Politically Speaking

St. Louis County Councilman Tim Fitch is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The St. Louis County Republican joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann to talk about some of the biggest issues circulating throughout county government.

Fitch, a former St. Louis County police chief, was first elected to the county council in 2018, succeeding longtime Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger. He represents the council’s 3rd District, which includes Town and Country, Huntleigh, Kirkwood, Des Peres, Fenton and Sunset Hills.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies try to wrap their arms around Missouri’s Democratic presidential primary — which will take place on March 10.

One of the reasons why that contest is difficult to handicap right now is because Missouri’s delegates are up for grabs a week after Super Tuesday. And it’s unclear how many of the seven major candidates will still be in the race by the time the Show Me State goes to the polls.

State Sen. Brian Williams is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The University City Democrat joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his priorities for the 2020 session — and what to expect when the General Assembly hits the home stretch.

Williams represents Missouri’s 14th Senatorial District, which takes in a slew of municipalities in central and northern St. Louis County. That includes places like University City, Ferguson, Normandy, Bridgeton and Hazelwood.

On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking weekly news round-up, St. Louis Public Radio’s team of political reporters talk about efforts in Jefferson City to pass a prescription drug monitoring program — and the reemergence of former Gov. Eric Greitens.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jaclyn Driscoll and Jason Rosenbaum discussed how a so-called PDMP once again passed the Missouri House despite loud opposition from some conservative Republicans. It faces a tough reception in the Missouri Senate, where the program aimed at stamping out opioid abuse.

The latest edition of Politically Speaking’s weekly round-up show zeroes in on two big stories that made waves in St. Louis County government: St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar’s retirement and the settlement of Lt. Keith Wildhaber’s discrimination case.

Those two events occurred within hours of one another. And St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Rachel Lippmann explained how they’ll impact county government going forward.

The Democrats from Columbia talk gas tax, free tampons, Medicaid expansion and Clean Missouri with Jason Rosenbaum.

Here's some highlights from this week's weekly roundup podcast:

-St. Louis Public Radio’s Jaclyn Driscoll joins the program to talk about what Galloway’s audit was trying to convey — and how people from across the political spectrum are reacting to the findings.

-Rosenbaum talked about his story this week that broke down the continued deadlock to start the Board of Freeholders. That 19-person panel can offer up big changes to St. Louis and St. Louis County governance, but it hasn’t done anything due to St. Louis’ inability to approve its members.

-The Kansas City Star’s Jason Hancock talked with O’Donoghue about complaints around Missouri’s medical marijuana program.

-O’Donoghue and Rosenbaum reacted to President Donald Trump sending out a tweet that incorrectly congratulated the “Great State of Kansas” after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl. The Chiefs, of course, play in Kansas City, Missouri in a stadium that Jackson County taxpayers funded.

Senate President Pro Tem David Schatz talks legislative redistricting, gambling restrictions, St. Louis police residency requirements and Medicaid expansion.

On the latest Politically Speaking weekly roundup, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O'Donoghue dive into how an unreleased audit of Josh Hawley's tenure as attorney general is getting state legislative attention.

O'Donoghue talks about how an oversight committee that monitors the St. Louis County's jail is not happy with transparency at the facility.

Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue also talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann about St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's lawsuit — and her political future.

And Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue talk about whether Missouri's state lawmakers make enough money.

St. Louis County Councilman Mark Harder is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talked with the Ballwin Republican about a multitude of issues, including the ongoing saga of the Loop Trolley.

Harder represents the council’s 7th District, which takes in most of western St. Louis County. He is the council’s longest serving member after Hazel Erby resigned to take a post in St. Louis County Executive Sam Page’s administration.

Since he’s not up for election this year, Harder could run in a special election for St. Louis County executive as a Republican and not give up his council seat. He said he hasn’t made a decision on whether he will run.