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Politically Speaking

A Blue St. Charles County? A glimpse into the future of the fast-growing county

1 day 1 hour ago
On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR reporters talk with St. Louis residents before Mayor Cara Spencer's State of the City. We also take a look at whether St. Charles County could be in the process of a big political shift toward the Democrats. And we also explore the history of protest music both inside and outside the St. Louis region.

Ted House

3 days 22 hours ago
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former state legislator and former judge Ted House talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about what the recent results in St. Charles County mean for the fast-growing area's political future. House is the last Democrat elected in St. Charles County, but he says he hopes he's not the last.

Sam Page says ending 'Great Divorce' is popular. But getting St. Louis and St. Louis County together won't be easy.

2 weeks 1 day ago
On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with attorney Joe Blanner about the prospect of St. Louis entering St. Louis County as a municipality. Rosenbaum also takes stock about the end of the 2026 candidate filing period – and also previews Tuesday's municipal elections with STLPR's Hiba Ahmad.

Missouri legislators brace for busy second half of the 2026 legislative session

4 weeks 1 day ago
On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Sen. Tracy McCreery and Rep. George Hruza about what to expect in the second half of the 2026 Missouri General Assembly session. Rosenbaum also discussed the results of the Illinois primary for STLPR's Will Bauer. And he also welcomed back Congressman Eric Burlison to the program to talk about why he supports bringing the talking filibuster to the U.S. Senate.

Congressman Eric Burlison wants the federal filibuster to look like the Missouri filibuster

1 month ago
On a special edition of Politically Speaking, Congressman Eric Burlison talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about why he wants the federal filibuster to resemble the Missouri Senate's filibuster. In the U.S. Senate, a filibuster doesn't require anyone to talk or exert much energy. In the Missouri Senate, a senator or senators can hold the floor as long as they want either until they stand down or until there's a forced vote.

Trump dropped anti-interventionist stand on Iran – and Missouri senators followed

1 month 1 week ago
On the latest episode of "The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis in the Air," Washington University's Carly Wayne talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about how Missouri and Illinois Republicans are reacting to Donald Trump's attack on Iran. Missouri Independent deputy editor Rudi Keller discusses the lay of the legal land on Missouri redistricting. And STLPR's Will Bauer and Capitol News Illinois' Brenden Moore preview the March 17 Illinois primary.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

1 month 3 weeks ago
Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who holds a massive fundraising advantage, is among three leading Democrats in the primary to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. On this episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer and Jason Rosenbaum ask Krishnamoorthi why Illinoisans should send him to the Senate.

Missouri Republicans don't like Bill Eigel's fundraising tactics. He says they're stifling a national trend.

1 month 3 weeks ago
As he tries to become the next St. Charles County executive, former state Sen. Bill Eigel is defending his fundraising strategies that inspired Republican House members to advance legislation curtailing recurring campaign contributions. Eigel speaks with STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Rosenbaum reports from Springfield on how Missouri Republicans at Lincoln Days are preparing for the 2026 election. And he also talks with STLPR's Will Bauer about Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's State of the State and Budget Address.

Rick Heidner

1 month 3 weeks ago
The Chicago-area real estate developer, video gambling mogul and fuel company owner entered the GOP primary in Illinois governor's race late last fall. On this episode of Politically Speaking, Heidner makes his case for why he's the right Republican to take on Gov. JB Pritzker.

James Mendrick

2 months ago
The Chicago-area sheriff believes his lengthy law enforcement career positions him best to address public safety and criminal justice issues in the Republican race for governor. On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer sits down with Mendrick to discuss how he would govern as Illinois' chief executive.

Bob Onder (2026)

2 months 1 week ago
U.S. Rep. Bob Onder said it’s possible that lawmakers may not come up with an agreement to keep the federal government fully open past Friday. While lawmakers passed a number of appropriations bills, they held off on passing a measure funding the Department of Homeland Security, which could disrupt the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Safety Administration. Democrats have demanded that the Homeland Security funding bill include guardrails, especially after ICE and Border Patrol’s actions in Minnesota drew nationwide outrage. On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, Onder acknowledged that he was “disturbed” by what went on in Minneapolis and other places around the country. But he also criticized states that allow sanctuary cities which limit cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Darren Bailey (2026)

2 months 1 week ago
Should Illinois Republicans renominate Darren Bailey as their gubernatorial candidate or should they choose a political newcomer to take on Gov. JB Pritzker in November? On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Will Bauer talks with Bailey about his second candidacy to be chief executive in the Land of Lincoln.

St. Louis' comptroller expounds upon city's financial future

2 months 1 week ago
On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on why she's filing a lawsuit to exclude certain immigrants from the Census. Rosenbaum also checks in with St. Louis Comptroller Donna Baringer about how she's overhauling an office responsible for key financial decisions.

Juliana Stratton

2 months 1 week ago
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer about her bid for the U.S. Senate.

Jeff Wilson

2 months 2 weeks ago
Republicans in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, which includes much of the Metro East, will need to decide if Wilson is the better candidate to run for the seat that's currently occupied by Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski.

Robin Kelly

2 months 2 weeks ago
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer talk with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly – one of the three major candidates running to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Robin Kelly

2 months 2 weeks ago
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer talk with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly – one of the three major candidates running to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Ted Dabrowski

2 months 2 weeks ago
Ted Dabrowski trails in the latest Illinois Republican governor primary polls, but he argues sending former GOP nominee Darren Bailey into a rematch would be a mistake.

Ray Reed (2026)

2 months 3 weeks ago
On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri state Rep. Ray Reed talks about why his bill to require federal agents to identify themselves and not wear masks is needed. While the chances of that bill passing in the GOP controlled legislature are small, Reed said it’s important to take a stand. “Everyone knows that Democrats have an uphill battle in Jefferson City, but that does not mean we don't continue to fight the good fight while we're there, using all the power we have,” Reed said.