Lauren Brennecke
General Assignment ReporterLauren Brennecke is a general assignment reporter at St. Louis Public Radio and a recent graduate of Webster University. When in college, she worked with several student publications and enjoys print and audio storytelling. On her free time, you can find Brennecke spending time with a book and Poppy — her 7-year-old Beagle.
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Educators, religious leaders and Metro East officials gathered Tuesday in East St. Louis, where the poverty rate for children is three times the national average, to discuss potential solutions. -
Tourists pay 71% more than local patrons at concerts, museums and festivals, according to a 2022 report by Americans for the Arts. The Regional Arts Commission is trying to bring more visitors into the city by giving federal coronavirus relief funds to local art organizations, venues and festivals. -
This year, St. Louis-area public and private colleges are sending graduating high school seniors acceptance letters even though the students never applied. The direct admission program is in seven Missouri schools this semester. -
Ted Drewes Jr. led the dessert stand for more than 80 years, helped by four generations of family members and employees. -
The event, which had been planned for early September, had once been touted as a significant tourism draw for downtown St. Louis. -
The Animal Protective Association took over at the Olivette facility in late 2022, following an independent audit that faulted the county for its handling of the shelter, including controversial euthanasia practices. St. Louis County officials say the shelter is back up to standards and will return to county control. -
The new policy bans books that include excessive violence, drug use and sexual content. Another measure aims to keep students and teachers from talking about gender identity in the classroom. -
Opponents of the policies are threatening legal action if the board passes measures requiring students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. -
Frog gigging — hunting with a three-pronged spear — is a dying art that nevertheless draws thousands to Missouri marshes in search of a tasty treat with deep cultural roots. -
St. Louis County Library locations will hold flag workshops this week. Residents will be able to create their own designs or provide feedback on premade options. -
Bob Onder defeated former state Sen. Kurt Schaefer in an expensive Republican primary contest to represent Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District. -
For the first time since 1990, the St. Louis region is among the nation’s top 10 metro areas for job growth. Employment in the 14-county region that includes the Metro East has risen 2.16% this year — surpassing the national rate of 1.7%.
