Daily Brief: Monday, September 21, 2026

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

The curious case of a Ponzi schemer’s glowing profile in a Missouri newspaper

There was something strange about the glowing profile of convicted fraudster Siddharth Jawahar that appeared last month in the Jefferson City News Tribune. It was a News Tribune story. Except it… — Missouri Independent

Jacobs-Jenkins breaks down the art of American drama at WashU Morrin Lecture

Early in the conversation between Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and WashU Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Zachariah Ezer, which served as the university’s 2026 Morrin Lecture, it was clear that… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “F.I.R.E. Rejects Creation of Asst. Chief Position, Demands 50/50 Hiring ” (Nov 2007)

Court ruling puts McKee’s North St. Louis properties in city’s reach

A St. Louis judge has cleared the way for the city to acquire 89 blighted properties through eminent domain, advancing efforts to redevelop land long held by developer Paul McKee’s NorthSide… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Thousands in St. Louis protest California’s gay marriage ban” (Nov 2008)

‘Wake Up Running’ calls faith communities to action

“I hope you’ll wake up running, because the moment I’m addressing is urgent.” That is what the Rev. Walter Earl Fluker hopes readers carry from “Wake Up Running: Building Democratic Space at the… — St. Louis American

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

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