Missouri congressman urged leniency for Ponzi schemer who hired longtime consultant

Weeks before a federal judge in St. Louis sentenced Siddharth Jawahar to 11 years in prison for running a $35 million Ponzi scheme, he hired a prominent Missouri political consulting firm to help… — Missouri Independent

From struggling student to school leader

Long before Dr. Demetrius Adams became the principal of Hazelwood West High School, he was a student struggling to read and wondering whether he could keep up with his classmates. Adams had an… — St. Louis American

This Week’s Photos: September 17th, 2026

This week’s photo gallery highlights Dr. Demetrius Adams, an Excellence in Education honoree at the St. Louis American Foundation’s upcoming Salute to Excellence in Education gala. We also capture… — St. Louis American

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

AFL-CIO backs Amendment 6

The Missouri AFL-CIO has endorsed Amendment 6, a citizen-led measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would strengthen protections for Missouri’s initiative and referendum process. The measure would make… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Hubbard Fights Back Against Hypocritical Attacks” (Jul 2008)

Tacos and Tequila brings throwback hits and festival fun to O’Fallon

Hip-hop nostalgia took over CarShield Field as Social House’s Tacos and Tequila Music Festival brought fans together in O’Fallon for a day of music, food and celebration. From sunny afternoon sets to… — St. Louis American

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

Media personality Timothy “Buc Wild” Joseph dies at 47

Timothy “Buc Wild” Joseph, the former HOT 97 personality best known as co-host of the “Star & Buc Wild” radio show, has died. He was 47. His longtime friend and former co-host Star announced Joseph’s… — St. Louis American

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

United Way launches annual campaign

United Way of Greater St. Louis launched its annual Community Campaign on Tuesday, seeking donations and volunteers to support programs across its 16-county service area in Missouri and Illinois. The… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Could Jay have done more for Obama?” (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 Republicans ask federal court to revive gerrymandered map, block referendum

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wants the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remove a congressional redistricting referendum from the Missouri ballot and order the state to hold the November… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Shields, Engler to lead State Senate” (Nov 2008)

Missouri Supreme Court decisions put two questions back where they belong: with voters

In a pair of unanimous decisions, the Missouri Supreme Court rejected the reasons given by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins for his refusal to approve two petitions. First, the court ordered Hoskins… — Missouri Independent

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

FBI’s Patel dodges questions on election interference at rambunctious US Senate hearing

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel sidestepped questions about FBI agents at polling places in the midterm elections at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday that also featured a tense exchange between GOP… — Missouri Independent

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

Missouri education board declines to seek $300 million increase in school aid

The Missouri State Board of Education declined Tuesday to seek the roughly $300 million increase needed to fully fund the state’s public school funding formula next year, opting instead to request… — Missouri Independent

Missouri schools to get first look at ‘A’ through ‘F’ grades as public release is delayed

Missouri education officials on Tuesday pushed back the release of “A” through “F” grades for public schools until at least mid-November, giving districts a chance to review the ratings first after… — Missouri Independent

Missouri school funding task force nears final recommendations

The Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force is entering the final stretch of its 15 months of meetings, preparing a set of recommendations that could change the way the state funds public… — Missouri Independent

Voter education session highlights new Missouri election laws

Missouri voting advocates are trying to reach more than 41,000 people whose voting rights were restored under a new state law — including some who may not realize they are eligible to cast ballots… — 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.

No matter the congressional map, Missouri voters still have the final say

Despite having to endure all the judicial filings and appeals about which congressional district map is legal and should be in effect, let us seize the opportunity this chaotic morass has presented.… — Missouri Independent

JD Vance uses Missouri visit to announce new crackdown on COVID loan fraud

KANSAS CITY — The federal government is going after thousands of people suspected of stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers through their participation in a COVID-19 pandemic program meant to… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Assassination Plot Foiled?” (Oct 2008)

Former elections official accuses Missouri secretary of state of altering results, misleading judge

A former top elections official is accusing Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins of changing local election results, trying to deceive a federal judge in a voting administration case and… — Missouri Independent

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

How the US House could overturn the midterm election results

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tried to maintain power following his loss in the 2020 election by exerting pressure on state election officials to, in some cases, “find” the votes. Loyalist… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “POLL: Should the Gov’t rescue the auto industry?” (Nov 2008)

Tacos, tequila and throwback hip-hop heat

For several hours on Saturday, CarShield Field sounded like someone hit play on a favorite throwback mixtape from the late ’90s and early 2000s. Social House’s Tacos and Tequila Music Festival… — St. Louis American

Video: Northside Trap Run brings hip-hop and community spirit to MLK Drive

The Northside Trap Run brought families, runners and DJs together on MLK Drive. Tap to watch on Instagram. The Northside Trap Run brought movement, music and community pride to MLK Drive, uniting… — St. Louis American

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

Chamber Project strikes first to open St. Louis’ classical music season

Chamber Project St. Louis scooped the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in opening the 2026–2027 classical music season. On the Sunday afternoon before SLSO’s Wednesday evening season opener on Art Hill,… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: McCaskill on Equal Pay” (Apr 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 GOP still see path for gerrymandered congressional map. Legal experts see little hope.

Republican officials aren’t giving up on the congressional map they pushed through the Missouri legislature last year, despite two setbacks at the U.S. Supreme Court and a state Supreme Court ruling… — Missouri Independent

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

Lawsuit seeks $80 million from Denny Hoskins over Missouri congressional map referendum

Five Missouri voters are seeking roughly $80 million from Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging he violated state law in his handling of a referendum… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Man-Made Missouri Flood Fight” (Mar 2008)

Missouri’s long fight over who gets the last word

Fourteen Republican lawmakers sent the Missouri Supreme Court a letter last week. It was not a fan letter. Hold Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt, they wrote, and we may come for your… — Missouri Independent

Missouri governor names 18 to child welfare task force amid growing scrutiny

With Missouri’s child welfare system under fire over foster care deaths, staff turnover and mounting investigation backlogs, Gov. Mike Kehoe has named 18 people to a new task force charged with… — Missouri Independent

Enjoy Illinois 300 sells out for fifth straight year at World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway announced Sunday morning that the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race is officially sold out — marking the event’s fifth consecutive sellout since its 2022 debut.… — St. Louis American

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

Reading crisis demands more action

New York City’s troubling decline in reading scores, despite one of the most ambitious literacy reform efforts in the nation, is a wake-up call for the entire nation. Across the country, reading… — St. Louis American

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

JPMorgan CEO, wife give $12 million to HBCUs

Twelve historically Black colleges and universities will receive $1 million each to strengthen their permanent endowments through a $12 million gift from the foundation of JPMorgan Chase Chairman and… — 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 should make medical respite part of its health care infrastructure

Missouri’s healthcare system routinely pays for a hospital stay, a surgery or a course of treatment, then reaches the edge of its own plan when the patient has no home in which to recover. For a… — Missouri Independent

Latest Missouri poll finds another razor thin margin ahead of November vote on abortion

Just 10 days ago, Steven Rogers says he would have predicted Missourians were set to reinstate an abortion ban this November. Then the latest polling results landed in his inbox. Now the professor of… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “SNL Spoofs Biden-Palin VP debate” (Oct 2008)

Pancreatic cancer breakthrough

A groundbreaking once-daily pill nearly doubled median survival compared with chemotherapy in a major trial involving patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer — and St. Louis’… — St. Louis American

Ben Shelton becomes first Black American man in US Open final since Arthur Ashe

American Ben Shelton continued his tremendous run through the US Open. Shelton defeated fellow American and close friend Frances Tiafoe 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5 in the semifinals of men’s singles on Friday… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Political Candidate Filing Ends Today at 5:00” (Mar 2008)

At 50, The Black Rep’s legacy lives on through the artists it raised

In 2025, St. Louis Black Repertory Company Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes was ready to sit down with The St. Louis American to discuss the Season 48 finale, August Wilson’s Radio Golf.… — St. Louis American

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

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is dying the death of a thousand cuts.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is dying the death of a thousand cuts. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court stuck a dagger in the VRA’s guts with Shelby County v. Holder, striking down the formula that… — St. Louis American

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

A circus of opportunities across cultures

For more than 15 years, UniverSoul Circus has been coming to St. Louis, long enough for some families to share the experience across generations. Candace Franklin is among those whose visits to… — 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 Supreme Court finds Denny Hoskins “was in contempt” over congressional maps

The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday found Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt for directing local election officials to use an illegal congressional map, but ultimately ruled he remedied… — Missouri Independent

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

US Supreme Court again blocks use of Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a federal judge’s order requiring Missouri to use a gerrymandered congressional map in November, putting the state back on course to conduct the election… — Missouri Independent

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

Trump, Kehoe post first negative approval ratings in new Missouri poll

A new survey released Thursday shows more Missourians disapprove of President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Kehoe’s job performance than approve. For Trump, it is the first negative approval rating in… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Tear Down the San Luis for a Parking Lot on Lindell?” (Mar 2008)

Missouri map takes another U-turn

The 2022 Missouri congressional map is back in play — for real this time. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Missouri from using a Republican-backed congressional map designed to give the GOP… — St. Louis American

Repairer of the Breach to host free community wellness panel on holistic health Friday

A free community wellness event Friday will bring together practitioners from holistic and alternative health fields for a discussion on making informed health decisions and understanding health care… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “God Has “Blessed” Missouri with Kenny Hulshof” (May 2008)

Swoosh, but no splash

From 1979 to 2026, the East St. Louis Sr. High School Flyers football team has been a gridiron juggernaut, winning 11 state championships and, in recent years, becoming nationally ranked for its… — St. Louis American

Will Venable guides White Sox to swift turnaround

When the St. Louis Cardinals selected Saturday, Sept. 12 for the team’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony of Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, it was no coincidence that the Chicago White Sox would be… — 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.

It’s time to fix Missouri’s charter school funding system

The title of this column may give some readers a sense of déjà vu. After all, it was only a few years ago that Missouri legislators tried to close the longstanding funding gap between the state’s… — Missouri Independent

Missouri fight over gerrymandered congressional map heading back to US Supreme Court

The question of which congressional district map Missouri will use in November returned to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday after a federal appeals court refused to block an… — Missouri Independent

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

Hemp THC businesses brace for ban in November; drinks get 1 month of relief

When Joshua Grigaitis founded the Mighty Kind Company in St. Louis in 2019, his team started by producing flavored sparkling water infused with CBD, a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. The… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “SLPS to Sell Seven More Schools” (Feb 2008)

Bowling blind

Two men were assembling a handrail aligned with the left gutter of a bowling lane at Tropicana Lanes in Clayton. One wore dark sunglasses. When that man went to bowl, he held the guardrail in his… — St. Louis American

This Week’s Photos: September 10th, 2026

This week’s photo gallery highlights Paint Louis 2026, where artists, music and community brought graffiti and hip-hop culture to life along the St. Louis floodwall. Isaiah Rashad connected with fans… — St. Louis American

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

Coco Gauff rallies past Mirra Andreeva to reach US Open semifinals

American Coco Gauff has earned a reputation as one of the toughest competitors in women’s professional tennis. Gauff displayed her competitiveness and mental toughness as she rallied for a three-set… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “O'Brien Asks State to Step In” (Nov 2006)

SLATE to hold trades job fair Sept. 16

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment will hold an Apprenticeships & Trades Job Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 16 at the SLATE Missouri Job Center, 1520 Market St. Job seekers can meet with… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Messenger and Martin: Together at Last” (Sep 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 schools deserve better than a single letter grade

As the parent of a public education student and a parent organizer, I am concerned about the governor’s proposed A-F School Grading Framework that requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary… — Missouri Independent

Missouri Supreme Court orders Denny Hoskins to answer on contempt charge

The Missouri Supreme Court ordered Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to appear in person Thursday and explain why he should not be held in contempt for directing election officials to use a… — Missouri Independent

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

Missouri counties suffered ballot shortages amid high primary turnout

When Kelli Knapp went to vote during the Aug. 4 primary, she was surprised to find a long line of people waiting outside Hawthorn Hill Elementary School in Lee’s Summit. Her husband, who was ahead of… — Missouri Independent

Kavanaugh blocks Missouri’s new congressional map

Missouri will return to its previous congressional districts for the November election after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday rejected the state’s last attempt to use new… — St. Louis American

Smithsonian’s first Black secretary to retire

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution’s first Black secretary and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, will retire at the end of the year after… — St. Louis American

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

Family, healing and hip-hop culture shape Paint Louis 2026

Soon after the floodwall went up in St. Louis following the Great Flood of 1993, it became a hangout spot for John Harrington and his friends. “The cops kicked us out of downtown, and we really had… — St. Louis American

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

Disney’s ‘Zombies’ star Carla Jeffery dies at 33

Disney star Carla Jeffery has died, according to a statement shared on her official Instagram by her talent management company. She was 33. The actress was known for her role in the “Zombies”… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “48 Hour Film Project Videos” (Jun 2006)

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.

Trump’s beef import plan: The trade off facing Missouri farmers and consumers

President Donald Trump has announced a temporary plan to suspend tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef over 90 days. The administration hopes the additional imports will… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Tear Down the San Luis for a Parking Lot on Lindell?” (Mar 2008)

Missouri AG trashes state Supreme Court ruling in federal filing

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s chief litigator on Sunday accused the state Supreme Court of adopting “a legal fiction” when it ruled that putting the state’s new congressional map to a… — Missouri Independent

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

Reflections on Gloria Steinem and her 2012 visit to St. Louis

The world lost Gloria Steinem on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The pioneering feminist, journalist and human rights activist died peacefully at her home in New York at age 92. Over the decades, Steinem made… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Help Wanted for Barack Obama” (Apr 2008)

Video: DMC and DJ Charlie Chan rock the stage

DMC and St. Louis’ own DJ Charlie Chan perform during The adidas Party at Angad Arts Hotel. Tap to watch on Instagram. Hip-hop legend DMC and St. Louis’ own DJ Charlie Chan rocked the stage Saturday… — St. Louis American

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

For Black Americans, healthy eating comes at a cost

Black Americans surveyed by Word In Black are intensely aware of the connection between food and health but face economic and structural barriers that limit what they can actually put on the table,… — St. Louis American

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

Trap Run fuels neighborhood power

The movement that happens at the Northside Trap Run is about more than exercise. It’s about showing up for each other, holding on to community and pushing forward even when resources don’t.  That… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Hubbard Fights Back Against Hypocritical Attacks” (Jul 2008)

Rashad’s ‘Road Trip’ tour blends visuals, vulnerability and strong new material

Chattanooga native Isaiah Rashad showed why he’s become one of hip hop’s most vulnerable voices when his “Lil Sunny’s Awful Road Trip” tour stopped at The Pageant on Sunday night. Fans walked into a… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Hillary Clinton in St. Charles” (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.

Republicans created Missouri’s redistricting mess. Now they’re furious about it.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway opened her response to Thursday’s Missouri Supreme Court decision with a quote from Benjamin Franklin “A republic, if you can keep it.” Things went downhill from… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Shields, Engler to lead State Senate” (Nov 2008)

The business of educating black parents, teachers and kids

Bolanle Ambonisye knew she had stumbled onto something when parents began using her name to get their children to behave. “Lil’ Johnny was acting up last night. I told him I’m going to tell Mama… — St. Louis American

Black churches help Gary weather a prolonged blackout

When a powerful storm swept through Gary, Indiana, last month, downing trees and snapping power lines, the city was plunged into darkness. It took the better part of a month for some of the city’s… — 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.