West Insider

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  Tim Weber announced that Project Cumulus, a massive data center in St. Charles, was withdrawn after their podcast recording on August 18.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...

The discussion on the West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast covered the development dynamics in St. Charles County and Wildwood, Missouri. Key points included the recent elections indicating a shift towards controlled growth in St. Charles County, with concerns over high-density housing projects like the Bluffs at Riverdale. The conversation also highlighted Wildwood's long-standing battle with...

In a special election edition of The Insider Podcast, hosts Tim Weber, Dan Fox, and Laura Brown discuss the results of recent elections in St. Charles and St. Louis counties. They highlight the victory of "smart growth" candidates in mayoral races, such as Steven Thompson in Cottleville and Keith Weberman in Dardenne Prairie, who emphasized measured development. They also note the defeat...

The meeting discussed the creation of a podcast and the COVID fraud story, highlighting a federal prosecutor's strong interview. They debated the predictability of fraud and the extension of the statute of limitations to 10 years. The cover design for a story on COVID fraud was debated, with various iterations including a businessman with a COVID mask. The conversation also covered the Missou...

local-news-roundup-aka-the-chaos-episode Transcript https://otter.ai/u/spWPUtfFcbY-44xGM-vfkKk0QQs?view=transcript The Insider Podcast discussed the removal of curb bump outs on Long and Clarkson roads, funded by a $52 million federal grant, due to community feedback. MoDOT plans to remove them by early summer, despite a previous commitment to a year-long review. The panel also addressed the Boone...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the upcoming Cardinals opening day and the excitement surrounding the team, particularly the decision to start young player Victor Scott. They also reflected on the five-year anniversary of St. Louis County's COVID-19 shutdown, noting significant changes in business practices, education, and societal norms. The conversation highlighted the imp...

The Insider Podcast discussed the Rockwood teacher pay issue, where union members voted 89% approval for a 10% salary increase over two years. A University of Missouri study revealed 78% of teachers considered leaving since 2020 due to pandemic challenges and political pressures. The conversation highlighted the need for merit-based pay tied to performance rather than longevity. A 2017 study showe...

The Insider Podcast episode features an interview with Kristi Scoville, Program Director for the Alliance for Healthy Communities, and Detective Kevin Restivo from the Chesterfield Police Department. The Alliance, established in 2012, aims to reduce substance use among youth in the Parkway School District through education and compliance checks. Detective Restivo explains the process of compliance...

The West and Mid Rivers Insider Podcast discussed the first 45 days of Donald Trump's second term, highlighting the whirlwind nature of events and the polarized national discourse. Tim Weber noted the shift from nuanced political differences to stark oppositions. Kate Upper Grove and Laura Brown expressed concerns about the impact on their mental health and community dynamics. Dan Fox mention...