Andrea Y. Henderson
Andrea Henderson joined St. Louis Public Radio in March 2019, where she covers race, identity and culture as part of the public radio collaborative Sharing America. Andrea comes to St. Louis Public Radio from NPR, where she reported for the race and culture podcast Code Switch and produced pieces for All Things Considered. Andrea’s passion for storytelling began at a weekly newspaper in her hometown of Houston, Texas, where she covered a wide variety of stories including hurricanes, transportation and Barack Obama’s 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Her art appreciation allowed her to cover arts and culture for the Houston African-American business publication, Empower Magazine. She also covered the arts for Syracuse’s Post-Standard and The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina.
Andrea graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and earned her master’s degree in arts journalism from Syracuse University. For three years, she served on the board of the Houston Alliance of Fashion and Beauty as the media chair, and she is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. When the proud Houstonian is not chasing a story, she enjoys catching up on her shows, getting lost in museums and swimming in tropical waters.
Follow her journey through St. Louis via Twitter and Instagram at @drebjournalist.
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The University of Missouri System is halting the use of diversity statements in its hiring practices. UM President Mun Choi said in an email Monday that officials will now send a “values commitment” to job applicants instead of DEI statements. -
Black students at Eureka High School are upset that the Rockwood School Board eliminated its diversity and inclusion programs and want the school board to replace their programs or implement new ones. The students say that racist incidents at their school are weighing on them and that they need more diversity programs, which are safe spaces for them.
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In the coming months, the International Institute of St. Louis plans to welcome Afghan refugees from Albania, where they have been for months. Institute officials say they will be more prepared for the latest arrivals.
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Homelessness in Missouri has been increasing over the past few years because of the lack of affordable housing, the coronavirus pandemic and increased rent. Advocates for homeless people say a new law that will make living on state-owned property illegal on Jan. 1 will exacerbate the problem.
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The pandemic caused a greater loss in math instructional time compared to English language arts. There was also a loss in instructional time in virtual or distance learning compared to hybrid or in-classroom instruction.
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Last week’s flooding in the St. Louis region damaged homes and businesses. Missouri is going through the process of seeking a federal disaster declaration, which would provide money for repairs and cleanup.
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Gov. Mike Parson issues a drought alert for 53 Missouri counties that are experiencing extreme heat. His administration is supplying water to farms and ranches through state parks and conservation areas.
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Dr. Colleen P. McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said Missouri’s ban on abortions has led doctors and pharmacists to deny patients vital medications. She said patients who need lifesaving abortions are now at risk, because doctors have to wait for guidance from lawyers.
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In the U.S., Black women have the highest maternal mortality rates. Missouri doctors and abortion rights advocates say if Roe v. Wade is overturned and Missouri bans abortion, Black women would be at risk.
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The Department of Missouri Corrections will lift its coronavirus pandemic visitor restrictions on April 1. Visitors can see loved ones in state prisons without wearing a mask or taking a health screening test prior to entry.
