Daily Brief: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

St. Louis news worth your time today — curated by PubDef, with receipts from the archive. Click through for the full stories.

Gov. Mike Kehoe vetoes, restricts nearly $500 million from Missouri state budget 

Gov. Mike Kehoe vetoed nearly $53 million from Missouri’s $50.7 billion state budget Tuesday, but his larger move was to freeze $441 million in spending — including dozens of lawmaker-backed earmarks… — Missouri Independent

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

Lawsuits challenge Missouri attorney general crackdown on gambling machines

Two lawsuits filed in Cole County accuse Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway of unlawfully using threats of criminal prosecution to force bars and gas stations to shut down slot machine… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “McKee Tax Credit to be Vetoed ” (Jul 2007)

NAACP urges revisions to St. Louis data center bill

The St. Louis City NAACP is urging the Board of Aldermen to revise a proposed zoning measure that would create new regulations for data centers in the city. Adolphus M. Pruitt II, president of the… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Simckes Tries to Squash Anti-Affirmative Action Reports” (Apr 2008)

Community and harmony

Pride STL once again demonstrated its annual commitment to the region’s LGBTQIA+ community. For more than 45 years – through a pandemic and periods of reduced sponsorship – the organization has… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Green announces run for mayor (No, not that Green)” (Nov 2008)

Faizon Love faces contempt charges in child support case

Actor and comedian Faizon Love is facing two contempt of court charges in a child support case involving his ex, Tiffany Lee, who alleges he owes about $250,000 in unpaid support. During recent… — St. Louis American

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

Masculinity and the mental health gap 

Black men are dying from a mental health crisis that too often goes unseen. As deaths from suicide, overdoses and alcohol abuse rise among Black Americans, experts warn that cultural expectations… — St. Louis American

‘U.S. Against the World’

When Muhammad “Mvstermind” Austin picked up the phone last fall, he didn’t expect the call to lead to one of the biggest moments of his career. The St. Louis rapper, producer and music director was… — St. Louis American

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

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