DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF DONNYBROOK, WHETHER YOU ARE TUNING IN LIVE OR ONLINE OR VIA A PODCAST, WE THANK YOU, AND WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TUNE IN A LITTLE LATER AND STAY TUNED BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU HOW TO JOIN US FOR THE BIG ANNUAL FUND RAISER, IT'S APRIL 16.

WE CALL IT DONNYBASH.

AND LET'S MEET THE MEDIA VETERAN, WENDY WIESE, BILL MCCLELLAN.

AND SARAH FENSKE FROM HER DAILY NEWSLETTER, THE 314 PODCAST AND ST. LOUIS MAGAZINE.

AND THE HOST WITH THE MOST, FROM COAST TO COAST, ALVIN REID FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN WHO DID TOO GOOD A JOB.

THEY CARRIED ME, CHARLIE.

I LISTENED ON MY FAVORITE PODCAST SOURCE.

WE WILL START THE PROGRAM WITH YOU, WENDY.

THE NEWS IS NOT VERY GOOD BECAUSE THE STATE OF MISSOURI JUST ANNOUNCED THE LATEST TEST SCORES FOR THE CHILDREN IN GRADE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND ABOUT 44% ARE PROFICIENT, MEETING PROFICIENT STANDARDS IN BOTH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS.

THAT MEANS ABOUT 55, 56% ARE NOT PROFICIENT.

THEY ARE BELOW THAT.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY IT'S BECAUSE ABSENTEEISM, FOR SOME REASON KIDS ARE NOT SHOWING UP.

I SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE BOSTON GLOBE SAID ONE WAY TO CURE ABSENTEEISM IS TO PAY THE KIDS LIKE THEY ARE DOING IN DETROIT AND OAKLAND.

GIVE THEM $1,000 A YEAR IN EXCHANGE FOR ATTENDANCE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK WE HAVE SORT OF TRIED THAT THING BEFORE WHEN WE GAVE THE TELEVISION SETS AWAY.

AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS, 20, 25 YEARS AGO.

EARLY '90s.

EARLY '90s.

WE TRIED THAT, AND PEOPLE WENT BERSERK WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO GO OVER VERY WELL EITHER.

I DID HAVE A THOUGHT THAT WILL PROBABLY ILLICIT MORE HATE MAIL THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SAID.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PILOT PROGRAMS, I THOUGHT WHY NOT HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM IN WHICH YOU WOULD INVOLVE SOME RELIGIOUS ORDERS.

BEFORE PEOPLE THROW THINGS AT THE TELEVISION SETS OR ROCKS OR BURN IN EFFIGY, THERE ARE CATHOLIC RELIGION ORDERS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO NOTHING BUT EDUCATING THE POOREST OF THE POOR.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

IF YOU LOOK UP KATHERINE MCCAULEY, FOUNDERS OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY IN IRELAND.

DUBLIN.

DUBLIN.

SHE CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY IN IRELAND, BECAUSE SHE SAID EVERY CHILD IS PRECIOUS AND HAS A DESTINY, BUT THAT CAN ONLY BE LOCKED THROUGH EDUCATION.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHURCH AND STATE SITUATION.

BUT IF WE DON'T ADDRESS IT, THESE CHILDREN ARE ARE FUTURE.

THERE IS NO NEW, UNLESS IT'S BOTS OR AI, THEY ARE THE FUTURE.

BEFORE WE COMPLETELY DISMISS THIS OUT OF HAND, I DON'T SEE WHY WE CAN'T HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT RELIGION, BUT LET THESE -- THEY ARE NOT WEARING HABITS ANYMORE.

BUT YOU HAVE THE JESUITS.

THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WHOEVER COMES IN THE DOOR, YOU HAVE TO TEST THEM, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AT THE ACADEMY IS GREAT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT CAN TRANSLATE INTO THE LARGER PUBLIC.

ALVIN, YOUR PARENTS WERE EDUCATORS.

I'M TOTALLY AGAINST THAT IDEA.

FOR ONE THING, LOOK.

YOU CAN VOLUNTEER.

ANYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED IN THE CHURCH, ANY KIND OF RELIGIOUS FAITH CAN GET ALL TOGETHER, VOLUNTEER, AND WHATEVER THEY COULD DO IN THE NAME OF WHATEVER THEY COULD DO BY GOING DOWN THERE AND DO IT.

SARAH, YOU WEREN'T BORN YET BUT THERE WAS ONE CALLED ROOM 22.

I REMEMBER THIS EPISODE.

THEY WERE TRYING TO GET KIDS TO READ.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO THE BLACK TEACHER WAS.

LLOYD.

LLOYD.

HE COULD CAN YOU READY IT FOR THIS?

THREW SOME CHANGE ON THE KID'S DESK.

HE READ.

THEY CREATED WHAT THEY CALLED WHITMAN DOLLARS, AND YOU COULD EARN DOLLARS TO BUY GEAR OR FOOD OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT YOU COULD INCENTIVIZE, A, BEING IN SCHOOL WITHOUT PAYING, AND B, IF YOU REALLY DID WELL, REWARD THE KIDS.

SARAH'S FATHER WAS AN EDUCATOR, ALSO.

THIS IS HIS FIRST MONTH OF RETIREMENT, FIRST FALL HE'S NOT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

I SEE THE MERIT OF YOUR IDEA, BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO HAD THEIR KIDS IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL, EVEN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE ORDERS TO STAFF THEM.

YOU MIGHT SEE ONE NUN HERE OR THERE ON A CATHOLIC SCHOOL STAFF.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT EDUCATION IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND THAT LEARNING IS FUN.

IT FEELS LIKE WE'VE LOST THIS AS A SOCIETY, THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM HERE THAT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN MISSOURI, AND SO MUCH BIGGER THAN ANY ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT FEELS LIKE OUR CIVILIZATION HAS LOST THE PLOT.

THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

THE IMMIGRANT CHILDREN ARE STRIVING HARDER.

I REMEMBER ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAD VIETNAMESE IMMIGRANTS, AND THEIR KIDS WERE DOING FINE IN SCHOOL, BECAUSE THE PARENTS WERE SO INTENT ON THEM LEARNING.

IT FEELS LIKE THE PROBLEM ISN'T THE SCHOOLS.

THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO THE SCHOOLS NOT FEELING LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY NEED TO CARE ABOUT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF TIME HERE, FOLKS.

SARAH, ON THIS WEEK'S NBC'S MEET THE PRESS, PRITZKER DEFENDED THE REDISTRICTING IN HIS STATE, EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT GRADE REDISTRICTING LIKE PRINCETON, HAVE GIVEN IT AN F BECAUSE THE DISTRICTS ARE SO CRAZY TO BE PRO DEMOCRATIC.

THERE ARE 17 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS, THREE ARE REPUBLICAN EVEN THOUGH 37% OF THE STATE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.

AND IT GOES FROM EAST ST. LOUIS, SPRINGFIELD, CHAMPAGNE.

IT'S REALLY SERPENTINE.

DOES HE HAVE MORAL AUTHORITY TO CRITICIZE THE TEXAS GOVERNOR WHEN IT COMES TO REDISTRICTING?

I THINK HE DOES.

ILLINOIS'S MAP IS CRAZY, 49 STATES HAVE MAPS THAT ARE CRAZY.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN PLAYING THE GAME FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

IN TEXAS, THEY ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE RULES OF WHEN YOU ARE EVEN ALLOWED TO PLAY THE GAME.

I THINK THIS IS TERRIBLE.

YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE RULES MID-GAME, AND NOW THAT TEXAS HAS DONE THIS, IT FEELS LIKE ALL THE RULES ARE OUT THE WINDOW.

YOU HAVE EVERY STATE IN THE UNION LOOKING AT THIS, HOW DO WE JUKE THESE DISTRICTS?

IT SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE OPENED PANDORA'S BOX, AND ALL THE TROUBLE IN THE WORLD IS JUMPING FORTH.

THIS IS A CHANCE MODERATE REPUBLICANS OUT THERE, IF YOU STILL DO EXIST, THIS IS A BAD IDEA, BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WE ARE GOING TO LOSE.

YOU ARE GOING TO CREATE DISTRICTS THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN ARE KIND OF UP FOR GRABS INSTEAD OF LET'S KEEP WHAT WE'VE GOT AND JUST GO FROM THERE.

THIS IS ALSO FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SAVE FACE.

THAT'S ALL IT IS.

SERIOUSLY, YOU CREATED A SITUATION THAT YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH LOOKING LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE THE HOUSE.

THAT'S YOUR FAULT, MR. PRESIDENT.

THAT'S HOW POLITICS GO.

SOMEBODY HAS TO SAY WHAT, LIKE SO MANY THINGS IN RED STATES, ULTIMATELY WE ARE GOING TO PAY A PRICE FOR THIS.

I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY MODERATE REPUBLICANS ANYMORE.

THIS PARTY HAS GONE OVER TO TRUMP TO THE POINT THAT HERE IN MISSOURI ANN WAGNER SAID SHE WAS HAPPY WITH THE PLAN TO TAKE PART OF OUR REPUBLICAN COHORT AND GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE TO INCREASE THE VOTES FOR REPUBLICANS, EVEN THOUGH IT COULD EVENTUALLY COST HER DISTRICT.

IF THIS IS WHAT TRUMP WANTS, HAPPY TO DO IT.

SHE USED TO BE A VERY MODERATE -- SHE WAS A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN.

LET ME GET THIS RIGHT.

ARE YOU GUYS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE TIMING OF THE REDISTRICTING THAN THE SHENANIGANS THAT GO ALONG WITH REDISTRICTING?

IN JOE'S ABSENCE, LAST WEEK HE DID MAKE THE POINT.

HE SAID ONE PERSON'S GERRYMANDERING IS ANOTHER PERSON'S REDISTRICTING.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

WE DO IT EVERY 10 YEARS.

THE REAL PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO ME IS THAT PEOPLE GET DISENFRANCHISED BECAUSE THE PARTY IN POWER SETS UP THESE DISTRICTS SO PEOPLE CAN'T VOTE REPRESENTATIVES IN.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.

THAT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM, CHARLIE.

BUT THE IDEA YOU ARE DOING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DECADE, DO IT AGAIN TO SAVE YOURSELF IN MID- TERMS, THAT'S A SEPARATE PROBLEM.

IT'S A SEPARATE PROBLEM, THEY DO IT FROM SILICON VALLEY TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO SAY IT'S A DISRUPTION, BOY, HE SURE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE LIBERALS MAD OR THOSE CONSERVATIVES ARE THIS OR THAT.

WOULD SOMEBODY STOP AND THINK WHAT WE ARE DOING IS DAMAGING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

CONSTITUTIONALLY IT'S INSANE.

WHAT I'M SAYING WHAT'S GOING ON IN A PLACE LIKE ILLINOIS, AND NO ONE IS GETTING OUTRAGED ABOUT THAT, IS JUST AS BAD AS WHAT THEY ARE THREATENING TO DO IN TEXAS.

IF SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO BREAK IN YOUR HOUSE YOU HAVE TO TAKE SOME.

HOPEFULLY NO ONE IS BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE, BUT YOU CAN JOIN US IN HOURS FOR DONNYBROOK 2026, AND IT'S IN APRIL AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS.

I'M MARY ANN CARSON, AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GET IN ON APRIL 16, 2026.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW OR GIFT SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL IN YOUR LIFE WITH TICKETS TO DONNYBASH.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER OF NINE PBS AND ALSO ENJOY DONNYBROOK AND DONNYBASH.

IF YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $7 A MONTH WE WILL GIVE YOU A INSULATED TUMBLER.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TICKET TO DONNYBASH NEXT APRIL, THE TICKETS ARE AT 125 APIECE.

WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT DEAL FOR YOU.

WITH SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP OF $20 A MONTH, FOR THAT YOU WILL GET NOT ONLY THE INSULATED TUMBLER, BUT YOU WILL ALSO GET TWO DONNYBASH TICKETS FOR THAT APRIL 16th IN 2026 AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL WHERE IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENING AND IT STARTS AT 5:30.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE EVENING.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A RECEPTION BEFORE THE LIVE TAPING, BE PART OF THE LIVE TAPING, AND THEN YOU WILL BE PART OF A RECEPTION AFTERWARDS.

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30.

THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO DONNYBASH I GOT THERE AT 5:45 AND THOUGHT THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GET THERE.

ARE YOU KIDDING?

THE PLACE WAS JUMPING.

IT'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EVENING.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT PEOPLE ENJOY MORE, WHETHER IT'S THE LIVE TAPING OR A CHANCE TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ALL OF YOUR FAVORITES FROM DONNYBROOK.

SPEAKING OF FAVORITES OF DONNYBROOK, I THINK IT'S TIME TO BRING THEM IN ON THIS CONVERSATION.

AND OVER AT THE TABLE IN THE STUDIO RIGHT THERE ON THE SET TO DONNYBROOK.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE GO OVER AND JOIN THEM RIGHT NOW.

THANKS VERY MUCH, MARY ANN.

GOOD EVENING.

WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT DONNYBASH 2026, APRIL 16, 2026, TO BE EXACT AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL.

FUN FACT, THERE ARE 712 SEATS IN THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL, 711 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE GOING TO BE THERE, AND THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO BE 712.

711 MAY BE A LUCKY NUMBER, BUT 712 WILL BE THE LUCKIES NUMBER.

DONNYBASH HAS BECOME AS MUCH OF A ST. LOUIS TRADITION AS MARDI GRAS, OPENING DAY FOR THE CARDINALS, DRIVING AROUND ON EXPIRED TAGS.

IT'S JUST A ST. LOUIS INSTITUTION, AND YOU SHOULD BE THERE.

THE EVENT IS BROKEN DOWN BASICALLY INTO THREE COMPONENTS.

YOU HAVE THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION AND MEET AND GREET BEFORE THE SHOW, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE SHOW ITSELF, A FULL 60 MINUTES OF DONNYBROOK, NOT ANY OF THIS 22-MINUTE STUFF, A FULL 60 MINUTES, AND A DESERT RECEPTION AND ANOTHER MEET AND GREET AFTERWARDS.

NAME ANOTHER TELEVISION PROGRAM THAT GIVES YOU THAT KIND OF ACCESS TO THE STARS.

YOU CANNOT.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO INTERACT WITH YOUR ADORING PUBLIC.

IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE THEM AND WHAT NOT.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

LOOK.

WE ARE CHALLENGED, OKAY?

AND PEOPLE HAVE MADE IT A POINT TO TRY TO SILENCE STATIONS LIKE OUR OWN.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED AND THEY LIKE SUPPORTING US.

THIS IS A GREAT YEAR TO SUPPORT US, IN THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, OKAY, IF YOU WANT TO SAY HEY I'M GOING TO DESPITE THOSE THAT WANT TO SILENCE CHANNEL 9 ORIA STAND WHAT ERIC SCHMITT HAD TO SAY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR PBS LIKE ALL OF US.

IF YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF ANGST THAT SAY WHAT CAN I DO?

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE.

THERE'S A PURPOSE TO IT.

THIS IS NOT A METHOD TO THE MADNESS.

THIS IS DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A VOICE IN SUPPORTING CHANNEL 9, AND HERE IS YOUR CHANCE.

WE NEED YOU.

WE NEED YOU.

WE DID LOSE 13% OF OUR FUNDING WITH RECENT ACTION OR INACTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THIS IS A TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN AND WOMEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THE LOCAL PBS STATION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE PROGRAMMING HERE ON NINE PBS, IT'S ENLIGHTENING, IT'S INSPIRING AND OFTEN EDUCATIONAL.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM LIKE THIS IN ST. LOUIS WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY 28 MINUTES AND 47 SECONDS.

28 MINUTES, 45.

WE DISCUSS LOCAL ISSUES, PLUS ANOTHER 10 MINUTES ON YOUTUBE, AND THERE'S NO OTHER BROADCAST OUTLET THAT IS DEVOTED TO THE REGIONAL ISSUES ON TELEVISION, RIGHT?

NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

THERE'S A REASON THAT I HEAR FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS EVERY MORNING, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SAID THIS ABOUT ME.

WOW, THEY REALLY ALL ARE WATCHING.

THAT'S BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT MATTERS IN THIS TOWN, AND PEOPLE APPRECIATE THAT.

WE ARE THE GATHERING PLACE, AND WE'VE ALL HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED INTO ST. LOUIS, WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR NEIGHBORS, IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, WATCH DONNYBROOK ON THURSDAYS ON NINE PBS AT 7:00.

THEY DO, AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR GENERATIONS.

IT HAS.

WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO SEND IT RIGHT BACK TO MARY ANN.

THANKS, GUYS, AND I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO READ SOME OF THE RESPONSES FROM THE LAST SURVEY OF THE LAST DONNYBASH.

ONE ATTENDEE SAID, YOU KNOW THE SHELDON WAS A GREAT VENUE FOR THIS.

INTIMATE AND NOT A BAD SEAT IN THE HOUSE.

AND ANOTHER ATTENDEE, SAID ENJOYED THE ATMOSPHERE, NICE BEING AROUND KINDRED SPIRITS IN THE AUDIENCE, AND THE APPETIZERS WERE AMAZING.

YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED AT DONNYBASH BY OTHER NINE PBS MEMBERS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY EVENT IS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL THERE, BECAUSE WE LOVE DONNYBROOK AND WE LOVE NINE PBS.

GET YOU THERE FOR THE APRIL 16th, NEXT YEAR, APRIL 16th AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL.

WHEN YOU JOIN AT A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $7 A MONTH WE WILL SEND YOU THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER, BUT IF YOU WANT TO BE AT THE DONNYBASH EVENT, TICKETS ARE $125 APIECE.

HERE IS THE BEST DEAL OF ALL, WHEN YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER RIGHT NOW AT $20 A MONTH, WE HAVE A GREAT COMBO FOR YOU, YOU WILL NOT ONLY GET THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER BUT TWO TICKETS TO DONNYBASH, AND THAT IS AT THE $20 ONGOING MONTHLY SUSTAINER CONTRIBUTION.

WITH ALL OF THESE MEMBERSHIP LEVELS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A NINE PBS PASSPORT.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN WATCH DONNYBROOK ON THE NINE PBS, AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DOWNLOAD THAT.

AND OF COURSE AS A MEMBER, YOU WILL RECEIVE NINE PBS PASSPORT, WHICH IS REALLY THE EXTRA KEY THAT UNLOCKS MORE PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE TO YOU ON THE NINE PBS LIBRARY.

SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS ARE ADDED WEEK AFTER WEEK.

BECOMING A MEMBER OF NINE PBS, MAKE SURE YOU CALL US OR GO ONLINE AT NINE PBS.ORG.

THAT'S NINE PBS.ORG.

JOIN US RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN ST. LOUIS IN APRIL.

BILL, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT FORMER MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN BILLY LONG WHO JUST SET A NEW RECORD, THE SHORTEST TENURE OF ANY I.R.S.

COMMISSIONER.

HE GOT THE JOB AND SPENT TWO MONTHS IN OFFICE BEFORE HE WAS JETTY SONNED AND NOW TO ICELAND.

HE REFUSED TO HAND OVER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION OF PEOPLE ACCUSED BEING HERE ILLEGALLY.

HE WOULD KIND OF BE A HERO IN THIS CASE.

ARE YOU BUYING THAT?

CERTAINLY NOT.

I RESPECT BILLY LONG.

HE WAS A GREAT AUCTIONEER, FUNNY GUY, AND HIS LOYALTY IS TO DONALD TRUMP.

HE STARTED THE WHOLE THING ABOUT GOT ON THE TRUMP TRAIN.

DONALD TRUMP LIKES HIM, AND I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT BILLY LONG WOULD STAND UP TO DONALD TRUMP, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT DONALD TRUMP, IF SOMEBODY STOOD UP TO HIM, THAT DONALD TRUMP WOULD MAKE IT THAT KIND OF AMBASSADOR.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE STORY IS, BUT I THINK BILLY LONG WILL BE A TERRIFIC AMBASSADOR IN ICELAND.

I THINK HE WILL ENTERTAIN EVERYBODY AND DO THE AUCTIONEER THING HE USED TO DO IN CONGRESS.

I THINK HE WILL BE A GREAT AMBASSADOR TO ICELAND.

HE WAS CERTAINLY TRYING SOME NEW THINGS AT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I WANT THE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE TO BE HEY EVERYBODY, WHERE HE'S CELEBRATING FRIDAY, MY BIRTHDAY, AND EVERYBODY GETS TO LEAVE EARLY.

I KIND OF HAVE A THEORY ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE IS SUCH A BIG PERSONALITY, REALLY POPULAR, VERY ENTERTAINING.

THE PERSONALITY IN CHIEF LIKES TO BE THE ONLY GUY IN THE ROOM WHO'S ON STAGE WITH THE MICROPHONE AND THE PINKY RING.

I'M KIND OF WONDERING IF MAYBE THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASON WHY HE WAS JETTY SONNED OR DISPATCHED TO ICELAND.

I WAS REALLY SAD BECAUSE I WAS READING IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BECAUSE BILLY LONG FLOATED THE IDEA OF FLOATING THE TOP I.R.S.

BRASS TO HOMETOWN MISSOURI.

I'M SORRY HE COULDN'T GET IT TO LAST LONGER THAN A FEW MONTHS.

I'M AT A LOSS BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS.

I WILL SAY THIS.

THE WOMAN WHO WON GRAND BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS HAD THE NERVE TO SAY THE JOB IS TOO GOOD THIS MONTH AND GOT FIRED ON THE SPOT.

CAPTAIN HOOK IS JELL ISSUE OF SMEE, BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SMEE HAD GOOD FORM, AND CAN ONLY HAVE GOOD FORM IF YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE IT.

SHORT TENURE.

ALVIN REID, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES, AT LEAST THAT'S THE PLAN.

I THINK THEY CALL IT PROJECT CUMULUS.

IT'S 400 ACRES ON THE GROUNDWATER SITE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DATA CENTER.

IT'S GOING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WORK THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CONVEY INFORMATION AROUND THE GLOBE.

THE DEVELOPER IS ANONYMOUS, AND THE MAYOR HAS SIGNED A NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT, SO HE CAN'T GIVE US ANY INFORMATION.

IF YOU WERE LIVING IN ST. CHARLES, WOULD YOU BE IN FAVOR OF THIS?

I THINK I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF IT.

NOT JUST THE PROJECT, IT'S A TRANSFORMATIONAL.

THIS KIND OF GOOD BE FOR ST. CHARLES, AND DOESN'T THE MISSOURI RIVER RUN RIGHT PAST ST. CHARLES?

YOU HAVE TO BUILD YOUR OWN WATER TREATMENT PLANT, ON GROUND OR WHATEVER, SO YOU CAN TREAT YOUR OWN WATER.

I THINK YOU COULD GET AROUND THAT.

I THINK IT'S FINE.

I THINK WHAT THEY FEAR IS YOU WOULD NOW -- YOU CREATE THIS GIGANTIC PLACE WHERE ALL THESE PEOPLE WORK, AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WILL WANT KIND OF MAYBE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN RUNNING THE METRO OUT TO ST. CHARLES WOULD TAKE ON A NEW LIFE.

I THINK THE BIG PROBLEM WITH THE PROJECT IS IT'S NOT GOING TO EMPLOY A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I THINK IT'S TRANSFORMATIONAL IN TERMS OF YES, IT'S GOING TO TAKE UP A LARGE FOOTPRINT AND SUCK UP A TON OF ELECTRICITY AND POTENTIALLY RAISE THE RATES FOR THE REST OF US, AND TAKE A TON OF WATER, BUT THESE THINGS DO NOT LEAD TO A LOT OF EMPLOYMENT.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH DATA CENTERS.

IT'S LIKE THE ECONOMY OF THE FUTURE.

IT'S NOT GOOD FOR US WHO LIKE JOBS.

TERRIBLE IDEA TO SUDDENLY TAKE THE MISSOURI RIVER AND DIVERT IT OVER THERE.

I DON'T THINK DIVERT THE WHOLE RIVER.

IT IS A TON OF WATER TO COOL THOSE SERVERS.

IF YOU OWNED A FARM NEARBY YOU WOULD SAY WHAT'S THE GUARANTEE THAT WE ARE STILL GOING TO GET WATER?

THAT PARTICULAR 440-ACRE PLOT HAS BEEN FALLOW FOR 50 YEARS.

I'M KIND OF WONDERING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

WE HAVE ONLY RECENTLY TURNED THE PAGE ON WELDON SPRINGS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

LOOKING AT ST. CHARLES COUNTY AS THIS GIANT INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER GUINEA PIG, IF I LIVE OUT THERE AND MY PROPERTY VALUES ARE NOT TOO BAD RIGHT NOW, I'M PROBABLY NOT TOO HAPPY.

IF HE DECIDED I'M TIRED OF JACKSONVILLE AND NOT MOVING TO LONDON.

I'M MOVING MY TEAM TO ST. LOUIS.

BUT THE TEAM IS GOING TO PLAY IN ST. CHARLES ON 450 ACRES.

THEY WOULD SAY BUILD THE MAN A STADIUM.

I GUARANTEE IT.

BECAUSE HE WOULDN'T BE TAKING 9 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY.

LET'S STAY IN ST. CHARLES.

THE FRANCIS HOWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN AN UNUSUAL MOVE HIRED A GUY IN MARCH.

THAT WAS THE OLD SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THERE WERE ELECTIONS, AND BY JUNE HE WAS OUT THE DOOR, AND HE HAD A SHORT TENURE.

HIS TENURE WAS SO SHORT HE DIDN'T EVEN START.

BUT THE COMMITTEE DID GIVE HIM A $229,000 GOING AWAY PACKAGE.

HE ALREADY HAD A JOB AT THE SHAWNEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA.

DOES SOMETHING HERE SEEM FISHY?

BECAUSE SOME SELF APPOINTED WATCH DOGS,, THEY WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT WAS NEFARIOUS, BECAUSE THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THIS.

SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT WERE ELECTED, THE PREVIOUS ELECTION, APPARENTLY DID NOT HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS GUY FROM WHERE HE WAS COMING FROM, BECAUSE THE BOARD TURNED OVER THIS ELECTION, BUT SOME OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WERE ELECTED, I GUESS, TWO YEARS AGO, AND THEY DID NOT SOUND ALARMED THAT THIS GUY IS AN EXTREMIST OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IF SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO GO OR YOU WANT THEM TO GO AND YOU BUY THEM OUT AND SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI WITH ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE ONLY REASON THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT HAS HER JOB NOW IS BECAUSE THEY FEAR IF WE BUY HER OFF, THEY SAY THE DISTRICT IS ALREADY BROKE.

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO, AND JUST LIKE A BAD FOOTBALL COACH, YOU GET THE BOOSTERS TOGETHERZ AND SAY WE NEED $400,000 TO SEND THE COACH ON HIS OR HER OWN WAY, AND THAT SHOULD HAPPEN IN ST. LOUIS.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH WHAT FRANCIS HOWELL DID.

I DON'T THINK WE KNOW.

WE KNOW THE NEW SCHOOL BOARD TENDS TO BE LIBERAL, OLD ONE CONSERVATIVE.

THEY ARE NOT LIBERAL.

SENSIBILITIES HAVE CHANGED.

ONES THAT WON TWO YEARS AGO DID NOT SOUND AN ALARM ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT.

THEY DID NOT VOTE AGAINST THE HIRING OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.

IF THEY REALLY THOUGHT HE WAS JUST BAD THEY WOULDN'T HAVE VOTED FOR HIM.

ONE THING I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE AUDITOR, ACCORDING TO THE AUDITOR, THE FRANCIS HOWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS IN BIG TROUBLE, LOTS OF RED FLAGS, BUT IN EVERY OTHER PUBLICATION, THEY OUT FORM ALMOST EVERY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT.

CAN THOSE THINGS BE TRUE?

I THINK THEY CAN BE TRUE.

AND YOU HAVE KIDS THAT COME FROM A GOOD HOME LIFE WHILE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RUNNING IT INTO THE GROUND.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE WITH THE FRANCIS HOWELL SITUATION.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE HOLY JOE SOCIETY.

I LOVE THOSE GUYS.

THESE ARE TWO ST. LOUIS CITY RESIDENTS AND STICKING THEIR NOSE INTO FRANCIS HOWELL AND SOMEONE IN FRANCIS HOWELL IS STICKING THEIR NOSE.

HOW ABOUT TOM SULLIVAN?

HE'S IN THE COUNTY.

THAT'S HIS JURISDICTION.

WHAT IF THE GOVERNOR TOOK OVER OUR POLICE FORCE?

HE COULD CONSTANTLY GO FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION.

SHOCK IS A FRIEND OF MINE.

YOU WENT TO MICDS AND NOW YALE AND WEIGHING IN ON A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND SAYING CHARLES.

WHAT?

THE MORE WE HAVE FEWER REPORTERS.

THAT'S LIKE SAYING I SHOULDN'T HAVE A SAY ON THAT.

I WAS GOING TO GET TO THAT.

WE GAVE HIM MORMON.

WENDY WANTS TO SEND IT TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ALL RIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK.

NO, WE ARE NOT.

WE ARE ENCOURAGING YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE NEXT DONNYBASH.

IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT NINE PBS LOVES TO DO IS BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN GREAT EVENTS.

DONNYBASH IS PROBABLY TOP OF THE LIST OF ONE OF OUR FAVORITE OCCASIONS.

WE WANT YOU TO BE THERE AS A MEMBER OF NINE PBS.

AND YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED BY OTHER NINE PBS MEMBERS.

LET'S GET YOU THERE, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE NEXT APRIL 16th.

THAT'S A THURSDAY AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL.

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30.

BUT FIRST LET'S TELL YOU ABOUT OUR GREAT THANK YOU GIFT WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER AS A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $7 A MONTH.

THE NEW NINE PBS TUMBLER WILL BE YOURS.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SEAT AT DONNYBASH NEXT APRIL, TICKETS ARE $125 EACH.

THAT'S A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION, BUT YOU CAN GET THIS WONDERFUL COMBO AT $20 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING MEMBER AND NOT ONLY THE INSULATED TUMBLER, BUT YOU GET NOT ONE BUT TWO TICKETS TO DONNYBASH.

AND THAT IS YOURS.

ALL OF THESE LEVELS ALSO INCLUDE NINE PBS PASSPORTS.

YOU CAN CALL US OR YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND JOIN US AT ANY TIME.

WELL, FOLKS FROM DONNYBROOK, YOUR FAVORITE AND MY FRIEND AND OUR FRIEND YALE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO.

THANK YOU, FRIEND, MARY ANN.

WE ARE BACK AT THE BIG TABLE WITH SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE DONNYBROOKERS WHO WILL ALL BE AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL ON APRIL 16th, 2026.

DONNYBASH IS AN INCREDIBLE EVENT, BUT WITHIN THIS INCREDIBLE EVENT THERE'S A COUPLE OF REALLY COOL THINGS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

FIRST YOU GET TO SEE NOT ONLY THE SHOW, BUT YOU GET TO SEE EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES, EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON JUST OFF SCREEN.

YOU GET TO SEE ALL THE CAMERA PEOPLE AND THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING AND THE SOUND TECHNICIANS AND OUR PRODUCER ANN MARIE BERGER RUNNING AROUND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS PERFECT FOR THE SHOW.

YOU GET TO SEE ALL OF THAT.

YOU GET TO WATCH HOW DONNYBROOK IS ACTUALLY MADE.

THEN THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF DONNYBASH ARE RESERVED FOR YOU, Q AND A, LIVE Q AND A, HIT THEM WITH YOUR BEST SHOT, SEEING WHO IS ON THEIR GAME, WHO IS OFF THEIR GAME THAT NIGHT WITH THESE QUESTIONS: THAT'S ALWAYS A FUN TIME.

AND THERE'S ALWAYS ONE SURPRISING QUESTION IN THERE THAT CATCHES SOMEBODY OFF GUARD.

BUT IT'S JUST THAT KIND OF THING THAT MAKES DONNYBASH SPECIAL.

WE KNOW THAT ALVIN'S FAVORITE PART OF THE EVENING IS AT THE BEGINNING WHEN WE BRING HIM OUT TO THE TABLE AND THE ROOM GOES WILD.

I JUST WANT TO KIND OF GO AROUND.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF DONNYBASH?

YOU HAD TO DO IT BEFORE YOU WERE ON EVERY WEEK.

AND I SAID WHAT TIME ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE?

WE WANT THE TALENT TO GET THERE AT A CERTAIN TIME.

I SAID IS SOMEBODY ELSE COMING?

NO.

IT'S COOL, BECAUSE IT IS A LIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM.

JIMMY FALLON, ALL THE ONES, THEY TAKE THAT AHEAD OF WHEN YOU SEE IT THAT NIGHT.

WHEN YOU ARE THERE, YOU ARE SEEING A LIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM.

IT'S KIND OF COOL.

THAT'S WHY I LIKE IT.

YOU KNOW, HEY, THIS IS IT.

I THINK ONE OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS IS EVERY YEAR YOU DO AN INSPIRATIONAL SEND OFF.

WE HAD A TEAM MOMENT WHERE YOU SEE SAYING VERY SWEET AND REALLY INSPIRATIONAL FOR ALL OF US.

AND THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

WE LOVE THE BEFORE, AFTER, AND IT'S JUST A GREAT, GREAT NIGHT.

I LOVE THE AFTER.

IF WE FALL FLAT ON OUR FACE, WE ARE FALLING FLAT ON OUR FACE IN FRONT OF THE VIEWERS OF NINE PBS.

WHAT I THINK IS GREAT IS THAT AFTER WE'RE DONE WITH THE LIVE TAPING WE ALL GO UPSTAIRS AND HAVE A DRINK.

IT'S SO FUN, SO RELAXED, ALL KIND OF BEEN IN THIS TOGETHER, AUDIENCE SWEATING IT ALONG WITH US.

IT'S NICE TO SEE ALL THE PEOPLE OUT TO SUPPORT US.

IT'S OUR FUND RAISER, ARM FUND RAISER, REALLY THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE, DONNYBASH.

AND "LIVING ST. LOUIS" DOING SOME OF THE BEST TELEVISION EVER RIGHT HERE IN ST. LOUIS.

WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO SEND IT BACK TO THE STUDIO WITH MY FRIEND MARY ANN CARSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, GUYS.

HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU SEEN HERE ON NINE PBS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS SO ST. LOUIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO QUOTE OUR CEO AMY SHAW WHEN SHE SAID THERE IS NOTHING SO ST. LOUIS AS CHANNEL 9.

AMY ALSO SAID 1.8 MILLION ANNUALLY OF OUR BUDGET IS NOW GONE.

IT IS NOT THE OUTCOME WE HOPED FOR.

AMY REALLY THANKED EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP TO SUPPORT US, TO E-MAIL US WITH THE CALLS AND THE LETTERS.

AS WE SAY WE MAY BE DEFUNDED, BUT WE ARE NOT DEFEATED.

WE WANT YOU TO KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE, TO HAVE THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU TURN TO, TO HAVE THE EVENTS TO THE COMMUNITY TO BRING US ALL TOGETHER AND TO REMIND YOU THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER YOUR MEMBERSHIP COUNTS.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL WAYS FOR YOU TO CELEBRATE BEING A NINE PBS MEMBER.

IF YOU JOIN US RIGHT NOW AT $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING MEMBER WE WILL SEND YOU THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER.

IF YOU WANT TO BE THERE IN THE AUDIENCE FOR DONNYBASH NEXT APRIL 16 ON THAT THURSDAY AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL, TICKETS ARE $125 APIECE AS A ONE TIME CONTRIBUTION.

YOU CAN BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER FOR $20 A MONTH AND WE WILL SEND YOU NOT ONLY THE INSULATED TUMBLER AND NOT ONE BUT TWO TICKETS TO ENJOY DONNYBASH NEXT THURSDAY AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL.

DON'T FORTS DOORS OPEN AT 5:30.

IT'S THE PARTY OF THE YEAR.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING GREAT PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT WE BRING YOU RIGHT HERE ON NINE PBS.

GIVE US A CALL OR JOIN US ONLINE, BUT DO IT RIGHT NOW.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE SET SOME RECORDS LATELY, WITH BILLY LONG HAVING THE SHORTEST TENURE EVER AND THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION PROMPT.

AND THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ST. LOUIS HAS JUST HAD THE WORST AUDIT IN THE POSTAL SERVICE HISTORY, WITH 2.5 MILLION PACKAGES OR LETTERS DELAYED.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE HISTORY OF THE POST OFFICE, ACCORDING TO THE RECENT AUDIT.

THIS USED TO BE THE SHINING EXAMPLE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND KNOW HOW, THE POSTAL SERVICE TO RAIN AND SLEET AND ALL OF THAT.

HOW DID WE GO SO FAR DOWNHILL?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MAN, IT WAS A GREAT JOB TO BE A POSTAL CARRIER.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE, THEY SAID YOU CAN BE OUTSIDE.

YOU CAN SMOKE A JOINT AS YOU'RE WALKING ALONG IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOODS.

I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED POSTAL MAN.

MY NEIGHBOR GROWING UP WAS A POSTAL MAN.

I THINK WHAT THEY DO IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE HECK HAS HAPPENED.

ONE, THE WAGE WAS AT A LEVEL, ESPECIALLY AS YOU WORKED YOUR WAY UP THAT YOU WERE BEING PAID MORE THAN OTHER HOURLY WORKERS.

WORKING AT THE POST OFFICE, ONCE YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WORKING THERE, IT CREATED MORE OF A WORKLOAD FOR EVERYBODY, AND IT CHANGED THE DYNAMIC OF THE JOB.

THE POST OFFICE USED TO HIRE COLLEGE KIDS AND WHAT NOT AT CHRISTMASTIME BECAUSE THEY WOULD DELIVER THE MAIL TWICE.

PEOPLE DON'T SEND LETTERS ANYMORE.

THEY DO IT ONLINE AND ALL OF THAT.

I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF WAGES, MATTER OF WORK CONDITIONS, AND I THINK YOU COULD GET IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

DON'T YOU THINK BILL ANSWERED THE QUESTION WHY IT'S SLOW.

HE SAID YOU CAN SMOKE A JOINT.

THAT WAS IN THE EARLY '70s WHERE PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS IS THE PERFECT JOB.

THAT'S THE GOOD OLE DAYS OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.

I THINK LEWIS JOY CAME IN AND DECIDED TO SYSTEMATICALLY DEFUND IT AND STARTED GETTING WORSE AND WORSE RESULTS AND DECIDED WE TOLD YOU SO.

THIS THING IS INSOLVENT.

IT'S THE PURPOSEFUL DEFUNDING OF GOVERNMENT.

WHY DOES IT NOT WORK?

I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT IT DID, AROUND THE TIME OF -- I THINK IT WAS LIKE THE MID-'80s, IT TOOK A HIT.

I DON'T THINK THAT HELPS WHEN YOU ARE DOING WORK THAT IS REPETITIVE, UNENDING, 5, 10 MINUTE, HALF HOUR BREAK OR WHATEVER.

I THINK THAT PLAYED A ROLE.

90-81 I WAS AN INTERN IN CINCINNATI.

THERE WAS AN INTERNATIONAL SOME KIND OF CONVENTION, AND THE U.S.

POSTAL MASTER WAS THERE.

AND IT WASN'T A TERRIBLE STORY.

I SAID HEY, THE POST MASTER IS ACTUALLY HERE, AND HE'S PROBABLY STAYING AT THE HYATT.

I INTERVIEWED HIM FOR 5 MINUTES AND DID A SHORT STORY.

WHEN DID THE U.S. POST MASTER BECOME THE POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

EVERYBODY IS MAD.

THIS GUY ANSWERED THE PHONE IN HIS HOTEL.

BESIDES REPETITIVE WORK, THE UAW, THAT WAS REPETITIVE WORK, BUT AS LONG AS YOU ARE PAYING PEOPLE A LOT, THEY ARE HAPPY WITH IT AND CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY.

THERE ARE VERY FEW INCIDENTS OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE THAT ENDS UP BEING A MODEL.

WITH THE WORKER SHORTAGE AND THE MAIL STILL KEEPS COMING.

I HAVE HAD POSTAL WORKERS EXPLAIN THAT TO ME.

WE ARE NOT JOKING AROUND.

THE MAIL NEVER STOPS.

RIGHT WHEN YOU GET DONE, THEY MAY SAY WE NEED YOU TO WORK AN EXTRA TWO OR THREE HOURS.

YOU GET PAID OVERTIME.

BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE I JUST WANT TO GO HOME.

SARAH, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A STORY THAT YOU COVERED, AND SOME OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS.

THE LAST TUESDAY, I GUESS, SOME TEENAGERS CARJACKED AN UBER DRIVER.

THEY WERE ARRESTED AND WERE SENT HOME TO THEIR PARENTS, AND ON THURSDAY, THEY WERE ARRESTED AGAIN, THIS TIME FOR CARJACKING A LYFT DRIVER.

MITCH MCCOY, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS HEY, WE HAVE TO STOP THIS CATCH AND RELEASE, WHETHER IT'S POINTS OR WHATEVER.

YOU CAN'T SEND THE KIDS BACK OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT YOU KIND OF, THROUGH YOUR REPORTING, HAVE TAKEN A DIFFERENT ANGLE.

I DO THINK MITCH HAS A POINT.

I THINK OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS A CLOSE LOOK.

IT USED TO BE THE ENVY OF THE NATION.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S RUNNING ON FUMES.

I DO THINK, BASED ON SOME OF THE REPORTING OF THE COLLEAGUE, UBER AND LYFT HAVE FOUND CHEAP WAYS TO DO THINGS AND WITH MISSOURI'S REGULATORY LANDSCAPE THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

AND THERE'S THINGS THEY CAN DO THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR TEENAGERS TO RIDE A LYFT, TO SAY YOU CAN'T BOOK A LYFT WITH A DEBIT CARD, TO SAY YOU HAVE TO HAVE ID IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A PASSENGER.

UP UNTIL VERY RECENTLY IN MISSOURI, THEY WEREN'T DOING THAT.

SOME OF THE LAWYERS PURSUING THE CASES SAY LET'S LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED HERE, BECAUSE THEY COULD HAVE PROCESSES IN PLACE THAT COULD ACTUALLY SAVE LIVES FOR GUYS WHO ARE OUT THERE PROVIDING THE ROLE THAT TAXI DRIVERS DID.

IT'S A DANGEROUS JOB.

AND IT'S INCUMBENT ON THESE TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

IF THEY CARJACK SOMEBODY WITH A MOP HANDLE, THAT'S ONE THING, BUT IF A GUN IS INVOLVED, WHY ARE THEY BACK OUT ON THE STREET?

THAT'S NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

THIS WAS A 67-YEAR-OLD DRIVER.

HE SHOT AT HIM.

FORTUNATELY THEY MISSED HIM.

THAT'S A MIRACLE.

THEY COULD HAVE KILLED HIM.

AREN'T THE LAWYERS INCENTIVIZED BY THE SETTLEMENT FEE THEY MIGHT GET AFTER THEY SUE?

YOU CAN TELL A MAN'S OPINIONS BY FIGURING OUT WHO PAYS FOR HIS CAR PHONE.

HOW IS SOMEBODY GOING TO GET A LAWYER IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY?

BUT THE LAWYER SHOULD BE BLAMING THE KIDS.

NOT UBER AND LYFT.

ONCE YOU ARE IN TROUBLE, YOU HIRE THE LAWYER, AND THE LAWYER SHOULD DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET YOU BACK ON THE STREETS.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DEFENDANTS.

REPRESENTING THE DRIVER.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE FAMILY SOME MONEY.

YOU CAN'T SUE THE KIDS.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS THE FAULT OF THOSE KIDS, MAYBE THEIR PARENTS, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY AS A LAWYER.

IT REMINDS ME WHEN THE KIAS ARE BEING STOLEN.

THERE WAS A GOOD POINT THERE, THAT KIA MADE THESE CARS THAT WERE INCREDIBLY EASY TO STEAL AND HAD TO FIX THE DESIGN FLAW IN THOSE CARS.

THIS IS THE SAME ARGUMENT.

YOU ARE MAKING MY POINT.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN ALL CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

NOT IN ALL CITIES.

IT'S THE INDIVIDUAL.

WE WEREN'T EVEN THE FIRST CITY TO SUE.

WHAT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT IS IF WE KNOW THAT IT WORKED, LIKE MITCH MCCOY SAID, IT WORKED OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY.

WHY DID WE SUSPEND IT?

LET'S KEEP THAT GOING.

HOLD THE PARENTS RESPONSIBLE.

IF YOU PULL A GUN ON SOMEBODY.

THE JUVENILE SYSTEM HAS TO BE CHANGED IF YOU ARE ALLOWING THESE KIDS TO CARJACK SOMEBODY.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM, AND I THINK YOU WILL ALL AGREE, MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS.

THAT IS THERE IS A MISSOURI BOOKS.

THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING KIDS PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A CONDITION FOR THEIR RELEASE.

BUT WE DON'T USE IT.

THE JUDGE, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY DROPPED IT.

I'M MOVING ONTO THE NEXT TOPIC, BECAUSE THE FOLKS IN NORTH ST. LOUIS ARE COMPLAINING THEIR SIDEWALKS HAVE TOO MUCH VEGETATION THAT'S GROWING EVERYWHERE, SARAH, AND NO ONE IS MOWING IT.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT WILL WORK ABOUT AS WELL AS OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.

WHAT THE PEOPLE IN NORTH CITY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEY PRETEND TO MOW THE LAWNS, TAKE PHOTOS AND SENDS IT IN AND BILLS THE CITY.

AND THEY SAY WE ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THE LAWNS, AND THE FOR-PROFIT COMPANY IS PROFITING FROM IT.

THE CITY SAYS IT'S HARD TO SUPERVISE THESE CONTRACTORS.

YOU HAVE TO SUPERVISE THESE VOLUNTEERS OR YOUR SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT, CHARLIE.

THAT'S FINE.

WE DON'T NEED ONE ON DONNYBROOK.

WHY DON'T THE PEOPLE IN NORTH ST. LOUIS MOW THE SIDEWALKS?

THEY ARE DOING THAT.

THAT'S THEIR FRUSTRATION.

MANY OF THEM PROBABLY CAN'T LOCATE THEIR LAWNMOWER.

BUT THERE IS NO LOVE BETWEEN THE CLEVELAND.

WE ARE THE WORLD, CLEVELAND.

THAT'S GREAT.

THEY HAVE GOT SOME KIDS OUT HERE, CUTTING THE LAWNS, TRIMMING THE HEDGES.

ISN'T THAT GREAT?

THOSE ARE THE TWO KIDS THAT HAD THE BACK TO BACK CARJACKING, AND THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS LOCK YOUR DOORS.

MAYBE NOT THE CARJACKING.

WE SHOULD HAVE COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THAT'S MY FINAL WORD AND LET'S FIND OUT WHAT FOLKS HAD TO SAY ABOUT LAST WEEK'S PROGRAM.

YOU CAN WRITE US CARE OF NINE PBS, 3655 OLIVE STREET, 63108.

AND YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL US AT DONNYBROOK AT NINE PBS.ORG, ON SOCIAL MEDIA USE HASHTAG DONNYBROOK STL.

REMIND YOU TO CALL THE COMMENT LIKE (314)512-9094.

AND LISTEN TO US ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST SOURCE, BUT TUNE IN TO THE NINE PBS YOUTUBE CHANNEL BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE AMAZING DEPARTURES OF BUSINESSES.

WE HOPE YOU JOIN US APRIL 16th FOR OUR NEXT DONNYBASH, OUR BIG FUND RAISER.

IN JUST A MOMENT MORE DETAILS.

DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY AV CAPTIONING WWW.AVCAPTIONING.COM I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY HEARING WHAT SOME OF THE ATTENDEES AT THE DONNYBASH WROTE.

ONE WROTE FIRST THE LIVE SHOW, BUT A.

WONDERFUL PEOPLE ANOTHER ATTENDEE WROTE.

THIS WAS MY THIRD TIME.

I DO ENJOY IT.

AND ONE ATTENDEE JUST SAID ALVIN, EXCLAMATION POINT.

THAT WAS THEIR RESPONSE.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SAY ABOUT DONNYBASH.

LET'S GET YOU THERE.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL WAYS OF DONNYBASH NEXT YEAR ON APRIL 16th.

IF THAT DOESN'T FIT YOUR CALENDAR, WE HAVE ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF NINE PBS.

HERE IT IS.

IT'S THE NINE PBS TUMBLER.

BUT IF YOU DO WANT TO BE THERE AT DONNYBASH, EACH TICKET IS A ONE-TIME PAYMENT OF $125.

WAIT.

WE'VE GOT SUCH A GREAT DEAL FOR YOU.

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE COMBO.

WHEN YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $20 A MONTH, WE WILL SEND YOU NOT ONLY THAT NEW NINE PBS TUMBLER, WE WILL ALSO SEND YOU NOT ONE, BUT TWO TICKETS TO DONNYBASH.

DON'T FORGET IT'S AT SHELDON CONCERT HALL.

PARKING IS A BREEZE.

THE DOORS OPEN AT 5:30.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE LATE BECAUSE THE PARTY REALLY STARTS AT 5:30.

THERE'S A PRESHOW RECEPTION.

THERE'S THE LIVE TAPING AND THEN A POST SHOW COCKTAIL DESERT HOUR WHERE YOU HAVE TIME TO REALLY TALK TO ALL THE DONNYBROOKERS AND OUR MEMBERS LOVE IT.

WE LOVE DOING IT FOR YOU EVERY YEAR.

SPEAKING OF THE DONNYBROOK, LET'S GO RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU, MARY ANN.

DONNYBASH, SHELDON CONCERT HALL, APRIL 16th, 2026.

IT'S A PUBLIC AFFAIRS PUBLIC AFFAIR.

IT'S A SOCIAL EVENT WRAPPED AROUND AN ESSENTIAL ST. LOUIS INSTITUTION.

BUT YOUR PURCHASE OF TICKETS TO THIS EVENT IS MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT, MORE THAN JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINGLE WITH THE DONNYBROOKERS.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT AN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC ENTITY AT A VERY CRITICAL JUNCTURE.

I THINK YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THE EXPRESSION DEFUNDED BUT NOT DEFEATED.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT WITH NINE PBS.

SO WE WANT YOU TO COME TO THE SHOW.

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.

BUT WE ALSO WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS SUPPORTING AN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN PUBLIC MEDIA AND NINE PBS IN PARTICULAR.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S VIEWER SUPPORTED TELEVISION.

YOU ALSO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT, BECAUSE IT'S A FUN EVENING.

THERE'S NO OTHER EVENING LIKE IT IN ST. LOUIS WHERE THERE'S A LIVE TELEVISION BROADCAST WHERE WE MINGLE BEFOREHAND, AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SHOW LIVE, AND WE MINGLE AFTERWARDS.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING LIKE IT IN THE UNITED STATES.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANOTHER TELEVISION SHOW IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANYWHERE ELSEWHERE THE AUDIENCE SHOWS UP FOR LIVE SHOW AND EVERYONE HAS A GOOD TIME.

FOR AN HOUR.

AND HAS A GOOD TIME.

WE ARE ALL OUT IN THE LOBBY.

IT'S A FUN EVENING FOR ALL INVOLVED.

YOU ARE PART OF IT.

WHEN YOU'RE THERE, YOU ARE REALLY PART OF THE SHOW.

I THINK PEOPLE COME AND THINK THEY ARE GOING TO SIT THERE AND THINK THEY ARE WATCHING A MOVIE.

SUDDENLY THEY AR ENTHRALLED, TOO.

IT'S NATURAL RESPONSES AND FUN TO BE PART OF.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SOMETHING SARAH SAID ON THE AIR OR OFF THE AIR IN THE GREEN ROOM.

BUT TODAY THE PEOPLE THAT ENJOY DONNYBROOK, WE DON'T NEED TIES OR TOASTERS OR PERFUME OR BATHROOMS, IT'S ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCE.

OUR KIDS GAVE US THIS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY, AND WE ARE COMING UP ON THE GIFT GIVING SEASON.

I THINK YALE NEEDS A TIE.

THAT'S TRUE.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT GOING TO DONNYBASH IS YOU GET TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE, AND THEY MAY DISAGREE WITH YOU ON EVERYTHING.

I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THEY DISAGREE WITH ME ON EVERYTHING.

BUT MUCH LIKE THIS SHOW, THEY ARE FRIENDLY ABOUT IT.

YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD INTERACTION.

TRY TO ENLIGHTEN EACH OTHER.

IT'S LIKE A GOOD SPIRIT, WHAT YOU WISH THERE WAS MORE OF IN AMERICA TODAY.

SILOS WEREN'T JUST PART OF THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

WE USED TO DISAGREE AGREEABLY.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE DISAGREEABLE IN YOUR DISAGREEMENT.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENS ON THE SHOW HERE AND THE LIVE SHOW, TOO, AND WHY WE HAVE LIKED THE SHOW IS BECAUSE ALL OF US WILL SAY SOMETHING THAT THEY NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD THINK.

WE DON'T PIGEONHOLE OURSELVES, AND I THINK THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LIKE US.

YOU SOUNDED RATHER CONSERVATIVE.

I SAID YEAH, AND ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS YOU BECOME MORE CONSERVATIVE.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WHERE WE ARE NOT MONOLITHIC.

I THINK THAT'S KIND OF COOL.

I THINK THAT'S WHY PEOPLE REACH OUT TO US.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WE ALL GET ALONG.

BUT THE IMPORTANT PART IS THAT EVERYBODY AGREES THAT PUBLIC TELEVISION IS A NECESSITY.

YES.

AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, AND WITH THAT WE ARE GOING BACK TO MARY ANN.

THANK YOU, ALL SO MUCH.

AND WE HAVE GREAT WAYS OF SAYING THANK YOU AS WELL WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF NINE PBS.

WHEN YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $7 A MONTH, THIS HANDSOME NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER WE WILL BE SENDING YOUR WAY, AND IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE AUDIENCE FOR DONNYBASH, TICKETS ARE $125 APIECE.

THAT'S A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION EXCEPT IF YOU GO FOR THE COMBO, WHICH WE ARE OFFERING AS A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $20 A MONTH.

WE WILL SEND YOU THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER AND NOT ONE, BUT TWO TICKETS TO DONNYBASH NEXT THURSDAY, NOT THAT THURSDAY BUT THE THURSDAY IN APRIL, APRIL 16th AT 5:30 THE DOORS OPEN AT THE SHELDON CONCERT HALL, AND YOU CAN BE THERE.

AND I LOVE THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER, BECAUSE ONE, THE STRAW DOESN'T FALL OUT.

THE TOP SCREWS ON, SO EVEN IF YOU HAPPEN TO DROP IT IN YOUR CAR, IT DOESN'T SPILL ALL OVER THE FLOOR.

I LOVE THE NINE PBS MUG.

THIS TUMBLER, WHEN I COULDN'T FIND IT AT THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW WHERE I FOUND IT?

IN THE CUP HOLDER OF MY HUSBAND'S LAWNMOWER.

I WAS LIKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS?

HE SAID I DIDN'T STEAL IT.

YOU GAVE IT TO ME.

I WENT REALLY?

JUST KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THE NINE PBS INSULATED TUMBLER.

IT'S OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU WHEN YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $7 A MONTH OR WHEN YOU GO TO THE COMBO, WHEN YOU WANT TO JOIN US AT DONNYBASH NEXT APRIL, WHEN YOU BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER AT $20 A MONTH WE WILL SEND YOU THIS INSULATED TUMBLER PLUS TWO TICKETS TO DONNYBASH.

YOU CAN JOIN US ONLINE.

YOU CAN CALL US.

BUT WE NEED YOU TO JOIN US RIGHT NOW.

CALL US 1-800-568-9099.

OR AT NINEPBS.ORG.

DO IT NOW.