Author | Lightnews

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 3d

A Staunton restaurant owner’s detention by ICE has divided a small town and reignited big political questions about immigration enforcement.
Full story: www.ksdk.com/article/news...

Staunton restaurant owner’s detention sparks outrage as ICE cites 2008 DUI, repeated border crossings

Federal agents seized Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval after he dropped his daughters at school; neighbors plan rally amid ICE pushback

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 15d

The City of St. Louis sued former Congresswoman Cori Bush over $6,390 in unpaid taxes. Court records show process servers tried three times to reach her before assigning a special server. Bush paid the balance last week, and the case will now be dismissed. www.ksdk.com/article/news...

City sued Cori Bush over unpaid taxes; case dismissed after months of missed notices

Court records show multiple failed attempts to serve Bush before she paid $6,390 in back taxes.

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 20d

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...

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.

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 23d

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...

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

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 25d

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

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks National Guard Deployment in Illinois

www.nytimes.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · 25d

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

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago

www.nytimes.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Sep 29

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...

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.”

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Sep 14

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.

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Sep 14

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...

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.

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 28

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...

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

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 22

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...

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.

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 18

Parents and leaders in Illinois are denouncing a Proud Boys billboard near a Breese high school. “Dangerous, violent, extremist.” 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.

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 7

“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...

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

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 7

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...

China Turns to A.I. in Information Warfare

www.nytimes.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Aug 3

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?...

House Democrats preview "preliminary" redistricting maps behind locked doors

YouTube video by WCIA News

youtu.be

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 29

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.”

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 28

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

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.

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 24

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...

Trial of Janis Mensah enters final stage

The jury trial of former jail watchdog enters second day; city of St. Louis rests its case

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 18

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...

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.

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 18

Are ADA lawsuits helping blind users or just enriching attorneys? A Missouri story with nuance, ethics, and sandwiches. 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.

www.ksdk.com

Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 9

"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...

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.

www.ksdk.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 8

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.

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 8

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 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.

www.stltoday.com

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 2

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%

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Mark Maxwell @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social · Jul 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.

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