Real Talk with Riggin

Update with Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins joins us with an update on the key issues shaping the state, from election preparedness and ballot security to ongoing efforts to streamline services for Missouri citizens.As well as petitions and how they are verified.  Hoskins highlights recent initiatives within his office, including measures to strengthen voter confidence, improve access to state resources, and support Missouri’s business community through enhanced filing and registration tools. His update offers insight into the priorities guiding the Secretary of State’s work as he focuses on transparency, efficiency, and safeguarding the integrity of Missouri’s democratic processes.

Optimism Update and more with NFIB MO State Director Brad Jones

NFIB Missouri State Director Brad Jones shares a cautiously upbeat outlook as small business owners head into the new year, noting that while inflation, workforce shortages, and rising operational costs continue to challenge Main Street, many entrepreneurs remain resilient and determined. Jones highlights fresh survey data showing modest improvements in hiring expectations and sales confidence, even as uncertainty over regulations and taxes keeps long-term planning difficult. He also discusses NFIB’s ongoing advocacy efforts in Jefferson City, emphasizing the need for pro-growth policies that protect small businesses from burdensome mandates and ensure they can compete, expand, and keep serving their communities.

SEMO NASV Holiday Wish List for families in need with Executive Director Alix Gasser

The SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence is sharing its Holiday Wish List as Executive Director Alix Gasser highlights the growing needs of families they serve across the region. Gasser says the organization is focused on providing direct support and comfort to survivors and their children during an especially difficult time of year, and the wish list helps ensure every family has essentials—along with a few gifts to brighten the season. From personal-care items and warm clothing to toys, blankets, and household supplies, the community’s contributions make a real difference. Gasser emphasizes that each donation not only meets a practical need but also reminds survivors that they are seen, valued, and supported as they continue their path toward healing.

RIVERFEST RETURNS TO CAPE GIRARDEAU FOR AMERICA’S 250th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION with CoChair Jeanne Muckerman

Riverfest returns to Cape Girardeau for America’s 250th birthday celebration, and Co-Chair Jeanne Muckerman says this year’s event will be the most vibrant yet. She highlights how the milestone anniversary offers a chance to honor the region’s heritage with expanded live music, riverfront activities, and family-friendly attractions that showcase the spirit of the community. Muckerman notes that organizers have worked for more than a year to bring together local partners, artisans, and entertainers to create a patriotic, unforgettable experience that unites residents and visitors alike along the Mississippi River.

Human Trafficking Arrests Surge and Holiday Risks Amplify National Crisis with Director of Operations for the Human Trafficking Training Center Daniela Liscio "The Fixer"

Human trafficking arrests are surging nationwide, and with the holiday season intensifying vulnerabilities, Director of Operations for the Human Trafficking Training Center Daniela Liscio — known as “The Fixer” — is sounding the alarm. She warns that increased travel, crowded shopping areas, and a spike in online activity create prime conditions for traffickers to exploit victims while blending into the seasonal chaos. Liscio emphasizes that while law enforcement is making notable progress, the rising number of cases underscores a worsening crisis rather than a shrinking one. She urges communities to stay vigilant, learn the warning signs, and report suspicious behavior, stressing that heightened awareness during the holidays could save lives.

Mamdani Appoints Convicted Armed Robber to Public Safety Transition Team with Private Investigator from LA Nils Grevillius

Los Angeles private investigator Nils Grevillius weighs in on the controversy surrounding Mayor-elect Mamdani’s decision to appoint a previously convicted armed robber to his Public Safety Transition Team, a move that has sparked widespread debate about judgment, transparency, and the role of rehabilitation in public service. Grevillius explains why the appointment has raised concerns among law enforcement professionals and community members, noting that while second chances are important, placing an individual with a serious criminal record in a position influencing public-safety policy demands heightened scrutiny.

Only 24% of Likely Voters Know Charlie Kirk’s Killer Was Left-Wing with Senior Research Analyst at MRC Newsbusters Bill D'Agostino

Only 24% of likely voters know that the man who killed Charlie Kirk was a left-wing extremist, a startling indicator of how uneven media coverage can shape public awareness, says Senior Research Analyst at MRC Newsbusters Bill D’Agostino. He argues that the data reveals a broader issue: when politically inconvenient facts are downplayed or ignored by major outlets, the public is left with an incomplete picture of events that should transcend partisan lines. D’Agostino warns that this information gap doesn’t just distort perceptions of isolated incidents—it undermines trust in the press and highlights the urgent need for more consistent, fact-driven reporting across the media landscape.

Amendment 3 and the unborn topic for meeting of Guardians of Liberty with Speaker and Executive Director of Abolish Abortion MO Dr. Will Scroggins

At the upcoming meeting of Guardians of Liberty, Executive Director of Abolish Abortion MO Dr. Will Scroggins will address growing concerns surrounding Amendment 3 and its implications for Missouri’s unborn. Dr. Scroggins will outline how the amendment’s language could expand abortion access beyond what many voters realize, raising questions about parental rights, medical oversight, and the state’s long-standing protections for life. His presentation is expected to challenge attendees to look closely at the legal and moral stakes, emphasizing why he believes Missouri must remain vigilant in defending its most vulnerable and ensuring that constitutional changes do not undermine hard-won safeguards for the unborn.

FBI Clears Female Suspect with a Puppy Video then Quietly Arrests Male Suspect in Pipe Bomber Case with award-winning journalist and Senior Investigative Reporter at The Epoch Times Joshua Philipp

The unfolding twists in the DNC-RNC pipe bomber investigation took another surprising turn as the FBI publicly cleared a female suspect—after determining that what initially appeared to be incriminating footage was actually a video of her walking.  Only to then quietly arrest a male suspect soon after. Award-winning journalist and Senior Investigative Reporter at The Epoch Times Joshua Philipp breaks down the latest developments, raising questions about investigative transparency, shifting narratives, and what these moves reveal about the bureau’s handling of one of the most scrutinized domestic threat cases in recent years.

Digital Takeover: 81% of Kindergarteners Given Screens with President of USPIE Sheri Few

Digital Takeover: 81% of Kindergarteners Given Screens — President of USPIE Sheri Few warns that America’s youngest students are being swept into a tech-driven education model long before their brains are developmentally ready. With an overwhelming majority of kindergarteners now placed in front of screens, Few argues that Silicon Valley is shaping classroom priorities more than parents or educators focused on child well-being. She cautions that early and excessive screen exposure can hinder critical social, emotional, and foundational learning skills, calling on families and policymakers to push back against the rapid digitization of early education and restore hands-on, teacher-guided learning for young children.