Hancock and Kelley on FOX 2 St. Louis

It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics:A migrant living illegally in St. Peters and driving without a license is accused of killing a St. Louis police officer. … The embattled chief of the St. Louis City Jail has been on leave for more than 10 days, but city officials won't say why or for how long. … Democrat presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris visits the U.S. southern border in Arizona. Does it help or hurt her campaign? … A new report on the July attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump paints a wretched picture of the U.S. Secret Service. … Our quote of the week is from the former superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, fired after just one year on the job.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Republican Secretary of State decertified Amendment 3 from the November ballot, but the Missouri Supreme Court later reinstated it. But did the court abide by state law? ...Casino owners are now pumping millions of dollars into a campaign to defeat Amendment 2 in November, a measure that would legalize sports betting in Missouri. ...Missouri Republicans in Congress sound the alarm about unreliable mail service from the USPS as mail-in absentee ballots are about to be sent out to voters. ...The Jefferson County Port Authority takes ownership of a port in Herculaneum that could eventually lead to revolutionary shipping container vessels ferrying cargo from the Panama Canal into the heart of Missouri with access to much of the nation’s interior. ...The fallout continues from the Trump/Harris presidential debate. ...Former first lady Melania Trump says “there’s more to the story” of the attempted assassination of her husband, the former president, with little information being released about the shooter’s motive and the lack of security around Donald Trump at the Pennsylvania rally where he was shot two months ago. ...Our quote of the week was from the Anti-Defamation League regarding a graffiti mural depicting a Palestinian holding a grenade launcher in front of the word “GAZA.” It was painted on the flood wall south of the Gateway Arch during the “Paint Louis” graffiti event. ...Miami Dolphins star wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, is calling for a Miami-Dade police officer to be fired after the release of police bodycam video showing the officer taking Hill to the ground twice during a traffic stop as Hill was driving to the stadium for last week’s game.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page faces an ethics probe for allegedly working a second job at St. Louis University Hospital, two years after voters approved a measure explicitly prohibiting secondary employment for the county executive. Page says it’s a volunteer position, even though state records show Medicaid reimbursements for his services as an anesthesiologist. He says he’s received none of that money. …  St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock is removed from office under court order for trying to hire his stepdaughter as a legislative aide in violation of the state constitution. A judge later reinstated him. Hancock says the hire was never officially approved, she received no pay, and that he regrets the mistake. … Former U.S. Senator from Missouri John Danforth, a Republican, endorses third-party candidate Jared Young in the current U.S. Senate race over incumbent and fellow Republican Josh Hawley. … New SLU/YouGov polling shows a measure to reinstate abortion rights in Missouri has 52% support and 34% opposition. It also shows all Republican candidates for statewide office enjoy double digit leads. … Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee for president, finally sits down for an interview and says though her positions on key policies have changed, her values have not. … Former President Donald Trump says he favors mandated insurance coverage for IVF but does not favor a ban on abortions after just 6 weeks. … A Cole County judge rules a proposal to allow a new casino on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks should go before voters on the November ballot. … Our quote of the week was from Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who lambasted what she called the “anti-Democratic Party” for its efforts to keep her off the Wisconsin ballot for November. A judge ruled she will indeed be on the ballot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A jolly good show at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. How much of a bump will there be for Vice President Kamala Harris? And what does it tell us about the party's future in Missouri? …The road gets rockier for ballot measures on abortion rights and sports betting in Missouri. …A candidate for the U.S. Senate unveils what he calls "the United Seats of America." He says watching the Cardinals, side-by-side at Busch Stadium, could help Republicans and Democrats douse political hostility. …As the DNC wound down, former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance doubled down on the border crisis. Trump visited a border wall in Arizona as his running mate went to a border policy event in Georgia. …Robert Kennedy Jr. is no longer a presidential candidate and is now on Team Trump. So, what’s in store for him? …And our quote of the week is from Governor Mike Parson, who says fellow Republican Jay Ashcroft's "hurt feelings" are hurting Missouri kids.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley and Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce made quite a spectacle of themselves arguing at the Missouri State Fair’s Ham Breakfast. … The issue of restoring abortion rights has officially been certified by the Missouri Secretary of State to appear on ballots in November. The proposed constitutional amendment would enshrine abortion rights up to nearly six months of pregnancy. … The issue of legalized sports betting has officially been certified by the Missouri Secretary of State to appear on ballots in November. If it passes, the state will capture tens of millions of dollars in yearly revenue from gambling taxes. … Activist Keith Rose of St. Louis withdrew as an alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention in Chicago after being charged with felony property damage during a protest at the Ferguson Police Department. A responding officer later suffered a critical brain injury after knocked over by a different protester. … After three years of record inflation during her vice presidency Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris unveils a new economic plan featuring a ban on price-gouging, and $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers. However, even certain Democrat allies say that may do more harm than good. … Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has drawn heavy criticism, even from his supporters, for repeatedly rambling “off message” and straying from key issues during campaign events. … St. Louis Public Schools begins the new school year with a transportation crisis with no school bus service for nearly half of the district’s students. Thousands of students will use using public transit, even cabs, to get school. …Our quote of the week was from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, as President Joe Biden officially designated the site of the 1908 race riots in Springfield as a national monument.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The panel discusses the fallout from Tuesday’s Missouri Primary Election, most notably: St. Louis Congresswoman Cori Bush’s threat-laden rant in defeat and the much different tone from the Republican governor’s race. … St. Louis County Executive Sam Page lost big in the primaries, while Governor Mike Parson won big, even though the two men were not on the ballots. …Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, picks a running mate. …New police body-cam footage from the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last month, and news about a second assassination plot against him. … Our Quote of the Week is from a candidate for president who says he keeps “roadkill" in his freezer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Perhaps the biggest race nationally is in St. Louis, as Congresswoman Cori Bush could be the next member of the progressive Squad to lose her seat in the Democratic primary. ... There's also a big congressional race on the Republican side, as Bob Onder and Kurt Schaefer seek to represent Missouri’s 3rd District, stretching from St. Charles to Columbia and beyond. ... We'll get into both the Republican and Democratic primaries in the race to succeed Missouri Governor Mike Parson. ...Attorney General Andrew Bailey is running against attorney Will Scharf, a member of Trump’s legal team. Neither man has been elected to the office. Bailey was appointed to the post after his predecessor, Eric Schmitt, was elected to the U.S. Senate. While Scharf has worked for the Trump legal team, the former president has endorsed both candidates. Bailey leads in late polls but nearly 30% of voters are undecided. ...Our quote of the week comes from the former president himself, as Donald Trump appears to be hedging his bets in the Missouri governor’s race. ...Plus, we’ll have predictions from John and Michael, along with the weird and wacky of the campaign season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, July 28, 2024. Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics: ...Joe Biden’s out and Kamala Harris is in at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is among the names on the shortlist to be Harris’ running mate. ...The superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools goes on a spending spree and gets fired just a year after she was hired. ...More is coming to light about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, pointing to an inexplicable security failure at a Trump rally. ...A St. Louis Cardinals home run celebration gets blasted nationally as an homage to Donald Trump. ...Our Quote of the Week is from Republican vice-presidential nominee, Senator J.D. Vance. A three-year-old comment has resurfaced, causing problems for the former president and the GOP.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

St. Louis Congresswoman Cori Bush and her chief rival in the upcoming Aug. 6 Democrat primary, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, clashed at an UMSL candidate’s forum this past week. This weekend, Bush is doubling down on her credentials as a member of Congress’s progressive-left “Squad,” by inviting Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts to campaign with her this weekend, as Bell opens up a commanding lead in fundraising and polls. … In an exclusive interview with FOX 2 News, Republican Missouri Governor Mike Parson reveals his endorsements for key races in the upcoming GOP primary. … The St. Louis City Public School Board halts new hiring and is reviewing recent hires by Supt. Dr. Keisha Scarlett, after Scarlett’s most recent hire: a new, high-paid communications director who posted on social media that she would not be moving to St. Louis full time after taking the job. … A judge has halted St. Louis’s guaranteed basic income program, supported by the city’s mayor and aldermen. Opponents argued the program, which sends $500 monthly to more than 500 low-income families, violates laws against public money being given to private citizens. … It was an up week for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after he narrowly survived an assassination attempt and rolled through a boisterous Republican National convention, and another down week for President Joe Biden, who’s tested positive for Covid and dealing with more than 30 members of Congress no calling on him to exit the presidential race. (Note: This segment was recorded before President Biden withdrew his candidacy.) … U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt of St. Louis County has grown into a very prominent role nationally in the Republican Party as a confidant of Donald Trump. Schmitt is said to be a potential Trump cabinet pick for U.S. Attorney General should Mr. Trump win election in November. … Our quote of the week was from the federal judge in Florida who just threw out what’s thought to be the strongest criminal case against Donald Trump: the Florida classified documents case. …Even with historic budget surpluses in the billions of dollars, Parson has slashed $1 billion from the budget approved by the state legislature.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Violence and chaos reached a new low on the Fourth of July in Downtown St. Louis, with seven people shot or wounded by gunfire, property damage to downtown buildings, and rampant fighting using fireworks as weapons. Frightened visitors noted a glaring lack of police presence. As of this episode’s recording, no arrests had been made. They have no information yet on arrests/citations for fireworks offenses. …The state of Missouri is pulling nearly 600 jobs out of downtown St. Louis and selling its two downtown office buildings, including the historic Wainwright Building. …Even with historic budget surpluses in the billions of dollars, Missouri Governor Mike Parson cut $1 billion from the state legislature's approved budget. …St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones endorsed Congresswoman Cori Bush in Bush’s campaign for a third term. National pundits say Bush, a member of the so-called far left progressive “Squad,” is in danger of losing the August 6 primary to fellow progressive Democrat, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. …In his first interview since his awful debate performance, President Joe Biden says only the “Lord Almighty” can get him to drop his re-election bid, as more Democrats call for him to get out of the race. …Our quote of the week was from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who decried the recent 6-3 ruling that U.S. presidents are largely immune from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office. …Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is suing New York to get the partial gag order against former President Donald Trump lifted. Bailey faces a stiff challenge in another hot primary race. Trump attorney Will Scharf is looking to unseat Bailey, who was appointed to the position by Governor Parson, after former Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. The primary is now 30 days away.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The end of The Squad” in Congress? Our quote of the week was from Congresswoman Cori Bush, after her Squad ally, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, lost his primary race. She is seen as vulnerable in her August primary race against St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. … There is landslide winner in the red-hot Republican primary race for Missouri governor, when it comes to PAC fundraising. A PAC for Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has raised more than double the amount raised for PACs supporting Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and State Senator Bill Eigel combined. … Florissant State Rep. Gretchen Bangert has filed a federal complaint against fellow Democrat, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. She says Page has repeatedly offered her a job in his administration to keep her from running against an ally of his in a County Council race. … Missouri Governor Mike Parson says he’s working a plan to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals from leaving the state to play in new stadiums across the border in Kansas. … The impact of President Joe Biden’s awful debate performance against former President Donald Trump – should the president end his campaign in favor of another Democrat candidate and who might that other candidate be? … The U.S. Supreme Court handed down multiple big rulings this past week with perhaps the biggest of all coming Monday: a decision on for President Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution for alleged election interference and his role in the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. … The owner of acclaimed St. Louis restaurant, Bulrush, closes his doors, citing hateful policies in Missouri against the LGBTQ community. …See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's big news about Missouri's Republican primary for governor, which is a little over six weeks away on August 6. Our exclusive, new statewide poll tracks Missouri candidates and issues, from the GOP governor's race to abortion access and sports betting. … Trash-ridden St. Louis looks to hire the homeless to help clean up the city. … Democrats say video clips of President Joe Biden wandering around and slurring his words are "cheap fakes." But are they? … Our quote of the week is from the U.S. Surgeon General, who says social media platforms should have warning labels just like cigarettes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick essentially put out an APB for Kim Gardner. After months of delays, the former St. Louis Circuit Attorney finally surfaced and met with Fitzpatrick. … No tickets for expired temp tags in St. Louis; how about a loan instead? … Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey goes to Washington to blast Trump prosecutor Alvin Bragg. … Our quote of the week is from the Supreme Court ruling upholding access to abortion medication, mifepristone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The showdown over President Joe Biden’s sweeping student loan forgiveness plan took center stage in St. Louis federal court. Missouri and six other states are seeking an injunction to stop the plan from moving forward. The judge will issue his ruling within two weeks. ... There are calls for the resignation of long-time St. Louis tourism chief Kitty Ratcliffe, the president of Explore St. Louis, amid continued delays and cost overruns in the convention center expansion project. ... St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer officially launches her campaign for mayor. Her event drew a crowd four to five times larger than Mayor Tishaura Jones’s re-election launch party weeks earlier. ... Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signs a record $53 billion budget, with much of the increase funded a large tax increase on sports betting companies. Illinois continues to gain millions in tax revenue from Missouri bettors in the St. Louis area, who cross the river to place bets every day. ... President Joe Biden does an about face on U.S.-Mexico border policy, issuing an executive order to cap border crossings. ... President Biden’s son, Hunter, is standing trial in federal court for allegedly lying about his illegal drug on a form he filled out to buy a handgun. ... Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski has the moment to remember during events in France commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, sharing a hug with a 99-year-old U.S. veteran. ... Our quote of the week from Dr. Anthony Fauci, appearing to walk back his advocacy of social distancing and masking policies during the COVID pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The cost of St. Louis’ income tax soars as the city loses big in court. … There is word that the city’s aging school buildings may sink the school district. … Could fake signatures doom petition drives in Missouri to put everything from abortion rights to sports betting on the November ballot? … U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson reverses course on nuclear contamination from Coldwater Creek. … Former President Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies last week. What does it mean for the upcoming presidential race and the future of the country? … In our quote of the week, Pope Francis apologizes for using an Italian gay slur.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer announces she’s running for mayor, setting up a rematch of the 2021 race, won by incumbent Tishaura Jones. … Mayor Jones lifts a hiring freeze she implemented over fears state lawmakers might do away with the city’s 1% income tax. The legislative session just ended with the tax intact. … St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and County Council Chairwoman Shalonda Webb hit a stalemate over the spending of $8 million in ARPA funds. The money will return to the federal government if Page doesn’t release the funds before the end of the year. … Missouri Governor Mike Parson is at odds with Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Bailey, whom Parson appointed, is representing three lawmakers in a defamation suit. They are accused of wrongly implicating a Kansas City Chiefs fan as being one of the gunmen in the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade and rally. Parson says no state taxpayer dollars should be used in this case. … Former Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was a critic of former President Trump on the campaign, now says she will vote him. Is she a potential Trump VP pick? Also, John and Michael talked about the latest developments in Mr. Trump’s criminal trial in New York. … President Joe Biden pummels Mr. Trump over a video reposted on a Trump social media account. The post referred to a “unified Reich” if Donald Trump is elected president again in November. Mr. Biden calls those words the language of Hitler’s Germany. … A St. Louis media institution, the “Riverfront Times” weekly newspaper, was shut down without warning, leaving St. Louis without a news source that had been around for 46 years. ... Our quote of the week comes from Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor regarding a therapy dog named Doug now working the cell blocks of the county jail. Doug helps ease tensions for jail staff and inmates alike. ... We all express our deep gratitude for those who have sacrificed all to protect our country on this Memorial Day weekend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With St. Louis losing population more quickly than almost any other city in America, Mayor Tishaura Jones says the city is in a renaissance and that she's running for a second term. ... Michael Cohen turns star of a “debacle” for the prosecution in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. ... President Joe Biden tells Trump, “make my day, pal” in calling for two debates. ... And our quote of the week is from Kansas City Chief's kicker Harrison Butker, who has kicked up a firestorm as a college commencement speaker with his thoughts on the roles of men and women.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Missouri’s State Auditor held a news conference to call out Kim Gardner, the former St. Louis Circuit Attorney, for not complying with his audit of her office during her tenure. … St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis now plan to use a portion of the more than half-billion dollars from the Rams/NFL settlement on everyday needs like roads, sidewalks, and water mains. … St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones wants to create a taxpayer-funded loan fund to help people pay sales taxes, property taxes, and insurance premiums to properly license their vehicles. The city is plagued by people driving with no license plates or expired temp tags. … Governor Mike Parson lashes out at fellow Republicans in the legislature for repeating false claims that a Kansas City Chiefs fan was an illegal immigrant who opened fire during the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade and rally. … President Joe Biden pledged “ironclad” support for Israel in its war against the terror group Hamas, but now he is withholding thousands of U.S.-made weapons from Israel. … Former President Donald Trump was reined in by a judge for audibly cursing and shaking his head as porn star Stormy Daniels testified about having sex with Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump is on trial for allegedly disguising hush money payments to Daniels to benefit his 2016 presidential campaign. … Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a rising star in the GOP, removes a claim from her new book that she once met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. … Our quote of the week from St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III on the possibility of the team seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers in the coming years for upkeep and upgrades at Busch Stadium.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Progressive Democrats in St. Louis, like Aldermanic President Megan Green and Congresswoman Cori Bush, are railing against police crackdowns on pro-Palestinian tent-camp protests at colleges in St. Louis and across the United States, as Democrat New York Mayor Eric Adams takes a strong stance in support of police in ending protests that have resorted to vandalism, violence, and antisemitism. Should President Joe Biden stand more firmly with Adams or continue to lean toward Green and Bush? ... Fredbird and Louie were among the Missouri professional sports team mascots dropping off signatures in Jefferson City to put legalized sports betting on the Missouri ballot in November. Initiative petition drives will likely put the issues of minimum wage and abortion rights on the ballot as well. ... Democrats in the Illinois legislature use their supermajority to propose, pass, and sign into law a change in the rules for the election of state lawmakers within 24 hours. ... Former President Donald Trump gets fined for violating the gag order in his criminal trial in New York, but soars in polls, including our exclusive poll from Emerson College and The Hill, showing Trump leading President Biden in all seven so-called “swing states” likely to decide the 2024 presidential election. ... Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene may be wearing out her welcome among fellow Republicans as she pushes to remove Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in the week ahead. ... Our Quote of the Week was from legendary Mizzou men’s basketball coach, Norm Stewart, who was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians at the state capitol.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Missouri Legislature defunds Planned Parenthood ahead of voters getting a chance to restore abortion rights in the state. … The issue of a state-appointed police board taking over the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department just keeps rolling in Jefferson City. … The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is proposing a hike in the city's sales tax rate. … The city removes a refugee couple and their makeshift shelter from the sidewalk, where they'd been living in front of someone's house for more than three years. … Universities—including Washington University in St. Louis—continue to grapple with tent camps and protests against Israel’s sustained bombing and ground campaign in Gaza in the months following a Hamas-led surprise attack in Israel last October. … Former President Donald Trump endures a week of damaging testimony in his New York trial and also argues for immunity before the U.S. Supreme Court. … President Joe Biden says he will debate the former president, but he's been saying a lot of things that may not be true.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.