Mark Hespen

Current co-host of the “Mornings with Mark and Sam” show on 97.9 KICK-FM. Mark is a graduate of the Conservatory at The Second City in Chicago and holds a degree in Acting from Northern Illinois University. Mark is also the host of “On the Mark”, an hour of honest sports talk every Saturday morning on News Talk 1070 KHMO-Am. His love for sports followed him from Chicago never missing an opportunity to watch the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, or Hawks. In 2022, Mark received the Missouri Broadcasting Award for Best Sports Personality Small Market. Mark enjoys time with his wife and family, history, and random facts. You can connect with Mark on Twitter @MarkHespen

Mark is Leaving 97.9 KICK-FM

Mark from "Mornings w/Mark & Sam" is leaving 97.9 KICK-FM, and the final "Mornings w/Mark & Sam" will be this Friday, 7/26/24 from 6 am to 10 am.

Illinois is paying $380,000+ to WHO???

You will NEVER guess whose salary in the Land of Lincoln was over $380,000 last year...Taxpayer dollars are going to this person and I guarantee you have ZERO idea who this person is or what they do...

Experts rank Missouri Schools as the Least Safe in America

A recent ranking puts Missouri at the end of the list when it comes to safety in schools, are your kids safe when they go to school in the Show-Me State? Here are the details...

Texas sent a Warning to Illinois Last Night

Last night on national TV the leader of Texas sent a stern warning to the Land of Lincoln, here is what he had to say...

Place your Bet, who’s winning the NFL MVP this Season?

Is Mahomes the lock to win another NFL MVP, will Lamar Jackson go back to back, or maybe a WR gets the award this year? Here is who I am betting on winning the NFL MVP this season...

2 Small Towns in Central Illinois are where you should Retire

If you HAVE to retire in the Land of Lincoln instead of Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, or Texas, ( and that's a big IF...) experts say you should check out these two small towns in West Central Illinois as retirement options. Here are the details...

Missouri State Fair named one of the 10 Best State Fairs

The Show-Me State hosts their state fair in early August and the experts at Yelp claim it is one of the ten best state fairs to attend in the entire US. What makes the Missouri State Fair so special? Here are the details...

Experts say look at Central Illinois if you are Buying a Home

2 of the 3 Best Cities to Buy a Home in Illinois this year are located in Central Illinois. Which two cities in the middle of the Land of Lincoln are the places you should want to buy a home in? Here are the details...

Experts Claim St. Louis is BETTER than Chicago in 1 Major Way

A ranking was released of the Best Cities for Recreation in the US this year, and St. Louis is shockingly ranked ahead of Chicago, and it really comes down to one major category. Here are the details...

Yelp claims Illinois has one of the Top 10 Tattoo Shops in the US

IF (and that is a big if) you are going to get a tattoo, why not have one of the best of the best in the US do the tattoo for you? Here is the place Yelp claims is not only the best tattoo shop in Illinois, but one of the ten best in the entire US...