West Insider

The conversation revolves around the topic of youth behavior and Thanksgiving plans. Speaker 1 discusses a Wall Street Journal story about "cousin walks" at Thanksgiving, where young people get high and improve their attitudes. The group then shifts to discussing recent incidents involving youth in West County and St. Charles County, including an oversold Sky Zone event, a party that wen...

Laura Brown, a breast cancer survivor, hosts a podcast discussing her journey and those of two other survivors, Rebecca Salem and Melissa Pike, and oncologist Dr. Michael Ogawa. Laura was diagnosed at 45 via a mammogram, opting for a double mastectomy and Tamoxifen. Rebecca, influenced by her mother's history, underwent a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Melissa had stage zero DCIS,...

The discussion on the West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast centered on the disruptive impact of social media on society, particularly on young people. The hosts highlighted how algorithms on platforms like Twitter and Facebook can push extreme content, influencing users' opinions and behaviors. They discussed the addictive nature of social media, the erosion of critical thinking skills, and th...

The podcast discusses the preferences for Halloween versus Christmas. Dan enjoys Halloween for its horror movies, trick-or-treating, and fall activities, while Kate dislikes Halloween due to commercialization and inappropriate costumes. The group shares local Halloween events, including the Chesterfield Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run, Wildwood Fall Harvest Festival, and St. Charles' Legends and Lant...

The podcast episode discussed the decline of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, noting the shuttering of Feast magazine and the end of the Monday print edition. Subscription numbers have plummeted, with daily subscriptions dropping from 280,000 to 24,000 and Sunday subscriptions from 400,000 to 37,000. The conversation also touched on the federal government shutdown, its impact on federal employees, and...

Dr. Melissa Schneider, the new superintendent of Parkway School District, discussed her transition from Loveland, Colorado, to West St. Louis County, highlighting the summer heat and humidity as a new experience. She praised the community's amenities and her long onboarding process, which began in December 2021. Schneider detailed the $265 million Proposition S bond issue, noting improvements...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the recent approval of Missouri's new congressional district map, which splits Senate District 5 and expands District 5, potentially increasing Republican representation. The map faces legal challenges, including a lawsuit from the NAACP. The panel debated the implications of redistricting on voter representation and the broader political land...

Tim Weber discusses the controversial redistricting process in Missouri, emphasizing its importance despite its dry subject matter. He explains that the U.S. conducts a census every 10 years to redraw congressional and legislative districts, reflecting population changes. Missouri, a deeply Republican state, is redrawing its districts to secure an additional congressional seat, a move driven by Pr...

The conversation revolves around the back-to-school season, with participants discussing the impact of summer's end, the performance of interns, and the challenges faced by school districts. Rockwood and Parkway districts are grappling with budget issues, while St. Charles County is dealing with growth. The discussion also covers the new cell phone policies in schools, the importance of extra...

CORRECTION: CELEBRATE WILDWOOD does have Fireworks!  We misspoke at 24:44. Celebrate Wildwood DOES have fireworks at 9:15 p.m. to end the fun!  Tim Weber announced that Project Cumulus, a massive data center in St. Charles, was withdrawn after their podcast recording on August 18. The project, covering 440 acres and potentially 330 football fields, faced concerns over contaminated drinking water w...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast features Dan Clerke, Director of Esports at Maryville University, discussing the rapid growth and success of the university's Esports program. In 10 years, Maryville has won 20 national championships, with a current roster of 30 players competing in Rocket League, League of Legends, and Valorant. The program emphasizes academic excellence, with players...

The podcast discusses two significant local stories. First, the Francis Howell School District's hiring and subsequent resignation of Superintendent Mike Dominguez. Dominguez was announced in March 2025, but resigned on July 11, 2025, citing family needs. He received a $229,200 to $250,000 settlement and was hired as an assistant superintendent in Oklahoma. The board voted unanimously to acce...

The discussion on the West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast focused on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses five years later. Key points included MasterCard's shift to remote work and new initiatives like paid volunteer days and mental health training. Box STL gym adapted by sanitizing more and reopening with a new business model. The conversation also covered the impact of AI on workforce dyna...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed local stories, including the overwhelming response to the "Best of" nomination period, with numerous businesses and athletes recognized. A proposed ordinance in Wentzville would allow UTVs on residential streets, while ATVs were excluded. Concerns were raised about safety, noise, and the impact on neighborhoods. In Wildwood, a proposal to...

This episode features a discussion on the challenges and evolving landscape of journalism. Tim Weber, Dan Fox, and interns Amanda Favazza and Elle Rotter explore the impact of COVID-19, the importance of journalism in today's political climate and the role of AI in mass media. Elle shares her high school journey into journalism, emphasizing the significance of interviews and undertaking a &qu...

The West End Mid Rivers Insider Podcast team discussed their podcast's direction, considering YouTube streaming, interview formats, and content variety. They debated the ideal podcast length, with opinions split between shorter, 20-minute episodes and longer, in-depth discussions. Suggestions included featuring local experts, community figures, and diverse topics like healthcare, education, a...

Tim Weber discusses the critical need for increased nuclear energy production in the U.S. to address global warming and compete with China. He highlights that nuclear power already supplies nearly 19% of U.S. electricity and 47% of clean energy, avoiding 476 million metric tons of CO2. China is aggressively expanding its nuclear capacity, aiming to triple it by 2035. Weber argues that nuclear ener...

The podcast discusses the "No Kings" protest in St. Louis and St. Charles, noting its large attendance and peaceful nature. The St. Louis County Animal Shelter faces ongoing issues, including failed inspections and overcrowding, with Sam Page requesting $18 million for facility upgrades. The shelter has failed three consecutive inspections, despite efforts to correct previous citations....

Dr. Curtis Cain, Superintendent of the Rockwood School District, discussed the 2024-2025 school year, highlighting a new teacher contract and weather-related school closures. He detailed a pilot cell phone ban in Rockwood, which received positive feedback. The Missouri House passed a bill prohibiting cell phone use by students from bell to bell, which Dr. Cain noted could impact local policies. He...

The West and Mid Rivers News Magazine Insider Podcast discussed story pitches focusing on localizing national headlines and identifying significant trends impacting readers. Dan Fox proposed a series on barriers to young families, including financial challenges and dating dynamics. Laura Brown pitched a story on St. Louis County's deadline to meet fire code requirements, with options includin...

The discussion centered on the Missouri legislature's repeal of the paid sick leave portion of Prop A, which also included a higher minimum wage. The repeal, opposed by 58% of voters, was seen as going against the will of the voters. The conversation also covered the demographic shifts in St. Charles County, where 90% of new residents are over 60, leading to concerns about long-term economic...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the St. Louis Cardinals' nine-game winning streak and transitioned to a Mother's Day-themed episode. Dan Fox shared a story from a local paper about mothers preferring time and consistent help over material gifts. Laura Brown, a mom of three, and Donna Deck, a mom of four, shared their Mother's Day experiences, including brunches, fa...

The West Insider Podcast discussed the Real ID law, effective May 7, 2025, requiring a starred ID for air travel. The hosts evaluated Trump's first 100 days, giving him a B for economic deregulation and a C for chaotic trade policies. They praised border security improvements but criticized chaotic deportation processes and lack of due process. The conversation also covered government reforms...

The discussion centered on the various parks and recreational activities in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. Participants highlighted the renovations and new features in parks like Velas Park, Queenie Park, and Kinetic Park, emphasizing their accessibility and safety for all ages. They also mentioned the 75th anniversary of St. Louis County Parks and upcoming events, including summer concerts a...

The podcast discusses the current measles outbreak in the U.S., with 800 cases already reported, surpassing last year's total. The conversation highlights the highly contagious nature of measles and the long incubation period. The speakers debate the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, noting a 4% drop in vaccination rates among Missouri kindergarteners. They also discuss the impact of COVID-19...