The Marc Cox Morning Show

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 level...

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 persi...

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 Pa...

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...

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...

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 co...

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...

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 Californ...

Hour 4 opens with President Trump’s comments on Iran, framing internal divisions within the regime between moderates and hardliners as negotiations continue over a rejected peace proposal. Senator Eric Schmitt argues Iran’s military position has been significantly weakened, particularly in missile capability and naval strength, and says the administration’s priority remains preventing nuclear weap...

The segment features Rachel Campos-Duffy discussing her new book centered on American patriotism ahead of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. She argues that U.S. schools and cultural institutions have increasingly emphasized negative interpretations of American history, saying younger generations are being taught narratives rooted in shame rather than civic pride. She frames the founding of...

The segment opens with reaction to President Trump’s remarks on Iran, where he describes internal divisions between “moderates” and “hardliners” as negotiations continue over a rejected peace proposal. Eric Schmitt argues the situation has been strategically weakened for Iran, pointing to degraded missile capabilities and reduced military leverage, while stressing that the administration’s goal re...

Hour 3 opens in Studio C with production updates and platform housekeeping, then quickly pivots into political and cultural firestorms, starting with previewed guests including U.S. Sen. Eric Schmidt and discussion of his recent golf outing with Bryson DeChambeau, alongside broader political analysis of Iran tensions, Middle East strategy debates, and commentary tied to figures like John Fetterman...

The segment opens with critical commentary on political rhetoric involving calls for “revolution,” contrasted with warnings about violent language and extremist symbolism in modern politics. The discussion then shifts to an interview with Luis Valdes of Gun Owners of America, who frames the Second Amendment as essential to preventing authoritarian control and compares disarmament efforts to histor...

The segment features Todd Piro joining the show while battling a chest cold, joking about his voice fading as the conversation progresses. The discussion quickly pivots into crime and judicial leniency, sparked by commentary on a Massachusetts shooting video and broader criticism of judges perceived as overly sympathetic to criminals. The conversation turns to public skepticism and media narrative...

Hour 2 opens with the crew settling into their temporary “Studio C” setup amid ongoing station renovations, working through technical hiccups, lighting differences, and equipment adjustments while keeping the show moving and previewing upcoming guest John Lamping to break down Missouri’s final legislative week. The conversation quickly broadens into political and global developments, including Pre...

Former Missouri Senator John Lamping joins the show to break down the chaotic final days of Missouri’s legislative session, arguing lawmakers have stretched the session far too long while leaving many of the state’s biggest issues unresolved and headed instead toward ballot initiatives. Lamping discusses pending fights over abortion, initiative petition reform, and income tax elimination, warning...

In the “St. Louis Morning Brief,” Marc and Kim examine new efforts in St. Charles County to tighten regulations on short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO following complaints about parties, fights, overcrowding, and neighborhood disruptions. The discussion covers proposed restrictions on overnight guests, vehicle limits, inspections, and spacing requirements between rental properties, while quest...

Hour 1 opens with the crew navigating technical chaos after being relocated to a temporary studio during station renovations, leading to jokes, audio mishaps, and discussion about adapting to the unfamiliar setup before previewing a packed guest lineup that includes Senator Eric Schmidt, Rachel Campos-Duffy, John Lamping, and Louis Valdez. The hour quickly pivots into explosive political commentar...

In “Kim on a Whim,” Kim St. Onge spotlights the case of former Arcadia, California mayor Eileen Wang, who pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government after allegedly publishing pro-Beijing propaganda through a seemingly legitimate local news website. The segment expands into a broader discussion about Chinese Communist Party influence operations inside the United States...

Hour 1 opens with Mother’s Day weekend recaps, including a concert featuring Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, before shifting into escalating tensions with Iran tied to the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over rising gas prices. The discussion frames Trump’s Iran strategy as necessary toughness while expanding into a broader cultural critique sparked by Bill Maher’s comments on entitlement, victimhood, a...

Hour 4 opens with Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway outlining a key legal fight over control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Board, signaling a favorable court posture for the state while also detailing a separate aggressive push against kratom and synthetic opioid products being sold in retail outlets. The conversation expands into election integrity, with Hanaway defending efforts...

Tom Ackerman breaks down a tough Cardinals loss to the Padres after Nick Castellanos ties the game with a late home run off Riley O’Brien, turning a potential 3-of-4 series win into a deflating extra-innings defeat despite strong pitching and a highly competitive four-game showing. He frames it as a painful but encouraging series for a young St. Louis team that continues to compete at a high level...

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joins the show to discuss ongoing litigation over control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Board, where a Cole County judge is expected to rule after signaling likely support for state authority over the board and the mandated city police funding requirements. Hanaway explains that the city of St. Louis and groups including Arch City Defen...

Hour 3 opens with a pushback against alarming media coverage of a reported hantavirus case, arguing the risk is being overstated and not comparable to COVID-era fears. The show then pivots to a detailed legal breakdown with Hans von Spakovsky on redistricting fights in Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia, focusing on how courts are reshaping Voting Rights Act interpretations and rejecting flawed mapp...

Dan Buck joins the segment to introduce a new format for his “Buck Stops Here” commentary, starting each appearance with a featured independent music clip, this time spotlighting rapper Tom McDonald and his track “Anti,” which he describes as a critique of Hollywood and political culture. The discussion expands into broader cultural and political themes, including criticism of progressive policies...