Politically Speaking

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.

Alderman Bret Narayan of the 4th Ward discusses short-term rentals, liquor licenses and the sheriff's office.

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.

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 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.

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.

position from “day one.” Riley is expected to ascend to the House Speaker post in 2027, especially since the GOP is widely expected to have a continued majority after the 2026 election. As speaker, Riley will have the ability to form committees and decide where certain bills go for hearings. “That's where you have the most ability to impact change and do positive things for the state,” Riley said during a recent interview on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. “So it's definitely something I was interested in. I didn't necessarily know for sure that that was going to all work out that way. But I was interested in it.”

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Missouri Sen. Ben Brown about why the state should eliminate the income tax. He also discussed Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley's views on taking over Greenland with WashU's Steven Smith. And at the end of the show, Rosenbaum spoke with future Missouri House Speaker Alex Riley about the 2026 legislative session.

St. Louis' 3rd Ward alderman joins host Rachel Lippmann to talk lessons learned, incentives and municipal consolidation.

Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski for Illinois' 13th Congressional District, the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, is facing something she didn’t have in her first reelection bid two years ago: a primary challenger. Dylan Blaha, a progressive and an Illinois National Guard member, is aiming to beat Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, which includes part of the Metro East.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg preview the 2026 Missouri General Assembly session. Rosenbaum also talks with Department of Social Services director Jessica Bax about her first year on the job – and plan that could pay child abuse investigators more money.

Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern returns to Politically Speaking to discuss the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Nurrenbern speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about a tougher budget process, what education policy she wants passed and her thoughts on the 2026 general election.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger talked about his desire to see the Senate’s rules change, which provoked a backlash among GOP officials earlier this year. Wasinger said lengthy filibusters often feature long-winded soliloquies that aren’t germane to legislation at hand and result in dysfunction. Wasinger conceded that he doesn’t have the power to compel senators to change their rules. “I don't have a magic wand where I can just unilaterally say, ‘Here are what the rules are going to be,’” he said. “I just simply threw that out as a topic of discussion.”

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Politics Team counts down the top stories of 2025 in Missouri, Illinois and St. Louis politics. Let's just say... this year was definitely not boring.

Fifth Ward Alderman Matt Devoti says cumbersome contracting processes have been the biggest impediment to pushing relief to survivors of the May 16 tornado.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Sen. Lincoln Hough candidly discusses his 'topsy turvy' experience over the last 12 months. The Springfield Republican was ousted as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman ... and also voted against cutting off Democratic filibusters throughout the year.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum deconstructs an avalanche of Missouri redistricting news over the past week. He also spoke with state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley about why the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act could provoke major changes to the traditionally African-American 1st Congressional District. And finally, Rosenbaum (who happens to be a Buffalo Grove, IL, native) talks with Capitol News Illinois' Brenden Moore about the race to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Jami Cox Antwi won a special election in July to replace Mayor Cara Spencer as the alderwoman of the 8th Ward

The alderman from St. Louis's 9th Ward sat down with Rachel Lippmann to discuss development, restructuring city government and reducing the cost to run for office.