Will Bauer

Juliana Stratton says she'll fight, not fold, if elected to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin In the competitive Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has positioned herself as someone who would more aggressively push back against the Trump administration, whic...

She’ll also need to overcome the immense campaign war chest that frontrunner Raja Krishnamoorthi has amassed. A $5 million donation from Illinois Gov. @jbpritzker.bsky.social to the political action committee that’s supporting her will help.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Juliana Stratton says she'll fight, not fold, if elected to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin In the competitive Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has positioned herself as someone who would more aggressively push back against the Trump administration, whic...

Stratton has a number of high profile endorsements — Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin — but she trails in most polls.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Juliana Stratton says she'll fight, not fold, if elected to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin In the competitive Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has positioned herself as someone who would more aggressively push back against the Trump administration, whic...

“I'm not going to sit on the sidelines," she told
me and @jasonrosenbaum.bsky.social on @stlpublicradio.bsky.social. "I don't shy away from a fight, and everything is at stake right now.”
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Juliana Stratton says she'll fight, not fold, if elected to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin In the competitive Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has positioned herself as someone who would more aggressively push back against the Trump administration, whic...

Illinois Lt. Gov. @julianastratton.bsky.social believes that the status quo of her party has not served the American people well — and that she’s the Senate candidate to bring the fight needed to Washington, D.C.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Greater St. Louis Inc. took public officials on trips to tour huge data centers with Ameren in tow Greater St. Louis Inc. took public officials from Illinois and Missouri to Nebraska to tour a hyperscale Google data center in December. The organization confirmed it has organized multiple similar tr...

As pushback against data centers raged, Greater St. Louis Inc. took public officials — including a handful from the Metro East — on a trip to visit hyperscale data centers in Nebraska. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Jeff Wilson believes he's the Republican to flip Illinois' 13th Congressional District Republicans in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, which includes much of the Metro East, will need to decide if Wilson is the better candidate to run for the seat that's currently occupied by Demo...

Wilson is a Trump supporter, which may prove to be a challenge for him in November in a district that's rated as safe for Democrats in the midterms.

“It's still winnable because the heart of the issue is really affordability, economics and common sense."
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Jeff Wilson believes he's the Republican to flip Illinois' 13th Congressional District Republicans in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, which includes much of the Metro East, will need to decide if Wilson is the better candidate to run for the seat that's currently occupied by Demo...

Before he can worry about a Democrat, Wilson will need to beat Joshua Loyd, the Republican who won their party's nomination in 2024. Wilson believes his experience make him the better pick for the GOP.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Jeff Wilson believes he's the Republican to flip Illinois' 13th Congressional District Republicans in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, which includes much of the Metro East, will need to decide if Wilson is the better candidate to run for the seat that's currently occupied by Demo...

Jeff Wilson, a former naval submariner, retired nuclear engineer and current Champaign County Board member, believes he is the Republican that could flip Illinois’ 13th Congressional District in November. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

INBOX: Chris Slusser, the chairman of the Madison County Board, will lead the East-West Gateway Council of Governments for the next year.

Robin Kelly makes her pitch to succeed Dick Durbin in competitive Democratic primary Kelly, a congresswoman from the Chicago area, is one of three prominent Democrats vying to win her party’s nomination in March to follow retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

In order to win, Kelly will need to catch up in the polls and overcome a fundraising disadvantage.

“I’m working hard. Different polls say different things. I’m trying to get in front of as many people as possible. I’m raising the money that I need.”
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Robin Kelly makes her pitch to succeed Dick Durbin in competitive Democratic primary Kelly, a congresswoman from the Chicago area, is one of three prominent Democrats vying to win her party’s nomination in March to follow retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Congresswoman @robinlynnekelly.bsky.social, a longtime political staffer turned federal lawmaker and former Illinois Democratic Party chair, believes her lengthy experience makes her the best fit to succeed Dick Durbin.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Dabrowski believes he's the only Republican who can beat Pritzker in November Ted Dabrowski trails in the latest Illinois Republican governor primary polls, but he argues sending former GOP nominee Darren Bailey into a rematch would be a mistake.

“We're the only campaign that can build the coalition to beat Pritzker, and so I think we're going to steal the support from the other candidates,” Dabrowski told
@stlpublicradio.bsky.social. “But that's the challenge, of course.”
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Dabrowski believes he's the only Republican who can beat Pritzker in November Ted Dabrowski trails in the latest Illinois Republican governor primary polls, but he argues sending former GOP nominee Darren Bailey into a rematch would be a mistake.

Before he can take on Illinois Gov. JB Prtizker, Ted Dabrowski will need to win the Republican primary that includes former GOP nominee Darren Bailey.

While beating Bailey won't be easy, a 2022 rematch would be a mistake for the GOP, Dabrowski said.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

The Great Divorce: How St. Louis split itself in two 150 years ago In 1876, the riverfront city of St. Louis voted to separate itself from St. Louis County, creating a divide that still shapes the region today. Meet Me’'s debut episode explores the city-county line a...

In the first episode of "Meet Me," we head to the St. Louis city-county border to explore how it affects residents living on the line and delve into the origin of the split:

Alton Steel: Supplier took raw materials, leaving mill unable to operate - St. Louis Business Journal Alton Steel announced Monday that it is ceasing operations this week, citing industrywide structural challenges that have made continued production economically unsustainable.

ICYMI: Alton Steel's material supplier took possession of “substantial property” including raw materials that the supplier claims as collateral, two days before Monday's announcement that the mill will cease operations, according to a company official.
www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news...

East St. Louis schools turn to international teachers to fill critical staff vacancies East St. Louis School District 189 is doubling its number of international teachers to 24 for the next school year to fill vacancies across the district.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — The school district is turning to qualified international teachers to help fill critical staff vacancies. It brought on a dozen teachers at the start of the 2025-26 school year and plans to add 12 more next year. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/education/20...

INBOX: Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski delivered $1.1 million in congressional earmarks to Glen Carbon today, which will be used to help fund the construction of a new water treatment plant.

YouTube video by Chicago Sun-Times Open Seat in Illinois: U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Debate

Full debate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIXD...

Lt. Gov. Stratton goes on attack in debate against U.S. Reps. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi The Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and International House hosted the first live-broadcast debate of the biggest race on the March 17 ballot.

ICYMI: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton went on the offensive Monday night against U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly in the first live-broadcast debate in the heated Democratic primary race for retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

More farmers would qualify for federal loans under bill proposed by Illinois lawmakers Under the current system, agriculture producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would allow those with just a...

A bipartisan bill from Mike Bost and Nikki Budzinski would make farmers or ranchers with just a 50% stake in the business eligible for USDA loans. Right now, they must be the sole owner-operator — something farmers say is becoming outdated. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Facing 'insurmountable challenges,' Alton Steel will close its doors this week Alton Steel formed in the early 2000s after its predecessor, Laclede Steel, declared bankruptcy. After nearly 25 years of business, Alton Steel leaders say their business’ challenges could not be over...

NEWS: Alton Steel, which was resurrected after its predecessor declared bankruptcy in the early 2000s, will close its doors for good this week, the company announced Monday. @stlpublicradio
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Federal immigration officials privately fume over DHS claims after deadly Minnesota shooting Federal immigration officials say DHS mishandled messaging after a deadly Border Patrol shooting, hurting morale and credibility and sparking internal backlash.

FOX NEWS: Deep internal divisions have emerged within federal immigration enforcement over how the Department of Homeland Security is handling the public fallout and messaging after a deadly Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis.
www.foxnews.com/politics/fed...

Scott Air Force Base has a new job — hosting the HQ for the military's moving company Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the current system has been plagued with issues. Scott’s selection for the new headquarters fits in with the base’s broader theme of transportation, logistics and c...

Scott Air Force Base will soon have a new responsibility: hosting the new headquarters for the part of the military that’s responsible for being soldiers’ moving company when they are reassigned. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

INBOX: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Scott Air Force Base will now host the headquarters for the military's moving company, which is responsible for transporting soldiers' personal property when they are transferring to a new location.

What’s Behind the Staggering Drop in the Murder Rate? No One Knows for Sure.

NYT: Last year will likely register the lowest national homicide rate in 125 years and the largest single-year drop on record, according to a new analysis of 2025 crime data.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...

Arch group has identified land for national park expansion in Illinois The initial phase to expand the Gateway Arch National Park to Illinois will focus on evaluating the land, any environmental concerns and how much investment would be needed to make the idea a reality.

EAST ST. LOUIS — The nonprofit Gateway Arch Park Foundation has started exploring what it would take for the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and surrounding area to be part of the existing national park. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Progressive Democrat Dylan Blaha aims to primary U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat Budzinski for the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

My conversation with Blaha about his primary challenge against the second-term congresswoman:
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Progressive Democrat Dylan Blaha aims to primary U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat Budzinski for the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

But Blaha will need to overcome a sizeable fundraising disadvantage. He's vowed not to take PAC money from corporations or foreign-interest groups.

"I need to beat her by educating people on what we both stand for."
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Progressive Democrat Dylan Blaha aims to primary U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat Budzinski for the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

Blaha, an Illinois National Guard member who's more liberal than Budzinski, believes his message will resonate with voters — especially in the midterms when the party in power tends to do worse.
www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...

Progressive Democrat Dylan Blaha aims to primary U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat Budzinski for the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

Unseating incumbent Democrat Nikki Budzinski in the primary will be no small task in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, but @dylanthomasblaha.bsky.social believes he's the man for the job.

www.stlpr.org/podcast/poli...