Claim OwnershipMid Rivers Insider
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Weekly review and preview of stories that matter to St. Charles County, Missouri.
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The Western Mid Rivers Insider Podcast episode features Tim Weber, Dan Fox, and Lou Countryman discussing the evolution of sports photography and the challenges of keeping up with technology. Lou, a retired biopharmaceutical professional, shares his journey into professional photography, highlighting his work with various sports teams and events. They discuss the upcoming Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, featuring 16 local high school teams, and the unique community engagement of City Soccer. L...
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 went viral, and an improvised explosive device at a school official's home. They also touch on the challenge...
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, opting for a mastectomy. Dr. Ogawa highlights the 1.5% increase in breast cancer in women under 50 an...
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 the potential for AI to create deepfakes and synthetic relationships. The conversation emphasized the ne...
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 Lanterns. They also talk about personal traditions, like Dan's spooky fight club tournament and Kate's pin...
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 the potential political implications, particularly around Obamacare subsidies. The discussion hi...
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 like new cafeterias, pool updates, and secure vestibules. She emphasized the Facilities 2050 Plan, fo...
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 landscape. They also covered the ongoing impact of long COVID, noting that 20 million Americans suffer fro...
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 President Trump's request. Weber argues that the new maps accurately represent the state's shifting...
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 extracurricular activities, and the influence of social media on students. The group shares personal anecdo...
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 wells and floodplain issues. Despite the withdrawal, the project may return. The discussion also covered the Francis Howell non-superintendent resignation, with a state audit investigating fiscal responsibility. Upcoming fall festivals in Man...
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 maintaining a 3.65 GPA and balancing rigorous training schedules. Clerkea highlights the need for stan...
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 accept the settlement. Second, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page was indicted for four criminal counts r...
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 dynamics, the importance of local businesses, and recent Missouri legislation, such as banning cell phones...
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 expand drive-throughs in the workplace district was debated, with concerns about maintaining the town's ch...
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 "Humans of New York"-style section. Amanda discusses her transition from TV to multimedia journalism and ...
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, and local sports. They also discussed the potential benefits of roundabouts and the importance of inclu...
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 energy is essential for powering AI and maintaining U.S. global leadership. He calls for federal inve...
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. The conversation also touches on the impact of the tornado on animal intake and the need for better staffin...
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 emphasized the importance of local control and the need for flexibility in emergencies. Dr. Cain...
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