Good evening, St. Louis. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
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Today's Big Stories
Six weeks after taking over what he described as “a law office in distress”, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore told reporters Wednesday that prosecutors there still have an unsustainable caseload, but that the work to stabilize the office is well underway. While the new hires have all come with previous experience, including at the Circuit Attorney’s Office, Gore hopes to hire a handfull of new attorneys out of law school this fall to build toward the future. He then expects to have roughly 45 attorneys on staff, still short of the full-strength number, approximately 60 attorneys.
2. A second Northwoods police officer charged in brutality case
A second Northwoods Police officer is charged in connection with the brutality case of a shoplifting suspect. Michael Hill, 51, was arrested Tuesday night and has been charged with kidnapping. Court documents state after the handcuffed victim was put in the back of Davis' patrol car, Hill, who was Davis' supervising officer, returned to the store and made an incriminating statement to a store employee regarding what would happen to the victim.
3. Search continues for handcuffed teen who escaped police custody during murder investigation
A teen who escaped police custody while handcuffed is still on the run, but he is no longer considered a person of interest in the homicie investigation of a gas station clerk. Police are still actively searching for Jataveion Scott, 19, who is wanted for tampering with a motor vehicle and escaping custody.
4. STL County Council defeats senior property tax freeze measure
A bill that would have made St. Louis County the first in the state to enact a freeze on property taxes for seniors as allowed under a new state law was defeated by a 4-3 vote Tuesday night after County Council members heard more input from senior citizens, municipal leaders and county revenue officials over the potential impact.
5. Missouri Supreme Court weighs fate of amendment to restore abortion rights
Whether Missouri voters get a chance weigh in on legalizing abortion is now up to state Supreme Court judges, who on Tuesday heard arguments in a case about Republican infighting that has stalled the amendment's progress.
6. Sen. Hawley: Trump legal probes are election interference
On Wednesday, Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said the legal probes amounted to election interference. “They are trying to jam in every possible indictment on every possible subject and case before the election in a transparent attempt to influence the election just like the Hillary Clinton campaign did in 2016,” Hawley, who will be on the ballot in a re-election bid in 2024, told Spectrum News.
7. At hearing, IRS whistleblowers air claims about 'slow-walking' of Hunter Biden case
House Republicans on Wednesday held a public hearing raising unsubstantiated allegations against President Joe Biden over his family’s finances as they summoned IRS whistleblowers for their first open testimony about claims the Justice Department improperly interfered with a tax investigation into Biden’s son Hunter.
8. Didn't win $760 million Mega Millions jackpot? You've still got a shot at $1 billion in Powerball
The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night's drawing is up to an estimated $1 billion after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.
Blooming In The Heat
Sunflowers reach peak bloom despite earlier drought concerns
July in the St. Louis region is peak sunflower season and despite drought conditions along the metro, the fields are blooming nicely.