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

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EDITION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

WE HAVE LOTS TO TALK ABOUT ON THIS EDITION OF DONNYBROOK.

FIRST, LET'S MEET THE PANELISTS.

WENDY WIESE FROM THE KTRS AND THE COHOST OF THE JENNIFER AND WENDY SHOW.

BILL MCCLELLAN FROM YOUR ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH STL TODAY.COM.

RAY HARTMANN.

AND FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN, ALVIN REID.

>> THE SECOND HALF OF THE PROGRAM, WE CALL NEXT UP.

WE WILL TALK TO LEADERS AND LES STERMAN, FOR A GREATER DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

THE TOPIC; CRIME.

>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE FIRST TOPIC.

A SAD, TRAGIC STORY, WHERE A RECKLESS DRIVER PLOWED INTO AN AUTOMOBILE AND PINNED A TEENAGER VISITING THE CITY, AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE TEEN LOST BOTH LEGS TO AMPUTATION.

THE DRIVER WAS OUT ON BOND.

AROU ACCORDING TO REPORTS, HE VIOLATED HIS GPS VIOLATIONS, 90 TIMES.

9-0.

HE WAS BROUGHT UP FOR CHARGES AND THE WITNESS WAS DEAD SO THEY REFILED THE CHARGES.

THE WITNESS WAS NOT DEAD BUT VERY MUCH ALIVE.

AND IT IS ON THE IMPORTANT OF KIM GARDNER'S OFFICE.

PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND TARGETING HER WITH CRITICISM AND THEY ARE FILING A WRIT.

SHOULD KIM GARDNER RESIGN?

>> NO.

TO SAY THIS IS A TRAGEDY IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

FOR ALL OF US, FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE KIDS AND THE TRAVEL, IT IS HARD, AND OBVIOUSLY, THE IMPACT ON ONE MORE KICK TO ST. LOUIS'S IMAGE.

I DO NOT THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACTS OF THIS THAT IT WAS KIM GARDNER'S FAULT.

AND I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE JUDGE INVOLVED WHO WAS APART OF THIS.

WHO IS A VERY GOOD GUY.

IT IS HORRIBLE OUTCOME.

IT IS CERTAINLY SHOWING A LARGER PROBLEM WE HAVE IN ST. LOUIS WHICH IS THE TRAFFIC IN THE CITY.

IT IS OUT OF CONTROL.

I MEAN, IT IS THE WILD WEST.

AND THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED IS EMBARRASSING, IT IS TRAGIC, IT IS HORRIBLE.

I DO NOT THINK THIS IS KIM GARDNER'S FAULT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT, THAT'S SIMPLY THE CASE.

BILL WROTE A GOOD COLUMN AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT KIM GARDNER.

AS MUCH EMOTION IN THIS, I UNDERSTAND IT, I DO NOT THINK THIS IS REASON FOR HER -- I HAVE GOT -- I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING ON.

I HAVE PLENTY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE AG.

>> I THINK IT IS A KIM GARDNER'S FAULT.

THE OFFICE IS IN DISARAY.

THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY DOESN'T SHOW UP.

OR I GOT BACK FROM MY HONEYMOON AND I DON'T WON TO PROCEED.

AND SOMEONE -- WANT TO PROCEED.

>> OR THEY CALL AHEAD OF TIME AND SAY THERE'S A SCHEDULING PROBLEM AND THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY SAYS WELL, WE ARE NOT READY TO GO AND TO CLAIM, WE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THIS BECAUSE THE VICTIM WAS DEAD.

NO, THE VICTIM WASN'T DEAD.

AND IT TURNS OUT, WELL, SOMEONE WITH THE SAME FIRST DIED.

SO WE GOT CONFUSED.

IT IS JUST -- IT IS THE NEW NORMAL.

IT DOESN'T WORK.

IT IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL OFFICE AND YOU HAVEN'T HAVE A FUNCTIONING CITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FUNCTIONING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> DO YOU THINK THE JUDGE WHO RELEASED HER --?

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

FROM WHAT HAS BEEN RELEASED THIS AFTERNOON, RAY, IS THE JUDGE RELEASED THE TRANSCRIPTS OF THE -- >> PROCEEDINGS.

OKAY.

>> -- THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY SAYS THE JUDGE MADE THIS DECISION.

THE TRANSCRIPT WHEN IT CAME TIME ABOUT BOND, THE CIRCUIT ATTORN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS FINE.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE JUDGE'S FAULT.

>> I'M NOT SAYING IT IS.

>> THE FACT THAT THERE WAS THE HORRIFIC ACCIDENT, THAT IS ON THE DRIVER.

BUT THE FACT THAT THIS GUY WAS ON THE STREET.

IT IS ON KIM GARDNER.

MY POINT IS I WISH WE WERE BACK IN THE DAYS OF STRONG PARTY BOSSES, WHERE PEOPLE GO TO KIM GARDNER AND SAY, YOU HAVE TO RESIGN.

JUST LIKE I WISH THE REPUBLICANS COULD HAVE DONE THAT TO TRUMP INSTEAD OF HAVING JANUARY 6.

YOU LOST, YOU ARE DONE.

AND I WAS DISHEARTENED THAT THE MAYOR, JONES, STOOD UP AND SAID SHE SHOULD RESIGN BECAUSE SHE LOST THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE.

SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

>> IT COMES DOWN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED HER.

AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE WAYS THAT THIS COULD BE DONE.

THE STATE NEEDS TO STAND DOWN.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND ALL OF THAT.

THIS IS PERSONALLY GRAND-STANDING.

IF I LIVED SOMEPLACE, SO LET'S TAKE THE NAMES OUT OF IT AND WE LEARNED THAT THE PERSON COMMITTED THIS CRIME HAD VIOLATED THEIR GPS, YOU KNOW, 90 TIMES AND HAD A RECORD AND ON AND ON.

SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER TO THAT.

AND I THINK IN ANY COMMUNITY I HAVE LIVED IN, IN MY LIFE.

IT IS INEXCUSABLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT WAS THIS PERSON OR THAT, WHATEVER.

NO.

THE FIRST THING HAS TO BE SAID BY WHOEVER THIS PROSECUTOR IS I MESSED UP.

MY OFFICE MESSED UP.

THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND NOT A PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE YELLING AND SCREAMING IN THE BACKGROUND.

ALL OF THAT.

YOU ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT HAPPENED AND WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING TO DO, PROBABLY NOT RESIGN.

I'M NOT CALLING ON HER TO RESIGN BUT TO FACE UP TO THIS AND DO OR JOB.

IF SHE WERE TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE, NONE OF US WOULD SAY SHE DIDN'T HAVE IT COMING.

I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BUT THE STATEMENT SHE RELEASED -- >> TONE DOWN.

>> AND THE STATE, THEY SAID IT WAS TONE DEAF.

>> AND THE POST HAS DONE SOME INCREDIBLE REPORTING WITH A FLUID SITUATION.

SO HAS THE RIVER FRONT TIMES AND THE AMERICAN.

AND MCGRAW HAD BOB MCCULLOUGH ON.

TWO THINGS ARE NEVER A SURPRISE; A COURT DATE AND A WEDDING.

THIS IS APART OF THE CHAOS, THE STAFFING LEVELLING BEING SO FAR BELOW WHAT THEY SHOULD BE AT THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY AS OFFICE, DRIVING ALL OF THE EXPERIENCED PROSECUTORS OUT OF THE OFFICE.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS CHAOS.

I WAS REMAINED OF WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS BACK IN THE '90'S.

PROGRESS IS NEITHER BLACK NOR WHITE, IT IS GREEN.

WHAT WE ARE GETTING INTO HERE, WE ARE IN THE RED ZONE.

I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE CANCELLING VACATION PLANS.

THIS YOUNG WOMAN WAS FROM THE HEART OF CARDINAL NATION, IF YOU WILL.

IT IS NOT JUST THE ST. LOUIS, OR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

IT IS KENTUCKY, IT IS INDIANA.

IT IS TENNESSEE.

YOU FIND THE CARDINALS.

MAYBE I MADE A CALL TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

WHO KNOWS.

IF YOU ARE THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY AND IF YOU DON'T DO YOUR JOB FOR WHATEVER REASON, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KILLED OR GOING TO BE INJURED.

>> FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT, I WANT TO BRING UP A COUPLE OF POINTS MAY WORK IN THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY'S FAVOR.

BUT SHE IS A TERRIBLE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY.

THERE ARE NO UNDERSTANDING OF LAWYERS THAT I TALKED TO, WHETHER HER CONTENTION THAT SHE MADE VERBAL -- >> REQUESTS.

>> YES, REQUESTS.

TO THE JUDGE AND IT WAS OKAY.

THAT SHE COULD VERBALLY.

>> IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

>> THE 22 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

MAYBE SHE DID TALK, OR ONE OF HER REPRESENTATIVES, VERBALLY AND WAS NEVER RECORDED.

>> OH.

OH.

I WOULD SAY I DON'T THINK SHE HAS EARNED THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

>> I AGREE.

>> WHERE THE JUDGE SAYS IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND SHE SAID IT DID.

AND YOU SAY, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE SOMEONE.

I DON'T THINK KIM GARDNER HAS EARNED THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

AND THERE IS THIS THING ABOUT HER RESIGNING.

I'M WITH THE PROCEDURE'S ASSOCIATION WITH THE STATE.

I DON'T THINK THE STATE SHOULD IS COME AND TAKE OVER THE CITY OFFICE OR ST. LOUIS OR THE COUNTY.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DO IT.

IF KIM GARDNER DOESN'T RESIGN, WE WILL HAVE A SITUATION WHERE IT IS GOING TO BE COMPLETE MAYHEM, HER SUPPORTERS WILL BE OUT ON THE STREETS, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE -- TRYING TO IMPOSE ON OUTSIDE PROSECUTOR.

IT IS GOING TO BE A COMPLETE MESS WHERE THE SITUATION COULD BE REMOVED IF JONES AND SOME OF OTHER DEMOCRATS WERE ABLE TO CONVINCE KIM GARDNER FOR THE SAKE OF THE CITY, YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN!

.

>> I AM FAIRLY -- >> I DON'T THINK SHE WILL EVER DO THAT.

>> I DON'T EITHER.

I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS HERE.

I'M NOT GOING TO, YOU KNOW, QUARREL, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT GREAT ABOUT THAT OFFICE.

THERE'S IN QUESTION.

IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT.

I WILL SAY THIS; THAT I DON'T CARE WHO YOU BRING IN TO REPLACE KIM GARDNER, IT IS NOT GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE A MILLIMETER ON THE CRIME PROBLEM.

WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON THAT.

>> I THINK IT WOULD MOVE IT A MILLIMETER.

>> I WOULD -- >> YOU CANNOT DEFEND INCOMPETENCE.

>> I'M NOT DEFENDING IT.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WERE.

>> I'M NOT.

>> OKAY.

>> WHAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AMONG OTHER THINGS IN THE CITY ARE LIKE THE FACT THAT TRAFFIC, WHICH I THINK INVOLVES PEOPLE OTHER THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY AND THE POLICE AND OTHERS, IT IS OUT OF CONTROL.

THE TRAGEDY, WE SAY THAT IF THIS GUY IS OFF OF THE STREET, WELL THE TRAFFIC.

BUT I'M NOT SAYING IT IS OKAY FOR THIS GUY.

>> DON'T FORGET, RAY -- >> WHEN THE HIGHWAY PATROL UNDER FORMER GOVERNOR WAS ON HIGHWAYS 45 -- THEY GENERATE 4000 TICKETS WHICH HE RIPPED UP.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAYHEM ON THE HIGHWAY?

>> REAL QUICK, TWO, ONE, TWO, I DON'T THINK THIS IS A TRAFFIC PROBLEM.

THIS IS A CRIMINAL PROBLEM.

>> BOTH.

>> AND THEN, TOO, AS SOMEONE SAID TO ME YESTERDAY, IT MAKES YOU WONDER WHO ALSO IS OUT THERE.

>> EXACTLY!

>> THERE'S NOTHING I COULD SAY TO THAT.

>> HOW MANY OTHER RILEYS SHOULD BE -- DANIEL RILEY'S, HOW MANY ARE THERE WHO SHOULD BE HAVING THEIR GPS MONITORED WHO ARE POSSIBLY ANOTHER TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN.

>> I'M QUITTING ACQUITTED.

WE HAVE AN INEXPERIENCED STAFF AT THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PROFESSIONALS WERE RUN OUT OF THE TOWN.

THE GUY WHO TOOK OUT MY WINDOW, YOUNGER THAN ME, BUT AN OLDER FELLOW, HE WAS MURDERED.

MAN ARRESTED.

ACQUITTED.

IT IS THE NEW NORMAL IN ST. LOUIS.

>> I THINK, RAY, THOUGH, YOU ARE RIGHT.

IT IS A TRAFFIC PROBLEM.

YOU RECALL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO YOUR NEWSPAPER REPORTED THE GUYS ON MOTORCYCLES WHO DO TRICKS THEY CONVERGE IN SEPTEMBER BECAUSE TRAFFIC LAWS ARE NOT ENFORCED, THAT'S THE WORD.

>> I'M NOT SAYING THAT HE IS A GOOD GUY.

THE FACT -- THIS PERSON WHO WAS A VICTIM, WAS NOT VICTIMIZED AS APART OF AN ARMED ROBBERY.

IT IS THE TRAFFIC.

>> [ALL TALKING AT ONCE].

>> IT IS THE CAR.

>> IT WAS AN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT!

>> THIS IS NOT A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

I'M SORRY.

>> WHAT DO YOU --?

>> THIS IS AN ARMED ROBBER WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS.

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL.

>> I'M SORRY -- >> DON'T FORGET, WHEN WE TALKED TO THE CHIEF, HE WAS DESCRIBING HOW THEY ARE HITTING THE AMBULANCES AND KNOCKING THEM OVER.

>> IT IS NOT ALL ARMED ROBBERS WHO DO IT.

>> I HAVE A PROBLEM USING THE TERM CAR ACCIDENT.

>> THAT IS WHAT IT WAS.

I'M NOT MINIMIZING IT.

>> 90 GPS VIOLATIONS.

IT JUST -- THAT, A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DOESN'T RISE TO THAT LEVEL!

.

>> WE WILL TALK TO LES STERMAN ON NEXT UP AND HE WILL TELL US HOW MANY OFFICERS ARE PATROLLING ST. LOUIS WHEN IT COMES TO ST. LOUIS.

>> IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.

>> -- THE BUILDING, IT HAS ROOTS DOESN'T IT.

?

IT HAS REAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FIRE SAFETY.

TO REPAIR THE FIRE SAFETY ITEMS, THEY WILL HAVE TO SPEND 200 MILLION DOLLARS.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO, THEY ARE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES AND THE COUNTY HAS SPENT 2 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND ACCORDING TO A STORY IN THE POST DISPATCH, THEY WILL SPEND 5 MILLION DOLLARS IN PLANNING.

ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT?

>> THE FIRST TWO I UNDERSTAND.

INTERNALLY, WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING, I NEED MY ENGINEER DAUGHTER TO STEP IN, THEY CAN TELL YOU, NO, THIS HAS TO HAPPEN AND THIS IS DANGEROUS FIRE-SAFETY WISE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE TWO.

YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE THE NEXT 5.

THAT IS 5 THAT COULD BE GOING TO WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING TO FIX IN THE BUILDING.

NO, THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A PUBLIC FACILITY, WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND DO THEIR BUSINESS, IT NEEDS TO BE ULTIMATELY SAFE.

VERY SAFE.

WHATEVER YOU NEED TO SPEND, YOU NEED TO.

>> DO YOU THINK THE FIRST 2 MILLION WOULD HAVE COVERED THE STUDY YOU NEED?

OUR CONCLUSIONS YOU NEED A NEW BUILDING OR YOU HAVE TO FIX THIS ONE OR LEASE SOMEPLACE.

WE WANT A DEEPER DIVE THEN THAT FOR 2 MILLION BUCKS.

YOU KNOW?

[LAUGHTER.]

>> MAYBE THAT'S THE PRICE.

>> I MEAN, DOES INFLATION APPLY HERE?

BECAUSE I GO INTO STICKER SHOCK WHEN I SEE THE PRICE OF EGGS IN THE GROCERY STORE.

DOES THE SAME THING FOLLOW?

I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY.

YOU WANT A SAFE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER.

AT THE SAME TIME, 7 MILLION DOLLARS IN STUDIES -- >> I WILL SAY, I WAS QUESTIONING IT AND THEN I SAW THAT THE EMPLOYEE IN CHARGE IS STEPHANIE LEON STREETER.

I THINK SHE IS A STRAIGHT ARROW.

SHE IS VERY PRUDENT.

IF SHE SAYS, HONESTLY, I THINK SHE IS A GREAT PUBLIC SERVAN SERVANT.

>> IT IS A PUBLIC BUILDING BECAUSE THEY ARE SCRUTINIZING MORE.

I'M SURE THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING NEEDS UPDATED.

IT COSTS MORE THAN 2 MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS BUILDING LOOKS FINE TO ME.

>> BILL, IF YOU, I'M SORRY -- >> BILL MCCLELLAN.

>> YOU HAVEN'T KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR VERY LONG [LAUGHTER.]

.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT VERNON BETTS WHO WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE AND USING THE "N" WORD AND SOME PEOPLE GET FIRED FOR THAT.

AND HE WAS COMPLAINING THAT ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES WOULDN'T CAMPAIGN FOR HIM AND WOULDN'T PUT UP A YARD SIGN.

I THINK EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM POLITICAL INFLUENCE, DON'T YOU?

>> NO, I'M MORE OLD FASHIONED THAN YOU.

I'M NOT DEFENDING USING TERRIBLE LANGUAGE ESPECIALLY TOWARDS AN EMPLOYEE.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THE LAST PAT RONNAGE OFFICE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I GREW UP IN CHICAGO, MY FATHER LOST HIS JOB WITH THE PARK DISTRICT AND WAS MOVED TO STREET LIGHTS BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER'S SISTER MOVED IN AND REGISTERED AS A REPUBLICAN.

AND THE LOCALS SAID, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO BECAUSE YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE.

>> UNBELIEVABLE!

.

>> IN THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF, SAYS THERE'S A YARD SIGN, I WOULDN'T I'M NOT PUTTING THIS UP.

I MAY LEAN IT AGAINST THE FENCE OR SOMETHING.

>> I THINK THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE HIRED BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPETENT, BECAUSE THEY SHOW UP.

WHY SUPPORT THE SHERIFF IN NOVEMBER?

>> DON'T LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD.

THINK HE IS A FINE SERVE ANT AND HE HAS A MOMENT.

WE ALL HAVE MOMENTS.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING, IF HE GETS A SLAP ON THE WRIST.

NOTHING MORE.

>> IT APPEARS NOT ALL CITY OFFICES ARE NOT TREATED EQUALLY HERE.

WOW.

>> BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> APPLE, ORANGES.

BANANAS.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY.

I HAVE MET SHERIFF VERNON BETTS.

HE IS A GREAT MAN.

>> YES, HE IS.

>> HE IS WRONG IN THIS.

AND IT GOES TO SHOW YOU, IT IS WHAT YOU THINK OF THE PERSON INVOLVED.

IN THE CASE, MY GOD, IF THIS WAS KIM GARDNER'S OFFICE -- >> YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

>> IF THIS HAPPENED IN KIM GARDNER'S OFFICE, WE WOULD HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT ARGUMENT.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN HER OFFICE?

GOD!

>> IF THIS HAPPENED IN HER OFFICE AND SHE CALLED SOMEONE THESE NAMES -- >> THIS IS THE LEAST.

THIS IS THE LEAST OF THE ACCUSATIONS FOR HER.

>> [ALL TALKING AT ONCE].

>> CERTAIN OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN FIRED FOR THE LANGUAGE.

AND ONE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, JESSICA, WAS FIRED.

>> I LIKE THE MAN.

I STAND BY MY POINT.

>> BLACK PEOPLE USE THAT TERM WHEN REFERRING TO EACH OTHER.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

YOU CAN'T SAY THAT TO ME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SOMEONE COULD.

TWO, THE FACT THAT SOMEONE GOT CUSSED OUT ON THE PHONE, WHATEVER.

I'M LOOK YOU, THAT'S HOW BUSINESS GOES!

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I WISH THAT THE LEAST WE HAVE HAVING WITH THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SIGN.

>> THAT'S A SLAP ON THE WRIST.

>> IT IS TRIVIAL.

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS TRIVIAL.

>> I AGREE WITH THE LANGUAGE.

>> I DON'T THINK THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PRESSURED.

>>> WENDY, I WANT TO -- >> EMPLOYEES ARE PRESSURED EVERY DAY.

I'M SORRY.

GO AHEAD.

>> I HOPE NOT.

>>> THE LOCAL, WE WOULDN'T HAVE PERMITTED THAT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS; THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS ALONG WITH FERGUSON AND CLAYTON AND OTHERS HAVE SEEN DROPS IN ENROLLMENT 10 PERCENT OR MORE.

YOU LOOK AT THE CITY, COUNTY, ST. CHARLES.

THEY ARE LOSING KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PEOPLE ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS SAYING WHERE ARE THE KIDS.

SOME ARE HOME SCHOOLED.

NOT ALL OF THEM.

20 THOUSAND KIDS IN THE STATE ARE MISSING FROM PRE-PANDEMIC, AND TWO OUT OF THREE ARE FROM THE CITY OR COUNTY.

>> EIGHT THOUSAND TOTAL BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY.

>> OKAY.

>> EIGHT THOUSAND KIDS ARE NOT THERE.

AND BECAUSE OF MISSOURI'S KINDERGARTEN OPTIONAL TYPE THING, THE NUMBERS COULD BE EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS HAVE DISAPPEARED NATIONALLY, ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND I THINK STANFORD DID A STUDY AS WELL.

I'M CONFUSED AS ANYBODY ELSE.

IT IS ALARMING.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACTING DOES THAT ON STAFFING ISSUES, SCHOOL FUNDING.

EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE HAVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF FOLKS SAY, OH, WELL THEY TOOK EARLY RETIREMENT.

NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE TOOK EARLY RETIREMENT.

WE CAN'T STAFF THE JOBS THAT ARE OPENED.

>> I SECOND THAT.

I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

I HAVE A QUESTION, AND I WONDER HOW MUCH IS RELATED TO THE WAR ON PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT IS ONGOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER.

I THINK THAT'S THE FAIR QUESTION.

THERE IS A WAR ON EDUCATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS IMPACTED OR NOT.

>> KIDS STILL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HUGE INFLUX INTO CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

>> PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING JUST AS FAST -- >> THAT IS APART OF IT.

>> ONE OUT OF FIVE KIDS MOVED OUT BETWEEN 2010 AND 2020.

>> WHERE DID THEY MOVE TO?

>> WELL, THE COUNTY?

>> HOW CAN THE COUNTY -- >> THAT'S THE MYSTERY ABOUT IT.

>> THE COUNTY IS DOWN TOO.

FIVE THOUSAND.

>> MAYBE IT IS POPULATION TRENDS?

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> THE LOWER GRADES LIKE THE KINDERGARTEN, PRESCHOOL, THAT'S UP.

SO, I MEAN, WHETHER THESE PEOPLE MOVE AWAY OR WHATEVER.

I THINK IT IS TRENDING UP FOR THE FUTURE.

BUT NOT FOR THE LEVEL THAT IT WILL RETURN TO WHERE IT WAS WHEN I GRADUATED AND MY SISTER, 525 PEOPLE IN THE CLASS.

THAT IS OVER.

>> BUT CLAYTON IS WITHDRAWING FROM THE SYSTEM AS WELL.

>> THAT NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WERE IN KIRK WOOD AND CLAYTON.

>> ALVIN, DO THE BATTLE HAWKS HAVE A GAME?

>> WATCH OUR ENTIRE SHOW BEFORE SWITCHING TO WHATEVER NETWORK THEY ARE ON.

30 THOUSAND TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD.

A COUPLE OF SATURDAYS FROM NOW.

WE ARE THE SHINING STAR.

WHETHER WE PUT THAT ON A NATIONAL COMMERCIAL OR NOT, BILL.

[LAUGHTER.]

>> I WILL DISAGREE, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE SHOULD CHANGE THE CHANNEL AT 8 O'CLOCK.

OH!

.

>> OH.

OKAY.

>> LET'S GO TO THE OLD MAILBAG.

[LAUGHTER.]

>> I'M OUTRAGED THE STATE OF MISSOURI WILL NOT ALLOW A KID TO FIND HUBBINGLE BERRY FIN.

BUT IF HE WANTS TO CARRY A FIREARM.

LET IT BE.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WATCH THE SHOW, FEBRUARY 9.

NO ONE WAS TALKING OVER EACH OTHER.

CHARLEY NEEDS TO REMEMBER HIS ROLL AS THE PROVOCATIVE, ALVIN REID LEADS THE DISCUSSION MUCH MORE PLEASANTLY.

[LAUGHTER.]

>> WE SEE MORE CATALYTIC CONVERTED THEFTS.

WHY NOT GET TO THE CRIME.

>> CARE OF 9 PBS.

WE LOVE THE E-MAILS.

DONNYBROOK AT 9 PBS D.OR DO.ORGPBS.ORG.

USE HASH TAG.

>> AND CALL THE 9 H-LINE.

>> AND THAT COMPLETES THE FIRST HALF.

WENDY AND I WILL TALK TO LES STERMAN FOR A CITIZEN FOR A GREATER DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

THAT'S NEXT!

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