Jenny Beth Martin on Using the Shutdown Fight to Reshape Government and the Leftward Shift of Democrats

The show opens with top national and local headlines including heavy rain in the area, the World Series shifting to Los Angeles tied 1–1, Mizzou’s postseason hopes affected by quarterback injury news, the president authorizing action against drug boats near Venezuela and the Boeing strike continuing after union workers rejected the contract. The Buck Dont Give a ____ segment follows with a discussion on the political shift among Black voters and the rise of conservative social media voices like Its Life Who Cares, along with criticism of Biden’s economy and Democratic messaging. Hans von Spakovsky later details U.S. military action off Venezuela, China’s fentanyl role and CIA involvement in the Hunter Biden laptop letter. Rep. Ben Keathley breaks down Rockwood Prop S and the concern over off-year school tax elections and taxpayer protections. Jenny Beth Martin argues Republicans should use the shutdown standoff to restructure government spending. Ryan Schmelz reports on shutdown fallout for military families, TSA workers and SNAP recipients. Tom Ackerman covers Indiana’s emergence in college football, Beau Pribula’s injury, Game 3 of the World Series and the Cardinals development track under Chaim Bloom. Bryan Pieschel closes the show with the mission of Dogs for Our Brave, their new Crestwood facility and the upcoming Sip and Saver event on November 9.

Hour 4 opens with Ryan Schmelz on the federal shutdown and its impact on military families, TSA workers, SNAP recipients and ongoing budget fights in Congress. Tom Ackerman follows with college football headlines as Indiana sits atop rankings, Penn State faces the loss of Beau Pribula and Game 3 of the World Series shifts to Los Angeles with Max Scherzer on the mound for Toronto plus a Cardinals development angle. The hour closes with Bryan Pieschel of Dogs for Our Brave discussing their mission to train mobility service dogs for veterans, their expansion to a new Crestwood facility and details on the upcoming Sip and Saver event on November 9.

Bryan Pieschel shares the mission of Dogs for Our Brave, founded in 2014 by Andy Gladstein to provide mobility-based service dogs to wounded combat veterans. The group currently trains three dogs per year and is expanding to a 15,000 square foot facility in Crestwood next summer. He promotes the upcoming Sip and Saver fundraiser on November 9 from 3–6 PM at the Sunset Event Space with tickets at 150 dollars including food from Twisted Tree, a live auction and veteran stories with about ten veterans attending from across the country. He reflects on the emotional impact service dogs have on veterans and the long term investment the organization makes in their recovery.

Tom Ackerman breaks down college football with Indiana at the top of the national conversation with a top three offense and defense and Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia in the playoff mix. He discusses Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula and how his injury affects the Nittany Lions. He previews Game 3 of the World Series in Los Angeles with Max Scherzer starting for Toronto against the Dodgers and gives a Cardinals perspective on the series. He also looks at Chiefs vs Commanders in the NFL before closing with Cardinals player development under Chaim Bloom and how it compares to the rosters that produced the 2006 and 2011 championship teams.

Ryan Schmelz reports on the ongoing government shutdown and recalls the longest shutdown in U.S. history where military families waited in food lines at bases like Fort Hood and TSA workers took second jobs while air travel risked disruption. He outlines how SNAP recipients could face strain if the standoff continues. He explains Democrats’ negotiation stance, disputes over rescinding approved funds and debates over ACA premium tax credits. The segment also covers talks of a compromise, discussion of congressional pay during shutdowns, and the broader financial stakes of the budget impasse including potential $500 billion healthcare premium implications.

Ben Keathley breaks down Rockwood Prop S and why holding the tax hike vote in an off-year election could tilt the outcome. Jenny Beth Martin argues Republicans should use the shutdown crisis to force federal spending reforms and criticizes Democrats for blocking a clean funding bill while supporting benefits for illegal immigrants. The hour wraps with the Buck Dont Give a ____ segment on government size, political shifts and frustration with the direction of the Democratic Party.

Jenny Beth Martin argues that Republicans should use the shutdown standoff to force reforms and reduce the size of government. She criticizes Democrats for rejecting a clean funding bill and discusses the impact on SNAP benefits and federal services. She reacts to Democratic support for healthcare for illegal immigrants and calls it a political strategy.

Rep. Ben Keathley breaks down Rockwood Proposition S, a 45 cent levy increase to fund operations and salaries on an off-year ballot. He criticizes holding tax elections in low turnout years and argues they should align with major elections. He outlines declining enrollment while administrative positions rise, ongoing concerns about teacher pay and retention and questions about whether the district is using current funds efficiently. He also addresses reassessment year impacts, tax rate complexity and claims that Prop S could skirt taxpayer protections.

Jenny Beth Martin joins to talk about using the federal shutdown fight to force structural reforms. The segment also covers Rockwood Proposition S which asks for a 45 cent tax levy increase to fund operating expenses and salaries. They raise concerns about holding the vote in an off year with low turnout and debate whether school tax issues should be moved to major election cycles. They discuss declining enrollment, rising administration costs, teacher pay claims, reassessment year effects and fears that Prop S could bypass Hancock protections

Hour 2 opens with reaction to Ben Crump taking the case of Cardinal Ritter football players and a rally for Zoran Momanny in New York. Hans von Spakovsky joins to discuss U.S. military action near Venezuela, drug trafficking, and CIA involvement in the Hunter Biden laptop letter. Dom Savino provides market updates and talks about a possible U.S.–China trade deal along with Halloween candy trends. The hour ends with In Other News including retired officers rescuing a woman and child in New York, research on butt breathing, a UFO tracking app and a survey showing Americans naming anxiety as their top fear.