Daily Brief: Saturday, August 15, 2026

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

Missouri needs more teachers. Its licensing process gets in the way

May 21, 2026, is the day I became a certified biology teacher in Missouri, and I love my job. I wish others would join me. Sadly, the pathway to teacher licensure is a frustrating waste of time and… — Missouri Independent

Missouri’s first ketamine therapy practice bets on what comes next

Licensed clinical social worker Anne Bethune had been treating trauma clients in Kansas City for several years when, in 2017, her agency asked her to get an additional certification. At the time,… — Missouri Independent

No more ‘hypothetical situations’: States move to fortify elections against Trump

State Democratic officials are preparing for chaos at the polls this November, as President Donald Trump casts doubt on election security and pushes for more federal involvement in local voting. … — Missouri Independent

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

First Black woman takes helm of CDC

A highly credentialed Black woman has made history at an agency in turmoil — and the central question is whether she will have the independence to lead it. The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Dr. Erica… — St. Louis American

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

The Reid Roundup

A bit of bad luck has intercepted Luther Burden’s outstanding preseason. The former East St. Louis High School and Missouri blue-chip receiver suffered a groin injury that will keep him out of all… — St. Louis American

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

Page Six pioneer Flo Anthony, wife of STL’s own Michael Spinks, dies at 74

Flo Anthony, the trailblazing entertainment journalist known for becoming the first Black woman to work in the New York Post’s entertainment and Page Six departments, died Thursday, August 6, after a… — St. Louis American

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

East St. Louis football has another blockbuster slate

The East St. Louis Flyers will begin another prep football season with an excellent non-conference schedule against national opponents. East Side will begin the season on August 22 against Chicago… — St. Louis American

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

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