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About half of the school-aged kids in the St. Louis don’t attend the city’s public school district. St. Louis parents face an overwhelming number of school options: magnet, neighborhood, gifted, charter, parochial, private or homeschool. Host Luis Antonio Perez walks to school with a family in Ellisville, then sits down with three parents. Each chose different educational paths for their kids: moving to a school district in St. Louis County, sticking with public schools in the city and homeschooling. In a candid conversation they talk about why they love their choices, what they wish they had from the other options, and how people react when they find out.  And, STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad also explains how a new proposal to close 14 schools next year might affect students and families.  Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter at STLPR.org/newsletters    Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan and additional editorial support from Hiba Ahmad. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Rukiya Anthony and Frances Landis. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a referendum challenging the Trump-backed 2025 Missouri First map belongs on the November ballot. This means voters will get a chance to weigh in on the state’s new congressional map but also that congressional districts drawn in 2022 will be in effect for the November election. In this episode of “Meet Me” host Luis Antonio Perez sits with STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to catch up on the latest news and the significance of this historic decision. Read more: Hoskins vows to fight on despite stinging rebuke from Missouri Supreme Court Missouri Supreme Court puts referendum to overturn new congressional map on ballot Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with editing by Brian Heffernan and Alex Heur who also engineered the interview. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Additional music by Thomas Paden. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Sign up for the Meet Me Newsletter To support this work please donate

Missouri’s congressional map is one court ruling away from being locked in for the 2026 midterms. “Meet Me” host Luis Antonio Perez talks with voters about the confusing primary election, then sits down with STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to unpack the redistricting drama and the upcoming court battle. Along the way, they revisit why the plot of the ‘90s film “Air Bud” is key to understanding the legal arguments over voting rights and representation in Missouri. Sign up for the Politically Speaking and Meet Me newsletters. Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Read Luis’ essay on Kansas City that's created a stir online! Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum, Fred Erlich, Daniel Wheaton from the Midwest Newsroom, and the Webster Groves Public Library. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

St. Louis city leaders voted to spend $255 million from a legal settlement tied to the departure of the Rams football team. Host Luis Antonio Perez revisits the glory days of the St. Louis Rams’ Super Bowl runs and the disappointment of team owner Stan Kroenke moving the team to Los Angeles. He also sits with two St. Louis residents — Brendalyn King and Eli Front — who live in different parts of the city. Brendalyn lives in the city’s historically disinvested north side that was also impacted by an EF3 tornado last year, and Eli lives downtown, where conversations about regional economic development are often centered.They discuss what it’s like to live in their respective neighborhoods, what they think would help their communities flourish, and issues that they see that money can’t fix.  Eli Front is a member of the Laclede’s Landing neighborhood association and co-founder of OpsCompanion, a software startup based in downtown St. Louis. Brendalyn King is an executive leadership coach and steward and developer of a 244-acre retreat property in the Missouri Ozarks, originally founded in 1934 by an African American physician. Credits: This episode was hosted, produced, written and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez with story editing by Brian Heffernan and Alex Heur, who also engineered the conversation. Meet Me's engagement producer is Paola Rodriguez with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Brian Heffernan is our executive producer. Theme music by Kudda and Friends. Additional music by Holizna. Special thanks to Denis Beganovic, Alyssa Potter, Vontriece McDowell, Rachel Lippmann, and Sean Malone at KMOX for archival audio.  Grant support for "Meet Me" comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation.  Follow us on Instagram @MEETMESTL and sign up for the "Meet Me" newsletter. Support this work with a donation to St. Louis Public Radio.

At the start of every decade the Census redraws America's lines of representation. But in 2025, at President Trump's urging, several states — including Missouri — moved to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade. The result is a high-drama scramble that could reshape who controls the U.S. House. In this episode, host Luis Antonio Perez sits down with St. Louis Public Radio politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to break down the "what, how, and why" of Missouri's new 2025 map and how the movie “Air Bud” explains part of this saga. With August primaries already underway, we trace where things stand and what's still left to play out. Find updates on redistricting in Missouri on our website. Sign up for the Politically Speaking and Meet Me newsletters at STLPR.org/newsletters    Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum and Fred Erlich. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

St. Louis civic and political leaders want to expand Gateway Arch National Park across the river to East St. Louis, Illinois. It would fulfill the vision of Eero Saarinen whose original design included park grounds on both sides of the river. It would also fulfill the dream of a man who spent his life — and dedicated his fortune — to park expansion, Malcolm W. Martin. Host Luis Antonio Perez visits Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park — directly across from the Gateway Arch — with Ryan McClure, executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. Perez learns about Malcolm Martin's life from his longtime friend and colleague, Marshall Hier, and sets out on a canoe tour on the Mississippi River. (0:00) - Big windy adventure on the Mississippi River  (6:25) - Ryan McClure and Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park  (16:42) - Marshall Hier and the life of Malcolm Martin (26:25) - Debra Moore of East St. Louis (28:36) - Back on the river at Mosenthein Island (30:49) - Final thoughts: Daring to dream Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with writing and story editing by Luis, Brian Heffernan and Alex Heuer. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends with additional music by Thomas Paden. Special thanks to Will Bauer, Matt Green of Big Muddy Adventures, Arielle Claypool and Thomas Schlafly. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

More stories from the "Meet Me" open mic eleven months after an EF3 tornado ripped through St. Louis. Residents were invited to share experiences and reflections about the tornado almost a year later. This piece was produced for the STLPR series TORN - about the struggle to recover from the tornado, the flailing government response, and the fight for north city. (1:26) - Brendalyn King, Xavier Phillips, Tabitha Hunt, Elmer Simril, Yolanda Owens, Sandra Blackshear-Miller, Clara Washington and Patricia Miller.  Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Recording by Drew Yount. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Cami Thomas, Alyssa Potter, Brittini Gray-Chiquillo, Leslie Davis, Maia WIlliams, Hiba Ahmad, Andrea Henderson, and the Black Healer’s Collective of InPower Institute and Freedom Community Center. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

Eleven months after a deadly tornado tore through St. Louis the “Meet Me” team organized a community open mic event. Residents were invited to share experiences and reflections about the tornado almost a year later. Their stories in their words.   (1:20) - Herdosia Bentum (5:40) - Juanita Blackshear (12:57) - Kevin Blackshear (20:15) - Sherlyn Contreras Follow STLPR’s reporting on St. Louis’ recovery from the May 16, 2025 tornado at STLPR.org/tornado Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Recording by Drew Yount. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Cami Thomas, Alyssa Potter, Brittini Gray-Chiquillo, Leslie Davis, Maia WIlliams, Hiba Ahmad, Andrea Henderson, and the Black Healer’s Collective of InPower Institute and Freedom Community Center for fostering healing and resilience in our communities. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

The father-and-son team behind Dogtown Pizza, a family-owned frozen pizza business in St. Louis, sit down for a candid conversation. They discuss the early challenges of building the company and how, years later, they worked together to dramatically expand it. They also share a heart-to-heart about the son’s plans to step away from the business and pursue his own dreams.  (0:00) \- Luis & Paola visit the frozen pizza aisle at Schnucks.  (7:43) \- Rick G. Schaper (father) and Rick S. Schaper (son) discuss the origins and growth of Dogtown Pizza.  (18:00) \- Father and son discuss leaving the business. Follow us on Instagram [@MeetMeSTL](https://instagram.com/meetmestl) | Sign up for the [Meet Me newsletter](https://www.stlpr.org/newsletters/meetme) *Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by [Kudda & Friends](https://www.instagram.com/kkuddamuzic/). Additional music by [Holizna](https://holiznacc0.bandcamp.com/). Special thanks to Brian Munoz, Jeab Vardhanabhuti at the University of Missouri, Schnucks Markets and Dogtown Pizza.* Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell foundation. [Support this work at stlpr.org/donate](http://stlpr.org/donate)

Are St. Louis city and county getting back together? During a surprise press conference on Thursday, March 12, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the region’s residents should embark on a discussion about combining aspects of St. Louis and St. Louis County government — including the city reentering the county as a municipality.  In a follow-up to our deep dive into the Great Divorce between the city and county, host Luis Antonio Perez talks with STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum about Page’s announcement and what it could mean for the region. Source - Sam Page wants St. Louis city and county to get back together amid budget challenges  More stories on St. Louis city-county merger at stlpr.org Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter  This episode was produced by Luis Antonio Perez and Alex Heuer. Engineered by Aaron Doerr. Mixed and mastered by Luis. Meet Me’s engagement producer is Paola Rodriguez and Brian Heffernan is the executive producer. Theme music by Kudda and Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum, Rachel Lippmann, Fred Erlich, and Layla Halilbasic.  Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

What happens when a border becomes more than a line on a map? In this episode of “Meet Me,” residents living near the St. Louis city-county line describe what it means to live along a divide that shapes daily life. We also dive into one of the most ambitious attempts to reunite the city and county, the Better Together plan from 2019. Through interviews with civic leaders, elected officials and longtime political voices, host Luis Antonio Perez explores how the plan gained momentum, why it failed and what its collapse reveals about power, trust, race and regional identity in St. Louis. (0:00) - St. Louis Public Radio invites residents living along the city-county border for a listening session where they discuss life on the border.  (3:29) - Next door neighbors, Miss Dee (city) and Mr. Larry (county), on Garesche Ave. share their stories and their views on the manmade barrier outside of their homes.  (16:11) - Deep dive into the Better Together plan of 2019. The most well-funded and well-researched attempt to reunify St. Louis city and county in decades. How it was developed, why it failed, and what it reveals about power, trust, race, and regional identity. Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was written, hosted and produced by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. Meet Me’s executive producer is Brian Heffernan. Audio mixing by Greg Munteanu. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer. Art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum, Rachel Lippmann, Chad Davis, Fred Ehrlich, Lara Hamdan, Leslie Davis, Hiba Ahmed, Miya Norfleet and Miah Williams. Archival news clips from St. Louis Public Radio, KMOV, and KSDK. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

150-years ago, St. Louis chose to split itself in two. The decision created an enduring divide that still shapes the region today. In this episode of Meet Me host, Luis Antonio Perez, visits a family whose home sits right on the city-county line and explores the origin of the split with historian Andrew Wanko. Follow us on Instagram @meetmestl | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter. Credits: This episode was written, hosted and produced by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan, Meet Me’s executive producer. Audio mastering by Greg Munteanu. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer. Art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum, Rachel Lippmann, Chad Davis, Fred Ehrlich, Brian Moline and the Missouri Historical Society. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate. Correction: A previous version of this podcast misstated the structure of the St. Louis County government in the years immediately preceding the Great Divorce. Representation on the county court included four representatives from the city of St. Louis, two representatives from outlying townships and one at-large representative. This story also has been updated to clarify the motivations that drove the city and county to separate.

In St. Louis, it doesn’t take much to find a divide. There are the invisible lines we draw around politics, high schools — even what toppings belong on a pizza. And then, there are the big divides, like the 150-year-old split between St. Louis city and county. “Meet Me” is all about connecting across divides to find a way forward.