America at 250: Media, Patriotism, and Perspective (Hour 4)

Heidi Harrison, in for Marc Cox, leads a fast-paced, patriotic New Year’s Eve show celebrating America’s 250th year while tackling major political and cultural stories. Guests Mary Vogt, Chris Wiley, and Taylor Riggs discuss conservative victories, economic reform, and national unity. From media bias and Minnesota fraud to the Freedom 250 celebration and Trump’s leadership, the show blends sharp analysis with optimism—ending on a clear message that America’s strength and spirit remain unshaken.

Hour 4 centers on reflection, gratitude, and the contrasting narratives shaping how Americans see their country heading into its 250th year. Heidi Harrison opens with a discussion on how media sensationalism distorts reality, then speaks with Navy SEAL Chris Wiley about the Freedom 250 celebration and honoring U.S. veterans. Fox Business anchor Taylor Riggs joins to tackle the Minnesota fraud scandal, taxes, and Trump’s trade policies, tying them to larger issues of accountability and economic reform. The hour closes with Heidi pushing back on a pessimistic Hill column, rejecting partisan despair and ending the show on a patriotic, optimistic note for 2026.

Taylor Riggs discusses the ongoing Minnesota fraud scandal, criticizing government mismanagement and waste while highlighting Trump’s actions to cut funding until accountability is achieved. She emphasizes the importance of fair trade policies, the impact of supply-side economics on the working class, and the dangers of over-reliance on government support. Riggs also notes the broader political implications for the midterms and stresses that keeping public attention on these issues is crucial for reform. The conversation concludes with light-hearted New Year’s Eve plans and family reflections.

Heidi Harrison interviews former Navy SEAL Chris Wyllie about his role in honoring the military and veterans, including running the Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum. They discuss the Freedom 250 events marking America’s 250th anniversary, with a focus on the Washington Monument illumination and hourly historical storytelling. Wiley emphasizes unity, pride in the nation, and the importance of appreciating the freedoms Americans enjoy. Heidi reflects on the significance of celebrating the country and contrasts the patriotic energy under Trump with what she imagines under other administrations. The segment highlights both Wiley’s dedication to service and the broader message of national pride.

Hour 3 explores the major stories and policy changes of 2025 through a mix of analysis and commentary. Heidi Harrison examines pilot salaries and public perception, Mary Vogt highlights conservative wins, economic policy, and media integrity, and SNAP reform is discussed with a focus on health and social impact. Kim Onowale’s “Kim on a Whim” segments recap the year’s top news, from natural disasters and government actions to immigration enforcement, ending with a heartfelt tribute to Charlie Kirk, underscoring both societal and personal significance.

Kim recaps the final top stories of 2025, highlighting natural disasters, political controversies, and major national events. She covers California wildfires, the longest government shutdown, major tariffs, and immigration enforcement, noting leadership failures and systemic issues. The segment closes with an emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk, reflecting on his influence on youth, conservative activism, and the surge in Bible sales following his death, emphasizing both national and personal impact as 2026 begins.

Heidi Harrison talks with Mary Vogt of the Heritage Foundation about the major political winners and losers of 2025. They highlight the Trump administration’s action to cut $185 million in Minnesota funding as a victory for accountability and fiscal responsibility. The conversation emphasizes the rise of independent and conservative journalists, like Nick Shirley, who are exposing misuse of taxpayer funds despite mainstream media pushback. They also discuss the economy as a slow-burn winner, with policy moves like no tax on tips benefiting Americans. Looking ahead to the midterms, Vogt identifies economic affordability and practical policy solutions as the central issues that will resonate with voters.

Hour 2 covers a mix of timely commentary and news updates. Heidi Harris opens with thoughts on New Year’s Eve, DEI hiring debates in NYC, and social media’s impact on perception. She discusses mental health challenges, tragic news stories, and the pressures of public life. The hour also includes market updates, local business closings, the Post-Dispatch ownership change, and the decline of physical newspapers. In “In Other News,” Heidi highlights sports controversies, dangerous U.S. jobs, astronomy events, a quirky mandolin theft, and a fatal car crash in Nigeria. The hour blends reflection, analysis, and lighter stories with practical news. #NewYear2026 #DEI #MentalHealth #LocalNews #InOtherNews

Heidi Harris rounds up eclectic headlines in this “In Other News” segment: Patriots’ WR Stefan Diggs faces assault allegations, speculation swirls about Tom Brady’s appearance, and Resume Genius lists the U.S.’s most dangerous jobs, from garbage collectors to pilots. She also highlights astronomy events for 2026, a New Jersey mandolin theft with a twist ending, and a tragic car crash in Nigeria involving boxer Anthony Joshua. The segment blends serious news with lighter human-interest and pop culture stories. #SportsNews #DangerousJobs #Astronomy2026 #HumanInterest #MarkCoxMorningShow

Hour 1 of the show blends New Year’s reflection with sharp political and cultural commentary. The crew opens by sharing personal highs and lows from 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 with a renewed focus on intentional living. They dive into Trump’s freeze on Minnesota childcare payments amid widespread fraud and media silence, highlight Kim’s “Top 10 Stories of 2025” — from the Pope’s election to tariffs and Elon Musk’s feuds — and close with a fiery segment on vaccine accountability and media fear tactics. It’s an hour of honesty, humor, and unapologetic perspective to close out the year. #NewYearsEve #IntentionalLiving #TrumpAdministration #KimOnAWhim #MediaBias #HealthFreedom #MarkCoxMorningShow