In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Fred Wellman, who is running against six-term U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin). A U.S. Army veteran, political consultant, and podcast host, Wellman discusses why he thinks this could be Democrats’ year, why his opponent is like a jellyfish, and what brought him back to St. Louis after decades away. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the big raises that the new state-run Board of Police Commissioners just bestowed upon St. Louis police officers—and why Mayor Cara Spencer was a loud “no” vote. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by St. Louis Public Library Foundation. Discover how Royal Banks of Missouri can help you navigate 2026 with confidence! They’re more than a bank; their team will serve as trusted partners at any point in your journey and provide personalized solutions to set you up for financial success. Learn more.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.

You may also enjoy these SLM stories:
Police board gears up to give St. Louis police another 7 percent raise
Ray Hartmann is convinced he can win—and he’ll happily tell you why
State control of St. Louis police brings added costs beyond salary increases
Shop The 314 Podcast and St. Louis Daily merch
More episodes of The 314 Podcast

In this episode of&nbsp;The 314 Podcast, host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/sarah-fenske/">Sarah Fenske</a>&nbsp;talks with Fred Wellman, who is running against six-term U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin). A U.S. Army veteran, political consultant, and podcast host, Wellman discusses why he thinks this could be Democrats&rsquo; year, why his opponent is like a jellyfish, and what brought him back to St. Louis after decades away. Then, Sarah chats with&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;staff writer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/ryan-krull/">Ryan Krull&nbsp;</a>about the big raises that the new state-run Board of Police Commissioners just bestowed upon St. Louis police officers&mdash;and why Mayor Cara Spencer was a loud &ldquo;no&rdquo; vote. Listen and follow&nbsp;The 314 Podcast&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf">YouTube</a>, or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="http://royalbanksofmo.com/">Royal Banks of Missouri&nbsp;</a>and supported by&nbsp;<a href="http://slpl.org/">St. Louis Public Library Foundation</a>.&nbsp;Discover how Royal Banks of Missouri can help you navigate 2026 with confidence! They&rsquo;re more than a bank; their team will serve as trusted partners at any point in your journey and provide personalized solutions to set you up for financial success.&nbsp;<a href="http://royalbanksofmo.com/">Learn more.</a>
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Want more?&nbsp;Check out all of&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/">podcasts</a>.
Have an idea for a future&nbsp;episode?&nbsp;Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@stlmag.com">podcasts@stlmag.com</a>.
Interested in being a podcast sponsor?&nbsp;Contact Lauren Leppert at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lleppert@stlmag.com">lleppert@stlmag.com</a>.
You may also enjoy these&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/stlouis-police-union-7-percent-raise/">Police board gears up to give St. Louis police another 7 percent raise</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/ray-hartmann-is-convinced-he-can-beat-u-s-rep-ann-wagner%E2%80%94and/">Ray Hartmann is convinced he can win&mdash;and he&rsquo;ll happily tell you why</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/state-control-of-st-louis-police-costs/">State control of St. Louis police brings added costs beyond salary increases</a></li>
<li><a href="https://store.stlmag.com/">Shop&nbsp;The 314 Podcast&nbsp;and St. Louis Daily merch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/">More episodes of&nbsp;The 314 Podcast</a></li>
</ul>

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

The 314 Podcast

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.