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

>>> WELL, HERE WE ARE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

OUR BRAND NEW SET HERE AT NINE PBS AND THANKS TO OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR ANNE MARIE BERGER FOR ASSEMBLING THIS AND SHE'S DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE US LOOK GOOD.

>> YAY!

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND NOW WE GOT A NEW SET, SO WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND WE'RE ALSO EXCITED TO WELCOME BACK WENDY WIESE WHO TOOK THE WEEK OFF.

OF COURSE, SHE'S COHOST OF THE JENNIFER AND WENDY SHOW ON KTRS AND THE NEWS DIRECTOR THERE AS WELL.

MR. BILL McCLELLAN, A VETERAN A MARINE, WITH US ON THIS VETERANS DAY AND HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL WHO WORE THE UNIFORM AND SERVED THIS COUNTRY.

BILL IS WITH THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH AND STLTODAY.COM.

IN RAY HARTMANN FROM RAWSTORY.COM, BIG 550 KTRS, AND THE RIVERFRONT TIMES ALONG WITH IN ALVIN REID FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN WHERE HE WRITES THE BEST SPORTS COLUMN, AT LEAST IT WON THE MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD, AND HE'S THE NEWS EDITOR THERE.

SPEAKING OF SPORTS, ALVIN YOU'RE A GOOD ONE AND YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SPORTS WITH US BECAUSE STAN KROENKE, WHO SEEMS TO OWN HALF THE COUNTRY IN THE SPORTING WORLD, IS BEING SUED BY LOCAL INTERESTS, WE KNOW THAT, OVER THE NFL'S RELOCATION OF THE RAMS TO LOS ANGELES.

IT'S BEEN REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT AREA LEADERS WERE OFFERED $100 MILLION BY KROENKE TO SETTLE, BUT APPARENTLY, AS FAR AS WE KNOW, WE REJECTED THAT OFFER.

WAS THAT A GOOD MOVE?

>> I'LL TELL YOU, THE ONE THING THAT STAN KROENKE CAN'T OWN, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY HE EVER HAS IN LIFE, ARE THE OTHER OWNERS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, AND THEY ARE REALLY ANGRY WITH HIM RIGHT NOW ABOUT MAYBE HE'S GOING TO TRY TO SUE THE LEAGUE OR GET OUT OF HIS AGREEMENT WHERE THEY HELP HIM WITH HIS LEGAL COSTS, EVEN IF HE LOSES THIS LAWSUIT WITH ST. LOUIS.

AND THAT COULD GET INTO THE "B," THE BILLIONS, OKAY?

SO EVERYTHING POINTS TO WHY ON EARTH WOULD WE TAKE THIS $100 MILLION?

WELL, YEARS BACK -- AND ONE OF THE OWNERS, I THINK HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES -- THE UNITED STATES FOOTBALL LEAGUE WON A CASE AGAINST THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND BEFORE THEY COULD CELEBRATE, THEY WERE AWARDED ONE DOLLAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, ONE DOLLAR VERSUS 100 MILLION, YOU KNOW, THAT'S LIKE YOU WANT A MILLION TO ONE BET?

YOU MIGHT WANT TO MULL IT OVER BEFORE YOU ABSOLUTELY -- >> INTERESTING.

>> -- YOU KNOW, JUST THROW IT AWAY.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.

>> AND WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> THAT WOULD BE MR. DONALD TRUMP.

HE OWNED THE GENERALS, OR THE NEW JERSEY/NEW YORK GENERAL IN THAT CASE, SO THAT KIND OF POPPED IN MY HEAD.

SO IF THEY HAD A DIFFERENT OWNER AT THAT TIME, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME I APOLOGIZE TO DONALD TRUMP, BUT OKAY.

>> THAT'S REALLY FASCINATING, AND I SAY I'M HAPPY THAT WHOEVER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REJECTING, I RESPECTFULLY -- NOW THAT WE'RE IN OUR LUSH, PLUSH, NEW ENVIRONMENT, I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES.

BUT NO, IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT THE WALLS ARE MOVING IN.

THE RATS ARE JUMPING SHIP.

HE IS -- HE IS KNOWN, HE HAS A TRACK RECORD IN BUSINESS FOR SAYING THAT HE'S GOING TO DO ONE THING AND THEN DOING ANOTHER AND THEN ENDING UP IN COURT AGAINST HIS FORMER PARTNERS, SO IF HE IS MANAGING TO ANGER HIS PARTNERS IN THE NFL, THEN I THINK THE WALLS -- THINGS ARE GOING TO GET EVEN TIGHTER AROUND MR. KROENKE, BUT I STILL AM HOLDING OUT FOR EITHER A TEAM OR THE -- IN THE GENERAL AREA OF A ONE BILLION DOLLAR CONSOLATION PRIZE.

>> OH WOW.

>> WELL, I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR JIM BENNETT, THE ATTORNEY WHO'S FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR ST. LOUIS, BUT I STILL AM SKEPTICAL THAT WE'LL EVER SEE A DOLLAR OUT OF THIS.

BUT IN DEFENSE OF WHOEVER TURNED DOWN THE 100 MILLION, WE'RE DOING THIS, IT SEEMS TO ME, FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE AND IT'S GOING TO BE ENTERTAINING AS IT GOES ALONG, AND SO WE JUST GOT, WHAT?

500 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR COVID?

SO WHAT'S 100 MILLION WHEN THIS IS GOING TO BE ENTERTAINING AND SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR INTEREST -- >> IN JANUARY.

>> YES.

>> I DON'T THINK BENNETT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT FACTOR.

I THINK THEY ARE AS SERIOUS AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE ABOUT THIS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I -- >> EVEN THOUGH IT WILL BE ENTERTAINING.

>> I'D LIKE TO SECOND MY FELLOW FOUNDER ON THIS.

THE KEYWORD IS WHOEVER.

I DON'T KNOW WHO'S MAKING THE CALL AT THIS POINT.

IF IT'S LAWYERS WHO HAVE A STAKE IN IT AND LAWYERS WHO I HAVE CONSISTENTLY UNDERESTIMATED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, I'M GOING TO DEFER TO THEM BECAUSE I'M GUESSING IF THERE'S MONEY TO THE LAWYERS AND THEY'RE THE ONES MAKING THE CALL, THEY PROBABLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THEY'RE TAKING A BIGGER RISK THAN -- AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW -- I KNOW I HAD A PIECE OF THE PSL THING WHERE WE WON THAT ONE, THAT WAS NICE, BUT THEY HAVE -- YOU KNOW, THE RAMS HAVE CONSISTENTLY, OTHER THAN THE GLORY YEARS, PARTICULARLY SINCE KROENKE OWNED THEM, THEY CONSISTENTLY LOST AND THEY CONTINUED THAT LOSING STREAK ACCEPT FOR THE ARBITRATION RULING, WHICH IS A NO-BRAINER, SO I'M WILLING TO DEFER TO THE LAWYERS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO UNDERESTIMATE -- >> OKAY, I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THEY'RE TOP LAWYERS -- >> IT'S THEIR MONEY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THEY'RE WORKING ON A 35% CONTINGENCY FEE.

HOWEVER, $65 MILLION IS WHAT THE REGION COULD HAVE RECEIVED, AND I'M LOOKING AT THE HOMELESS IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS AND YOU COVER SOLVED THE HOMELESS PROBLEM RIGHT THERE, OVERNIGHT.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT, BUT THE POINT I WAS GOING TO MAKE, BOTH OF YOU, I WAS PROBABLY OUR SIDE AND THE LAWYERS MAY HAVE WALK IN THERE AND SAID YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE THIS, OKAY?

>> WE MAY NOT HAVE -- >> RIGHT.

>> AND THEY SAID, IF I WALK AWAY WITH 65, THAT'S IT, I'LL NEVER HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE, I'LL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER JOB.

THEY'LL HUNT ME DOWN IN ST. LOUIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, WE'LL RUN YOU OUT OF TOWN ON A RAIL.

>> I DON'T THINK 65 MILLION, THAT WOULD BE OUR SHARE OF IT, WOULD SOLVE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

>> REALLY?

>> MONEY IS ALWAYS GOING TO SOLVE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM, RIGHT.

>> I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

BUY EVERYBODY A HOUSE?

>> NO, NO -- >> AND FORCE THEM TO STAY THERE?

>> BUT YOU COULD PUT A SERIOUS DENT INTO IT BECAUSE YOU COULD GET THE SECURITY, THE PLUMBING, THE ELECTRICITY -- >> THEY WOULDN'T BE LIVING AT THE FOUR SEASONS, I AGREE, BUT IT WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

>> FOR $65 MILLION, YOU COULD BUY A BUILDING THAT COULD BE THE SHELTER.

AND GO FROM THERE.

>> THAT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

>> WHY NOT?

>> WELL, OKAY -- >> WAIT, WAIT -- >> LET'S NOT GO DOWN THAT ONE.

>> YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH A HUGE -- >> OH, COME ON.

>> WENDY WIESE, DECEMBER 13th IS A DEADLINE THAT IS -- SPEAKING OF THE COURTS, SPIRE HAS A 65-MILE PIPELINE CONNECTING US TO NATURAL GAS TO THE NORTH, BUT THE SUPREME COURT HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ANY CONSIDERATION AFTER AN APPEALS COURT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SAID THAT THE PIPELINE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN.

NOW, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WANT IT SHUT DOWN.

SPIRE IS NOW SAYING, LOOK, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE NATURAL GAS TO ABOUT 400,000 PEOPLE IN THE GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS WINTER.

IN FACT, LIKE THE ONES WE HAD LAST WINTER IF WE HAVE VERY BAD CONDITIONS.

SO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT THIS NOW, THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN.

ARE YOU BUYING A SPACE HEATER, AN ELECTRIC SPACE HEATER FOR YOUR HOME JUST IN CASE?

>> I AM NOT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE GAS -- WE HAVE A GAS FIREPLACE IN OUR FAMILY ROOM THAT WE HAVE NOT TURNED ON AND USUALLY WE HAVE ENJOYED IT TO THIS POINT OF THE YEAR.

THE -- TO ME, THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE COUNTY COUNCIL REACTION TO SPIRE ADDRESSING THAT BODY WAS LISA CHAN CLANCY ACCUSING SPIRE OF MANUFACTURED -- WAS IT MANUFACTURED CHAOS?

I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE THE IRONIC LINE OF THE YEAR COMING FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND LISA CLANCY AND ALL OF THE DRAMA THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN TREATED TO BY THIS BODY OVER THE COURSE OF COVID AND MASKING AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT I -- THE THING THAT PUZZLES  ME ABOUT THIS CASE IS SHAME ON FERQ BECAU-- FERC OR SHAME OBSERVE -- >> FERC IS THE FEDERAL ENERGY REL LA TOER COMMISSION.

>> THE TIME TO STOP A PIPELINE IS BEFORE IT'S APPROVED.

THE PIPELINE WAS APPROVED, PERIOD.

>> IT'S OPERATING.

>> END OF STORY TO MY MIND.

NOW TO SAY YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION OR WHATEVER, THAT YOU ARE THREATENING THE HEATING NEEDS OF POTENTIALLY ALMOST HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, AND IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS, REFRESH YOUR MEMORY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE GAS PIPELINES BEING SHUT OFF WHEN THERE'S A -- WHAT IS IT, MINUS 11?

SO THIS IS -- I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENCES, BUT -- >> OKAY, BUT -- >> BUT I'M VERY MUCH ON SPIRE'S SIDE ON THIS.

>> I'M NOT.

I'M CITING FROM A WOMAN I HAD ON THE SHOW LAST NIGHT, ONE OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS WHO SAYS, DO NOT WORRY NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE -- >> JULIANNAGIANETTA?

SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN EXTENSION.

>> SHE'S QUITE INFORMED, BUT SHE SAYS OF ALL THINGS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR HEATING SHUT OFF.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE FAMOUS LAST WORDS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I THINK THAT -- >> WHY DIDN'T THEY MAKE THIS CASE BEFORE FERC SIGNED OFF ON IT?

>>OVER THE DETAILS.

HER THOUGHT IS THERE WILL BE END UP BEING SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE.

YOU CAN DEFEND DONALD TRUMP'S FERC IF YOU WANT, BUT THE FACT IS THAT FERC GOT A LITTLE POLITICAL ON THIS ONE IN HER OPINION -- >> IT'S ONLY HAPPENING ON ONE SIDE OF THE -- >> LET ME FOLLOW-UP ON THAT QUICKLY, RAY.

SHE SAYS THERE'S A PIPELINE CALLED MRT WHICH SPIRE COULD USE AND THAT WOULD SATISFY THE NEEDS OF 170,000 CUSTOMERS, AND THEN SEAN JAMESON FROM FIRE SAYS THAT'S FINE, WE NEED 350,000 CUSTOMERS.

>> I DON'T TRUST SPIRE AND I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE AND IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY.

I DON'T TRUST SPIRE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T HAVE A WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE, YOU KNOW, SO THIS REALL IS COMING HOME, YOU KNOW.

>> WHAT'S THIS ONE BEHIND US?

>> I DON'T KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO TEST IT SOMETIME.

BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE -- ALL RIGHT, THIS SUMMER, YOU KNOW, THIS QUARTERLY REPORT, I GUESS AMEREN SAID THEY DID WELL AND PART OF IT WAS THAT IT WAS REALLY HOT THIS SUMMER, SO PEOPLE WERE RUNNING THEIR AIR CONDITIONERS.

>> RIGHT.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD, YOU MAKE MONEY.

GOD BLESS MONEY, OKAY?

FINE.

YOU MADE A KILLIN' SOME YEARS, PROBABLY MOST YEARS, OKAY?

>> ALL YEARS.

>> THIS YEAR, ALL RIGHT?

MAYBE IT'S SUBZERO AND ALL THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP THAT HEAT PUMPING AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE SOME PEOPLE IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY UNLESS YOU CAN TARGET CERTAIN AREAS WHERE, WHATEVER, NOT TO BE CRAZY CONSPIRACY THEORIST PERSON, BUT I JUST DIDN'T APPRECIATE THAT CORRESPONDENCE.

I WAS LIKE, COME ON, YOU GUYS ARE BETTER THAN THIS.

BECAUSE THAT'S TRYING TO FRIGHTEN PEOPLE AND WHO DOES THIS FRIGHTEN?

IT DOESN'T FRIGHTEN US, IT FRIGHTENS SENIORS, LOW INCOME PEOPLE.

>> POOR PEOPLE.

>> COME ON DOWN.

>> LET'S NOT BE SO DOWN ON OLD PEOPLE.

>> REALLY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I'M THERE TOO.

>> WE ARE WELL REPRESENTED HERE.

>> I EVEN LOOK WORSE BECAUSE -- NOT ALL SENIORS -- >> WE CAN PAY OUR BILLS.

>> BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS FEAR MONGERING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHO DIE BECAUSE THEY'RE USING FAULTY SPACE HEATERS OVER THE WINTER IN EXTREME CONDITIONS.

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE OF SPIRE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE -- THEY ARE TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT IN MY MIND.

IF THEY WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 12th AND SAY, OH WOW, IT'S 3 DEGREES OUT.

THAT IS FEAR MONGERING.

>> BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

THEY HAVE ALTERNATIVES.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

RAY, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT CONGRESSMAN CORI BUSH, THE FRESHMAN LAWMAKER FROM ST. LOUIS, ONE OF SIX DEMOCRATS NOT TO VOTE FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I THOUGHT IT WAS A LAY-UP FOR DEMOCRATS BECAUSE YOU GOT ROADS AND BRIDGES, CONSTRUCTION JOBS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ALL OF WHICH WOULD BENEFIT HER DISTRICT, NOT TO MENTION BROADBAND ACCESS.

EVERY BELL AND WHISTLE THAT SHE'S BEEN IN FAVOR OF, AND THEN SHE VOTES AGAINST IT.

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?

>> DID YOU FOLLOW?

IT PASSED.

I'M GUESSING SHE'S PART OF THE SQUAD OR WORKING WITH THE SQUAD.

MY GUESS IS IF THEY NEEDED THE SQUAD AND THE PROGRESSIVES -- REALLY, THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS, REPRESENTATIVE JAYAPAL, WHO DID A GREAT JOB, HAD THEY NOT HELD THEIR GROUND, THEY ARE GOING TO GET WHAT CORI BUSH FEELS SHE RAN ON, WHICH IS THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET A BIG PART OF IT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE NOT GOTTEN IF THEY ROLLED OVER TO THE MODERATES.

WE DON'T KNOW IF NANCY PELOSI, WHO IS AMAZING AT HER JOB, NEEDED THE VOTES OF THOSE SIX.

MY GUESS IS THEY'D HAVE BEEN THERE.

THEY ALL KNOW HOW TO COUNT.

AND SO I'M GUESSING THAT CORI BUSH -- I'M JUST SAYING, CORI BUSH DID WHAT SHE BELIEVED IN.

SHE STOOD UP FOR THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT SHE WOULD HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE REGULAR -- >> OKAY -- >> I THINK IT WAS WRONG, RAY.

YOU SAY ROLL OVER TO THE MODERATES.

THIS WAS JOE BIDEN'S BIG DEAL AND CORI BUSH VOTED AGAINST IT.

AND YOU CAN COME UP WITH ALL SORTS OF EXCUSES AND REASONS, WELL, IN THE END HE DIDN'T NEED HER VOTE.

BUT STILL, I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE ST. LOUIS REGION.

>> IT WILL.

>> AND BENEFIT THE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S IN GREAT TROUBLE AND FOR CORI BUSH TO BE TOO -- >> PROGRESSIVE.

>> IDEALISTIC TO VOTE FOR -- I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD MOVE ON HER PART.

>> THIS IS WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOUT REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR THIS, THAT SAME ARGUMENT.

THERE WERE A HANDFUL OR WHATEVER -- >> SIX.

>> NO, MORE THAN THAT.

>> AND THEY'RE FACING THE SAME THING.

I WOULD ALSO SAY AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS, THAT McCLELLAN REED, THIS FIRM THAT -- >> THE CONSULTING FIRM.

>> RIGHT, WOULD GET RID OF WHATEVER -- HOW THESE NAMES COME UP, THE SQUAD AND DEFUND THE POLICE.

TERRIBLE.

THAT GETS LABELED, YOU DID THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE PART OF THE SQUAD.

NO, YOU HAVE REPS IN DISTRICTS LIKE THEY ARE AND SAID, HEY, THAT'S GOING TO PASS.

SO HOW DO I -- WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

I'LL VOTE AGAINST IT BECAUSE THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI WON'T BE MAD AT ME, AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS, BECAUSE SHE'S GOING TO ANNOUNCE HER RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN TOMORROW.

>> BUT IF -- >> OKAY.

>> I THINK, THOUGH, THAT IF YOU ARE RECALCITRANT, IF THAT IS THE LABEL THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR, IF THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M SURE SHE HAS HER -- THAT'S, YOU KNOW, HER IDEA OF KEEPING HER PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUT HER IN WASHINGTON, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT PART OF LEGISLATING IS ALSO COMPROMISE.

IT'S ALSO NEGOTIATION.

SO I DON'T THINK YOU CAN BE -- YOU CAN'T RIDE THAT TRAIN FOR AN ENTIRE CAREER.

>> OKAY, NEXT UP -- >> BUT THE HUMAN INTEREST -- >> WE HAVE TO MOVE ALONG.

>> NEWT GINGRICH, 1994 -- >> LET'S MOVE ALONG.

BILL McCLELLAN, PEREZ REED WAS ARRESTED THIS WEEK AFTER AUTHORITIES IN KANSAS CITY TRACKED HIM DOWN.

HE'S ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO PEOPLE IN ST. LOUIS CITY, TWO PEOPLE IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, TWO PEOPLE IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA.

WE BELIEVE HE'S MENTALLY ILL.

HE HAD BEEN IN THE CUSTODY OF AUTHORITIES FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS BECAUSE HE WAS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO BURN DOWN HIS OWN HOME WITH PEOPLE IN IT TWICE.

SOME ARE SAYING HOW IS A GUY LIKE THIS NOT PROSECUTED WHEN THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT HE WAS TRYING TO BURN DOWN THE HOUSE?

SHOULD HE REALLY HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE STREETS?

>> WELL, YEAH, I THINK THAT IT'S EASY TO LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAY HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WHEN WESLEY BELL'S OFFICE SAID THAT HIS FAMILY REFUSED TO PROSECUTE AND A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE IS A TEAM LEADER OVER THERE AND HE'S ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING PEOPLE TO PROSECUTE.

AND IF THE FAMILY SAYS WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE WITNESSES AGAINST HIM AND HE'S ALREADY BEEN IN JAIL FOR TWO YEARS AND YOU HAVE ALL THESE COVID -- THIS BIG COVID BACKLOG, IT'S EASY TO CRITICIZE BELL NOW AND SAY HE SHOULD HAVE FORGED AHEAD AND TRIED TO DO IT, BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY HE'D SAY IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY WITNESSES, WE CAN'T GO FORWARD.

>> BUT THOSE WITNESSES THEN ENDED UP SPEAKING TO KIM BELL OF THE POST-DISPATCH AND THEY TOLD THEIR STORY.

>> OF COURSE THEY -- BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT THING SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO TESTIFY AGAINST A FAMILY MEMBER BEFORE HE BECOMES A SERIAL KILLER.

>> HE WASN'T KNOWN AS A -- OR NOT KNOWN, BUT AN ALLEGED SERIAL KILLER, YOU STILL GOT A FAMILY, YOU STILL GOT A NAME.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

OH MY GOD, WE DIDN'T THEY TAKE HIM OFF THE STREETS.

THEY DIDN'T TAKE HIM OFF THE STREETS BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T ALLOW IT.

THAT'S SHIFTING BLAME.

>> BUT WHY DIDN'T THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE GO FOR A CONTINUANCE OR AT LEAST HAVE AN ANKLE BRACELET ON THE GUY.

>> THAT NIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN LEGALLY POSSIBLE.

WHEN YOU'RE HOLDING SOMEBODY FOR TWO YEARS AWAITING TRIAL P YOU CAN'T TALK TO THE JUDGE AND SAY WE NEED ANOTHER CONTINUANCE, ESPECIALLY IF THE JUDGE SAYS WHY DO YOU NEED A CONTINUANCE?

BECAUSE THE PEOPLE DON'T TESTIFY.

>> ARE YOU SURE YOU NEED THE WITNESSES TO GO TO TRIAL WHEN THE GUY IS ACCUSED OF ARSON?

>> YEAH, HE SET YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE -- >> CAN'T YOU FIND THAT THE LOUSE LOUSE -- THE HOUSE WAS SET ON FIRE AND ALL THE OTHER CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE LEADS TO THIS GUY?

>> GUT A GOOD DEFENSE ATTORNEY, IF HE COULD AFFORD SCOTT ROSENBLUM -- >> HE CAN'T AFFORD -- >> IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU LIVE -- LET ME FINISH, LET ME FINISH.

IF HE DID THE SAME THING IN LA-DI-DA LAND AND HIRED SCOTT ROSENBLUM, HE'D BE ON THE STREETS, BUT BECAUSE HE COULDN'T, IT'S WESLEY BELL'S FAULT.

>> HE KILLED SIX PEOPLE, HE'S DANGEROUS, HE'S IN CUSTODY AND NOW SIX PEOPLE ARE DEAD.

IT.

>> AND IT WOULD BE BE TWO DAYS BEFORE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN HELD ON SOME CHARGE SOME PLACE IN AMERICA, MAYBE NOT A SERIAL KILLER, BUT WOULD COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME.

THIS WHOLE THING WHEN WE REDUCE IT DOWN, LIKE WHOSE FAULT IS IT, IT'S WESLEY BELL'S FAULT.

THAT'S CRAP.

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT'S THE PERPETRATOR, THE ACCUSED KILLER'S FAULT, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THIS PROCESS, BUT YOU CAN'T DECRY THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES THAT WE SEE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND THEN HAVE ENTIRE COMMUNITIES -- AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE FEAR.

WE'VE GOT -- THERE'S GOT TO -- IF WE PUT PEOPLE IN OUTER SPACE, WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO PROTECT THE WITNESSES TO ENSURE THE -- >> NO, I'M SORRY.

>> NO, YOU WOULD THINK THAT -- >> NO, I AGREE WITH ALL THAT.

>> YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

>> WELL, OKAY -- >> ARSON IS NOT EXACTLY A GATEWAY CRIME TO MURDER.

IT'S EASY TO GO BACK -- OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL WISH HE HADN'T GOTTEN OUT, BUT THE POINT IS, THE QUESTION -- TO SECOND-GUESS A JUDGMENT -- >> OH YEAH.

IT'S CALLED ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT'S CALLED AUDITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

>> THERE'S NO WAY TO PROJECT -- [ ALL SPEAKING AT ONCE ] >> FAMILY DYNAMICS, THERE'S A LOT INVOLVED AND YOU HAVE HAD THE GUY IN JAIL FOR TWO YEARS AND YOU CAN'T GET HIS FAMILY -- I MEAN -- >> OKAY, WELL -- >> SO THEY SAID.

HE COULDN'T GET THE FAMILY.

KIM BELL DID.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

SPEAKING OF HORRIFIC CRIMES, ON NEXT UP TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO ATIF MAHR, THE FATHER PERIOD OF TIME 19-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN A SHOOTING LAST MONTH.

HE'LL BE WITH US THE SECOND HALF.

THERE'S A STORY THIS WEEK AT THE ENROLLMENT AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS DOWN ABOUT 20%.

UMSL DOWN 35% THE PAST TEN YEARS.

HARRIS-STOWE HAD A DROP.

SOME COLLEGES ARE UP, WASH-U, SLU, WEBSTER, LINDENWOOD, SIUC, BUT WHAT ABOUT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

ANY THEORIES HERE?

>> YOU TOOK MY ARGUMENT.

YOU KNOW WHERE I WENT TO SCHOOL?

>> KU.

>> IT'S UP.

I DON'T KNOW IF MISSOURI IS DOWN, IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT THE SAME.

>> MISSOURI IS DOWN ONE YEAR, BUT LAST YEAR WAS A GREAT YEAR.

>> SO BASICALLY, AND THIS IS NOT A SHOT AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, BUT THIS IS ONE THAT THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED THE FAMILIES AND THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND STAFF HARDER THAN IT, YOU KNOW, DID IF YOU WENT TO A HARVARD OR UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.

THEY'RE IN THE SAME -- >> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> SO THIS IS JUST A BACKDROP OF THE PANDEMIC WILL GO ON LONGER FOR SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAN IT DOES FOR OTHERS.

>> AND FORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE THE PROPERTY TAX THAT VOTERS PASSED IN THAT SPECIAL ELECTION IN AUGUST TO THE TUNE OF $30 MILLION WHILE THEIR ENROLLMENT IS DECREASING.

I HOPE THEY CAN PUT THAT TO GOOD USE.

THAT MAKES IT MEAN OR IRONIC, DOESN'T IT, OR PUZZLING?

>> IF THEY CREATE, LOOK, YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL HERE FOR FREE, BUT ALSO MAKE THAT THE INCENTIVE.

OUR CLASSES ARE SMALL, OUR PROFESSOR ARE EXCELLENT.

IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING, YOU CAN WORK ON THAT 24 HOURS A DAY AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND McCLELLAN REED WILL BILL THEM FOR -- >> THESE COMMUNITY COLLEGES, THEY'RE GOING TO BE HOPEFULLY KIND OF THE ENGINE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO I DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM BEING OVERFINANCED.

>> I HOPE THERE'S AN EMPHASIS -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS CAN BE DONE AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL, BUT A REAL HEAVY EMPHASIS ON VO-TECH BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING A REAL NEED FOR THAT.

>> YEAH, ALL OF IT IS -- IF YOU HAVE MONEY AND ENROLLMENT IS DOWN BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SPENDING AS MUCH MONEY, PUT IT USE.

>> WE MISSED THE BIG STORY THOUGH -- >> NO, NO, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

>> BECAUSE CHARLIE BRENNAN IS HAVING A BIRTHDAY.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE!

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LET'S GO TO THE NAIL BAG AND SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ABOUT LAST WEEK.

REGARDING MAYOR JONES, I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT ALL OF YOU SEEM TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HER REACTION TO THE GUNFIRE THAN ABOUT THE GUNFIRE ITSELF.

YOUR FOCUS ON MAYOR JONES DETRACTED FROM THE REAL ISSUE.

THANK YOU, TINA FOR WRITING IN.

I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAD REGULAR GUNFIRE.

I THINK IT'S OKAY TO REACT TO IT.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS A GREAT MOMENT.

THAT FROM @JUSTMEDIAWORKS ON TWITTER.

THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF THE AREA, THERE'S NO RIGHT WAY TO RESPOND TO TRAUMA.

IF THE NAIR HAD RESPONDED DIFFERENTLY, THE SAME PEOPLE CRITICIZING HER POISE NOW WOULD CALL HER WEAK.

THANK YOU, NICK.

@JONESCR04, SO CHRIS KREHMEYER, I WISH I HAD A TON OF MONEY FOR YOU AND BEYOND HOUSING TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

I RESPECT YOUR WORK SO MUCH.

YOU'RE RIGHT, NO ONE WANTS TO BE POOR.

AND BILL IS A VERY WISE MAN AND ALMOST ALWAYS RIGHT.

THAT FROM MIKEBK2 AT TWITTER.

YOU CAN WRITE US AT NINE PEBS.

THERE'S THE ADDRESS.

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HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL IN OUR VIEWING AUDIENCE.

STAY TUNED.

IN A MOMENT WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO ATIF MAHR WHO LOST HIS DAUGHTER ISIS TO GUNFIRE LAST MONTH.

THAT'S NEXT.

WENDY AND I WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

WE WELCOME YOU TO NEXT UP.

CHARLIE BRENNAN, WENDY WIESE, AND WE ARE JOINED IN THE STUDIO TONIGHT BY A VERY SPECIAL GUEST.

HIS NAME IS ATIF MAHR.

MR. MAHR HAS LOST HIS DAUGHTER, ISIS, TO GUNFIRE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA.

WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, WENDY.

>> TWO SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL HOURS.

WHAT HAS THIS DAY BEEN LIKE FOR YOU, MR. MAHR.

>> VERY EMOTIONAL.

THEY ACTUALLY WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY.

>> YESTERDAY?

>> SO ONCE THEY GO INTO CUSTODY, IT'S FOR SEI -- IT'S PROCEDURE, SO LAST NIGHT AND ALL THROUGHOUT TODAY HAS BEEN KIND OF STOMACH-TURNING BECAUSE I WANT TO SUPPORT THE POLICE AND THE POLICE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT.

AND OBVIOUS WE HAVE A RIGHT BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY INDICTED, PER SE, TWO HOURS AGO.

SO IT'S TAUGHT ME PATIENCE SO FAR.

>> CAN YOU TAKE US BACK TO WHAT THE AUTHORITIES HAVE SHARED WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 17th?

THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, I SHOULD SAY.

>> THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF OCTOBER 7th, WHAT I'VE LEARNED IS THAT SHE -- THE ASSAULT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 1:15 A.M.

IN THE MORNING.

THEY WERE CHANGING A TIRE.

HER -- TWO GENTLEMEN AND ANOTHER FEMALE WERE IN THE VEHICLE.

THEY LEFT FROM GETTING THE TIRE FIXED TO BEING -- DRIVING NORTHBOUND INTO THE BADEN AREA WHEN THEY WERE ASSAULTED AND THE CAR WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE EVERY VICTIM WAS SOUGHTED.

-- WAS ASSAULTED.

AND MY DAUGHTER LOST HER LIFE IN THE ASSAULT.

>> TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT ISIS.

SHE WAS A 19-YEAR-OLD GRADUATE OF CARDINAL RITTER COLLEGE PREP.

HER GOAL WAS TO BE A NURSE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> WHAT MORE CAN YOU TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER?

>> ISIS WAS, I'LL SAY IT BECAUSE I FEEL IT, I'VE LIVED IT.

SHE WAS 19 YEARS, SIX MONTHS TO THE DATE, HER BIRTHDAY IS ACTUALLY APRIL 17th.

SHE LOST HER LIFE ON OCTOBER 17th.

MY DAUGHTER WAS VERY FUNNY, OUTGOING, VERY PERSONABLE, LIKE BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE AS YOU CAN SEE WITH THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY HER AGE GROUP, BUT BELOW, ABOVE, ADULTS THAT KNEW HER.

WHOEVER SHE CAME IN PRESENCEWORK IT WAS A -- PRESENCE WITH, IT WAS A FEELING OF WARMTH.

SHE JUST LIT UP THE ROOM.

AND I KNOW EVERYBODY SAYS THAT ABOUT THEIR CHILD, BUT WHEN I GO TO A CLINIC JUST RECENTLY AT THE V.A.

HOSPITAL, I AM A VETERAN, AND I HAVE THIS MASK ON AND AN AID COMES IN WITH A VETERAN AND SHE BUSTS OUT CRYING BECAUSE SHE SEES THE MASK, AND THE NURSE SAYS, SHE WORKED WITH ME.

SHE WAS SUCH A LOVING, CARING INDIVIDUAL.

IT'S TRAGIC WHAT HAPPENED.

AND THE WORST PART OF THAT, IF YOU CAN SAY WORST GOOD, THE PATIENT ASKED ME, WHERE'S MY PRETTY GIRL?

SHE TOOK SO GOOD CARE OF ME.

THEY HADN'T TOLD THE RESIDENTS YET WHAT TRANSPIRED.

AND SO WHERE IT HURTS, IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE SHE WAS A DYNAMIC INDIVIDUAL AND HER LIFE WAS TAKEN.

>> SHE WAS ADORED.

I MEAN, SHE WAS ACTUALLY ADORED BY EVERYONE.

THE STATEMENTS THAT WERE RELEASED BY THE CARDINAL RITTER COMMUNITY, I THOUGHT THEY DID SUCH A GOOD JOB OF EXPRESSING THE PAIN THAT EVERYONE WHO KNEW HER, EVERYONE WHOSE PATH, YOU KNOW, SHE CROSSED WAS JUST FEELING THIS INCREDIBLE VOID.

SO TO HAVE YOU AS HER FATHER TO KNOW WHAT AN IMPACT SHE HAD IN SUCH A SHORT SPAN ON EARTH, THAT SOME PEOPLE LIVE DECADES AND DON'T HAVE -- DOES THAT BRING YOU ANY COMFORT AT ALL?

>> OH, IT BRINGS ME A LOT OF COMFORT.

IT GIVES ME A LOT OF STRENGTH TO BE ABLE TO SIT HERE AND TALK TO YOU.

WHAT TEENAGER GRADUATES IN 2020 BUT GOES TO SCHOOL IN 2021 AND STILL GIVES BACK TWO YEARS LATER AS A MENTOR TO THE YOUNGER GIRLS?

HELP AT SOCCER PRACTICE.

SHE WAS THE SOCCER CAPTAIN FROM 18, 19, 20.

SHE STILL WORKED WITH THE TEAM AND ASSISTED WITH COACH DAVIS THERE.

SHE WORKED IN THE CONCESSION STAND.

THIS IS SOMEONE WHO HAD MOVED ON FROM SCHOOL.

>> AND WAS STILL SERVING AS ASSISTANT COACH.

>> SHE WAS HELPING OUT.

SHE GAVE BACK TO THE SCHOOL.

SHE LOVED THE SCHOOL.

THAT'S THE ENVIRONMENT THAT CARDINAL RITTER GIVES TO THESE CHILDREN, BUT SHE WANTED TO GIVE BACK WHAT THEY GAVE HER.

>> MR. MAHR, I CAN'T IMAGINE GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> OH, MAINTAINING.

EMOTIONALLY, I HAVE MY UPS AND DOWNS, BUT ISIS HAS, IN MY VIEW, HAS AWAKENED -- AWAKENED A QUIET, A QUIET STORM, AND WITH THIS STORM, I GOT TO PUSH IT FORWARD.

AND THIS STORM HAS TO BE A MOVEMENT THAT THIS VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY, IN OUR URBAN COMMUNITIES, IT HAS TO STOP.

IT HAS TO STOP.

>> BECAUSE THERE ARE -- I MEAN, LAST YEAR, 266 VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS ALONE.

SO THERE'S, LIKE, 266 OF YOU PARENTS OUT THERE WHO -- OR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE LOST AN IMPORTANT PERSON IN THEIR LIFE.

IT'S AN OUTRAGEOUS ENDEMIC THAT, FOR SOME REASON, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN OUR ARMS AROUND IT.

IT'S BETTER THIS YEAR, THE NUMBERS, BUT IT'S STILL WAY OFF THE CHARTS.

THERE'S JUST WAY TOO MUCH VIOLENCE IN THIS CITY, IN OUR REGION.

>> IN OUR REGION, YES, AND THOSE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE TO CHANGE.

THEY HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN PLACE AND GET PEOPLE TO THOSE PROGRAMS.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, NOT JUST WITH THE YOUTH, BUT WITH ADULTS.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM TO GO SEE A PSYCHOLOGIST, IT'S NOT A PROBLEM TO REACH OUT FOR HELP IF YOU CAN'T EMOTIONALLY DO IT YOURSELF.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A LITTLE WEAK AT TIMES BECAUSE ONCE YOU'RE A LITTLE WEAK AND YOU GET SOME HELP, THEN YOU CAN LEARN TO FIGHT THAT WEAKNESS AND BECOME STRONGER, AND IN OUR HOUSEHOLDS, A LOT OF TIMES NOW, THE FOUNDATION IS WEAK.

SO IF THE FOUNDATION IS WEAK, HOW CAN YOU BUILD SOME TO SUPPORT SOME, TO MAKE IT STRONG AND LAST.

SO WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO BUILDING THESE FOUNDATIONS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR AND STABILIZE THEM.

EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, KNOWING WHERE TO REACH OUT FOR THESE PROGRAMS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THESE PROGRAMS EXIST, YOU KNOW.

>> YOU WERE QUOTED IN ONE STORY AS SAYING THAT THESE YOUNG WOMEN AND YOUNG MEN HAVE TO -- HAVE TO BE VERY AWARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE THEY ARE CONNECTED TO, AND YOUR DAUGHTER IN TRUE ISIS FASHION WAS DROPPING PEOPLE OFF AFTER WORK.

SHE WAS BEING A GOOD FRIEND, AND SHE WOULD HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT -- YOU KNOW, WHAT DANGER WAS LURKING.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PARENTS WHO HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE SPRINGBOARD TO THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, YOU WANT THEM TO BE SAFE, YOU DON'T WANT TO CRIPPLE THEM WITH FEAR.

HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS THAT YOU WOULD -- THAT YOU WOULD SHARE WITH SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T THINK IT COULD EVER HAPPEN TO THEM OR THEY THINK THAT THEIR CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS THAT ARE OUT THERE?

>> I WAS THAT PARENT.

I WAS THAT PARENT.

HEY, LET THEM LIVE THEIR LIVES, ENJOY LIFE, GO OUT.

AND THEIR MOM WASN'T.

AND I USED TO BE LIKE, HEY, LET THESE KIDS ENJOY LIFE, YOU KNOW.

I KNOW IT'S DANGEROUS.

BUT NOW IT HAS AFFECTED MY HOUSEHOLD.

BUT NO, MY FAITH IN GOD MAKES ME STRONG AND THAT'S HOW ME AND MY FAMILY WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER THING, ANOTHER POINT THAT YOU MADE, AND I THINK IT SEEMS TO BE THE WAY THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO, AS YOU SAID, MAINTAIN.

YOU'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN FOR YOUR FAMILY.

IT IS YOUR FAITH.

YOU SAID THAT THE PERPETRATORS, THE ACCUSED, THE CHARGED, THE INDICTED, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE -- YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE YOUR JOURNEY IN GOD'S HANDS.

>> YES.

>> SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT WITH OUR VIEWERS.

>> WELL, MY JOURNEY AT THIS POINT IS TO SHED A LIGHT ON THIS VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THROUGH CARDINAL RITTER AND THEIR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AND THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, THE TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT, AND THE URBAN LEAGUE WITH JAMES CLARK, THEY'RE GOING TO PURCHASE A PLOT OF LAND AND PLAN A MEMORIAL FOR ISIS, SO THAT BRINGS ME PEACE.

WE HAVE SOME OTHER FUNCTIONS GOING ON.

DECEMBER THE 1st, ALONG WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE, STUDENTS AT CARDINAL RITTER, THIS IS THE IMPACT SHE'S CAUSED, THAT THIS TRAGEDY HAS CAUSED.

IT HAS CAUSED A MOVEMENT, AND THE KIDS AT CARDINAL RITTER WOULD LIKE FOR THEIR MOVEMENT TO START DECEMBER 1st OF THIS YEAR.

>> WOW.

>> AND THEY PLAN TO PROTEST AND WALK OUT ON THIS VIOLENCE THAT IS OCCURRING IN THE YOUTH.

AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DECEMBER 1st AND THE WAY THEY WANT IT TO BE CALLED ON THAT DAY AND IT BEING A MOVEMENT, BECAUSE THAT'S THE DAY THAT ROSA PARKS INITIATED HER CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

AND SO THE KIDS AT CARDINAL RITTER WANTED IT TO BE ISIS' NAME NEVER FORGOTTEN.

THIS IS A MOVEMENT, WE'RE TIRED OF BEING KILLED.

WE'RE TIRED OF BEING SCARED.

WE'RE TIRED OF SEEING KIDS OUR AGE WITH GUNS AND THEY THINK IT'S OKAY.

IT'S A CULTURAL THING.

IT'S THE MOVIES, IT'S THE MEDIA, IT'S THE RADIO.

IF I BOMBARD YOU WITH GUNNED AND VIOLENCE AND MUSIC -- WITH GUNS AND VIOLENCE AND MUSIC ALL DAY LONG AND IT'S YOUR BRAIN AND INFESTED AND BURNED IN, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

YOU'RE GOING TO ACT THE WAY YOU'RE TAUGHT.

IF I TEACH YOU AT SCHOOL AND YOU'RE IN THE CLASSROOM AND YOU'RE LEARNING AND YOU'RE BEING EDUCATED AND YOU GO HOME AND YOU'RE BEING LOVED AND DISCIPLINED CORRECTLY, THOSE ARE THE ATTRIBUTES THAT LEAD US TO A NORMAL OR SAFE SOCIETY.

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU'RE BRINGING UP ARE BOTH REALLY BIG CHALLENGES.

ONE IS IMPROVING THE AMERICAN FAMILY AND IN 2021, WE HAVE A LOT OF ADVANCEMENTS, BUT IT SEEMS IN MANY WAYS, THE FAMILIES HAVEN'T ADVANCED, HAVEN'T IMPROVED.

AND THE OTHER IS THERE'S TOO MANY FIREARMS IN ST. LOUIS IN THE WRONG HANDS.

>> YES.

SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

SECOND AMENDMENT, IN MY OPINION, WAS WROTE, WHAT, 1700s?

TIMES CHANGE.

DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE.

THEY PROBABLY HAD COLT REVOLVERS BACK THEN AND YOU PROBABLY COULD HAVE THREW A HANDFUL UP AND SAY MAYBE 2,000 IN AMERICA BACK THEN.

NOW WE GO TO A GAS STATION AND NOW YOU HAVE AN 18-YEAR-OLD WITH AN AR RIFLE WITH 45 ROUNDS IN IT AND A 9 MILLIMETER SEMI-AUTOMATIC IN HIS BACK POCKET WITH A 30-ROUND CLIP AND THEY WALK RIGHT BY YOU AND THE LAW SAYS THAT'S OKAY.

BUT HAS HE EVER WALKED BY THOSE PEOPLE AND THOUGHT TO YOURSELF, OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO, OR WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO?

WHAT MAY OCCUR RIGHT NOW?

THAT ANYWAYS ON YOUR PSYCHE, SO WHEN IT PLAYS ON YOUR PSYCHE, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT FEELING AS IF YOU'RE IN A TERRORISTIC STATE, ISN'T THAT TERROR, TO BE IN FEAR?

BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT CHARLIE MAY DO BECAUSE HE HAS AN AR-15.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MAY DO.

I DON'T KNOW.

WHY DO WE NEED THOSE?

>> AND IT RESULTS IN CONSTANT LOW-GRADE ANXIETY THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND WHO KNOWS WHAT THE SHORT- OR LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THAT ARE.

>> IT'S CALLED PTSD.

>> RIGHT.

>> SHE WAS, AND I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE WERE SO GRATEFUL TO HEAR OF YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME ON AND SPEAK TO THE CHANNEL 9 VIEWERS TONIGHT, WAS BECAUSE AS CHARLIE MENTIONED, NUMBERS ARE NUMBERS.

STATISTICS ARE STATISTICS.

ISIS REPRESENTS -- WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER FAMILIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PAIN, SO FOR YOU TO PUT A HUMAN FACE ON THIS STATISTIC, PEOPLE FEEL -- WE FEEL SO HELPLESS WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO, HOW CAN EACH OF US MOVE THIS NEEDLE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

WHAT CAN WE DO?

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE LIVE.

WE ARE ALL IMPACTED BY THE LOSS OF SOMEONE LIKE YOUR DAUGHTER.

>> RIGHT.

>> THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS IS IMPACTED BY THE LOSS OF ISIS.

SO WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE WHO FEEL HELPLESS AND WANT TO HELP, BUT DON'T KNOW HOW?

>> OKAY.

AS FAR AS WANT TO HELP, WE CAN GO A LOT OF AVENUES.

BUT LET'S START HERE.

THE WAY I WAS RAISED AND THE WAY I BELIEVE AND LIVE, IF CHARLIE AND WENDY AND I ARE NEIGHBORS, IF I TAKE CARE OF MY HOUSE, LOVE MY KIDS, AND RAISE THEM CORRECTLY, TAKE CARE OF MY PROPERTY, AND WENDY DOES THE SAME, BUT CHARLIE DOESN'T, WE'RE GOING TO SAY, HEY, CHARLIE, YOU NEED TO CLEAN THAT UP, RIGHT?

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THAT AROUND OUR HOUSE, RIGHT?

SO OUR HOUSE IS STABLE.

YOUR HOUSE IS STABLE.

CHARLIE'S HOUSE IS STABLE.

WHAT DOES THAT MAKE -- OUR STREET IS STABLE?

SO WE GET THIS STREET, THE NEXT STREET.

WE JUST BUILT A COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

OF SAFETY.

NOW, IF WE BUILD THIS COMMUNITY OF SAFETY, NOW WE HAVE A CITY OF SAFETY, AND AS A SEED AND A FLOWER BLOSSOMS AND SPREADS AND POLLINATES, THEN MAYBE WE CAN GET A NATION AND MAYBE AMERICA CAN GET BACK TO BEING SAFE AGAIN AND BEING AMERICANS WHO LOVE EACH OTHER WHETHER THEY'RE WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, GREEN, PINK, YELLOW, RAINBOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

WE'RE HUMAN.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> WELL, OR PEOPLE MOVE OUT AND WE'VE SEEN THAT.

YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST CENSUS, MR. MAHR, WE SAW THAT ONE OUT OF FIVE KIDS IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS MOVED OUT, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE TAKEN OUT BY THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY EASIER TO MOVE TO THE COUNTY OR ST. CHARLES OR WHEREVER THE CASE IS THAN TO STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND TRY AND STABILIZE WENDY'S HOME, YOUR HOME, AND MY HOME.

>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE, BUT HERE'S THE PART OF, AS A COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE TO GET BACK BEHIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, THAT YOU AS A COMMUNITY ELECTED, AND SAY, HEY, WHAT DO WE DO, WHO ARE THE CONTRACTORS WE NEED TO BUILD?

BUILD THESE COMMUNITIES BACK UP, PUT IN DECENT HOUSING, PUT IN DECENT SCHOOLING, SO THAT -- I DON'T WANT TO MOVE SOMEWHERE WHERE MY CHILD IS NOT GOING ON GET A GOOD EDUCATION.

WHO WOULD WANT TO INVEST IN THAT COMMUNITY?

NO ONE.

SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THAT DEMOGRAPHIC FIRST.

GOOD HOUSING, SAFE COMMUNITY, GOOD EDUCATION.

IT'S THE SAME IN VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.

YOU HAVE TO START AT THE GROUND, BUILD IT BACK UP.

IT'S ALREADY TORE DOWN.

IT'S EMPTY.

WE GOT A LOT OF VACANT LOTS IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS WHETHER YOU GO SOUTH OR WHETHER YOU GO NORTH.

BUT ONCE WE FILL THAT LAND, THEN MAYBE WE CAN BRING PEOPLE BACK.

>> IT SEEMS TO -- THE VIOLENCE SEEMS TO CUT ACROSS EVERY SOCIOECONOMIC -- WHEN YOU THINK OF THE MASS SHOOTERS OF THE SUBURBS, THE WHITE TEENAGERS WHO HAVE THE AUTOMATIC WEAPONS AND KILL THEATERS FILLED WITH MOVIE GOERS, WHAT HAVE YOU -- >> RIGHT.

>> -- IS THERE A DISCONNECT?

BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE CHILDREN.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT.

THERE IS NO UNDERSTANDING OR, IN TERMS OF -- I MEAN, WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE, IT'S NOT A VIDEO GAME.

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY DON'T COME BACK.

THEY'RE GONE FOREVER.

>> CORRECT.

>> THERE JUST SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF A MASSIVE DISCONNECT, GENERATIONALLY BETWEEN OUR GENERATION.

WE KNEW THAT IT'S -- I MEAN, WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING INTO A FIGHTING LIKE A FIST FIGHT AT SCHOOL.

THESE KIDS ARE BRINGING AUTOMATIC WEAPONS TO SETTLE BEEFS OR TO SEND A MESSAGE OR TO -- WHAT HAVE WE MISSED?

>> LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IT'S IN THE MEDIA.

IT'S EVERYDAY LISTENING.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S BACK, LIKE YOU SAID, THE -- WHO GOES INTO A MOVIE THEATER AND KILLS MASS PEOPLE?

WHO KILLS MASS PEOPLE AT CONCERTS?

>> RIGHT.

>> WE'RE BACK TO MENTAL HEALTH.

>> YEAH.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE WHITE, BLACK OR WHATEVER.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE'RE BACK TO MENTAL HEALTH.

SO IF WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS, AND THOSE SIGNS ARE RECOGNIZED FIRST WHERE?

AT HOME.

SO WHEN WE IGNORE HOME, THEN WE IGNORE THE PROBLEM, AND THEN THE PROBLEM IS LEFT OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STAY AT HOME ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE OUT.

OKAY?

AND WHEN THEY LEAVE OUT AND YOU DIDN'T ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM, WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

IT AFFECTS SOCIETY?

SO WE'RE BACK TO MENTAL HEALTH AGAIN.

>> MR. MAHR, IS IT TRUE THAT YOUR DAUGHTER ISIS WAS ONE OF MORE THAN MAYBE HALF A DOZEN OR SO GRADUATES OF CARDINAL RITTER PREP WHO WERE THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IN RECENT YEARS?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT NUMBER, I CAN'T -- I'M NOT SURE.

AND THAT'S SAD, AND I'LL SAY WHY.

I SHOULD KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE.

MAYBE YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE.

I DO KNOW OF ONE INCIDENT AND HE WAS A VERY -- THAT YOUNG MAN WAS DYNAMIC AND I COULDN'T IMAGINE WHY IT HAPPENED TO HIM.

GREAT KID.

I KNEW HIM FROM WHEN ISIS WAS THERE, AND YES, HE WAS A VICTIM OF GUNFIRE.

SITTING AT A LIGHT, HIM AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.

I BELIEVE IT WAS AT GRAND AND LINDELL, BUT THAT KID WAS -- YOU JUST THREW ME OFF WITH THAT ONE, CHARLIE, BECAUSE I MEAN -- >> WELL, MY NUMBERS MIGHT BE -- >> -- I'M STILL AT A LOSS TO WORDS WHY THAT CHILD LOST HIS LIFE.

BOTH OF THEM.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE OTHER ONE, BUT I KNEW ONE OF THEM AND I JUST FEEL FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY'RE HURTING.

>> I MAY BE IN ERROR THERE WITH THAT NUMBER, SO I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, BUT HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE REACHED OUT OR IS THERE ANY SORT OF COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE?

>> I'VE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE, VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

LIKE I SAY, ST. LOUIS IS A SMALL, CLOSE-KNIT TOWN.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO -- A FRIEND THAT I GREW UP WITH WAS MURDERED BY HIS WIFE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

MENTAL HEALTH AGAIN.

HE SHOULDN'T HAVE LOST HIS LIFE.

HE WENT TO WORK AND CAME HOME TO HIS FAMILY AND LOST HIS LIFE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WAS SO TELLING ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER WAS THAT SHE HAD -- SHE HAD A DREAM OF BEING A NURSE.

>> YES.

>> AND HELPING PEOPLE.

>> YES.

>> BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A BURDEN, A FINANCIAL BURDEN TO YOU, TO YOUR WIFE, TO YOUR FAMILY.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT -- TELL US ABOUT HER PLANS AND HOW THAT -- I MEAN, COMPLETELY SELFLESS NATURE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE EXHIBITED ALL OF HER LIFE.

>> SHE DID, AND SO GRATEFUL FOR HER FOR THAT.

SHE TAUGHT ME A LOT IN HER IS THE 1/2 YEARS, BUT THAT -- IN HER 19 1/2 YEARS, BUT WITH THAT WORK IT JUST BLEW ME BACK BECAUSE WHEN SHE FIRST GRADUATED, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE RUN STRAIGHT OFF TO COLLEGE AND PARENTS ARE LIKE, MAN, I JUST WASTED THESE DOLLARS.

AND SHE SAID, DAD, I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS JOB AT BI-STATE AND DO COVID TEMPERATURE TESTING FIRST.

SO SHE WORKED AT THE BOLIVAR, AT THE METRO LINK DOING THE COVID DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SHE SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT, I'LL TAKE THE JOB.

AND DOING, SO SHE GOT INTERESTED IN NURSING AND SHE SAID I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO.

AND I SAID, WHAT?

SHE SAY, I'M GOING TO FOLLOW MY AUNTIE ASHLEY AND AUNTIE PAM AND I'M GOING TO BE AN R.N.

AND THE WAY I'M GOING TO DO IT, I'M GOING TO START AT THE GROUND FLOOR SO I KNOW EVERYTHING, AND SO WHEN I GET TO THE TOP, I WON'T NEVER LOOK DOWN ON THEM AND I'LL KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS ALL THE WAY FROM CLEANING THEIR BODIES ALL THE WAY TO GIVING THEM MEDS.

SO SHE APPLIED AND GOT THE JOB AS A NURSING ASSISTANT IN DELMAR GARDENS IN CHESTERFIELD.

SHE WOULD HAVE STARTED LPN CLASSES IN JANUARY.

>> WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE TO GO.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

WHAT CAN OUR VIEWERS DO TO RALLY BEHIND YOU AN THIS CAUSE TO REDUCE VIOLENCE?

>> YOU CAN REACH OUT TO -- YOU CAN EMAIL BRENDAMAHR@GMAIL.COM.

WE'RE DOING A STOP THE VIOLENCE TRUST FUND IN ISIS' NAME.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS EVENTS.

THAT IS A MOVEMENT.

IT WILL CONTINUE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONAE NATATE PROCEEDS, WE'RE DOING CASH APP, IT'S BRENDA MAHR, CASH APP.

>> THAT'S GRANDMA.

>> THAT'S GRANDMOTHER WHO, BY THE WAY, DEDICATED HER LIFE TO EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION AND PRISON PRISONER REHABILITATION.

WHEN SHE GOT HOME, SHE ASSISTED THEM IN GETTING THEM A JOB.

41 YEARS OF HER LIFE, SHE DEDICATED TO THIS SYSTEM AND GIVING BACK TO INMATES THIS TYPE OF WORK.

SO YES, MY DAUGHTER LOST HER LIFE, BUT NO, WE AS A FAMILY BELIEVE IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

SO WHATEVER MAY TRANSPIRE, THESE YOUNG MEN, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET REHABILITATED, MAYBE THEY CAN GO ON WITH THEIR LIVES IF THE JUSTICE CENTER -- IF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SEES IF IT.

>> WE THANK YOU, MR. MAHR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS, OUR PRAYERS.

WE WILL ALSO FOLLOW EVERYTHING GOING ON AT CARDINAL RITTER BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'LL UPDATE THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL, CORRECT?

>> YES, YES.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

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