Daily Brief: Saturday, October 17, 2026

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

Washington stopped measuring hunger. Missouri is seeing more of it.

For more than three decades, the federal government released an annual comprehensive report on the state of hunger in America. But that ended in 2025 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced… — Missouri Independent

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

New Missouri nonprofit pours $2.9 million into campaign to reinstate abortion ban

A new Missouri-based nonprofit has dropped $2.9 million into a campaign hoping to reinstate an abortion ban.  Her Health Her Future Missouri was incorporated in September and is now the top donor to… — Missouri Independent

D.L. Hughley opens up at The Pageant, sharing the story behind ‘Charlie’s Boy’

D.L. Hughley has spent nearly four decades on stages making crowds laugh — and think. But when he sat down at The Pageant Thursday night for a conversation hosted by the St. Louis County Library… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Election Night parties you don’t want to miss” (Nov 2008)

SLPS cancels Miller–Sumner football season amid misconduct investigation

The football season has ended early for Clyde C. Miller Career Academy and Sumner High School as St. Louis Public Schools investigates allegations of misconduct involving students connected to the… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Preparing for Tomorrow’s Mission  ” (Sep 2008)

Tyran Frazier commits to Virginia Tech

Basketball standout Tyran Frazier of Principia has given a commitment to Virginia Tech. A 6-foot-11 senior forward, Frazier is ranked among the top five prospects in the state of Missouri. He is also… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “VIDEO: McCaskill on Obama’s Preacher and Race” (Mar 2008)

Reece Shanklin commits to SEMO

Standout quarterback Reece Shanklin of East St. Louis has given a commitment to Southeast Missouri State. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Shanklin has enjoyed a big senior season in leading the Flyers to a… — St. Louis American

Free Cuba from U.S. cruelty

Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, recently invited several U.S. leaders on a fact-finding mission to Cuba. Among those who went were Louis Romain, Julianne… — St. Louis American

📼 From the PubDef archive: “Election Night parties you don’t want to miss” (Nov 2008)

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