The Missouri Independent 100: Tracking the PACs funding state legislative races

The last campaign finance reports before the Aug. 4 primary showed candidates for the Missouri House and Senate had spent $15.3 million for their races, according to records of the Missouri Ethics… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “McCain narrowly wins Missouri (maybe) as the state goes from red to purple” (Nov 2008)

Nowhere else to go: How Missouri left one man in jail for years waiting for mental health treatment

LIBERTY — Fresh out of jail in New York, Carl Henry Louis jumped on a bus, yearning to see a world beyond the Big Apple and his past. During his journey, he lived on the streets, taking odd jobs,… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Post-Disgrace” (Dec 2006)

Sanctuary policies are keeping prisoners in local jails away from ICE

As more states seek ways to limit immigration enforcement, a Stateline analysis shows one tactic has had an effect: making it more difficult for local law enforcement to hand over people they are… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “State Senate Passes Illegal Immigration Bill” (Apr 2008)

Okwuraiwe appointed to STLCC board

The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education has appointed Vanessa Okwuraiwe to the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees. Okwuraiwe is a principal at Edward Jones, where she has… — St. Louis American

Back at the ranch

Watching Brylee, Aly and Saryah pet a horse for the first time at the 2nd Annual Gateway Trail Ride and Field Party conjured up a childhood memory. Brylee and Aly, both seven, were eager to pet the… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “AUDIO: French discusses ‘09 mayoral election” (Nov 2008)

Dolly Parton, cultural icon and ally for marginalized communities, dies at 80

If you want to understand the reach of Dolly Parton’s legacy, you can go to the Grand Ole Opry. Or you can also walk up to the doors of the Michelle Obama Early Childhood Center in North St. Louis… — St. Louis American

St. Louis CITY SC block party pays tribute to Tina Turner

The block party had been underway for about an hour Saturday at Lou Fusz Plaza before the start of the performance element. Block parties are not new to the St. Louis CITY SC fan experience at… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

A Missouri military family needed IVF. Starbucks offered better coverage than the Army

When Brianna and Elijah Campo first learned how much it would cost them to have a baby, they considered putting their dreams of starting a family on hold.  The Campos, now 23 and living on base at… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Mo. River Flood Fight Temporarily Settled” (Mar 2008)

U.S. Supreme Court lifts pause on Trump mail-ballot order

WASHINGTON — With just over two months until the November midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court gave way Monday for President Donald Trump to have a hand in regulating mail-in ballots nationwide, a voting… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: McCaskill on Equal Pay” (Apr 2008)

RJ McCoy on fairway to success

RoVaughn “RJ” McCoy Jr., a freshman at the University of Missouri and an Evans Scholar, is certainly on the course for future success. A gifted student and avid golfer, McCoy also has been a caddie… — St. Louis American

Supreme Court clears hurdle for Trump mail-voting order

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a court order blocking President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing parts of his executive order restricting the use of mail-in ballots. The… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: McCaskill on Equal Pay” (Apr 2008)

Video: Zeeoma’s Dinner, Dress & Dialogue celebrates African fashion and creativity

Watch the video on Instagram: Style, conversation and creativity came together at Zeeoma’s Dinner, Dress & Dialogue, featuring an intimate evening with designer Ejiro Amos Tafiri. Style, conversation… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: Blunt on pay increases, pardons” (Nov 2008)

Racial justice coalition wants to hold prosecutors accountable

A coalition of racial justice groups in the St. Louis region has released its Prosecutor Watch: An Introduction report. It’s the first of a planned series taking a critical look at the St. Louis and… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

More people in St. Louis could qualify for radiation compensation under bipartisan bill

Last summer was the first time individuals in Missouri impacted by the U.S. government’s toxic radiation waste could apply for compensation, and a new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress on Monday… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Meet the conservative strategist working to upend Missouri Republican politics

CAMDENTON — Polls had been open a few hours on primary day in August 2022 when Sophia Shore called her dad with a problem. She’d spent the summer running a long-shot campaign for Jill Carter, a… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Project: Safe Halloween brings trick-or-treating fun to northside kids” (Oct 2008)

Springfield cannabis workers secure Missouri’s second union contract after four-year wait

It’s been nearly a month since Key Cannabis Dispensary employees in Springfield ratified their first collective bargaining agreement that includes wage increases, bonuses and additional time off to… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Lame Duck Gov makes a few appointments” (Nov 2008)

Missouri child welfare reforms pile up as old problems return

Lawmakers are hauling the Missouri Children’s Division back to the Capitol on Wednesday. The hearing will cover some of the agency’s recurring trouble spots: relative foster placements, child… — Missouri Independent

We cannot unsee what God calls us to witness

We have seen some things. Not secondhand. Not in a textbook. We saw it. We witnessed it. And once you have seen it, there are some things you cannot unsee. In 1955 — seventy-one years ago this month… — St. Louis American

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri placed diabetic teen in a foster home not licensed to take him. He died 24 days later

It was after 5 p.m. on May 13, and 17-year-old Korbin Papadopoulos sat in the Macon County office of the Missouri Children’s Division waiting for his next foster placement. Korbin had type 1 diabetes… — Missouri Independent

‘Got to play the game’: Missouri doctors group jumps into state politics with $1.5M PAC investment

Missouri’s oldest business association is the state’s newest big political donor. On Aug. 14, the Missouri State Medical Association split $1.5 million between two newly created political action… — Missouri Independent

Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones dies at 54, remembered as a steadfast servant

Reggie Jones spent much of his life serving young people, his church and the community he called home. That commitment carried him from the football fields of St. Louis to the halls of government… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

Armstead, Knight, McClure lead Salute honorees

Tamika Armstead, Dr. Paula Knight and Richard “Rich” McClure will receive the top honors at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Joan Barry Adds Campaign Staff” (May 2008)

Finding ways to brighter futures

In 1836, four white apprentices beat Frederick Douglass nearly blind in a Baltimore shipyard. He named them years later. Ned North. Ned Hays. Bill Stewart. Tom Humphreys. One came at him with a… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Bones in their Burgers (and other 1st Day news)” (Aug 2008)

Colorado city manager chopped for racist incident involving Snoop Dogg doll

A city manager in Golden, Colorado is out of a job after the city council voted unanimously to fire him over his handling of a racist incident involving a Snoop Dogg doll at the fire department. A… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “PubDef is Heading to Denver Monday” (Aug 2008)

Panera refreshes its MyPanera rewards program with new points system and campaign featuring Keke Palmer

Panera Bread has rolled out a major update to its MyPanera rewards program — a shift to a points-based system designed to give members more choice, more flexibility and more value. The refresh… — St. Louis American

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri can bring clarity to a confusing vaccine landscape

A mother carries her 12-month-old into the pediatrician’s office for a routine visit. The doctor recommends the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine- the MMR vaccine- just as pediatricians have for… — Missouri Independent

Missouri Supreme Court sets hearing date for referendum, initiative case appeals

The Missouri Supreme Court set Sept. 2 for arguments in the appeals of two ballot measure cases, including a referendum on the state’s gerrymandered congressional map. Both measures were ruled… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: McCaskill on Equal Pay” (Apr 2008)

Cities turn to AI to speed housing permitting

New housing projects can sometimes stall out as a developer applies to city or county planning boards and goes through cycles of inspections, reviews and approvals.  Now, cities are increasingly… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

Missouri prepares for final marijuana microbusiness lottery under tougher rules

Missouri received nearly 900 applications for its final round of marijuana microbusiness licenses, with the Missouri Lottery scheduled to draw applicants on Sept. 9 for 77 available licenses. But… — Missouri Independent

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods marry in Malibu

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns wed reality television personality and influencer Jordyn Woods this weekend in front of a star-studded guest list in Malibu. The wedding took place just two… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Karl Rove predicts Obama will win landslide victory” (Nov 2008)

STL Sites and Sounds

Sun., Aug. 23, 7 p.m., Trey Daniels, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.citywinery.com.   Sun., Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m., Alabama Shakes and Tedeschi Trucks Band,… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “How to disenfranchise (um, disenchant) a voter in 59 easy steps” (Nov 2008)

Joshua Báez makes debut a Father’s Day

The St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs rivalry is historic but never as bitter as L.A. Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants. That’s why the entire crowd, not just St. Louis Cardinals fans, stood in… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Clay to Speak at Parham’s Church [Updated]” (Jan 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri must fix Medicaid’s paperwork problem before work requirements begin​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

More than 300,000 Missourians lost Medicaid coverage. Ninety-two percent of them weren’t found ineligible. They lost coverage because of paperwork. That number should shape how Missouri prepares for… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “ACORN Endorses Jeff Harris for A.G.” (Feb 2008)

Judge rules against ballot slot for Missouri proposal to limit change to initiatives

A proposal to limit the legislature’s power to alter or repeal measures passed by initiative should not be on Missouri’s November ballot because it “impermissibly constricts” the legislative freedom… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

Judge blocks referendum on gerrymandered Missouri redistricting plan

The Missouri Constitution’s provisions allowing a referendum on “any act” of the Legislature do not extend that power to laws establishing congressional districts, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

Making room for new neighbors

A stretch of vacant lots along Evans Avenue could look dramatically different in the coming years, with Habitat for Humanity St. Louis planning 40 new homes in the Vandeventer neighborhood. Most of… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

This Week’s Photos: August 20th, 2026

This week’s photo gallery highlights PGA Tour standout Sam Burns sharing golf tips and encouragement with young players from Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club and First Tee during a visit to The… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

Zyland’s next spotlight

At just 20 years old, Zyland has already built a creative résumé that spans writing, music and youth advocacy. This weekend, she adds another chapter to that journey — a role in the St. Louis stage… — St. Louis American

Tina Town

St. Louis CITY SC will continue its celebration of Tina Turner on Saturday, August 22, with a matchday dedicated to the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. The day marks the culmination of months of work… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Lame Duck Gov makes a few appointments” (Nov 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri education board wary of $300 million school funding increase

Missouri education officials are preparing to ask lawmakers for roughly $300 million more for public schools next year, setting up a potentially difficult budget fight as the state faces a projected… — Missouri Independent

If we care about students, we must broaden Missouri’s teacher pipeline

Genis Tobias smiles as she kneels next to a young learner and watches him sign his message to a classmate. Just months ago, this learner relied almost entirely on repeating words and phrases he heard… — Missouri Independent

Judge promises fast ruling on ballot status of Missouri amendment to protect initiatives

A Cole County judge will decide Wednesday on whether a proposed constitutional amendment goes too far or if state law directs him to allow it to go to a November vote. At the end of an hour of… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

SLAM keeps Gallery Laughs going with Dulcé Sloan on Friday

The Saint Louis Art Museum will keep the laughs going this weekend as Gallery Laughs continues its second season this weekend. The one-of-a-kind, four-part stand-up series — produced by Chris Denman… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Democrat Nadal supports Republican Gibbons for A.G., slams Chris Koster” (Nov 2008)

Homes are where her heart is

Right before Kayla Johnson turned 23, she faced a choice. She’d spent several years in retail services, where e-commerce shaped the pace and promise of the industry. Her supervisors encouraged her to… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Project: Safe Halloween brings trick-or-treating fun to northside kids” (Oct 2008)

Boil order lifted citywide after Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant power outage

The precautionary boil order that covered dozens of St. Louis neighborhoods was lifted Tuesday morning after storm-related power outages were resolved at the Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant. The… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Koster Lands Another Big Union ” (Jan 2008)

Focus St. Louis has named attorney Norma Jackson, Thompson Coburn, to its board of directors.

Jackson serves as Thompson Coburn’s chief opportunity & attorney development officer, leading the firm’s strategy for inclusion, attorney development, and professional growth. She is a 2011… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “60,000 pages, but no smoking gun — yet” (Nov 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri ballot proposals blocked by secretary of state had enough signatures, records show

The two proposals denied a spot on the Nov. 3 ballot by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins have the required signatures, data Hoskins has provided online shows. Cole County Circuit Judge… — Missouri Independent

Missouri Head Start providers weigh Trump administration changes

Missouri’s Head Start programs reach only about 13% of the infants and toddlers eligible for them. The Trump administration says part of the problem is the program’s rulebook in Missouri and… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: Nixon picks Simmons as OA head” (Nov 2008)

Flock Safety tightens safeguards as states, cities question surveillance network

Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Kathleen Kennedy Townsend” (Apr 2007)

Bayocs continue Bridging Worlds Through Art conversation at the Missouri History Museum

The Missouri History Museum will continue its Bridging Worlds Through Art series on Thursday (August 20) with Cbabi Bayoc and Dr. Amber Howlett Bayoc — a conversation that traces how their work,… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Clay hosts forum on health care Saturday” (Oct 2005)

Opening statements underway for Tupac murder trial

Opening statements began Monday, August 17 in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. He is accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. The trial, taking place in… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Palin plays herself on Saturday Night Live” (Oct 2008)

SLU renews grant for free mental health evaluations

A renewed grant from the St. Louis Mental Health Board will allow the Saint Louis University (SLU) Psychology Center to continue offering free mental health assessments to St. Louis City residents —… — St. Louis American

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

A precautionary boil water advisory is in effect for portions of North City, South City and Midtown after storm related power outages caused low water pressure at the Chain of Rocks Water Treatment… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Koster Lands Another Big Union ” (Jan 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Missouri child abuse investigators are overwhelmed again as backlogs return

JOPLIN — Ashley Allen had worked almost four years as a child abuse and neglect investigator for the Missouri Children’s Division when she quit in April.  Some days it seemed like the printer in her… — Missouri Independent

Missouri campaigns draw $75M in big donations, much of it from undisclosed donors

Roughly $75 million in large-dollar donations poured into Missouri politics this year. That’s a lot of cash for an election year with no governor or U.S. Senate race. Where did all that money go?… — Missouri Independent

DNC approves 2028 presidential nominating cycle starting in South Carolina, Nevada

The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada. DNC Chair Ken Martin… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Irene, Maida and Mike — a Tale of Delusion, Promise and Possibility” (Nov 2008)

He resisted the pulpit. Now he’s building a church of his own 

As the son of the man who leads one of the most influential Black churches in the country, Rev. Joshua Thomas spent years avoiding the call to ministry. It’s not that he didn’t love the church; he… — St. Louis American

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.

Jedda “Ms. Dupree” Jones of ‘The Tom Joyner Morning Show’ dies at 73

Jedda Jones, the comedienne, radio personality and creator of the popular “Ms. Dupree” character from The Tom Joyner Morning Show, has passed away. She was 73. Her cause of death has not yet been… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Project: Safe Halloween brings trick-or-treating fun to northside kids” (Oct 2008)

Mattel honors Whitney Houston with signature Barbie

Mattel is paying tribute to superstar Whitney Houston with a new Barbie doll. The company introduced the Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll on Sunday, August 9. Capturing her iconic look from… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “New Anti-McCaskill Ad Racist?” (Oct 2006)

Bailey Hensgens places eighth at the Worlds in the high jump

Rising senior Bailey Hensgens of Incarnate Word Academy advanced to the finals of the high jump and placed eighth at the World U20 Championships in Oregon. Hensgens was the top American performer in… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Protester strips downtown to bring attention to animal mistreatment” (Nov 2005)

Suited for success

In just a few days, Ivan Wilson will pack up his dorm room essentials and move into Washington University as a freshman with dreams of becoming a lawyer. Alongside his books, laptop and bedding will… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Post-Dispatch Endorses Reed, Southside Journal Goes with Shrewsbury” (Feb 2007)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.