The Chris and Amy Show on KMOX

On this hour of the Chris and Amy Show on KMOX, hosts Chris Rongey and Amy Marxkors are joined by Scott Lincicome, Vice President of General Economics at the Cato Institute's Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, analyzes the blocked merger between US Steel and Nippon Steel, addressing its implications for jobs, Granite City's community, and national security concerns.

Next, Connor Kerrigan, Director of Communications for Mayor Tishaura Jones, defends the mayor's extensive travel schedule. He explains that most trips are funded privately or by organizations and highlights how the mayor’s efforts have secured millions in federal funding for projects like the airport, Metrolink, and violence prevention. Kerrigan emphasizes the mayor’s constant communication with her team during travels, her ability to return quickly in emergencies, and her direct involvement in the city’s winter storm response.

Amy Marxkors & Chris Rongey discuss Mayor Tishaura Jones' travel schedule with Conner Kerrigan, Director of Communications with the Mayor's office. They address the impact of her travels, including securing funds in federal projects, boosting violence prevention efforts, and fostering business development. Conner explains that while the mayor's trips were mostly funded by personal funds, they have helped elevate St. Louis on the national stage. They also discuss how the mayor manages city affairs remotely, handles snow storms and emergencies, and ensured that the city’s ARPA funds were allocated on time.

This episode covers a range of topics starting with AI-powered traffic cameras designed to detect distracted driving and seatbelt violations. David Kelly from Accuensus explains how the cameras function, how violations are processed and transmitted to law enforcement, and addresses privacy concerns. The team also discusses the camera positioning, effectiveness, and challenges of expanding the system in different regions. Practical winter driving tips are provided, followed by insights into MLB offseason moves, including Nolan Arenado’s potential trade destinations and the NL Central outlook. The conversation then shifts to changes in the St. Louis Blues’ TV broadcast schedule and the broader challenges of sports viewing across various platforms

Scott Lincicome, Vice President of General Economics at the Cato Institute, joined the show to discuss the Biden administration's decision to block the $15 billion merger between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel. Lincicome argued that Nippon Steel's $3 billion investment in U.S. Steel's facilities, including those in Granite City, would have preserved jobs and modernized plants. He criticized the decision as politically motivated, influenced by union politics rather than national security concerns. He also highlighted that Japanese investments in U.S. companies have generally been uncontroversial and that the merger’s rejection appeared to be more about union politics than policy.

Bernie Miklasz joined the show to discuss the potential trade of Nolan Arenado, noting his interest in joining the Boston Red Sox and the lack of a strong market for him. He ranked teams in the National League Central, with the Reds improving thanks to Terry Francona's hiring. The conversation also covered the St. Louis Blues' move to Channel 4 for three games, marking their return to over-the-air broadcasting after 15 years. Additionally, Bernie shared insights on the growth of streaming services for sports and the NFL coaching carousel, highlighting Mike Vrabel as a top candidate for future openings.

Australia based tech company Acusensus is implementing AI-controlled traffic cameras to snap photos of people texting and driving.

David Kelly, VP of Government Solutions, breaks down the technology to Chris and Amy. These cameras, primarily focused on commercial vehicles, provide real-time images to police officers for enforcement, with privacy safeguards ensuring non-violation images are deleted within minutes. He also discusses the system’s success in reducing road fatalities.

Chris and Amy discuss disturbing body cam footage from September 2023 showing St. Louis police officers walking away from a man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, citing their shift ending soon. Both officers have been dismissed.

Kerry Hannon joins to discuss retirement regrets, emphasizing the importance of early savings, paying down debt, and waiting to claim Social Security benefits to maximize payouts. Chris and Amy also explore the implications of AI traffic cameras and share their excitement about Blues games returning to free TV.

Chris and Amy talk to Kerry Hannon, a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance, about the common regrets people face in retirement. From not saving early enough to taking Social Security benefits too soon, Kerry provides expert advice on how to better prepare for the future. They also discuss the benefits of automating savings, working with a financial advisor, and paying down debt before retiring. Despite these challenges, the conversation highlights the positives of retirement, including happiness, strong relationships, and a positive perspective on aging.

In today’s show, Amy Marxkors and Michael Kelley begin by discussing the incoming snowstorm, with Bob Smerbeck, AccuWeather Meteorologist, providing essential updates and advice on how to prepare for what Michael Kelley predicts to be an "epic" snowfall. Subaru owners share their experiences driving in the snow, and the team reflects on past snowstorms while addressing concerns about the Norovirus. They also touch on the political landscape for 2025 and discuss the rise of Venmo in personal finance.

In the second hour, Tamar Sher, KMOV Sports Anchor and Reporter, covers the St. Louis Blues' 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mizzou QB Brady Cook’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft, and updates on Nolan Arenado’s trade situation.

Finally, in the third hour, Mike Parkinson, Mayor of Granite City, IL, joins the show to discuss President Biden’s decision to block the merger between US Steel and Nippon Steel. Mayor Parkinson shares his concerns about the potential job losses and the economic ramifications for Granite City, emphasizing the need for transparency from the companies involved. He calls for public support to protect American jobs and the steel industry.

Amy Marxkors and Michael Kelley kick off the third hour by welcoming Mike Parkinson, Mayor of Granite City, to discuss his support for President Biden’s decision to block the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger. Mayor Parkinson expresses concerns about the potential impact on local jobs and calls for more transparency from the companies involved. The conversation then shifts to the anticipated resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and its broader implications.