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St. Louis Public Radio politics editor Fred Ehrlich and political reporters Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies joined host Don Marsh during Thursday’s talk show to look back at the past year in local and regional politics. They also touched on what's in store in 2019.

The year 2018 didn’t go down quite like Jossalyn Larson or her family expected. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in May, Larson underwent several months of chemotherapy. And yet through all the change, some things have stayed the same – and she’s found the various aspects of everyday life helpful as she travels a difficult path.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, an intention to lose weight continues to top the list for many Americans. All too often, those goals go unachieved – and another year goes by. In this episode of the talk show, two St. Louisans offer listeners suggestions for making real progress toward a healthier lifestyle.

Last month’s 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Tennessee set off fresh questions about the potential for significant seismic activity occurring in the St. Louis region, which last saw earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger in the early 19th century. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the New Madrid Seismic Zone "appears to be about 30 years overdue" for a magnitude 6.3 quake. But on Wednesday’s St. Louis on the Air, Washington University Professor of Seismology Michael Wysession suggested that a focus on flooding and tornadoes remains appropriate when it comes to disaster preparedness in the region.

With a revolutionary year in Missouri politics winding down, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Jo Mannies and Rachel Lippmann decided to reflect on what happened and why it matter.

And what better way to do that than a list of the five biggest stories of 2018?

You’ll have to listen to the final Politically Speaking to find out which event topped our list. But it’s fair to assume that the startling descent of Eric Greitens and the Missouri U.S. Senate contest made the cut.

Other developments that were contenders including the repeal of right to work, which bars unions and employers from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment. And big political developments out of St. Louis County also caught the Politically Speaking team’s attention.

Guest host Shula Neuman spoke with Jim Weddle, the outgoing managing partner of Edward Jones, who retires Dec. 31. Weddle reflected on spending his entire career with one of the St. Louis area's largest employers, the Great Recession of 2018 and the current economic situation.

Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative attorney for Best Friends Animal Society, talks about Illinois’ six new animal welfare laws, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

A discussion with two locally based poets and friends of St. Louis' first poet laureate, Michael Castro, who passed away Dec. 23 at the age of 73.

"St. Louis on the Air’s" final monthly Legal Roundtable of the calendar year goes underway as host Don Marsh delves into a wrap up of the year’s major local and national stories pertaining to the law.

Senate President Pro Tem-elect Dave Schatz joins Politically Speaking to talk about issues that may arise during the 2019 legislative session.

Schatz is a Sullivan Republican who represents all of Franklin County and most of western St. Louis County. He won a contested race for president pro tem in November, meaning he’ll appoint committee chairs and direct legislation to certain committees.

Schatz’s family owns a utility contracting business. He successfully sought a vacant House seat in 2010. He then filed to run for the 26th District Senate seat in 2014, which was occupied at the time by Sen. Brian Nieves. Nieves ultimately decided against running for re-election, while prominent GOPers like former House Speaker Tim Jones and former Sen. Jane Cunningham chose not to challenge Schatz in the primary. This effectively handed the election to Schatz, since winning the Republican primary in the 26th District is tantamount to election.

St. Louis Public Radio reporter and weekend newscaster Shahla Farzan and engagement producer Lindsay Toler provide a year-in-review look at the station's Curious Louis features that were published in 2018.

On Friday’s St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh talked with Meghan Panu, the owner of a tiny house that was stolen in the city of St. Louis last weekend and discovered in Jefferson County earlier this week.

Filmmaker and St. Louis native Karyn Kusama talks to host Don Marsh about her latest film, “Destroyer,” which follows a disgraced Los Angeles detective – played by Nicole Kidman. The film premiered at the Tivoli as part of the 2018 St. Louis International Film Festival in November and is slated for widespread release in January 2019. 

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to reconnect with St. Louis on the Air’s go-to tax expert for tips on how to minimize tax liabilities for 2018.

Laura Thake has driven hundreds of miles throughout the St. Louis region documenting the best home light displays and posting the photos and videos – with permission from homeowners – to her website.

Having first taken office in the early ’90s, Bob McCulloch has served as St. Louis County prosecutor ever since. But a stunning upset by Wesley Bell in this year's Democratic primary has McCulloch’s long tenure now coming to a close. Host Don Marsh and reporter Rachel Lippmann speak at length with McCulloch in this departing conversation, asking a wide variety of questions.

Councilman Sam Page and Councilwoman Hazel Erby join the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast to talk about the tumultuous year in St. Louis County government.

Page, D-Creve Coeur, and Erby, D-University City, are the chair and co chair of the St. Louis County Council. They’ve held those positions for two years amid tensions with St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.

Since the beginning of 2017, Page and Erby have been part of a bipartisan coalition that’s clashed with Stenger on a multitude of issues. Earlier this week, the council passed a budget with roughly $35 million in cuts from what Stenger recommended. They also overrode his veto numerous times, including on removing a requirement that bidders for construction contracts be linked to apprenticeship programs.

Host Don Marsh talks with Sauce Magazine's managing editors Catherine Klene and Heather Hughes and art director Meera Nagarajan about what they consider to be the best new local restaurants – from fine dining to a breakfast-and-lunch café.

The longtime Missouri Democrat reflects on her time in the Senate and touches on a variety of political topics and challenges ahead as she departs office.

On Monday's St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh spoke with Cami Thomas, the creator of "Smoke City," a web series that explores a different St. Louis neighborhood in each episode.