The Gateway

A Colombian man from St. Louis died in ICE custody last month after being detained in a Missouri jail. He left his country seeking a better life with his family. Now his mother is searching for answers. Plus, a huge ensemble of musicians, actors and singers will perform a classic work in St. Louis this weekend, including some of the most famous music you may not realize you already love.

Most Missouri workers will now accumulate an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, as part of voters' approval of Proposition A last fall. But as STLPR's Evy Lewis reports, efforts to undo or change Prop A’s provisions have also been underway in the state legislature.

The floral industry has a new thorn in its side—tariffs. In the U.S., the bulk of cut flowers making their way into floral shops throughout the country are imported. The Trump administration’s tariffs mean local florists might have to pivot towards homegrown alternatives. But as St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson reports local flower farmers say it will be a challenge to meet the demand without federal funding.

People are flocking to backyard chickens this year, in part due to the sky-high cost of eggs at the grocery store. Some first-timers have turned to chicken rentals to try out ownership for a few months.

Missouri has begun testing drinking water systems for forever chemicals in accordance with new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency. As Harshawn Ratanpal reports, early results show the Maries County town of Vienna has four years to clean up its water supply.

Missouri has begun testing drinking water systems for forever chemicals in accordance with new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency. As Harshawn Ratanpal reports, early results show the Maries County town of Vienna has four years to clean up its water supply.

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.