Jimmy Failla joins the show reacting to rising gas prices, the president’s trip to China, and the broader geopolitical backdrop involving Iran and energy markets. The conversation turns into a sharp, comedic breakdown of a YouGov poll claiming large shares of Democrats believe they could beat Donald Trump—or even that an eight-year-old could win a fight against him—prompting Failla to frame it as projection and political group-think rather than reality. He and the host also dig into the idea that gas tax relief is more symbolic than structural, while real price pressure is tied to global conflict and supply strategy. The segment mixes political analysis with humor, including commentary on media framing, cultural polarization, and how Trump’s political style continues to drive public reactions.

Hashtags: #JimmyFailla #GasPrices #Trump #China #Iran #Politics #YouGovPoll #Media #ElectionTalk #FoxNews

Hour 3 opens with St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock discussing allegations that County Executive Sam Page violated rules by working outside his official duties, with pressure mounting for further legal review and potential removal proceedings. The hour then shifts to Stefan Padfield from the Heritage Foundation, who breaks down ongoing DEI policy battles in corporations and universities, warning that rebranding efforts are masking continued ideological influence, while also addressing scrutiny of the Southern Poverty Law Center and related legal and organizational controversies. Later, Dylan Sharkey of the Illinois Policy Institute details Illinois’ escalating gas tax structure, including automatic annual increases, layered local taxes, and rising fuel costs that continue to pressure drivers despite large existing transportation funds. The hour closes with a viral YouGov poll discussion questioning whether Americans believe they could beat Donald Trump in a fight, breaking down partisan responses and highlighting how politically charged perceptions distort even absurd hypothetical scenarios.

Hashtags: #Hour3 #MissouriPolitics #SamPage #DEI #HeritageFoundation #Illinois #GasPrices #TaxPolicy #YouGov #DonaldTrump #TalkRadio #PoliticalDebate

Dylan Sharkey from the Illinois Policy Institute breaks down how Illinois drivers are hit with some of the highest gas taxes in the country, driven by the 2019 tax hike and automatic annual increases that continue regardless of legislative votes. He explains how state leaders have access to billions in road funds yet still raise fuel costs, and how layered taxes from state, county, and local levels push prices near or above $5 per gallon in parts of Illinois. The discussion also touches on broader budget practices, toll increases, and how policy decisions in Springfield continue to squeeze drivers despite claims of affordability and infrastructure investment.

Hashtags: #Illinois #GasPrices #TaxPolicy #IllinoisPolicyInstitute #DylanSharkey #EnergyCosts #Pritzker #Inflation #Transportation #BudgetPolicy

Stefan Padfield of the Free Enterprise Institute and Heritage Foundation joins to discuss ongoing corporate and institutional responses to DEI policy rollbacks, arguing that while some progress has been made in scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, many organizations are simply rebranding rather than eliminating them. The conversation expands into concerns about ideological persistence in institutions, the risk of political complacency, and the broader cultural “whack-a-mole” effect of policy enforcement. Padfield also addresses scrutiny surrounding the Southern Poverty Law Center, referencing recent legal and fraud-related allegations while framing the organization as part of a longer-running pattern of ideological and institutional controversy.

Hashtags: #DEI #FreeEnterpriseInstitute #HeritageFoundation #CorporatePolicy #CultureWar #SPLC #LegalScrutiny

The segment centers on St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock outlining the council’s allegations that County Executive Sam Page violated a charter rule barring outside employment, citing SSM work records and reimbursement data as evidence of outside activity beyond his official role. Hancock argues the council has referred the matter to prosecutors and the attorney general after concluding Page’s “volunteer work” explanation does not align with employment documentation, raising the possibility of removal from office depending on legal findings. The discussion also touches on broader concerns about transparency, compensation structures, and whether the ongoing legal pressure could accelerate Page’s political exit.

Hashtags: #StLouisCounty #SamPage #DennisHancock #CountyPolitics #GovernmentOversight #LegalInvestigation #MissouriPolitics

Hour 2 opens with lighter conversation about Journey announcing a so-called final tour, sparking debate over farewell tour marketing tactics and nostalgia-driven ticket sales, along with discussion about changing concert culture and digital-only ticketing. The hour quickly pivots into politics and local controversy, including the Missouri Supreme Court upholding the Republican-backed congressional map and rejecting claims of unconstitutional gerrymandering, which Marc frames as a major win for GOP representation. Tensions in St. Louis politics are also highlighted as Mayor Cara Spencer clashes with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department board over funding demands and budget priorities tied to public safety and infrastructure. The show also revisits controversy surrounding Sam Page and allegations involving outside medical work while in office. Later segments shift into national and economic news with “Nicole Murray,” covering markets, inflation concerns, rising mortgage rates, corporate earnings shifts, Uber’s new “Eats on the Way” feature, and growing debates over alcohol delivery services and verification systems. The hour closes with “In Other News,” including a canceled Disney Cruise in Singapore, a viral armadillo encounter, World Cup tourism revenue expectations in Kansas City, and surprise discussion of Olympian Ryan Lochte taking a coaching job at Missouri State University, blending global headlines, local stories, and lighter cultural moments into a fast-moving second hour.

Hashtags: #Journey #MissouriPolitics #StLouis #SamPage #Markets #UberEats #WorldCup2026 #DisneyCruise #RyanLochte #StLouisNews

In the “St. Louis Morning Brief,” Marc breaks down the Missouri Supreme Court decision upholding the Republican-backed congressional map, pushing back on media framing that labeled it gerrymandered while emphasizing the ruling strengthens GOP positioning in future elections. The discussion then turns to escalating tension between Cara Spencer and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department board over police funding, with Spencer warning that increased spending demands could drain city reserves and force cuts elsewhere, while Marc argues the city has repeatedly mismanaged priorities affecting public safety and infrastructure. The segment closes with the update on Ahmad Hardy being shot after a Mississippi concert, highlighting concerns about athlete safety, NIL-era exposure, and the risks young players face off the field.

Hour 1 opens with Marc and the crew adjusting to their temporary studio setup before diving headfirst into mounting ethics questions surrounding Sam Page and allegations that he continued performing anesthesiology work hundreds of times while serving as county executive despite rules against holding dual employment. Marc questions claims that the work was unpaid volunteer service and argues the controversy reflects a broader pattern of political insiders acting above the rules. The hour then pivots into a major legal challenge launched by Catherine Hanaway against the Department of Commerce and Census Bureau over counting illegal immigrants in census totals, with Marc arguing the practice unfairly boosts congressional power and federal funding for blue sanctuary states while weakening representation in states like Missouri. Later, “Kim on a Whim” tackles the student loan crisis and the exploding cost of higher education, as Marc and Kim debate personal responsibility, predatory loan structures, government-backed lending, and why many younger Americans are delaying homes, marriages, and families under crushing debt burdens. The hour also includes sharp commentary on Illinois gas taxes, Missouri redistricting battles, inflation concerns, and broader frustrations with government spending, making for a fast-moving mix of local politics, national legal fights, and economic anxiety.

Hashtags: #SamPage #CatherineHanaway #StudentLoans #MissouriPolitics #USCensus #IllegalImmigration #CollegeDebt #IllinoisGasTaxes #Redistricting #Inflation

In “Kim on a Whim,” Kim St. Onge and Marc dive into the growing burden of student loan debt after a study found that many Gen Z borrowers are delaying major life milestones like buying homes, getting married, or starting families because of overwhelming college costs. The conversation critiques the modern higher education system, with Marc arguing colleges dramatically inflated tuition prices once federally backed student loans became widely available, comparing the crisis to the housing bubble and healthcare inflation. The segment also explores personal responsibility, predatory loan interest rates, parents’ role in financial planning, and whether college degrees still justify massive debt loads outside of elite or specialized programs. Marc reflects on how affordable tuition once was during his own college years and contrasts it with today’s six-figure debt stories, while both hosts argue that universities have increasingly prioritized profits and ideology over practical value. The discussion blends economic frustration, generational challenges, and skepticism toward government student loan intervention into one of the hour’s most relatable conversations.

Hashtags: #KimOnaWhim #StudentLoans #CollegeDebt #GenZ #HigherEducation #TuitionCrisis #JoeBiden #CollegeCosts #PersonalFinance #EducationSystem

The show opens in a temporary studio with technical issues and guest-heavy programming, then moves quickly into political controversy surrounding Donald Trump, including renewed claims about deep state resistance, skepticism over past assassination narratives, and criticism of intelligence officials like John Brennan. A major national security thread develops after reporting that a former California mayor pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal Chinese agent, fueling broader discussion on CCP infiltration, immigration policy, AI-generated media, and foreign interference risks inside the United States.

International coverage centers on escalating Iran tensions and U.S. diplomatic positioning ahead of high-level talks with China, alongside debate over military readiness and war powers authority. Senator Eric Schmidt argues Iran’s capabilities have been significantly weakened and emphasizes preventing nuclear development while avoiding long-term conflict, while also responding to criticism over U.S. defense stockpiles. Domestic political conflict intensifies as reports surface of Virginia lawmakers allegedly considering restructuring the state Supreme Court through retirement-age changes to reshape its composition and influence redistricting rulings, prompting comparisons to court-packing strategies and broader warnings about institutional manipulation.

The show expands into Missouri legislative wrap-up issues, including abortion ballot measures, tax reform proposals, and initiative petition battles, while local reporting highlights St. Charles County short-term rental restrictions and MetroLink security staffing shortages. Guest segments include Rachel Campos-Duffy discussing her new book on American patriotism and cultural identity ahead of the 250th anniversary, Luis Valdes defending gun rights and constitutional protections, and Todd Piro addressing crime and judicial frustration. The final hour focuses on public safety and political accountability, including San Francisco police recruitment incentives and a developing St. Louis County Ethics Committee review involving County Executive Sam Page over alleged dual employment, closing on themes of institutional trust, political escalation, and contested control over courts, elections, and public safety policy.

Hashtags: #DonaldTrump #Iran #CCP #China #EricSchmidt #RachelCamposDuffy #VirginiaPolitics #CourtPacking #Redistricting #SupremeCourt #GunRights #LuisValdes #SanFrancisco #PoliceFunding #MissouriPolitics #StLouisCounty #ElectionIntegrity #PublicSafety #DeepState #TalkRadio