Mark Maxwell

Collinsville’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ honored with Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service 98-year-old Betty Wrigley of Collinsville helped repair battleships during World War II after leaving her St. Louis home at 15.

They called her Rosie the Riveter, she was really Betty from down the block. She left lying about her age, returned with the kind of loss that makes you grow up too fast. Eighty years later, the country finally said thanks. She didn’t need it. But we did. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Cori Bush’s husband seeks dismissal of federal fraud case, claims political prosecution Cortney Merritts says DOJ targeted him for politics as Bush launches comeback bid

The husband of former Congresswoman Cori Bush is asking a federal judge to throw out the fraud case against him, claiming he’s being prosecuted for political reasons. His attorneys argue no other pandemic era fraud cases this small have been charged. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks National Guard Deployment in Illinois

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks National Guard Deployment in Illinois

“I have seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of a rebellion in the state of Illinois,” a federal judge said.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u... via @nytimes.com

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago

“Oklahomans would lose their mind if Pritzker in Illinois sent troops down to Oklahoma during the Biden administration.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u... via @nytimes.com

DNC launches pushback against Missouri GOP’s new congressional map National Democrats fund a petition drive to let voters decide on Governor Kehoe’s “Missouri First Map.”

The Democratic National Committee is wading into Missouri’s redistricting fight, announcing new investments to block what it calls “rigged” Republican maps signed into law this weekend by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

www.ksdk.com/article/news...

As a personal note, I always appreciated Governor Edgar’s warmth, candor, and patience. He’d always pick up the phone or call me back as soon as he could. No question was beneath him. In a field full of self-centered egos, he had a rare set of qualities. A true public servant.

Jim Edgar, who served two terms as Illinois governor, dead at 79 Edgar, a Republican, was elected governor in 1991 and served until 1999, when he opted not to run for reelection.

Jim Edgar, who served two terms as Illinois governor, dead at 79.

After leaving public office, Edgar devoted much of his life to teaching younger generations how they could meaningfully engage and impact public policy.

www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Sheriff cites DNA test to fight nepotism charge, seeks dismissal in ouster case Court ruling found Malik Taylor’s father is Mack Taylor, not Sheriff Montgomery’s

A sheriff's deputy just took a DNA test. Turns out, he's 100% not the son of Whitfield Montgomery.

Sheriff cites DNA test to fight nepotism charge, seeks dismissal in ouster case

www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Missouri leads nation in Black homicide rate as community leaders fight to stem violence A national study shows Black Missourians face the highest homicide risk in the U.S. Advocates say the fight begins at home.

Missouri leads the nation in Black homicide rates, with Illinois close behind. Inside the numbers and the fight to save lives. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Billboard near Illinois high school promotes Proud Boys, drawing local outrage Parents and community leaders in Breese condemn the extremist group’s attempt to recruit teenagers through roadside advertising.

Parents and leaders in Illinois are denouncing a Proud Boys billboard near a Breese high school. “Dangerous, violent, extremist.” www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Some St. Louisans struggle to file tornado claims as FEMA urges seniors to act before deadline Missouri officials extend FEMA deadline as some seniors say the system is too hard to navigate alone

“I don’t even drink and I feel like I need a drink.”
Seniors like Glenise Walker say filing tornado claims is overwhelming, but help is out there.
NEW FEMA deadline: Aug. 26
🔗 www.ksdk.com/article/news...

China Turns to A.I. in Information Warfare

China Turns to A.I. in Information Warfare

“GoLaxy tracks & collects info on more than 2,000 American political & public figures, 4,000 right-wing influencers & supporters of President Trump, in addition to journalists, scholars & entrepreneurs.” www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/u...

YouTube video by WCIA News House Democrats preview "preliminary" redistricting maps behind locked doors

Illinois gerrymandering is trending now that Texas Democrats have fled there to break a quorum and block a hardball remap ahead of the midterms.

Reminder: When he first ran for Governor in 2018, JB Pritzker vowed to back fair maps. Then Dems did this: youtu.be/uxx5faV4XF4?...

Governor JB Pritzker is in East St Louis criticizing President Trump’s cuts to SNAP. He slams tariffs as “a tax on us.” Rev. Gary Gaston opens the panel discussion telling Pritzker, “We need a president like you.”

Krishnamoorthi campaigns for downstate voters amid Illinois Senate race With Durbin stepping down, top Democrats compete for his seat — and his mantle as an advocate for downstate Illinois.

Who will claim Durbin’s downstate mantle? Krishnamoorthi courts labor as Stratton, Kelly eye blue-collar voters downstate. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Trial of Janis Mensah enters final stage The jury trial of former jail watchdog enters second day; city of St. Louis rests its case

Mensah is expected to take the stand and testify after a one-hour lunch break. Attorneys for the city and the defense expect the jury could reach a verdict at some point on Thursday afternoon.

www.ksdk.com/article/news...

St. Louis Police Board approves $6M body cam deal amid questions over oversight and vendor vetting The mayor raised concerns about transparency as the state-appointed board approved a multimillion-dollar contract without a full product evaluation.

The new St. Louis police board greenlit a $6M body cam deal under deadline pressure while lobbyists were in the room and no policy vetting in place. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

'It just seems kind of predatory': Missouri businesses receive legal threats over website accessibility from out-of-town lawyers A Kansas City attorney threatens lawsuits on behalf of a blind man, prompting concerns about legal tactics and true accessibility.

Are ADA lawsuits helping blind users or just enriching attorneys? A Missouri story with nuance, ethics, and sandwiches. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Radiation victims win long-delayed justice as Congress expands compensation and coverage New law adds ZIP codes, diseases, and jobs to RECA, offering $100K payouts to Coldwater Creek and Navajo Nation families.

"I can't believe that today is real," Dawn Chapman with Just Moms STL said. "This fight was so hard. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"Our government made it harder," she said. "They did everything they could to hide the truth from us." www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Imagine a world where voters had this info *before* an election. In that world, newsrooms would hire/retain journalists faster than corporations could poach them away, and readers would demand quality reporting instead of settling for a quantity of algo-driven drivel.

St. Louis sheriff grew up in politics. But some claims about his history don’t check out. Alfred Montgomery’s path to the sheriff’s office started decades ago in north St. Louis. Claims about his background and college degrees don’t always check out.

Fantastic work by Austin Huguelet at the paper tracking down all the embellishments and lies in Sheriff Alfred Montgomery’s resume:

Police intern ❌
Licensed funeral director ❌
Degree from ASU ❌
Degree from Lincoln ❌

www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...

St. Louis has a new alderwoman-elect. Jami Cox Antwi walks away with an easy win.

Jami Cox Antwi — 55%
Shedrick Kelley — 18%
Jim Dallas — 14%
Alecia Hoyt — 10%
Cam McCarty — 2%

The absentee vote totals are counted in the 8th Ward. Jami Cox Antwi leads the pack with 49% of that batch of votes. Shedrick Kelley a distant second with 22%. Long way to go here. Decent turnout at the polls today and those votes aren’t represented here.

Five candidates vie for Spencer's vacant 8th Ward seat in high-stakes special election Traffic safety, homeless shelters and city budget priorities dominate the campaign as voters get a single chance to choose a new alderperson.

St. Louis Ward 8 voters face a big choice Tuesday: 5 candidates vying to replace now-Mayor Spencer, each with different takes on traffic safety, homeless services, and how to spend millions in Rams money. Special election format: winner takes all. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Garfield's Angels: Tornado survivor who was buried alive reunites with firefighters who saved his life One month after being trapped for five hours under tons of debris, St. Louis man meets his rescuers at the site of his destroyed home

Garfield's Angels: Tornado survivor who was buried alive reunites with firefighters who saved his life www.ksdk.com/article/weat...

He was buried under a collapsed building during St. Louis' historic tornado. He's now sharing his story of recovery Garfield Lacy was pinned under two stories of brick and rubble. Here's how he's recovered a month after being rescued.

Historic St. Louis tornado dropped a building on him. Here's how he's recovered.

“I turned around to take off running," Garfield Lacy said. "I got 3 feet from the front door when the whole house just came down and crushed me."

www.ksdk.com/article/weat...

Mayor Cara Spencer and eight aldermen hold a press conference alongside FEMA and SBA officials as they roll out new federal tornado relief options. The press conference kicks off moments after the Missouri House rushed $100 million in an aid package to help victims recover.

Crowdfunding after the May 16 tornado? FEMA says it may count against you Using crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe may jeopardize your federal disaster aid. Here's how to make sure you don’t lose out.

Using crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe may jeopardize your federal disaster aid. Here's how to make sure you don’t lose out. www.ksdk.com/article/weat...

Trump approves major disaster declaration, tells Kehoe federal funds are coming to Missouri after deadly tornado After a 14-day review period, President Donald Trump called Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe to tell him the state's disaster declaration request would be approved

New details on what’s in that $71M in federal aid package for the St. Louis tornado recovery and when you can start to apply for direct aid: www.ksdk.com/article/weat...

Electrician donates $2,500 service to help heart patient restore power after 5 On Your Side news story Community response floods in after north St. Louis woman's plea for help reaches airwaves before surgery

The one silver lining of this devastating tornado has been the constant string of good deeds from selfless neighbors looking out for each other in times of hardship.

www.ksdk.com/article/life...