Daily Brief: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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

Farm backing, Trump loyalty shape GOP race to replace Sam Graves in Missouri’s 6th District

MARYVILLE — At a shrimp boil on a farm south of town July 1, Missouri Soybean Association President Casey Wasser stood before a crowd to explain why Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett is the only… — Missouri Independent

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

‘Reach across the aisle’: Pete Buttigieg campaigns in Iowa with Sarah Trone Garriott

Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg did not rule out a potential 2028 run for the presidency Monday at a campaign event for Iowa congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott in Des… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “KWMU moving to Grand Center” (Nov 2008)

Northeast Missouri state Senate race tests GOP appetite for confrontation

Two entire states — Connecticut and Rhode Island — could fit within the boundaries of northeast Missouri’s 18th state Senate District, almost 7,400 square miles where 14 counties have lost population… — Missouri Independent

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

Defending our rights is our duty

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally heard the clarion call of freedom. But that delay was not an accident; it… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Of Parks and People (Part 2)” (Aug 2008)

Social media influencer fatally shot on July 5

Brianna Johnson, a social media star known online as DreamDoll Brii, died on July 5 in a shooting in Miramar, Fla. She was 21. Johnson — who had a combined following of over 400,000 across Instagram… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Ashby: Is George “Red”?” (Sep 2008)

The Nick carries on St. Louis basketball tradition

Long before basketball courts opened in Forest Park, pickup basketball had its own map across St. Louis. Players knew where to go to find a game. Courts across the city and region became places where… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Simckes: No Negative Attacks In Treasurer Primary ” (May 2008)

STL talent shines at 7th Annual WerQfest

Shelton Boyd-Griffith and Tre’von Griffith made a promise as they welcomed the colorful crowd into the pavilion area of Atomic by Jamo for the 7th Annual WerQfest. “It’s gonna be a vibe.” They kept… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Laugh In: Candidate Truce for 1 Night” (Oct 2008)

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