St. Louis Public Radio provides in-depth news coverage and national and local shows relevant to the needs and interests of the St. Louis community. It also serves as an important conduit for community outreach. The station is strategically located in Grand Center in midtown St. Louis where community events take place regularly and the community can meet and experience public media through interactive experiences and digital displays. Events have included live broadcasts and musical performances, public forums and town halls as well as political debates and film screenings hosted at the site. In 2013, UMSL merged with and acquired digital assets associated with The St. Louis Beacon, an independent online-only news site in the greater St. Louis area. This merger created engagement, academic and research opportunities beneficial to the region.