Politically Speaking

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