Daily Brief: Thursday, June 25, 2026

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

Missourians access abortion pills at in-state clinics for first time since 2018

For the first time since 2018, patients in Missouri this week were able to obtain medication abortions without leaving the state. The shift came after Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang ruled… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Nixon picks Kelvin Simmons to lead Office of Admin.” (Nov 2008)

Trump spikes housing bill at last minute, refusing to sign until SAVE America Act passes

President Donald Trump derailed a housing overhaul that he was set to sign into law Wednesday, canceling a signing ceremony for the broadly popular bipartisan bill until Congress passes an election… — Missouri Independent

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Tear Down the San Luis for a Parking Lot on Lindell?” (Mar 2008)

Missouri promised automatic marijuana expungements. Some records may remain uncleared

Missouri courts were supposed to automatically erase eligible marijuana misdemeanors from criminal records by June 8, 2023, six months after voters legalized recreational marijuana. But in a recent… — Missouri Independent

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

This Week’s Photos: June 25th, 2026

This week’s photo gallery features Harris-Stowe State University’s ceremonial beam signing, marking a major milestone in the university’s continued campus growth and investment in its future. We also… — St. Louis American

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

House of Soul’s Juneteenth Fashion Show takes over Washington Avenue

House of Soul’s 7th Annual Juneteenth Block Party transformed Washington Avenue into a celebration of Black culture, creativity, and community, highlighted by a vibrant outdoor fashion show curated… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “POLL: Should the Gov’t rescue the auto industry?” (Nov 2008)

County Council’s delay nearly created a health care crisis 

Two Black elected officials placed health care for nearly 1,300 people — most of them Black — at risk while exposing St. Louis County taxpayers to potentially significant financial liability. Rita… — St. Louis American

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

Morial highlights Urban League’s work after tornado 

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial praised the St. Louis chapter for its response to the May 2025 tornado and urged greater investment in communities during a visit Tuesday to the… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Diversity “Dream Keeper’s” Fair” (Apr 2008)

The Daily Brief runs every morning. Headlines and excerpts belong to the linked outlets — click through and support them. Missouri Independent stories are republishable under Creative Commons.