Daily Brief: Friday, September 25, 2026

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

The Fairness Project remains largest funder of effort to stop Missouri abortion ban

Since 2017, a D.C.-based nonprofit called the Fairness Project has poured more than $13 million into Missouri campaigns.  Every campaign it backed that has reached Missouri voters has won. And now it… — Missouri Independent

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

Missouri should scrutinize all schools, not just St. Louis Public Schools

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s demand that the president of the St. Louis Board of Education testify about the firing of former Superintendent Millicent Borishade raises a larger… — Missouri Independent

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

Missouri Medicaid enrollee challenges Trump rule on work requirement exemptions

Emily Byrd has lost Medicaid coverage twice due to paperwork problems.  Both times, Byrd, of Kansas City, submitted documents requested by the Missouri Department of Social Services. But duplicate… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “ACORN Endorses Jeff Harris for A.G.” (Feb 2008)

My Mother’s Roots gives away $10K in free gas at Black‑owned St. Louis BP station

Rick had just left school and still needed to get to work. The two were miles apart, and with gas prices climbing again, he had to figure out how to afford both trips. On Thursday, he learned that My… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “How to disenfranchise (um, disenchant) a voter in 59 easy steps” (Nov 2008)

WashU blood test could improve Alzheimer’s diagnosis

An innovative blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, developed using technology invented at Washington University School of Medicine, has been cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug… — St. Louis American

From humble beginnings to billions

David Steward grew up in a small Missouri house without indoor plumbing or heat. His family raised livestock and grew vegetables for the family, and his father worked several jobs to support eight… — St. Louis American

Talent lifts Black Rep’s ‘The Color Purple’ despite missteps

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company opened its milestone 50th anniversary season with a production its audiences have never seen from them. The Color Purple premiered on a Black Rep stage on… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Blunt to Professor: Missouri McCain supporters aren’t racists” (Nov 2008)

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