Illinois Third Graders and the Reading Crisis with Dylan Sharkey

We cover the bases from holiday songs to the way Charlie Kirk's alleged killer acted in court to a Democrat claiming the shooting of a National Guardsman in the head just blocks from the White House was an 'unfortunate accident.'

The Mark Cox Morning Show kicks off with weather and traffic updates before diving into national headlines and local stories, balancing political commentary with cultural observations. Kim reacts to Joy Reid’s claims about “Jingle Bells” while discussing personal accountability in public controversies. Dylan Sharkey from the Illinois Policy Institute reveals alarming data on third-grade reading proficiency in Illinois, highlighting the long-term impact of COVID-era disruptions. The Guns and Hoses Queen of Hearts raffle winner is announced, followed by Jessica Rosenthal breaking down the new U.S. National Security Strategy and its focus on homeland defense and Latin America. The hour concludes with Annie Fry promoting her Ruler Foods food drive, emphasizing community generosity and ways listeners can contribute. The show weaves together national policy, local concerns, and community engagement, giving listeners both insight and actionable ways to make a difference.

The Mark Cox Morning Show covers a mix of local and national topics this hour. Kim kicks things off with light commentary before the focus shifts to Dylan Sharkey of the Illinois Policy Institute, who details the troubling state of third-grade reading proficiency in Illinois, the lingering effects of COVID, and chronic absenteeism. The show then highlights the Queen of Hearts raffle and discusses the new U.S. National Security Strategy with Jessica Rosenthal, emphasizing non-interventionist priorities and regional defense. The hour closes with Annie Fry promoting her live food drive at Ruler Foods in St. Charles, encouraging community donations both in-person and online to support the St. Louis Area Food Bank.

Dylan Sharkey from the Illinois Policy Institute discusses alarming reading proficiency results among Illinois third graders, tracing the impact of COVID-era remote learning and chronic absenteeism. Only about half of students are reading at grade level, with some schools showing nearly universal non-proficiency. Sharkey emphasizes the need for early identification of reading deficiencies, parental involvement, and accountability for schools, highlighting the long-term consequences of moving students forward without addressing foundational learning gaps.

This hour opens with a weather update for the northern parts of the listening area, highlighting snow and potential road issues. Marc previews upcoming interviews, including Congressman Eric Burleson on healthcare reform and Jim Carafano on international security matters. The conversation with Carafano focuses on U.S. actions regarding Venezuelan oil, sanctions enforcement, and the broader implications for regional stability. Congressman Burleson then discusses healthcare reform, insurance premiums, and challenges within the Republican Party to implement meaningful change. The hour concludes with Kim critiquing claims that “Jingle Bells” is racist and addressing workplace ethics in light of a Michigan coach scandal, tying cultural commentary to personal responsibility.

Congressman Eric Burleson discusses comprehensive healthcare reform, highlighting the need to increase the supply of doctors, expand access to medications, and offer more affordable insurance alternatives. He critiques the limitations of Obamacare subsidies and outlines why reconciliation is necessary for meaningful Republican solutions. Burleson also addresses rising premiums, the role of gas prices in cost-of-living expenses, and recent redistricting challenges in Missouri and Indiana, emphasizing voter responsibility in identifying true conservatives.

The hour opens with commentary on market trends, gold and silver highs, and the ongoing affordability debate, including perspectives on President Trump’s messaging versus public perception. It transitions to outrage over a federal judge releasing a violent Maryland man, then covers lighter topics such as workplace holiday parties, shopping habits, and Stuart Smalley-style affirmations for impulse purchases. The hour closes with “In Other News” featuring a skydiving mishap in Australia, a raccoon raising funds for an animal shelter, complaints over Cracker Barrel changes, In-N-Out’s order number controversy, and a warning about the dangers of quartz countertop dust.

In “In Other News,” Marc and the team cover a series of bizarre and eye-catching stories: a skydiver in Australia survives a terrifying parachute mishap, a drunken raccoon in Virginia raises nearly $200,000 for a local animal shelter, and Cracker Barrel diners complain about changes in menu and preparation methods. They also highlight In-N-Out skipping order number 67 due to prank-seeking teens, and Massachusetts reports its first case of silicosis linked to quartz countertops. The segment mixes humor, human interest, and cautionary tales with a lively, conversational tone.

Hour one opens with Marc battling technical glitches and snow reports before diving into sharp political commentary on redistricting failures in Indiana and liberal petition drives in Missouri. He praises Kristi Noem’s fiery congressional testimony, hits Biden over inflation spin, and mocks media silence on Trump’s economic wins — including a halved deficit and a five-year low trade gap. Kim’s “Kim on a Whim” takes aim at welfare abuse and cultural dependency, warning of a nation losing its work ethic, while the hour closes with a fiery exchange over the Michigan coach scandal and the balance between temptation and accountability.

Kim takes aim at new data showing nearly 90% of Somali refugee households with children in Minnesota are on welfare, arguing it reflects a larger cultural decay fueled by government dependency. She and Marc criticize the system’s lack of accountability, saying it rewards idleness, penalizes fatherhood, and discourages self-reliance. The pair call for stricter welfare verification and lament how progressivism has normalized long-term handouts, warning that future generations will pay the price for a nation losing its work ethic.