Daily Brief: Thursday, October 15, 2026

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

Missouri Democrats aim to break Republicans’ streak of House supermajorities

Over five consecutive elections from 1974 through 1982, Missouri Democrats elected supermajorities — more than two-thirds of the 163 members — to the Missouri House. The party drew its strength from… — Missouri Independent

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

Missouri’s education board was designed to resist politics. Transparency is essential

Most Missourians probably could not name a member of the State Board of Education. Most could not explain why board members serve eight-year terms or why Missouri’s Constitution limits the number of… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Believing in Obama – Part 1” (Dec 2007)

Wourman turns life lessons into leadership

Dr. Cierra Wourman recalled a painful experience in her junior English class in Alaska when she refused to read Mark Twain’s novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, aloud in front of her classmates… — St. Louis American

This Week’s Photos: October 15th, 2026

This week’s photo gallery highlights Rod Wave’s high-energy stop at Enterprise Center, where towering pyrotechnics and an emotional set captivated a packed crowd. Digital literacy training at the… — St. Louis American

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

Urban League honors St. Louis American’s Kenya Vaughn

Kenya Vaughn, arts and entertainment editor of The St. Louis American, is among 10 media professionals being honored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis for their contributions to… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Could Jay have done more for Obama?” (Nov 2008)

Marsalis and Dianne Reeves

In honor of Coltrane’s 100th birthday year, Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves team with The Sheldon and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for a tribute to the music master at Powell Symphony Hall.… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Group Asks Marsalis to Boycott Slay” (Jan 2008)

SIU technology expo to feature data centers

The Southern Illinois University System will host a free Technology and Innovation Expo from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the SIUE Health Sciences Complex, 200 University Park Drive in Edwardsville.… — St. Louis American

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