Politically Speaking

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Doug Beck (2025) Jun 30, 2025

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On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck talks about the recent special session and expectations for when lawmakers return in 2026. Beck represents Missouri’s 1st Senate District, which takes in portions of unincorporated south St. Louis County and municipalities like Crestwood and Webster Groves. As Senate Minority Leader, he is the top Democrat in a chamber that Republicans dominate. Beck said his caucus chose to work with Republicans during a June special session, especially since Democrats wanted to get more money to help rebuild parts of the city a tornado destroyed on May 16. But he said his caucus is still upset with how the regular session ended when Republicans used a procedural maneuver to pass measures aimed at upending voter-approved paid sick leave and abortion rights initiatives.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey on representing the STL Police Department Jun 26, 2025

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The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is undergoing a major transition after lawmakers and Gov. Mike Kehoe reinstated a gubernatorial board that oversees the agency. But the changes for the police department go beyond the reimposition of the state board. Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office will now be in charge of defending the St. Louis Police Department in certain civil litigation cases. That’s because Bailey’s office is in charge of defending state agencies against claims to the state’s legal defense fund. “The legal expense fund is really the insurance policy for the state,” Bailey said in an interview on Wednesday. “So any claims enumerated in that statute that are in connection with the public officials duties are covered by [the fund] … the state's law firm, the Missouri Attorney General's Office, defends against them.”

Marty Joe Murray Jun 23, 2025

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On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Marty Joe Murray talks with STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum about his first year in the Missouri General Assembly – and his thoughts on the recently completed special session. Murray represents Missouri’s 78th House District, which takes in parts of Downtown St. Louis, Old North St. Louis, Lafayette Square, and neighborhoods that encompass the Cherokee Street business district. He was first elected to his seat in 2024.

4TheVille Emergency Hub leaders plan to keep assisting tornado victims Jun 16, 2025

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It didn’t take long for Dara Eskridge and Aaron Williams to spring into action after a deadly tornado ripped through parts of north St. Louis. Eskridge and Williams helped lead the 4TheVille Hub, which provided critical supplies and housing stabilization to people throughout north St. Louis. Both Eskridge and Williams have deep ties to the community: Eskridge is the CEO of InvestSTL, which helps financially support neighborhood development initiatives. And Williams is President of 4TheVille, a nonprofit group that aims to preserve and expand the cultural history of several north St. Louis neighborhoods. The Hub shut down earlier this month, prompting both Eskridge and Williams to reflect during a St. Louis on the Air episode on the volunteer effort’s impact – and how they plan to keep the assistance coming to tornado victims. This is the longer version of that conversation.

Why Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt backs Trump's mass deportation policies Jun 13, 2025

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On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks to U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt about protests over Donald Trump's immigration enforcement methods – and so called Big Beautiful Bill. Rosenbaum also talks with Democratic Sen. Steven Roberts and House Speaker Jon Patterson about the just concluded special session. And he also discussed with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg whether the bipartisan spirit of the extra time in Jefferson City can last.

Why St. Louis residents are anxiously waiting for federal tornado aid May 30, 2025

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On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum explores the excruciating waiting game for St. Louisans waiting for FEMA assistance to recover from this month's tornado. Rosenbaum also talked with Congressman Wesley Bell about how President Donald Trump hasn't signed off on disaster relief yet. And with a special session looming, Rosenbaum welcomes state Sen. Brian Williams on the program to talk about why the General Assembly's extra time may be bumpy next week.

Tracy McCreery (2025) May 30, 2025

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Sen. Tracy McCreery joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to discuss the end of the 2025 Missouri Legislative Session and her thoughts on the upcoming special session.

Alisha Sonnier May 28, 2025

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7th Ward Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier talks about negotiations over the Rams settlement dollars, her plans for her second term, and being the target of a PAC during her re-election campaign.

Friday's deadly tornado rocks St. Louis – and prompts elected officials into action May 19, 2025

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On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's talks with STLPR's Chad Davis about the deadly tornado that ripped through St. Louis and St. Louis County on Friday. It's placing more of a focus on how local, state and federal elected officials are planning to respond to what could be a long rebuilding process. Rosenbaum also talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg, as well Reps. Ian Mackey and Jim Murphy, about the 2025 Missouri General Assembly session.

How Trump's first 100 days made a mark on St. Louis and Missouri May 02, 2025

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On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum explores how President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office affected Missouri, Illinois and the St. Louis region. Rosenbaum talks with ProPublica's Jeremy Kohler about former Missourian Ed Martin's controversial nomination as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. And he also talks with Trump fans and foes, and STLPR reporters, about his first few months in office.

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