Politically Speaking

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum talks with Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller and Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon about how Missouri elections should proceed amid the COVID-19 crisis. Schoeller, a Republican, and Lennon, a Democrat, have been working on a public policy response together since the coronavirus outbreak came to the state. Their main objective is to make absentee ballots more available to people during a pandemic or emergency.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis-based author Sarah Kendzior talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her new book Hiding in Plain Sight — which chronicles President Donald Trump’s rise to power from the 1980s to present day. Kendzior, who holds a doctorate in anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis, has become a nationally-known voice in opposing Trump’s presidency. Her last book, The View From Flyover Country, was a New York Times-best seller. Kendzior’s episode is split into two parts. The first part features Kendzior talking about the key points of her book, as well as her experience living in St. Louis during the aftermath of Michael Brown’s shooting death in Ferguson.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis-based author Sarah Kendzior talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her new book Hiding in Plain Sight — which chronicles President Donald Trump’s rise to power from the 1980s to present day. The second part features Kendzior answering questions about Donald Trump, the 2020 presidential election, and the media.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has dealt with a lot of challenges since he became the fast-growing county’s top political leader in 2007. But it’s likely the GOP official has never dealt with something as impactful as the coronavirus outbreak. Ehlmann and St. Charles County Public Health Director Demitrous Cee-ance-ee-Chapman talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue about how their county is dealing with the pandemic.

The mayor talks about the city's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Columbia Republican talked about how coronavirus upended the Missouri General Assembly’s legislative session.
 
 Rowden represents Missouri’s 19th District, which takes in all of Boone and Cooper counties. As majority leader, Rowden is responsible for what the Senate debates — making him one of the more powerful and influential lawmakers in Jefferson City.

St. Louis Alderwoman Heather Navarro is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the 28th Ward alderwoman talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann and Jason Rosenbaum on how the city of St. Louis is handling coronavirus. Navarro represents portions of the Central West End, Skinker-Debaliviere, Hi-Pointe and Wydown Skinker neighborhoods. She was first elected to the Board of Aldermen in a 2017 special election to succeed Lyda Krewson, who represented the ward before she was elected mayor.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue about his county's response to coronavirus. Page and O'Donoghue spoke remotely using the videoconferencing program Zoom.

Luetkemeyer talks with Julie O'Donoghue about what Coronavirus means for the 2020 legislative session. He also walks her through a bill he has sponsored to lengthen prison sentences for violent offenses and the prescription drug monitoring program legislation.

Dan Guenther, the first-term alderman for St. Louis’ 9th Ward, is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. Before being elected in 2017 to represent the ward, which covers part of seven south St. Louis neighborhoods including Soulard, Benton Park and Kosciusko, Guenther worked for Operation Brightside and with former Mayor Francis Slay’s Office of Sustainability. He says his three years on the Board of Aldermen have been “quite an adventure.”

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O'Donoghue and Jo Mannies break down former Vice President Joe Biden's huge win in Missouri Democratic presidential primary.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum takes a look at some of the week’s biggest news stories — including what state and local officials are doing to prepare for the coronavirus. Rosenbaum talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Fentem about how state and local health officials are monitoring the coronavirus. There have been no recorded cases of the virus in Missouri, but there have been five confirmed cases in Illinois. Here's what else is on this week's roundup show: - St. Louis Public Radio statehouse reporter Jaclyn Driscoll talks about legislation in the Missouri General Assembly on LGBTQ issues. - Rosenbaum and Driscoll also discussed some of the developments in the Democratic presidential campaign — and how they affect Missouri’s primary Tuesday. - St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann broke down the resignation and federal indictment of St. Louis Alderman Larry Arnowitz, who is accused of using campaign money for personal use. Lippmann also explained the process for filing aldermanic vacancies.

St. Louis County Councilman Tim Fitch is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The St. Louis County Republican joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about some of the biggest issues circulating throughout county government. Fitch, a former St. Louis County police chief, was first elected to the county council in 2018, succeeding longtime Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger. He represents the council’s 3rd District, which includes Town and Country, Huntleigh, Kirkwood, Des Peres, Fenton and Sunset Hills.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies try to wrap their arms around Missouri’s Democratic presidential primary — which will take place on March 10. One of the reasons why that contest is difficult to handicap right now is because Missouri’s delegates are up for grabs a week after Super Tuesday. And it’s unclear how many of the seven major candidates will still be in the race by the time the Show Me State goes to the polls.

State Sen. Brian Williams is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The University City Democrat joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his priorities for the 2020 session — and what to expect when the General Assembly hits the home stretch. Williams represents Missouri’s 14th Senatorial District, which takes in a slew of municipalities in central and northern St. Louis County. That includes places like University City, Ferguson, Normandy, Bridgeton and Hazelwood.

On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking weekly news round-up, St. Louis Public Radio’s team of political reporters talk about efforts in Jefferson City to pass a prescription drug monitoring program — and the reemergence of former Gov. Eric Greitens. St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jaclyn Driscoll and Jason Rosenbaum discussed how a so-called PDMP once again passed the Missouri House despite loud opposition from some conservative Republicans. It faces a tough reception in the Missouri Senate, where the program aimed at stamping out opioid abuse.

The latest edition of Politically Speaking’s weekly round-up show zeroes in on two big stories that made waves in St. Louis County government: St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar’s retirement and the settlement of Lt. Keith Wildhaber’s discrimination case. Those two events occurred within hours of one another. And St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Rachel Lippmann explained how they’ll impact county government going forward.

The Democrats from Columbia talk gas tax, free tampons, Medicaid expansion and Clean Missouri with Jason Rosenbaum.

Here's some highlights from this week's weekly roundup podcast: -St. Louis Public Radio’s Jaclyn Driscoll joins the program to talk about what Galloway’s audit was trying to convey — and how people from across the political spectrum are reacting to the findings. -Rosenbaum talked about his story this week that broke down the continued deadlock to start the Board of Freeholders. That 19-person panel can offer up big changes to St. Louis and St. Louis County governance, but it hasn’t done anything due to St. Louis’ inability to approve its members. -The Kansas City Star’s Jason Hancock talked with O’Donoghue about complaints around Missouri’s medical marijuana program. -O’Donoghue and Rosenbaum reacted to President Donald Trump sending out a tweet that incorrectly congratulated the “Great State of Kansas” after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl. The Chiefs, of course, play in Kansas City, Missouri in a stadium that Jackson County taxpayers funded.

Senate President Pro Tem David Schatz talks legislative redistricting, gambling restrictions, St. Louis police residency requirements and Medicaid expansion.

On the latest Politically Speaking weekly roundup, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O'Donoghue dive into how an unreleased audit of Josh Hawley's tenure as attorney general is getting state legislative attention. O'Donoghue talks about how an oversight committee that monitors the St. Louis County's jail is not happy with transparency at the facility. Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue also talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann about St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's lawsuit — and her political future. And Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue talk about whether Missouri's state lawmakers make enough money.

St. Louis County Councilman Mark Harder is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talked with the Ballwin Republican about a multitude of issues, including the ongoing saga of the Loop Trolley. Harder represents the council’s 7th District, which takes in most of western St. Louis County. He is the council’s longest serving member after Hazel Erby resigned to take a post in St. Louis County Executive Sam Page’s administration. Since he’s not up for election this year, Harder could run in a special election for St. Louis County executive as a Republican and not give up his council seat. He said he hasn’t made a decision on whether he will run.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum take a look at some of the local, state and national stories that made news this week. That includes the unsuccessful proposal from the head of the Bi-State Development Agency to revive the Loop Trolley, which shut down after a string of financial difficulties. Here's what else is touched on during the show: - O’Donoghue and Rosenbaum talked about how the St. Louis County Council is trying to retool its vagrancy laws. - The Kansas City Star’s Bryan Lowry returns to the program to talk about how Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt are maneuvering through President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. - And for the final segment, Rosenbaum and O’Donoghue discuss legislation spurred on by Drag Queen Story Hours at libraries throughout the state.

Sen. Dan Hegeman returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about Missouri’s finances and his proposal to change state legislative redistricting. The Cosby Republican represents Missouri’s 12th Senate District, which takes in a huge swath of northwest Missouri. He represents the largest Senate district in the state of Missouri.

On the first Politically Speaking round-up show of 2020, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll recap Gov. Mike Parson’s State of the State address. During Parson’s speech, the GOP chief executive focused on the effort to get a handle on violent crime in Missouri’s biggest cities — and discussed how his administration is managing the state’s Medicaid program. Here’s what else was discussed on this week’s show: -St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann joined the program to discuss what Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s entry into the 2021 St. Louis mayor’s contest means for Mayor Lyda Krewson’s re-election chances. -St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Jack Suntrup discussed a Missouri Ethics Commission decision that led an unsuccessful medical marijuana campaign to publicize its formerly secret donors. -Rosenbaum touched on how a documentary about former St. Louis state Rep. Bruce Franks was nominated for an Academy Award this week.

State Rep. Cody Smith is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Carthage Republican spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue about his role as House budget chairman — and his thoughts on overhauling Missouri’s criminal justice system. Smith was first elected to the Missouri House in 2016 to a seat encompassing parts of Jasper County in southwest Missouri. He became House budget chairman after his predecessor, Scott Fitzpatrick, was appointed as state treasurer.

Missouri House Rep. Rasheen Aldridge represents the 78th district in St. Louis, which includes Hyde Park, Old North St. Louis, Carr Square, downtown, Soulard, Benton Park and LaSalle. At 25, he's one of the youngest elected officials in the statehouse.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue, Jaclyn Driscoll and Jason Rosenbaum take a look at the big issues Missouri lawmakers may take on during the 2020 session. Some of the topics could include overhauling a recently-enacted change to Missouri state legislative redistricting, as well as measures to curb gun violence and expand gambling.

State Rep. Jim Murphy is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The south St. Louis County Republican joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue to talk about what to expect in the 2020 legislative session.
 
 Murphy represents Missouri’s 94th House District, which includes places like Mehlville and Green Park. It is one of the most competitive House seats in the state, as it famously flipped between Democrat Vicki Englund and Republican Cloria Brown for roughly a decade.

The 2010s brought about immense change to the world of Missouri politics. At the beginning of the decade, the Show Me State was a competitive electoral battleground where both political parties had a chance to make significant gains. By 2019, Republicans took near complete control of state government and key federal posts. So how did we get here? On the last episode of Politically Speaking of the 2010s, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Rachel Lippmann and Jo Mannies join me to break down the 10 stories that defined the decade.

State Rep. Dan Shaul joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum on the latest edition of Politically Speaking. The Imperial Republican represents the 113th District in the Missouri House. That takes in a portion of northern Jefferson County, particularly parts of Arnold, Imperial and Barnhart. Shaul is the chairman of the Special Interim Committee on Gaming. That committee held hearings over the summer on the proliferation of gaming machines in truck stops and gas station — and the expansion of sports betting.

There was some pretty big news that dropped right after our weekly round up show hit the Internet: St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced on St. Louis Public Radio's St. Louis on the Air that a bid to bring a private operator to run St. Louis Lambert Airport was dead. We felt this was big enough news to create a mini-episode where St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talk with Corinne Ruff, who had been closely following airport privatization for months.

On the final Politically Speaking roundup show of 2019, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum look at some of the headlines that made an impact in the waning days of the year. O’Donoghue talked with St. Louis Public Radio reporter Eric Schmid about impending legalization of marijuana in Illinois. It’s a move that will have a profound impact on towns in the Metro East — and on neighboring states like Missouri.

State Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, joins public radio political reporters Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Aviva Okeson-Haberman to talk about her first year in office and what she expects in the upcoming 2020 legislative session. 
 
 Ingle has a background in social work and has investigated child abuse and neglect. She won election in 2018 in a district outside Kansas City. She flipped her House seat from Republican to Democrat.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking features St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talking with Kae Petrin about red light cameras.
 
 This show also features The Kansas City Star's Bryan Lowry talking about the impending impeachment of President Donald Trump — and how MIssouri's congressional delegation is reacting.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former Missouri Supreme Court Judge Ray Price talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about his legal career and his new role as chairman of the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page appointed Price to the board that oversees the county police department earlier this fall. Page has now appointed four out of the five members — and could potentially replace former county executive Steve Stenger’s final appointee at any time.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking's Friday round up show, St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talk about Missouri's 2nd Congressional District race. O'Donoghue also talks with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Kurt Erickson about how Missouri is handling Medicaid waivers. And we also discuss the turmoil in Missouri's public defender system with The Kansas City Star's Katie Moore.

State Rep.-elect Trish Gunby is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The St. Louis County Democrat talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jo Mannies about her victory in the 99th House District special election that flipped the seat. Gunby defeated Republican Lee Ann Pitman to serve out an unexpired term in a district that takes in Valley Park, Manchester, Twin Oaks and unincorporated St. Louis County.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann chat with St. Louis Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, of the 6th Ward, about airport privatization, MetroLink and the city's new soccer stadium.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Jaclyn Driscoll and Julie O'Donoghue discuss vaping, St. Louis police residency requirements and General Motors' tax incentives. Associated Press reporter Summer Ballentine also appears in this episode.

State Rep. Becky Ruth joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum on the latest episode of Politically Speaking. Ruth represents a portion of eastern Jefferson County, which includes cities like Festus, Herculaneum, Pevely and Hematite. The Festus Republican is the first woman to ever lead the House Transportation Committee.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Jacyln Driscoll review some of the week’s biggest stories in state and local politics. One of the big topics on the show is the first meeting of the Board of Freeholders, which can propose consolidating services in St. Louis and St. Louis County — or even combining city and county governments.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll welcome state Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum to Politically Speaking for the first time. The discussion includes her effort to improve health care. Appelbaum represents Missouri’s 71st House District, which takes in portions of Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Olivette, Overland and unincorporated St. Louis County. She was first elected in 2018.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O'Donoghue and others talk about the St. Louis airport privatization efforts, sports betting and the ongoing controversy over Paul McKee's city development plans.

Blake Strode, executive director of ArchCity Defenders, and Jacki Langum, the organization’s advocacy director, talk about the group’s 10th anniversary on the latest edition of Politically Speaking.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum take a closer look at some of the biggest political stories of the week. Topping the headlines was turmoil in the St. Louis County Police Department after a jury awarded a nearly $20 million verdict to Sgt. Keith Wildhaber in his discrimination suit. That decision is prompting calls for sweeping change in one of Missouri’s largest local law enforcement agencies.

Baringer talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about the need to regulate vaping and other topics during this episode of Politically Speaking.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum, Rachel Lippmann and others talk about efforts to curb surveillance in St. Louis, how legislators adapt to lobbyist descriptions and efforts to merge the city and the county.

State Rep. Shamed Dogan returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about his efforts to change how Missouri handles criminal justice. The Ballwin Republican represents the 98th House District, which includes parts of Ellisville, Fenton, and Wildwood.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll break down some of the week’s biggest stories in federal, state and local politics.
 
 Of particular interest for many St. Louis area residents is the financial peril surrounding the Loop Trolley.