Maria Altman

Reporter/Newscaster

Altman came to St. Louis Public Radio from Dallas where she hosted All Things Considered and reported north Texas news at KERA. Altman also spent several years in Illinois: first in Chicago where she interned at WBEZ; then as the Morning Edition host at WSIU in Carbondale; and finally in Springfield, where she earned her graduate degree and covered the legislature for Illinois Public Radio.

A native Iowan, Altman earned her bachelors degree in journalism at the University of Iowa. She remains a devoted Hawkeye. In her free time, Altman likes hiking, swing dancing, and searching for the perfect diner.

maltman@stlpublicradio.org | Twitter

Mo. transportation officials approve plan to cut spending

Credit (Missouri Department of Transportation)

Missouri Department of Transportation director Kevin Keith.

By Maria Altman

Missouri transportation officials have approved a plan to cut positions, close facilities and sell equipment to bolster money for road and bridge projects.

The Highways and Transportation Commission approved the proposal today.

Under the plan, about 1,200 positions will be cut, 131 facilities will be closed and 740 pieces of equipment will be sold.

5:40 pm

Tue June 7, 2011

Carondelet Park Grand Stand destroyed by fire

Credit (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

St. Louis firefighters dig through the rubble of a historic bandstand looking for hot spots after a fire destroyed the structure in Carondelet Park in St. Louis on June 7. The bandstand was built in 1898, and was fully involved when firefighters arrived.

By Maria Altman

The Carondelet Park Grand Stand burned to the ground today. A spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says it’s considered a total loss.

Built in 1898, the stand was used for Sunday concerts and rented out for picnics.

Firefighters got the call shortly after 2 p.m. There’s no word on the cause of the fire.

5:58 pm

Thu June 2, 2011

Lawsuit against MSD by EPA may be near resolution

By Maria Altman

Updated 3:30 p.m. June 3 to include comment from MSD.

Updated at 9:55 a.m. June 3 to reflect that the State of Missouri has not signed on to the consent decree.

A lawsuit brought by the Environmental Protection Agency against the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District back in June 2007 could soon be resolved.

12:56 pm

Wed June 1, 2011

SLPD sends 60 officers to Joplin

Credit Maria Altman / St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis police officers load their gear into a van as they prepare to leave for Joplin.

By Maria Altman

The St. Louis Police Department is sending 60 police officers down to Joplin to help as the city recovers.

The officers leave Wednesday and will be there for a week.

They’ll be working 12-hour shifts dealing with traffic control, check points, and manning squad patrols through the impacted area.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Tim Reagan says the officers all volunteered for the work.