Daily Brief: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

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

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)

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