DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF DONNYBROOK.

WE ARE GLAD YOU MADE US PART OF YOUR EXPERIENCE THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE LOTS TO TALK ABOUT.

SO LET'S MEET THE PANELISTS.

STARTING WITH WENDY WIESE, THE MEDIA VETERAN AND NOW A MEMBER OF THE ST. LOUIS MEDIA HALL OF FAME.

SHE WAS INDUCTED LAST NIGHT AT THE SHELDON.

CONGRATULATIONS, WENDY.

>> THANKS.

>> WE WELCOME BACK AMY, PART OF THE CHRIS AND AMY SHOW.

MY FORMER BROADCAST PARTNER, WHO IS KINDLY JOINING US FOR THE VACATIONING BILL MCCLELLAN.

WE WELCOME THE HOST OF ST. LOUIS 314 OR THE 314 PODCAST AND FROM ST. LOUIS MAGAZINE, SARAH FENSKE.

AND FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN, HELLO AND GOOD EVENING TO ALVIN REID.

WENDY, WE WILL START WITH YOU BECAUSE THERE'S KIND OF A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT THE LONGEST SERVING U.S.

SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS, RICHARD DURBIN, WHO USED TO REPRESENT THE METRO EAST AS A CONGRESSMAN, HAS ANNOUNCED IT'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE IS 80 YEARS OLD.

HE CAN STILL STAND UP AND WALK OUT OF THE HOUSE AND HE SAYS HE WANTS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

I DIDN'T AGREE WITH HIM WITH EVERYTHING BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS A FUNDAMENTALLY DECENT GUY.

FOR AN ILLINOIS POLITICIAN HE REMARKABLY HAD NO ATTACHMENT TO SCANDAL THAT I KNEW OF IN ANY WAY.

BUT NOW EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WILL J.B. PRITZKER RUN FOR U.S.

SENATOR?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING, AND I TOLD CHARLIE BEFORE THE BROADCAST I WANTED HIM TO PUT IT IN MY FILE BECAUSE I THINK IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT I WILL BE PROVEN CORRECT ON IN TERMS OF LONG-TERM PREDICTIONS.

I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT J.B. PRITZKER HAS A NATIONAL FUTURE.

AND I THINK THAT -- I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF HE RUNS FOR PRESIDENT.

HE IS THE WEALTHIEST MEMBER OF THE POLITICAL CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

HE IS THE -- IS IT THE HILTON OR THE MARRIOTT?

>> HYATT.

>> THANK YOU.

HE'S A HYATT HEIR AND HE'S WORTH BILLIONS.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT JUST IN TERMS OF HIS STATURE.

DONALD TRUMP, THE PEOPLE WHO LIKE AND ADMIRE DONALD TRUMP, HIS SUPPORTERS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I THINK THEY LIKE THAT KIND OF TOUGH GUY PERSONA.

I THINK J.B. PRITZKER COULD TAKE THAT ON NOSE-TO-NOSE.

THEY ARE ROLLING OUT MERCHANDISE FOR TRUMP 2828 SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF THE THIRD TERM.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IN ILLINOIS COOK COUNTY IS REALLY GOING TO -- IT'S GOING TO SHUFFLE -- THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS IN COOK COUNTY, WHICH DOESN'T AFFECT US, BUT I THINK, YEAH, IT WILL BE PRITZKER.

>> I THINK IF HE WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT, RUNNING FOR SENATE WOULD BE A REALLY BAD MOVE.

>> I THINK HE WILL RUN FOR SENATE -- I'M SORRY, I'M NOT CLEAR.

I WAS JUST IN THE HALL OF FAME.

SORRY ABOUT THAT, GUYS.

YES, I DO BELIEVE THAT HE WILL RUN FOR THE SENATE AND THEN ULTIMATELY HE WILL BE PRESIDENT.

>> IT JUST FEELS LIKE BEING ILLINOIS GOVERNOR IS A MUCH BETTER SPRINGBOARD TO BEING PRESIDENT THAN A SENATOR.

VOTERS DON'T LAKE SENATORS AND I FEEL LIKE CHRIS CHRISTIE MIGHT BE AN EXAMPLE, VOTERS ARE VERY PREJUDICE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE HEAVIER.

>> WHAT?

>> HE WILL HAVE TO OVERCOME THAT.

>> WHAT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP?

>> YOU KNOW, ALL BETS ARE OFF.

>> MCDONALD'S AND THE APP, SO IF HE MADE IT TWICE, I THINK THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER WOULD COULD PROBABLY MAKE IT.

>> I HAD NO IDEA WHEN PRITZKER WAS FIRST RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, I HAD NO IDEA THAT HE WAS HEIR TO THE FORTUNE AND MULTI-BILLIONAIRE.

I SAID I HAD NO IDEA.

I THINK THAT WORKS IN HIS FAVOR BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT HIM OTHER THAN HE'S THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.

ILLINOIS IS A VERY BLUE STATE.

I WILL KNOW HAS FINANCIAL WOES, BUT HE SEEMS IN CONTROL.

>> YEP.

>> AND LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE -- WANT SOMEBODY THAT'S IN CONTROL.

>> YOU WANT A TOUGH GUY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> TRULY.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S IN CONTROL.

I MEAN, THE UNDERFUNDED PENSIONS IS UP TO -- >> WELL, I MEAN THAT WAS BEFORE HE WAS THERE.

>> PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT OF THE STATE IN DROVES.

IT'S LOSING POPULATION MORE THAN JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER STATE IN THE UNION.

>> WHEN I SAID THAT, I WAS THINKING THAT'S WHAT WERE GOING TO SAY BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I'M JUST SAYING, LOOK, EVERYBODY ELSE IS OUT THERE CAVING AND WAVERING, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO.

HEY, I'M IN CHARGE HERE AND ILLINOIS IS STILL GOING GREAT GUNS.

>> BUT JULIANNE, THE LT.

GOV., HAS ALREADY MENTIONED SHE'S RUNNING.

>> I THINK SEVEN DEMOCRATS HAS THROWN THEIR HAT IN.

>> I THINK ROBBIE MANUAL PROBABLY WILL.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT BE EXCITED ABOUT HIM.

>> HE WILL PROBABLY -- HE IS CONSIDERING.

I GUARANTEE HE'S CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR THAT NOMINATION.

>> I WILL SAY THIS ABOUT DICK DURBIN AND HIM STEPPING DOWN, I'M SO GLAD, I LOVE EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS, YOU NEED TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS, BUT GO HOME.

MITCH MCCONNELL NEEDS TO GO HOME.

I THINK NANCY PELOSI NEEDS TO GO HOME.

AND FEINSTEIN DIDN'T GO HOME AND THAT WAS HER LEGACY, SHE DIDN'T GO HOME.

>> I'M UPSET WITH JILL BIDEN THAT SHE ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN.

JUST LETTING HIM BE THERE.

I'M DICK DURBIN IS GOING HOME.

HAVE A LIFE.

>> HE STILL HAS HIS MENTAL ACUITY, AND SO DID CLAWED PEPPER WHEN HE WAS REPRESENTING FLORIDA, CHARLES GRASSLEY SEEMS TO HAVE HIS MENTAL ACUITY.

MITCH MCCONNELL, I AGREE.

>> AND THE SENATOR THAT WAS FALLING ASLEEP.

>> WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT BEING A POLITICIAN THAT ALL OF US ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO RETIREMENT BUT THE SENATORS WANT TO SAY SENATORS.

>> IT'S A GREAT JOB.

>> THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY LOVE IT.

>> AND PRITZKER IS A POINT PERSON ON TARIFFS.

HE'S THE POINT PERSON ON TARIFFS.

>> I WILL ALSO SAY DICK DURBIN WAS A NICE PERSON, THE TIMES I MET HIM.

I THINK ONE REASON HE'S LEAVING IS BEING CORDIAL IS POLITICS IS GONE.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE 3.2 MILLION COUNTY DOLLARS GOING TO A FARM IN SPANISH LAKE.

THE IDEA WAS TO LOOK AT PEOPLE WHO WERE HUNGRY AND FEED THEM, THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TOLD.

WELL, LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS LATER, THREE FARMS THAT WERE PART OF THE GROUPS, INCLUDING CONFLUENCE JONES, AND HERON JONES TESTIFIED, THEY AREN'T GOING TO BE PART OF THE PROJECT ANY MORE.

THE THING SEEMS IN DISARRAY.

I'M THINKING THAT SAM PAGE IS GOING TO VETO THIS SINCE THERE'S SO MUCH CONTROVERSY ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW.

DO YOU THINK SO?

IF SO, IS THIS A WIN FOR SAM PAGE, WHO NEEDS A FEW?

>> AND HE'S KIND OF GOT SOME THINGS FALLING IN PLACE, CRASH B CRASHED AND BURNED, AND THE COUNCIL WAS GOING TO PASS THIS THING, AND ONE OF OUR REPORTERS, ASHLEY, GREAT JOB IN THAT WHEN THE STORY BROKE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE BREAKING AWAY, BECAUSE I KNOW WE DID STORIES ON RUSTIC ROOTS, SHE SAID I DID A STORY ON HIM AND HE WAS QUOTED IN ANOTHER URBAN FARM AND ALL THE NAMES, LIKE YOU SAY, ARE INTERRELATED WHICH IS WHY THEM, IMMEDIATELY STEPPING AWAY, KIND OF TELLS ME THAT THEY SEE -- I MEAN, WHO IS GOING TO TURN DOWN MONEY THESE DAYS?

AND -- >> THE LEADER OF RUSTIC ROOTS, SHE WAS ACCUSING THEM OF NOT HAVING THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW.

THEY THEN ACCUSED HER OF BEING SLICK.

SO, YEAH, YOU CAN SAY I WAS RIGHT.

>> YOU ARE A HALL OF FAMER.

>> NO, YOU CAN SAY I TOLD YOU SO.

I MEAN, I WAS WRONG.

I WAS FOR IT.

YOU WERE AGAINST IT.

>> I JUST THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BID.

SO IF OPERATION FOOD SEARCH OR CONFLUENCE FARMS OR THE OTHER PLACES WANTED TO SUPPLY FOOD TO PEOPLE WHO NEED FOOD, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME SORT OF OPEN BIDDING PROCESS AND THERE WAS NONE IN THIS CASE.

>> YEAH.

IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE SO SAD ABOUT THIS COLLAPSING LIKE IT HAD GOOD INTENTIONS BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS WELL-THOUGHT OUT.

I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD COUPLE WEEKS FOR SAM PAGE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL HAS MADE SOME BAD NOISES.

WE ALSO HAD A STORY IN ST. LOUIS MAGAZINE WHERE APPARENTLY ONE OF THEM JUST HIRED SOMEONE TO BE THE LAWYER FOR THE COUNCIL WHO JUST COST JENNINGS A $2 MILLION JUDGMENT AND HAD A HISTORY OF BEING SUED BY SOMEBODY ELSE THAT SHE WORKED CLOSELY WITH.

SEEMS LIKE A QUESTIONABLE HIRE THERE.

THEY ARE KIND OF WALKING INTO IT, AND THIS IS WHAT SAM NEEDS.

>> AND THE RUBBER HATCHET THING, I'M SORRY, THAT WAS KIND OF ENDEARING.

I MEAN, HE TRIED.

YEAH, BURYING THE HATCHET.

HE WAS TRYING.

>> I RAN INTO HIM ON FRIDAY, AND DR. SAM PAGE SAID HE WATCHED THE SHOW.

AND WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

HEY, SAM, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

AND SHALONDA AND ANYBODY ELSE.

I WANT TO IS IT YOU ABOUT DR. FRED, THE SOON-TO-BE DEPARTING PRESIDENT OF ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY.

HE WAS AMONG 328 UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE PRESIDENTS WHO SIGNED A LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO BE MICROMANAGED.

WE WANT OVERSIGHT, OF COURSE, BUT I THINK THEY WERE REFERRING TO HARVARD, WHICH HAS $9.2 BILLION FROM THE FEDS COMING IN AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU UNLESS YOU LOOK AT PLAGIARISM ISSUES ON CAMPUS, YOU DECENTRALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON ON YOUR CAMPUS AND MAKE CHANGES TO HIRING, AS WELL.

AND THEY SAID, NO, WE THINK THAT'S OVERREACH BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

DID YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> THE ISSUES WE ARE SEEING NOW WITH HARVARD I DON'T THINK IT'S A MONO-- ANSWER WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THEY HAVE HAD THEIR ISSUES WITH ENCAMPMENTS.

YES, THERE'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH BUT YOU CAN'T BLOCK JEWISH STUDENTS FROM GOING TO CLASS.

THERE'S A TIME, PLACE AND MANNER.

BUT WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEING SO BRAZEN SAYING YOU NEED TO CONFORM MORE TO OUR IDEOLOGIES SORE YOU WON'T GET FEDERAL DOLLARS, SOUNDS GROSS.

IT'S BEEN A CONSERVATIVE TALKING POINT, NOT MAGA, BUT CONSERVATIVE TALKING POINT THAT ONCE YOU TAKE FEDERAL DOLLARS IT'S NAIVE TO SAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WON'T WANT SOMETHING IN RETURN.

AND RONALD REAGAN SAID ABOUT THE DRINKING AGE, THOSE ARE A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS YOU GET FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES BUT THEY MAY NOT BE THERE IF YOU DON'T FALL IN LINE WITH RAISING THE DRINKING AGE.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING HERE'S HOW WE WANT YOU TO RUN THINGS.

SO FOR HARVARD THEY HAVE THE $53 MILLION ENDOWMENT AND THEY ARE PUSHING BACK SAYING NO, YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

BUT WHAT DOES FEDERAL FUNDING MEAN?

HOW ABOUT HOLDEN ARE YOU.

>> AND WHATEVER THE AMOUNT IS, IT'S EASY FOR ME TO TELL THEM TO TURN DOWN THE MONEY, BUT THOSE WHO DIDN'T SIGN A LETTER -- >> I THINK WASH-U IS IN THERE.

>> SO I GET THAT.

BUT THIS IS WHERE WITH NUMBERS, STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, THERE'S 300 OF US, WE WILL MISS THE MONEY BUT LET'S ALL KIND OF BAND TOGETHER.

THE LETTER WAS NOT A TIRADE.

>> BUT THE PRESIDENT IS NOT GOING TO COWER WHEN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS WRITE A LETTER.

>> NO.

I DON'T THINK THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS MIND OR CHANGE HIS WAYS, I THINK IT WAS A STATEMENT TO EACH OTHER THAT WE GOT TO START STANDING UP TO THIS, AND LET'S START WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, NAIL IT ON THE DOOR KIND OF THING.

>> HIS RESPONSE TO THIS IS SOMETHING ABOUT THESE OVERPAID BLOW-HARDS.

IT DEFINITELY DIDN'T CAUSE HIM TO STOP AT ALL BUT IT WAS NICE TO SEE SOME PEOPLE SAY, OKAY, WE AREN'T JUST GOING TO BEND OVER.

WE STAND FOR SOMETHING, AND THEY VERY MILK TOASTEDLY WROTE IT, BUT IT'S GOOD.

WE CAN'T HAVE A CULTURE OF INTIMIDATION THAT PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE TERRIFIED TO STAND FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE THE FEDS MIGHT TAKE THEIR MONEY AWAY.

>> AND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, I THINK WHAT THAT ALSO DOES, TRUMP ALWAYS SAYING HE DOESN'T BACK DOWN.

THE WAY TO GET HIM TO BACK DOWN IS GIVE HIM AN OUT.

IF YOU HAVE STRENGTH IN NUMBERS AND UNIVERSITIES PUSHING BACK AND IF HE CAN BACK DOWN WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE HE IS BACKING DOWN.

KIND OF LIKE THE TARIFFS.

I THINK STRENGTH IN NUMBERS CREATES MORE AVENUES FOR HIM TO LAY OFF A BIT WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE IT.

>> INTERESTING.

AND JUST THAT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE CONSERVATIVES AND -- I MEAN, THE UNIVERSITIES HAVE BEEN IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF THE CONSERVATIVES FOR A VERY LONG TIME, FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

AND I DO THINK, THOUGH, THIS IS SOMEHOW KIND OF AN EXTENSION OF MORE OF A CULTURAL CONVERSATION.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE FEDERAL DOLLARS, IT SORT OF GETS DOWN TO THE CULTURAL CONVERSATION AND THE WAY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS REACTED TO THE DEI ESCAPADES.

>> REAL QUICK, I WILL SAY WHERE I WENT TO SCHOOL, KANSAS.

THERE'S NO CHICAGO.

MISSOURI HAS ST. LOUIS AND KANSAS CITY.

THERE IS NO -- YOU DON'T HAVE THAT.

THAT'S A RED STATE.

BUT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, AND TO A DEGREE KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, THOSE ARE KIND OF LIKE YOUR ECONOMIC.

SO YOU HAVE CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO KIND OF LEAVE THEM ALONE BECAUSE WE DO WANT THESE KIDS TO COME TO SCHOOL HERE FROM CHICAGO AND THEY COME FROM NEW YORK AND THEY COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> THEY COME FROM NEW YORK, THEY COME FROM EUROPE AND ASIA, AND THEY BRING IN BIG BUCKS.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, SARAH, WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD LITERALLY, SINK HOLES IN ST. LOUIS.

THERE'S A HUGE ONE THAT COULD SWALLOW A HOUSE AND ANOTHER ONE AT PARK AND LINDEN AND LAFAYETTE SQUARE AND YESTERDAY THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE FROM, WHICH I APPRECIATED THE LEADERS LIKE THE CONGRESSMAN LESLIE BELL AND THE ALDERMEN GOT TOGETHER AND SAID HERE'S WHAT THE LATEST IS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SHOULD THERE BE AN APOLOGY?

WE'VE KNOWN THAT THESE SINK HOLES HAVE BEEN SWALLOWING CARS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN DOWNTOWN FOR A WHILE.

WE KNOW RESIDENTS, WHEN POLLED, SAID THAT WATERMAINS WERE THEIR NUMBER ONE CONCERNS AND THEY WANTED THE RAM'S MONEY AS A RESULT OF THE LITIGATION USED FOR THAT, AND THE POLITICIANS DIDN'T DO THAT.

SO I'M THINKING ST. LOUIS LEADERS, WHY AREN'T YOU TAKING ACTION ON SINK HOLES?

>> I MEAN, I JUST THINK THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON AND IT'S EASY FOR US TO SAY WHY DIDN'T THEY DO IT WITH SINK HOLES WHERE TWO YEARS AGO WE WERE SAYING THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON CRIMES.

WE HAD A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PRIORITY.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING IT'S NOT SINK HOLES, IT'S CAVE-INS BECAUSE THERE'S MAN MADE AND THERE ARE R. IS SO MUCH COLLAPSING IN THE CITY.

THEY SAID IF WE DON'T DEAL WITH DOWNTOWN NOW THERE'S A PROBLEM, WE DON'T DEAL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, THERE'S A PROBLEM.

>> BUT SHE WAS AN ALDERMAN AND THE PEOPLE, WHEN POLLED, SAID WATERMAINS ARE NUMBER ONE AND THE CAVE-INS ARE CAUSED BY, A, WATERMAINS, WHICH ARE LEAKING, OR THOSE LATERALS THAT CONNECT SEWERS TO HOMES.

>> I WOULD SAY I NEVER THOUGHT THAT POLL WAS WORTH QUOTING.

>> APPARENTLY NO ONE ELSE DID EITHER.

>> THAT POLL WAS SOMETHING MEGAN GREEN PUT TOGETHER AND I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED TO GET CERTAIN ANSWERS AND I THINK THERE WERE THINGS LEFT OFF OF IT.

IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHAT THEY MOST CARE ABOUT, WATERMAINS WASN'T THE MAIN FEATURE.

PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THEY WANTED THEIR TRASH PICKED UP, NOT WATERMAINS.

THEY PROBABLY BEEN, I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS OWED AN APOLOGY.

>> WHO ARE THE PHANTOMS THAT WROTE TOWN WATERMAINS?

>> THESE ARE 100-YEAR-OLD SYSTEMS.

THIS IS GOING -- I THINK IT IS SUCH AN ENORMOUS PROBLEM.

>> NSD HAS BEEN AROUND 80 YEARS.

>> WHAT HAS IT OPINION DOING?

I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE STREET COLLAPSES, CALL US, WE WILL TAKE ACTION, WHICH IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.

AND THAT'S ALL OF US.

WE DON'T KNOW THE STREET IS GOING TO COLLAPSE UNTIL THE STREET COLLAPSES.

IT'S TERRIBLE, BUT YOU HIRE A FIRM WITH A CAMERA, YOU KNOW, THOSE SNAKE CAMERAS AND YOU INVESTIGATE.

>> I DON'T -- ESPECIALLY SINCE I BOUGHT A NEW CAR, I DON'T WANT MY CAR TO FALL.

BUT BE HONEST, WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD A SINKHOLE ABOUT 30 FEET WIDE COLLAPSED ON SUN STREET ST. LOUIS, YOUR FIRST REACTION IS -- >> OH, MY GOSH.

I'M THINKING OF STROLLERS ARE SCHOOL BUSES.

>> I WAS MORE FREAKED OUT.

>> IF THEY CONDUCTED WHAT WOULD BE A STREET COLONOSCOPY, I THINK WE WOULD BE HORRIFIED.

>> BUT IT WOULD BE A LIABILITY ISSUE BECAUSE WE IDENTIFIED THESE STREETS AND THEY COULDN'T GET TO ALL OF THEM AT ONCE AND THEN WHEN THE STREETS COLLAPSED THEY WOULD SAY YOU KNEW, YOU LET IT COLLAPSE.

>> AND THE POOR WOMAN WHO WAS QUESTIONED BY THE REPORTER SAID THAT LAST SUMMER THEY REALIZED THAT THIS PAVEMENT WAS BUCKLING AND MOVING.

>> LIKE A ROLLER COASTER.

>> I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT THE HALL OF FAMER, BUT I DO WANT TO ASK SARAH, IS THIS ALL PART AND PARCEL OF THE INCOMPETENCE THAT IS THE CITY GOVERNMENT?

LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE, AND YOU WROTE ABOUT THIS WHERE A FEDERAL JUDGE, MATTHEW SCHELP, SAID THERE'S A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE FILED BY THE CITY A WEEK OR SO AGO THAT'S COMPLETELY SLIPSHOD BECAUSE THERE WERE MISS SPELLINGS, MISSED DEADLINES, AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN NAME IN THE LAWSUITS THE INDIVIDUALS THAT A FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT WOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.

>> I THINK IN THIS CASE THE JUDGE, THIS IS A TRUMP APPOINTEE, WHO I THINK HAD A BEE IN HIS BONNET ABOUT THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, DEEP BLUE, TRYING TO CHALLENGE THE STATE GOVERNMENT, POSSIBLY GREEN TRYING TO PULL ONE OVER, I THINK HE CAME IN UNUSUALLY HOT AND IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE DEFICIENCIES IN THE LAWSUIT, IT WAS ABOUT HIS PERSPECTIVE POLITICALLY.

THAT SAID THERE WERE DEFICIENCIES IN THE LAWSUIT.

BUT THIS IS LESS ABOUT LESS AND UTTER COMPLETE IN COMPETITION THAT YOU LIKE TO PORTRAY IT AT BUT THIS IS A CITY IN A LOT OF TRANSITION.

THE CITY COUNSELOR JUST LEFT AND WE HAVE A NEW COUNSEL, A NEW MAYOR WHO HASN'T BEEN HERE MORE THAN A WEEK AND TWO DAYS.

I THINK WE SHOULD CUT EVERYBODY A BIT OF A BREAK.

>> IT REMINDED ME OF THE AMAZON PROPOSAL WHAT PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY WAS TRYING TO GET THE HEADQUARTERS AND THE CITY SENT IN HOW MANY MISSPELLINGS, FOUR OR FIVE, INCLUDING THE WORD AMAZON IN THE HEADLINE AND THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.

>> THAT'S REALLY BAD.

>> I THINK THEY RUSHED TO FILE THE LAWSUIT BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CONFIDENCE MAYOR SPENCER WAS GOING TO SUE AT ALL SO I THINK THAT CAUSED A RUSH ON IT.

I THINK YOU SHOULD SUE IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT, LOOK, WE REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF ST. LOUIS AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS, EVEN IF IT'S GOING TO GET THROWN OUT, IS TO SUE.

COULD HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER JOB, BUT YES, I THINK THEY SHOULD SUE AND SEE WHERE THE CARDS FALL.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S ALLIGATORS IN THE SEWERS?

>> THERE MIGHT BE.

>> I HAD TO GO BACK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SHARKS.

>> WELL, WE FREED THAT THE OLD BREWERIES USED TO USE IT FOR THE -- WHAT WAS IT CALLED, THE PROCESS -- OF COURSE, I'M TOTALLY -- >> LAGERING?

>> YEAH.

>> THEY USED THE CAVES FOR THAT.

>> LIKE I SAID, LAW FIRMS AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS CAVING IN THESE DAYS.

>> THAT IS GOOD.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A PROPOSAL IN JEFFERSON CITY THAT WOULD CREATE AN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS WHERE THE STATE WOULD PAY FOR IT AND THE MONEY WOULD GO TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ATTRACTING BIG CONVENTIONS AND CONCERTS AND SPORTING EVENTS AND ALSO PROVIDING SECURITY.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE ST. LOUIS POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT'S IN CHARGE OF SECURITY IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS BUT OVERALL IT'S BASED ON MODELS OUT OF NEW ORLEANS AND NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK ALL OF THE MONEY SHOULD GO TO SECURITY.

AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, MEMPHIS ON BILL STREET, YOU CAN'T WALK ONE BLOCK AND THERE'S POLICE OFFICERS ON EVERY CORNER, AND I MEAN THREE AND FOUR POLICE OFFICERS.

WHAT YOU NEED IS JUST THEM STANDING ON EVERY CORNER.

NEVER MIND TRYING TO DRAW CONVENTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT DOES THAT HERE IN EXPLORE ST. LOUIS OR -- I'M SORRY, THE CONVENTION AND TOURISM BUREAU.

JUST HIRE OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, GET THEM A ROOM AT THE MOTEL 6 OR WHATEVER, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AT THE HYATT -- >> IN OTHER WORDS, LIKE WE DO AT CARDINAL GAMES.

WE DO, WE HAVE TONS OF POLICE FOR CARDINAL GAMES.

>> HAVE IT FROM WASHINGTON TO THE STADIUM FROM THE RIVER TO THE SOCCER STADIUM.

>> BUT IF THE STATE WANTS TO GIVE US $4 MILLION TO DO SOME EXTRA STUFF DOWNTOWN, WHY DON'T THEY JUST GIVE US $4 MILLION TO PAY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE OR HANDLE IT THAT WAY.

WE KEEP ESTABLISHING NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS AND EACH HAS THEIR OWN PRIVATE SECURITY.

IT'S A PATCHWORK THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AND THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY.

>> WHAT IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS WORKING THE WEEKEND, YOU ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY.

SOME OF THE PRIVATE PEOPLE THEY USE AREN'T HELD TO THE SAME STANDARD.

>> IS THE PATCHWORK BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL THE CITY ISN'T DOING THEIR JOB TAKING CARE OF THE AREA KEEPING IT SAFE SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> BUT THE PATCHWORK IS THE PROBLEM.

>> MAYBE LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE ROBIN OF LODGING HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT SAID WE NEED MORE SECURITY AND THE MAYOR SAID WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?

NOW HE IS PROMOTING A BILL THAT WOULD BRING IN THE STATE, THEY FAMILY ROOM A COMMITTEE, YOU AND THAT COMMITTEE WOULD OVERSEE THE SECURITY FORCE.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS DURING COVID.

>> WAS IT THAT LONG AGO?

>> BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MET WELL BECAUSE HE WAS ONEFUL THE ONLY ONES.

HE WAS STILL INVESTING IN DOWNTOWN AND THEY SAID WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY.

>> OKAY.

IT'S TIME FOR LETTERS.

SORRY TO MOVE ON SO ABRUPTLY.

LET'S SEE WHAT THE VIEWERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT LAST WEEK'S SHOW.

MR. SCHMID WANTS TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THE PRESIDENT I SUGGEST HE QUIT GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL AND PLAYING GOLF WITH HIM.

AND WE ALSO HEARD FROM MR. JOHNSON.

ST. LOUIS.

HOWEVER RIGHTEOUS OR NOT, THE MUTINY FAILED AND THE STATION SELF-DESTRUCTED.

RADIO STATIONS ROUTINELY CHANGE FORM MATT.

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CALL THE NINE LINE.

AND LISTEN TO US ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST SOURCE.

DON'T FORGET, MAY 8TH IS OUR BIG FUNDRAISER AT THE SHELDON.

WE CALL IT DONNYBASH.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO GET TICKETS.

WATCH US ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WE CALL IT LAST CALL WHERE WE GET TO SOME OF THE IMPORTANT TOPICS WE DIDN'T GET TO THE FIRST TIME AROUND DRUG ARE THEY TRYING TO BAN A FORMER DONNYBROOK PANELIST FROM CITY HALL?

WE WILL GET INTO THAT.

BUT FIRST AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

CALLS TO ELIMINATE PUBLIC FUNDING FOR PUBLIC MEDIA IS GROWING.

IT'S $1.60 PER AMERICAN PER YEAR AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC IMMEDIATE YAY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

IT BRINGS YOU VALUED PROGRAMS LIKE DONNYBROOK AND PROVEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND CRITICAL EMERGENCY ALERT SERVICES.

HELP PROTECT THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE AND JOIN THE EFFORT TO DEFEND NINE PBS'S FUTURE FOR SIGNING UP FOR ACTION ALERTS AT PROTECT MY PUBLIC MEDIA.ORG AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DON'T FORGET LAST CALL.

THANKS, AMY, FOR SITTING IN FOR BILL MCCLELLAN.

WE WILL SEE EVERYBODY AGAIN NEXT WEEK AT THIS TIME.

DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.