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In this episode of "St. Louis on the Air," we talk with East St. Louis native Alex Fennoy who was recently recognized with the 2020 George Bailey Distinguished Service Award from the American Bankers Association for his work bringing banking services to underserved communities.

Community members share how their lives are beginning to change and what they’re looking forward to the most, now that they’ve received the vaccine. St. Louis Public Radio health reporter Sarah Fentem also fields questions about the vaccine rollout.

Rev. Derrick Perkins and Pastor Eric Stiller share the plans their St. Louis congregations and communities have for this weekend while reflecting on how Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy speaks to this current moment in American history.

Education reporter Ryan Delaney joins to discuss the move by St. Louis Public Schools to reduce the number of schools in the district — closing at least eight schools and giving three others a reprieve — in an effort to put more funding toward support services and academics, rather than facilities costs.

Leona Augustine wrote “I’m Dreaming of No One But You" in 1942 while missing her beau, who'd enlisted in the Army. It was published as sheet music. But it's only now being released as a single, all thanks to her grandson. He explains how the song became his pandemic project.

Ever since it opened in 1997, Cooper House has prided itself on offering a vibrant quality of life to people who are unable to live independently as a result of HIV/AIDS. The residential facility, located in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, typically serves 36 individuals. But in 2020, that community dwindled to 27 people. We talk with Pat Plumley, chief program officer for Doorways, the nonprofit that oversees Cooper House, and medical director Dr. Jim Hinrichs, an infectious disease specialist.

Matthew Stock and Sid Sivakumar started out talking crossword puzzles and soon became fast friends. Now a puzzle they co-wrote has been published in the New York Times. They discuss the joy of puzzle making with host Sarah Fenske.

Carol Diaz-Granados and Jim Duncan have researched rock art — referred to as petroglyphs and pictographs — for more than 30 years in Missouri. They discuss how the petroglyphs and pictographs in Missouri came to be and what they tell us about the state's indigenous history.

NPR Illinois statehouse reporter Hannah Meisel gives a preview of this year's Illinois legislative session, where lawmakers are expected to address the state budget (which is $4 billion out of balance) and several proposals designed to narrow racial economic inequities.

Republicans (and former Republicans) formed the Lincoln Project to defeat Donald Trump. Now Sen. Josh Hawley is in their sights. Co-founder Reed Galen explains how they plan to get inside his head -- and what it will take to end their campaign against him.

Along with Alex and Carly Garcia, UMSL political scientist Adriano Udani and St. Louis-based attorney Javad Khazaeli, both sons of immigrants, discuss the changes they anticipate President Joe Biden's administration making when it comes to U.S. immigration policy and regulation — and what it all could mean for immigrants in the region.

Terri Krueger worked at KSDK for 41 years, and went from the lone female photographer in the TV market to one of many. She discusses her career and what changed in her four decades of journalism.

Singer Aloha Misho and rapper Rockwell Knuckles discuss their latest music projects as The Knuckles band. They describe their debut album’s vibe as joyous, aimed at combating the “spiritual lows” brought on in 2020. In addition to the “Good Timing” album, each artist has their own individual music projects planned for the year.

Author Tom Vanderbilt talks with host Sarah Fenske about his new book "Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning" which highlights his year-long experience tackling five new skills: chess, singing, surfing, drawing, and juggling.

St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jaclyn Driscoll joins Sarah Fenske to discuss the major issues likely to be debated this session at the Missouri Statehouse, including COVID-19 liability protection for businesses, Medicaid expansion and the state budget.

On Tuesday, the public safety committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted to endorse a controversial aerial surveillance program in hopes of solving violent crime. In this episode, we discuss the proposal with Missouri Independent reporter, Rebecca Rivas.

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was the first senator to announce his challenge to Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s electoral college victory. Does he bear responsibility for the violent scene yesterday at the Capitol? Host Sarah Fenske explores that question with former Senator Claire McCaskill.

Thomas Park’s invention, the GenerIter, uses Python code to transform a series of sounds into a piece of music. Would-be composers can plug in short clips of their choosing and let the code do the rest. With it, he’s generated thousands of unique pieces in just a few minutes, and he hopes other musicians and music enthusiasts will join him in doing the same.

The mayor's race in the city of St. Louis is coming up fast, and with the recent passage of Proposition D plus Mayor Lyda Krewson's decision not to run for reelection, there are some big changes compared to the mayoral race four years ago. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann brings us up to speed.

Husband-and-wife co-founders Sara Baker and Anatolij Gelimson discuss their St. Louis-based startup Fast Democracy, which lets activists and professionals alike keep an eye on legislatures in all 50 states.