Daily Brief: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

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

Missouri’s ‘unprecedented’ budget vote leaves schools around Kansas City in the lurch

School districts around Kansas City know it’s possible, maybe even likely, that Missouri’s governor and lawmakers will choose to not fully fund public schools next year. The state’s foundation… — Missouri Independent

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

Appeals court backs Missouri’s gerrymandered map, but decision is put on hold

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Missouri must use the congressional map passed by Republicans in 2025 for the Nov. 3 election, but the decision was put on hold for a week — leaving election… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Johnson’s Appeal Denied” (Jun 2008)

Moving beyond survival: A mindset shift for wealth and purpose

A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a professional in their mid-50s. Somehow, we got onto a topic from my book, Twice Over a Man, where I mention that, when I was younger, I… — St. Louis American

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

VIDEO: Frizz Fest celebrates Black hair, Black joy and community

The 9th Annual Frizz Fest brought Black hair, Black joy and Black culture to Tower Grove Park. Tap to watch on Instagram. The 9th Annual Frizz Fest brought a vibrant celebration of natural hair,… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: Blunt on pay increases, pardons” (Nov 2008)

D. Smith’s transition announcement turns heads

D. Smith says he will live and present as a man after spending the past 12 years publicly living as a transgender woman. The former “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star announced the change in an Instagram… — St. Louis American

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

From the streets to the suites

Long before Patricia Gray was catering meals for entertainers or serving steady crowds from Chef Pat’s Kitchen on Goodfellow Boulevard, she was selling plates to barbershops, beauty salons and… — St. Louis American

Train derails in Ferguson nearly 6 years after previous wreck

When Jacqueline Nelson heard the crash Sunday night, she knew it was not the normal sound of a train passing behind her home. Her house shook. Then came the loud boom. “Oh, no. Not again,” Nelson… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Yes, We Can — without ACORN!” (Oct 2008)

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