2005

October 24, 2005 -- Looks like The Smith Campaign is the first out of the gate -- with a little help from some young friends.Instead of having their regular Monday meeting, Washington University Young Democrats…

A common rap against St. Louis Public School parents is that they don't get involved. Somebody forgot to tell the parents at Dewey International Studies Elementary School.On the weekends of October 8 and October 15,…

Jeff Smith, the young college professor who almost beat Russ Carnahan for Congress and is now running for state senate, is very good at raising money. In the last quarter alone, he has raise more…

According to campaign finance reports electronically filed by Amber Boykins' campaign for state senate, the four-term state representative (D-60) made a $15,000 no-interest loan to her campaign.It's not uncommon for candidates to do this to…

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted Friday to pass a bill that aims to make it more difficult to recall city officials.Board Bill #310, sponsored by Aldermen Jennifer Florida and Ken Ortmann, proposes new…

November 9, 2005 -- St. Louis Schools Watch has a redesigned blog. Stories from the newsletter published by Peter Downs, parent and former school board candidate, can now be seen online at www.SLSWatch.PUBDEF.net

St. Louis Schools Watch is on the radio: Wednesdays at 7 a.m. on the Lizz Brown Show on WGNU 920 AM. Programs are archived at www.whiterosesociety.orgOctober 20, 6:30 p.m., Parent Assembly meeting, Metro High, 4017…

December 1, 2005 -- Fifty years ago today, a 42-year-old Southern black woman made a decision to no longer be a party to her own disrespect. Rosa Parks said “no” to the question of her…

Percy Green, the legendary activist and Arch climber, has let it be known that new school board member Jim Buford will not be getting his vote next year. In a statement sent by e-mail, Green…

[The following editorial, published in last week's print edition of PUB DEF Weekly, was the focus of some discussion on 'Collateral Damage' on KDHX Monday night. In the interest of public discourse, we are making…