“Election Insiders: Behind the Scenes With the People Who Make Your Vote Count” is the result of the 18 months that writer Gloria Shur Bilchik spent observing the St. Louis County Board of Elections. It is the 73-year-old’s first book.

Missouri’s Aug. 4 primary has sneaked up fast against a backdrop of the U.S. presidential election and a global pandemic. But plenty of key local races will be decided in the heavily Democratic St. Louis region — and voters throughout the state will determine whether Missouri expands Medicaid coverage, joining the 37 other states that have opted to do so in conjunction with the Affordable Care Act.

Contemporary citizen journalists can find a lot of common ground with a trailblazer who was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Ida B. Wells. Motivated by false narratives and the downplaying of abuse of Black Americans of her own day, Wells chronicled the stories of those impacted by lynchings and riots. Wells’ quantitative work pioneered the way for data journalism and inspired her great-granddaughter Michelle Duster to dedicate her life to continue countering false narratives.

How Lorenzo "Lawdie" Berra, a St. Louis kid with an eighth-grade education and doubtful prospects, became not just a great athlete but the beloved Yankees star Yogi Berra is the subject of Jon Pessah’s engaging new biography, “Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask.” Pessah will join St. Louis on the Air Monday to discuss the book.

This August marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted U.S. women the right to vote. But the fight for women’s suffrage was a long one, starting many decades prior to that celebratory day in 1920. And St. Louis women were among some of the earliest suffragists around the country. One of those women was Virginia Minor, who is often a footnote in narratives that focus on more prominent figures such as Susan B. Anthony. In 1872, Minor made her way to the registrar's office in her district, intent on registering to vote.

All too often, artistic expression proves inaccessible to everyday people, a kind of luxury out of reach for those struggling to make ends meet. Katherine Dunham understood this reality when she first turned her attention to East St. Louis in the 1960s. And so does Leverne Backstrom, one of a handful of dedicated community members still carrying on the world-renowned dancer and choreographer’s legacy there today.

In “Ordinarily Extraordinary: Love and Anger, Life and Death, Hope and Inspiration,” Rock Hill resident Patrick P. Long reflects on the moments of doubt, stress and anxiety that come with a spouse’s cancer battle. Thursday on St. Louis on the Air, he'll discuss his book and how despite a devastating loss, he developed the belief that nothing in life is insurmountable.

The Muny's artistic director and executive producer shares highlights for this summer's virtual season — a star-studded mix of never-before-aired clips from past Muny shows, cast reunion sing-alongs, and song and dance performances by Muny artists.

St. Louis native and comedian Nikki Glaser explains how her living situation, which involved a move back home to stay with her parents, is actually fueling her creativity.

For Jaylon Muchison, speech has paid off in a big way. The Belleville West High School graduate recently netted $22,500 from Optimist International’s 2020 Oratorical World Championship — winning his regional and state rounds before claiming the international title.That money will make a huge difference as the 18-year-old heads to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this fall. He plans to pursue a double major in acting and communications.