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2024 in photos: The enduring moments that marked St. Louis' heartbeat and humanity

St. Louis Public Radio | By Brian Munoz,
Cristina Fletes-Mach, Eric Lee, Sophie Proe, Theo Welling, Tristen Rouse
Published December 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM CST
Fireworks blast over the Gateway Arch and St. Louis' skyline on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in downtown St. Louis. This year marks the United States' 248th Independence Day.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Fireworks blast over the Gateway Arch and St. Louis' skyline on July 4 in downtown St. Louis. This year marks the United States' 248th Independence Day.

St. Louis is a community like no other.

The warmth of a loved one's embrace. The crunch of a cicada on your teeth. The first sounds of a baby's heartbeat.

These are just a few of the moments documented by our photojournalists in a year marked by political turmoil that often deepened divisions. Yet in other moments, such as the collective awe shared during the total solar eclipse, we found ourselves united in wonder.

Our team is deeply grateful for your trust in allowing us to share these stories with you — in your homes, work, and places of worship. It's your willingness to see through our lenses that drives us to continually and decisively tell the story of our region.

This past year, we’ve been honored not only by your support but also by our peers, including a prestigious Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Innovation for our short-form video efforts. It’s a nod to our team’s dedication to pushing boundaries, capturing the pulse of our vibrant region and telling the stories that matter most to you.

Thank you for letting us be part of your lives and communities. We promise to keep listening, keep documenting and keep earning your trust — one frame at a time.

— Brian Munoz, STLPR visuals ditor

(Above: Fireworks blast over the St. Louis skyline on July 4 in downtown St. Louis. Photo by: Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)

Christopher Dunn embraces his mother Martha Dunn after being released from prison on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, outside the Mel Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis.
Sophie Proe
/
St.Louis Public Radio
Christopher Dunn embraces his mother, Martha Dunn, after being released from prison on July 30 outside the Mel Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. A judge ruled Dunn was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 34 years in relation to a murder the 52-year-old maintained he did not commit. “It’s easy to give up in prison when you lose hope," Dunn said walking out of the courthouse. "But, when the system choose[s] to throw you away — you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to just settle for it or you’re going to fight for it? I come from a strong family. I don’t know not how to fight.” (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Fog rises off the Missouri River in front of the Missouri State Capitol building on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Jefferson City, Mo.
Tristen Rouse
/
St. Louis Public Radio
The Missouri Capitol is enveloped in fog from the Missouri River on the morning of Jan. 3 in Jefferson City. (Tristen Rouse / St. Louis Public Radio)
Charlotte Taylor, a botanist at Missouri Botanical Garden, reacts as she stumbles upon Exostema lineatum, a plant she studies, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden in Southwest Garden. Taylor has named over 500 new species of plants over her lifetime.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Charlotte Taylor, a botanist at Missouri Botanical Garden, reacts as she stumbles upon Exostema lineatum on Feb. 6 in the Missouri Botanical Garden's Climatron. Taylor has named over 500 new species of plants throughout her career. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Pan-fried cicadas doused in butter and garlic served with herbs and crostini on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Mo.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Pan-fried cicadas doused in butter and garlic served with herbs on crostini, pictured on May 20 at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield. Millions of periodical cicadas — two broods' worth — emerged throughout the St. Louis region and the Midwest, much to area dogs' delight. “Anything you can make with shrimp you can make with cicadas,” said Nicole Pruess, invertebrate keeper at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. “I’m very excited to try it.” (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)

Lettuce, a symbol of wealth during the Lunar New Year, is laid on a plastic tarp during “Thursday Nights at the Museum: Celebrate Vietnamese New Year!” on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 10.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Lettuce, a symbol of wealth during the Lunar New Year, is laid on a plastic tarp during Thursday Nights at the Museum: Celebrate Vietnamese New Year on Feb. 8 at the Missouri History Museum. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Justin Lan, 19, lays on the floor during a Washington University Lion Dance practice on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in St. Louis. Lion dance is a tradition often seen during the Lunar New Year and other celebrations.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Justin Lan, 19, lies on the floor during a Washington University Lion Dance practice on Jan. 30 in St. Louis. Lion dance is a tradition often seen during the Lunar New Year. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Wenting Yu, 20, and Matthew Du, 20, both co-choreographers of Washington University Lion Dance, pose for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Mallinckrodt Center in St. Louis. Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 10.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Wenting Yu, 20, and Matthew Du, 20, co-choreographers of Washington University's Lion Dance team, on Feb. 8 at the Mallinckrodt Center in St. Louis. Lion dancing is a tradition often seen during the Lunar New Year and other celebrations. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Elario Castro, 30, prunes peach trees on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Flamm Orchards in Cobden, Ill.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Elario Castro, 30, prunes peach trees on April 12 at Flamm Orchards in Cobden, Illinois. After a historic crop loss of many of the region’s big orchards, this summer's crop returned mostly to normal. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Tina Weber rides up to the Kaskaskia River overlook on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, near Modoc, Illinois.
Sophie Proe
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Tina Weber rides up to the Kaskaskia River overlook on Aug. 10 near Modoc, Illinois. When Weber rides her motorcycle, she transforms into Bubbles and can leave her traumatic past behind. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Heavenly Brison, 23, is embraced by her boyfriend Terrence Harvey, 30, after its announced her parole was eliminated after graduating from the St. Louis Police Partnership Program on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Civil Courts Building in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Heavenly Brison, 23, is embraced by her boyfriend, Terrence Harvey, 30, after a judge announced her parole was ended after graduating from the St. Louis Police Partnership Program on Nov. 14 at the Civil Courts Building in downtown St. Louis. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Alton & Southern Railway Co. train cars are seen during a Lighthawk flight on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in East St. Louis, Ill.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alton & Southern Railway Co. train cars are seen during a Lighthawk flight on April 24 in East St. Louis. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Bulldozers begin to demolish the Chesterfield Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Chesterfield, Mo.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Demolition crews began taking down parts of the Chesterfield Mall on Oct. 15, launching a yearslong process to transform the site into a 90-acre, high-density hub in west St. Louis County. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Community members argue outside the Francis Howell School District administrative offices on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in O'Fallon, Mo. The Francis Howell School District's board tabled measures that would restrict how teachers are allowed to speak about gender identity in schools.
Theo R. Welling
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Community members argue outside the Francis Howell School District administrative offices on June 24 in O'Fallon, Missouri. The school board tabled measures restricting how teachers can speak about gender identity in schools. (Theo R. Welling / St. Louis Public Radio)
Teams of aeronauts take to the skies across the St. Louis region on Sept. 20 in preparation for the 2024 Great Forest Park Balloon Race — one of the longest-running hot air balloon races in the country. “Whether it’s a couple on their first date, a group of friends taking a day to just be outside together, or grandparents who can’t get enough of the joy the balloons bring to their grandchildren’s faces, the tradition [continues] in grand fashion throughout the entire weekend,” said Jessica Stegen, the race’s communications director. More than an estimated 100,000 residents and visitors throughout the region are expected to experience the race.
Sophie Proe
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Teams of aeronauts take to the skies over Shrewsbury on Sept. 20 in preparation for the 2024 Great Forest Park Balloon Race — one of the longest-running hot air balloon races in the United States. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Thousands of Muslims gathered at the Chesterfield Sports Complex on April 9 to pray and celebrate the first day of Eid al-Fitr — the three-day holiday which marks the end of Ramadan. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Thousands of Muslims gathered at the Chesterfield Sports Complex on April 9 to pray and celebrate the first day of Eid al-Fitr — the three-day holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Okunsola Amadou, the founder Jamaa Birth Village,left, listens to Valerie Logan, 29, right, stomach with a wooden tool pinned horn in Overland on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Sophie Proe
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Okunsola Amadou, the founder of the Jamaa Birth Village, uses a wooden Pinard horn to listen to 29-year-old Valerie Logan's fetus' heart rate on Sept. 6. On the last day of her monthslong retreat in Ghana, before returning home to Ferguson, Amadou stood on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, singing a song to Yemoja, the water spirit of the Yoruba religion. “It was there, as I finished singing the song that I sang every morning, that I received a vision,” she said. “To not just become a midwife, not just be a private practice home birth midwife, but to build a birthing village.” (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Graduating Washington University students toss their mortarboards in the air on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the end of the school’s spring commencement at Francis Olympic Field near Clayton.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Graduating Washington University students toss their mortarboards in the air on May 13 at the end of the school’s spring commencement at Francis Olympic Field near Clayton. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Esperanza Rodriguez, co-founder of The Dance Society of Saint Louis, shows off her braid and jewelry on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, during a Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event and flag raising outside City Hall in downtown St. Louis. New data from the United States Census Bureau show the St. Louis region has experienced the largest Hispanic or Latino population increase in its history. American Community Survey data shows nearly 110,400 people of Hispanic or Latino origin in the area in 2023, up from just under 80,000 a decade ago.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Esperanza Rodriguez, co-founder of the Dance Society of St. Louis, shows off her braid and jewelry on Sept. 16 during a Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event and flag raising outside City Hall in downtown St. Louis. New data from the United States Census Bureau show the St. Louis region has experienced the largest Hispanic or Latino population increase in city history. American Community Survey data shows nearly 110,400 people of Hispanic or Latino origin in the area in 2023, up from just under 80,000 a decade ago. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
A girl draws a yin-yang sign with chalk on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Missouri Girls Town Foundation in Kingdom City. According to the Missouri Department of Social Services as of March 2024, there are 12,076 children in the foster care system with over 2,000 children awaiting adoption.
Eric Lee
/
St. Louis Public Radio
A girl draws a yin-yang symbol with chalk on April 25 at the Missouri Girls Town Foundation in Kingdom City. The 23-acre Missouri group home was designed to accommodate up to 50 girls but can only take 12 because of staffing and funding challenges. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Kofi Oyirifi(left), 43, Maryland Heights, takes a photo of his daughter Naomi Oyirifi(right), 2, during the Citygarden Expansion Grand Opening in downtown St. Louis on May 25, 2024, showcased three new sculptures by internationally acclaimed artists. The event featured live music by DJ Nune is Lamar Harris, food and drinks from Pour Decisions, Scoops of Joy Rainbow Ice Cream Cones, and Central State Sandwiches. Attendees enjoyed giveaways, flocks of flamingos, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Theo R. Welling
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St. Louis Public Radio
Kofi Oyirifi, 34, of Maryland Heights, makes a photo of his daughter Naomi, 2, on May 25 during the Citygarden expansion grand opening in downtown St. Louis. (Theo R. Welling / St. Louis Public Radio)
Benjamin Lundt, 39, Goalkeeper, walks out to the CityPark stadium to go against Kansas City in downtown on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt (#39) walks out to a matchup against Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 28 at CityPark in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Rasmus Alm 21, Midfielder, preforms a sideways kick, attempting to redirect the ball towards a teammate during the game against Kansas City at CityPark, in downtown on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City's Rasmus Alm (No. 21) attempts to redirect the ball toward a teammate during a game against Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 28 at CityPark. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
St. Louis City SC midfielder Célio Pompeu (#12) tackles forward Sam Adeniran (#16) after scoring a goal against New York FC on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at CityPark in Downtown West.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis City SC midfielder Célio Pompeu (No. 12) tackles forward Sam Adeniran after scoring a goal against New York FC on March 2 at CityPark. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Stuart Hultgren, center, leads St. Louis City SC supporters during a pregame march on March 2. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Stuart Hultgren, center, leads St. Louis City SC supporters during a pregame march on March 2 outside CityPark in Downtown West. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Sarah Adam, the first female player on Team USA's wheelchair rugby team, poses for a portrait post training for the upcoming Paralympics in Paris, representing both her country and women in the sport.Photographed on May 31, 2024 at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
Theo R. Welling / St. Louis Public Radio
Sarah Adam, the first female player on Team USA's wheelchair rugby team, after training for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games on May 31 at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights. The team went on to win silver against Britain. (Theo R. Welling / St. Louis Public Radio)
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Drake Bulldogs celebrate after defeating the Indiana State Sycamores, 84-80, on March 10 during the Missouri Valley Conference Arch Madness championship in downtown St. Louis. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Indiana State junior guard Jayson Kent (20) reacts after losing to the Drake Bulldogs, 84-80, on Sunday, March 10, 2024, during the Missouri Valley Conference Arch Madness championship at the Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Indiana State junior guard Jayson Kent (No. 20) reacts after losing to the Drake Bulldogs on March 10. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
“BallHawk1” greets a young fan during a tailgate ahead of the St. Louis Battlehawks’ UFL football game against the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 6, 2024, in downtown St. Louis.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
“BallHawk1” greets a young fan during a tailgate ahead of the St. Louis Battlehawks’ UFL football game against the Arlington Renegades on April 6 in downtown St. Louis. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
St. Louis Battlehawks’ Hakeem Butler (88) tumbles during a play in the second quarter of the XFL Conference Championship on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Battlehawks’ Hakeem Butler (88) tumbles during a play in the second quarter of the XFL Conference Championship on June 9 at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Caleb Carinci-Asch performs during a dress rehearsal on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Circus Flora in Grand Center.
Sophie Proe
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St.Louis Public Radio
Caleb Carinci-Asch performs during a dress rehearsal on June 5 at Circus Flora in St. Louis' Grand Center neighborhood.
Max, 7, during Halloween trick or treating on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in St. Louis’ Tower Grove South neighborhood.
Max, 7, during Halloween trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 in St. Louis’ Tower Grove South neighborhood. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Trick or treaters fill the streets on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in St. Louis’ Northampton neighborhood.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Trinity Morrison, 11, shows off her balloon dog costume on Oct. 31 in St. Louis’ Northampton neighborhood. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Morton High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Morton High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Oct. 25 at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Maeve Beebe, a 4-year-old visitor from Auburn, Mich., makes crescent-shaped shadows with a colander alongside her cousin, Gavin Stodolak (far left), 3, of South Lyon, Mich., and her brother, Everett, 7, on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Cole Memorial Park in Chester, Ill.
Cristina Fletes-Mach
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Maeve Beebe, a 4-year-old visitor from Auburn, Michigan, makes crescent-shaped shadows with a colander alongside her cousin, Gavin Stodolak, 3, far left, of South Lyon, Mich., and her brother, Everett, 7, during a total solar eclipse on April 8 at Cole Memorial Park in Chester, Illinois. (Cristina Fletes-Mach / St. Louis Public Radio)
Ben Estes, 18, of St. Charles, looks at the sun through solar eclipse glasses on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center in Ste. Genevieve.
Eric Lee/Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Ben Estes, 18, of St. Charles, looks at the sun through solar eclipse glasses on April 8 at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center in Ste. Genevieve. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
The moon passes the sun during a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, in Ste. Genevieve. The last solar eclipse seen in the United States was 2017.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
The moon passes the sun during a solar eclipse on April 8 in Ste. Genevieve. The last solar eclipse seen in the United States was 2017. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Spectators watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Cole Memorial Park in Chester, Ill.
Spectators watch the solar eclipse at Cole Memorial Park in Chester, Illinois. on April 8. The last solar eclipse seen in the United States was in 2017. (Cristina Fletes-Mach / St. Louis Public Radio)
The "Snow Moon" rises over the St. Louis skyline on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. This weekend's full moon will appear roughly 10% smaller than others because it's a bit farther from the Earth than normal, according to scientists at Johns Hopkins University.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The "Snow Moon" rises over the St. Louis skyline on Feb. 25. That weekend's full moon appeared roughly 10% smaller than others because it's a bit farther from the Earth than normal, according to scientists at Johns Hopkins University. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones pulls open an old bank vault as Mr. Monopoly emerges to celebrate the Gateway to the West’s edition of the board game on Oct. 24 at the City Museum in the city’s Downtown West neighborhood.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones pulls open an old bank vault as Mr. Monopoly emerges to celebrate the Gateway to the West’s edition of the board game on Oct. 24 at the City Museum in the city’s Downtown West neighborhood. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Voters take to the polls during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Holy Name Community Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. A power outage at the polling site caused staff to run off of lanterns and generators.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Voters take to the polls during the General Election on Nov. 5 at Holy Name Community Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors. A power outage at the polling site caused staff to run off lanterns and generators. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Voters take to the polls during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Mann Elementary School in St. Louis’ Tower Grove South neighborhood.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Voters take to the polls during the general election on Nov. 5 at Mann Elementary School in St. Louis’ Tower Grove South neighborhood. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Lucas Kunce, left, and Josh Hawley, right, confront each other at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast starts in Sedalia on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St.Louis Public Radio
U.S. Senate candidates Democrat Lucas Kunce, left, and Sen. Josh Hawley, right, confront each other at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast on Aug. 15 in Sedalia. Hawley handily defeated Kunce in the general election. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, is embraced by her husband Cortney Merritts before delivering her concession speech on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, during a campaign watch party at the Chèvre Events Center in Downtown West. Bush was unseated by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell for Missouri’s first congressional district.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, is embraced by her husband, Cortney Merritts, before delivering her concession speech on Aug. 6 during a campaign watch party at the Chèvre Events Center in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood. Bush was defeated by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell in Missouri’s first congressional district. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell embraces his cousin, John McIntosh, of St. John, Mo., after Bell defeated Republican Andrew Jones Jr. to represent Missouri’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Cristina Fletes-Mach
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell embraces his cousin, John McIntosh, of St. John, after defeating Republican Andrew Jones Jr. to represent Missouri’s 1st Congressional District on Nov. 5 in downtown St. Louis. (Cristina Fletes-Mach / St. Louis Public Radio)
Luz Maria Henriquez, ACLU of Missouri's executive director reacts alongside Sage Coram, 33, of Tower Grove South, as voters enshrine abortion access in the state constitution on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Luz Maria Henriquez, ACLU of Missouri's executive director, reacts alongside volunteer Sage Coram, of south St. Louis, as voters enshrine abortion access in the state constitution on Nov. 5 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe celebrates defeating Democrat Crystal Quade on Nov. 5 in Jefferson City. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Senator Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, gestures as he mocks Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, who pauses comments for decorum during session on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Jefferson City. Senate Republican leadership has clashed with members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus holding up business.
Eric Lee/Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri State Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, gestures as he mocks Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, who pauses comments for decorum during session on Jan. 25 in Jefferson City. Senate Republican leadership has clashed with members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus holding up business. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
More than 1,000 community members gather to memorialize the 1-year anniversary of the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas militants on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
More than 1,000 community members gather to recognize the first anniversary of the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Members of the Washington University community are arrested on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Washington University.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
A pro-Palestinian protester is grappled and subsequently arrested by a Washington University officer on April 27 at the school's campus near Clayton. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Members of the Washington University community are arrested on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Washington University.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold their ground on April 27 at Washington University. Police later arrested the group for trespassing. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Police forces arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a rally on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Washington University. Protestors marched through campus and set up an encampment in response to the university's ties to Boeing, the supplier of many weapons to Israel used in the Gaza war.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Police forces arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a rally on April 27. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag as others occupy space on Grand Avenue during a pro-Palestine rally on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at St. Louis University in the city’s Midtown neighborhood.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag as others occupy space on Grand Avenue during a rally on May 1 at St. Louis University. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Rahaf, 2, and her mother, Israa Saed, arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, from the Gaza-based Al Bridge Refugee Camp. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund arranged the transport of eight critically injured children to the United States for medical treatment and recovery — including Rahaf, who had both her legs amputated after her home was bombed in Israeli airstrikes.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Rahaf, 2, and her mother, Isra Saed, arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Dec. 2 from the Gaza-based Al Bridge Refugee Camp. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund arranged the transport of eight critically injured children to the United States for medical treatment and recovery — including Rahaf, who had both her legs amputated after her home was bombed in Israeli airstrikes. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
A student analyses a chess board during the St. Louis Public Schools’ annual chess tournament on Friday, May 10, 2024, at St. Louis Science Center in Kings Oak. 100 Students from over 27 schools participated and worked with the St. Louis Chess Club, who also helped organize the event, throughout the year to prepare.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
A student analyses a chess board during the St. Louis Public Schools’ annual chess tournament on May 10 at the St. Louis Science Center. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Workers in the control room at the Callaway Energy Center. The control room controls things like pumps, redundancy, valves(open and close), lights(ei pumps running) on Wednesday June 5, 2024.
Theo R. Welling
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St. Louis Public Radio
Workers check settings in the Callaway Nuclear Generating Station's control room on June 5 in Steedman, Mo. The operation controls functions including pumps, redundancy, valves and lights. Missouri’s only electricity-generating nuclear reactor celebrated its 40th birthday this year.
DJ Sherrill, 11, sets white roses down in front of the Sonya Massey poster before the Candlelight for Sonya Massey at Kiener Plaza on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
DJ Sherrill, 11, sets white roses down at a Sonya Massey poster on July 29 before a candlelight vigil at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis. Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was shot and killed in her home by Sean Grayson, a white deputy of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Community activists raise their fists as Michael Brown Sr., center in St. Louis Cardinals hat, wipes his face on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, during a Canfield Drive memorial service commemorating a decade after Brown Jr.’s police killing in Ferguson.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Community activists raise their fists as Michael Brown Sr., center in the St. Louis Cardinals hat, wipes his face on Aug. 9 along Canfield Drive in Ferguson. The day marked the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown Jr.’s shooting death at the hands of a white Ferguson police officer. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Matt Minetta, 44, from Arizona, poses for a portrait in front of his “SAD” piece along the Mississippi River on Friday, August 30, 2024. “I have been doing this as a self expression and with this type of art we can be free. Free form of self expression” says Minetta.
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
Arizona-based artist Matt Minetta, 44, poses for a portrait in front of his mural titled “SAD” on Aug. 30 along a Mississippi Riverfront floodwall. Minetta and hundreds of artists participated in this year's Paint Louis music and graffiti festival in downtown St. Louis. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Elisha Griffith enjoys post-dinner ice creams with her children (L-R) Mia Sykes 12, Romeo Welch 6, Julian Welch 8, Ava Sykes 17, outside the McDonalds Union MO on Thur June 6, 2024.
Theo R. Welling
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St. Louis Public Radio
Elisha Griffith enjoys post-dinner ice cream with her children, from left, Mia, 12; Romeo, 6; Julian, 8, and Ava, 17, on June 6 outside a McDonald's in Union, Missouri. Griffith is a Franklin County resident and the mother of four children. Eight years ago, her daughters were placed in foster care for four years as she struggled with substance use. However, a state-run Temporary Alternative Placement Agreement allowed her to choose where her kids stayed while she went through a drug treatment program. (Theo R. Welling / St. Louis Public Radio)
Alfred Montgomery watches as elections workers retabulate the results of the August 2024 primary for the St. Louis’ Sherriff’s race on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the St. Louis Board of Elections in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alfred Montgomery watches as elections workers retabulate the results of the August 2024 primary for the St. Louis sherriff’s race on Sept. 4 at the St. Louis Board of Elections in downtown St. Louis. Despite a challenge by Sheriff Vernon Betts, the 27-year-old defeated the incumbent in the Democratic primary and later went on to win the seat. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Connor Kerrigan, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ spokesperson, address the media on Monday, June 3, 2024, after a police press conference about crime at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Downtown West.
Sophie Proe
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St.Louis Public Radio
Conner Kerrigan, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ spokesperson, addresses the media on June 3 at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in the city's Downtown West neighborhood. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Freedom Community Center demonstrators fill the St. Louis Board of Alderman chambers to ask for public hearings related to the ongoing deaths at the city jail on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at City Hall in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Board of Aldermen members Rasheen Aldridge, of the 14th Ward, and Alisha Sonnier, of the 7th Ward, listen as demonstrators fill the board's chambers to ask for public hearings related to the ongoing deaths at the city jail on Nov. 22 at City Hall in downtown St. Louis. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Ronda Williams on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at her home.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Ronda Williams’ son, Tyrin, was a basketball star at Riverview Gardens High School who went on to play at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois. He was shot and killed in St. Louis in 2016 when he was 21. His case? Unsolved. "After a certain time, you have to accept that you may not get justice," she said. "You just have to wait on God to give them their karma." (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Andrew Dunham, a trustee with the Swansea-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1739, listens in during a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in downtown Belleville, Ill.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Andrew Dunham, a trustee with the Swansea-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1739, listens during a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 in downtown Belleville. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
A crew member from Bellon Wrecking surveys after the first step in a demolition job on South Kingshighway Boulevard on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Forest Park Southeast. The demolition was originally denied by the preservation board in November 2022, however the buildings have fallen into disrepair due to neglect and weather and were granted an emergency demolition on Monday.
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
A crew member from Bellon Wrecking surveys after the first step in a demolition job on South Kingshighway Boulevard on Feb. 19 in St. Louis' Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The demolition was originally denied by the preservation board in November 2022, but the buildings fell into disrepair due to neglect and were subsequently demolished. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
Clay Henderson, a West County Heating and Cooling technician, points out where debris is floating in floodwaters on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, outside of his father’s business in Pacific. “We are extremely, extremely, extremely lucky,” he said. “This is as close a call, I think, as somebody would like to get.”
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Clay Henderson, a West County Heating and Cooling technician, points out where debris was floating in floodwaters on Nov. 8 outside of his father’s business in Pacific. “We are extremely, extremely, extremely lucky,” he said. “This is as close a call, I think, as somebody would like to get.” (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Mascoutah High School freshman Charleena Hale rehearses before their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Mascoutah High School freshman Charleena Hale rehearses before a Bands of America Super Regional performance on Oct. 25 at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Hundreds of baseball watchers throw toilet paper rolls to mark the end of the Gateway Grizzlies season on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, at Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Baseball watchers throw toilet paper rolls to mark the end of the Gateway Grizzlies regular season on Sept. 2 at Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Hundreds of people gather in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Most people wearing underwear on their head” on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the City Museum in Downtown West. The official count was 355 people wearing briefs on their head for one minute, breaking the previous unofficial record of 270.
Eric Lee/Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Hundreds of people break the Guinness World Record for “most people wearing underwear on their head” on March 14 at the City Museum. (Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio)
William Brandt, 64, of Sunset Hills, holds up a pair of alpaca underwear during a trivia night on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at The Hideaway bar in St. Louis’ Southwest Garden neighborhood.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
William Brandt, 64, of Sunset Hills, holds up a pair of alpaca underwear during a trivia night on Aug. 27 at the Hideaway bar in St. Louis’ Southwest Garden neighborhood. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Haley Petzon, a 17-year-old student at Hazelwood West, walks Kaior, a 4-year-old dog, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, outside the Animal Protective Association shelter in Olivette.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Haley Petzon, a 17-year-old student at Hazelwood West, walks 4-year-old Kaior on Nov. 18 outside the Animal Protective Association shelter in Olivette. When the shelter reverts to St. Louis County control early next year, volunteers like Petzon will not be welcome. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
The Flag of France comes down while Nancy Lambert, 67, says “Take him instead” referring to her husband Mark (right) during the Soulard Bastille Day Celebration on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St.Louis Public Radio
The French flag drapes on Nancy Lambert, 67, as she exclaims “take him instead” referring to her husband, Mark, right, during the Soulard Bastille Day celebration on July 20 in south St. Louis. The Soulard Business Association and the Soulard Restoration Group sponsor the festivities and work together to nominate a king and queen who have greatly served the neighborhood in the year prior. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
Sammy Taylor, of St. Louis, reprises her role as Jingle the Elf at Terror on Route 66 on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Sullivan, Mo. The roadside haunt will host a 2-day holiday-themed spook this weekend.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Sammy Taylor, of St. Louis, performs in her role as "Jingles the Elf" at the Terror on Route 66 Haunted House on Dec. 16 in Sullivan, Mo. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
Christine Hibler, conservation agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation, grips onto a frog while hunting in BK Leach Conservation Area in Foley, Missouri on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
Sophie Proe
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St.Louis Public Radio
Christine Hibler, a Missouri Department of Conservation conservation agent, grips a frog while hunting in the BK Leach Conservation Area on July 10 in Foley. (Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio)
DeZha Smith, at 21-year-old farmer from north St. Louis, surveys dozens of collard green plants on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center in East St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
DeZha Smith, at 21-year-old farmer from north St. Louis, surveys dozens of collard green plants on Dec. 16 at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center in East St. Louis. (Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio)
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Brian Munoz
Brian Munoz is the Visuals Editor at St. Louis Public Radio.
See stories by Brian Munoz
Cristina Fletes-Mach
Cristina Fletes-Mach is a visual communications specialist at St. Louis Public Radio.
See stories by Cristina Fletes-Mach
Eric Lee
Eric Lee was a photojournalist at St. Louis Public Radio.
See stories by Eric Lee
Sophie Proe
Sophie Proe was a Summer and Fall 2024 visuals intern at St. Louis Public Radio.
See stories by Sophie Proe
Theo Welling
Theo Welling is a freelance photojournalist based in St. Louis.
See stories by Theo Welling
Tristen Rouse
Tristen Rouse is a documentary photographer and photo editor based in Washington D.C. He is a former photojournalist at St. Louis Public Radio.
See stories by Tristen Rouse
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