis in the spotlight—with a dark warning: beware the doom loop. It points to empty office buildings and shuttered restaurants, calling Downtown a “Real Estate Nightmare.” People are talking about it, but what's the conversation missing? Abby Llorico and Economic Development Reporter Eric Schmid discuss the response from the local business community.

NPR National Political correspondent Sarah McCammon recently released "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church." It is part memoir and part exploration into the role Evangelicals play in politics. In a conversation with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, McCammon first talked about how her book connected with a wide audience — including people who didn’t grow up Evangelical like her.

A large number of Missourians and Illinoisans say college is still worth it. That’s according to a new report from the Strada Education Foundation. The State Opportunity Index calculates a positive return on investment score for each state.

An ancient farming practice is getting a new life. Biochar is gaining traction as a regenerative agriculture practice that could help improve soil and sink carbon. Efforts are underway to introduce more farmers to biochar.

Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle says one of his first goals as head of the department was to convince officers that the federal consent decree they’re under is a good thing. He is also focused on recruitment of officers and improving community relations.

A U-S Supreme Court decision last year stripped most federal protections from wetlands. That’s made cooperation between federal, state and local conservation groups more important than ever. A nature preserve along the Illinois River may serve as a template of how to move forward.

Last year was the deadliest, on record, for people walking in St. Louis County. The data reinforces a reputation that St. Louis is not the safest place to walk or bike. The St. Louis-based nonprofit Trailnet recently released a report that presents key findings about STL’s traffic violence during 2023.

Over the last two decades, the number of newspapers in the U.S. has dropped by nearly a third. Rural areas have been especially impacted. But newspapers are experimenting with different strategies in an effort to keep local news alive.

Last fall, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appointed a federal coordinator to oversee the response to Cahokia Heights’ ongoing sewer and water issues. The inaugural coordinator is EPA scientist Beth Murphy. She’ll leave the position at the end of the month.

A team of behavioral health clinicians is working to bridge the gap in local policing by helping meet the mental and emotional needs in St. Louis. They’re known in St. Louis as the Purple Shirts.