The discussion centered on the various parks and recreational activities in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. Participants highlighted the renovations and new features in parks like Velas Park, Queenie Park, and Kinetic Park, emphasizing their accessibility and safety for all ages. They also mentioned the 75th anniversary of St. Louis County Parks and upcoming events, including summer concerts and community festivals. The conversation included personal preferences for parks, such as Long View Farm Park and Bramblestick Park, and the importance of community engagement and feedback on local parks.

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The podcast discusses the current measles outbreak in the U.S., with 800 cases already reported, surpassing last year's total. The conversation highlights the highly contagious nature of measles and the long incubation period. The speakers debate the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, noting a 4% drop in vaccination rates among Missouri kindergarteners. They also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on vaccine skepticism. Additionally, the podcast covers new cell phone policies in Parkway and Francis Howell school districts, aiming to limit phone use during school hours, particularly in middle school, to improve focus and reduce distractions.

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The discussion on the West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast covered the development dynamics in St. Charles County and Wildwood, Missouri. Key points included the recent elections indicating a shift towards controlled growth in St. Charles County, with concerns over high-density housing projects like the Bluffs at Riverdale. The conversation also highlighted Wildwood's long-standing battle with development, its master plan approach, and the challenges of balancing growth with maintaining rural character. The podcast hosts also touched on the impact of economic development, tax pools, and the migration patterns of young families seeking affordable housing.

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In a special election edition of The Insider Podcast, hosts Tim Weber, Dan Fox, and Laura Brown discuss the results of recent elections in St. Charles and St. Louis counties. They highlight the victory of "smart growth" candidates in mayoral races, such as Steven Thompson in Cottleville and Keith Weberman in Dardenne Prairie, who emphasized measured development. They also note the defeat of conservative school board candidates in Francis Howell and Wentzville, reflecting a shift towards more moderate governance. Additionally, they discuss the rejection of Proposition B in St. Louis County, which would have allowed the council to fire department heads, and the close vote on Proposition F in Eureka for fire protection funding. The conversation underscores the public's desire for steady, responsible growth and governance.

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The meeting discussed the creation of a podcast and the COVID fraud story, highlighting a federal prosecutor's strong interview. They debated the predictability of fraud and the extension of the statute of limitations to 10 years. The cover design for a story on COVID fraud was debated, with various iterations including a businessman with a COVID mask. The conversation also covered the Missouri Doge story, the efficiency committee in the Missouri House and Senate, and the Chesterfield Mall demolition. Additionally, they discussed local elections, including predictions for Rockwood school board seats and the potential litigation of Prop B in St. Louis County.

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The Insider Podcast discussed the removal of curb bump outs on Long and Clarkson roads, funded by a $52 million federal grant, due to community feedback. MoDOT plans to remove them by early summer, despite a previous commitment to a year-long review. The panel also addressed the Boone Bridge Phase Two rehabilitation, starting in April, expected to complete by spring 2026. COVID Ville's successful Irish Fest was highlighted, with improved safety measures. The new Francis Howell superintendent, Dr. Mike Dominguez, was introduced. Finally, the debate on removing sales tax from groceries in Missouri was discussed, noting potential revenue impacts on local municipalities.

Action Items

• [ ] Advocate for MoDOT to prioritize fixing potholes and road maintenance issues on 141.
• [ ] Investigate if the concrete from the removed curb bump-outs can be repurposed or recycled.
• [ ] Follow up on the progress of the Boone Bridge construction project and its impact on traffic.
• [ ] Review past episodes on teacher merit-based pay to get up to speed for the new Francis Howell superintendent.

Outline

Curb Bump Outs on Long and Clarkson Roads

• Speaker 2 introduces the topic of the curb bump outs on Long and Clarkson roads, mentioning the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) decision to remove them.
• Speaker 3 explains that MoDOT will remove the curb bump outs due to community feedback, despite a previous commitment to review them for a year.
• Speaker 4 expresses frustration over MoDOT's handling of potholes on Highway 141, suggesting that the concrete used for the bump outs could have been repurposed for road repairs.
• Speaker 5 clarifies that the curb bump outs were funded by a $52 million federal grant specifically for safety initiatives.

Community Reactions and Alternative Uses for Curb Bump Outs

• Speaker 4 and Speaker 5 discuss the safety concerns of driving through potholes on Highway 141, with Speaker 4 suggesting that MoDOT should repurpose the concrete.
• Speaker 2 and Speaker 5 joke about the community's potential reaction to the removal of the curb bump outs, including selling souvenir pieces of the concrete.
• Speaker 3 and Speaker 4 debate the effectiveness of the curb bump outs as traffic calming measures, with Speaker 4 noting that frequent users of the road would likely ignore them.
• Speaker 3 provides statistics on crashes on Long and Clarkson roads, highlighting the number of fatalities and the quick decision by MoDOT to remove the bump outs.

Boone Bridge Phase Two Rehabilitation

• Speaker 2 transitions to discussing the Boone Bridge Phase Two rehabilitation, which will begin in April.
• Speaker 3 explains that MoDOT will split traffic on the eastbound and westbound interstates 44 and 64, shifting lanes to accommodate the construction.
• Speaker 3 mentions that the construction is expected to be completed by spring 2026, which will affect traffic in both directions.
• Speaker 2 and Speaker 3 discuss the impact of the construction on commuters, with Speaker 4 expressing frustration over the ongoing pothole issues on Highway 141.

COVID Ville's Irish Fest Success

• Speaker 2 introduces the topic of COVID Ville's successful Irish Fest, which took place on St. Patrick's Day weekend.
• Speaker 3 highlights the issues faced during the previous year's event, including public indecency and a serious accident involving a young mother.

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The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the upcoming Cardinals opening day and the excitement surrounding the team, particularly the decision to start young player Victor Scott. They also reflected on the five-year anniversary of St. Louis County's COVID-19 shutdown, noting significant changes in business practices, education, and societal norms. The conversation highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses, the shift to remote work, and the long-term effects on education. They emphasized the importance of learning from the pandemic and the need for honest conversations about the past to prepare for future challenges.

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The Insider Podcast discussed the Rockwood teacher pay issue, where union members voted 89% approval for a 10% salary increase over two years. A University of Missouri study revealed 78% of teachers considered leaving since 2020 due to pandemic challenges and political pressures. The conversation highlighted the need for merit-based pay tied to performance rather than longevity. A 2017 study showed improved teacher cooperation after merit pay. The panel debated the effectiveness of testing, peer reviews, and parental feedback in evaluating teachers. They also mentioned the Teacher of the Year nominations, due by April 7th, with prizes including an iPad and a gift basket.

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The Insider Podcast episode features an interview with Kristi Scoville, Program Director for the Alliance for Healthy Communities, and Detective Kevin Restivo from the Chesterfield Police Department. The Alliance, established in 2012, aims to reduce substance use among youth in the Parkway School District through education and compliance checks. Detective Restivo explains the process of compliance checks for alcohol and tobacco sales, involving underage buyers and police officers. The Alliance has seen a 71% success rate in repeat visits to non-compliant businesses. They also address the issue of youth access to vape shops and the "Lock It Up" campaign to prevent youth from accessing cannabis and prescription medications. The Alliance is funded by federal grants and collaborates with over 200 community coalitions across Missouri.

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The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the first 45 days of Donald Trump's second term, highlighting the whirlwind nature of events and the polarized national discourse. Tim Weber noted the shift from nuanced political differences to stark oppositions. Kate Upper Grove and Laura Brown expressed concerns about the impact on their mental health and community dynamics. Dan Fox mentioned the difficulty of discussing politics with friends. The conversation also touched on the evolving role of media, particularly the Washington Post, and the influence of figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan in the political landscape. The discussion emphasized the importance of local community engagement and the challenges of federal government involvement in social services.

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