St. Louis Prosecutor Faces Voters, After Years of Sustained Fire from Police Union
Kim Gardner has an Aug. 4 rematch against a former prosecutor whom she defeated four years ago, but the terrain has shifted significantly since 2016.
Rachel M. Cohen Jul 23, 2020
Missouri Voters Could Expand Medicaid and Curb the Overdose Crisis
A referendum to expand Medicaid may be a turning point for a state with some of the worst health outcomes related to substance use.
Zachary A. Siegel Jul 17, 2020
Criminal Justice Reform in the States: July 19, 2019 edition
Legislative Roundup: New Jersey adopts rare restrictions on solitary confinement, Missouri reform will cut prison population, and more
Daniel Nichanian Jul 19, 2019
Representation by Those Affected by the Criminal Legal System Is Increasingly Important
Michael Brown’s mother lost her bid for City Council, but is one of many bringing personal experience with the criminal system to politics.
Sarah Lustbader Apr 03, 2019
Legislative roundup (Feb. 21 edition): from Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri
Youth justice bills introduced in Maryland; Missouri mulls early release; Iowa and Kentucky consider expanding voting rights
Daniel Nichanian Feb 21, 2019
Prosecutors Announce New Marijuana Policy in Illinois, Maryland, and Missouri
In St. Louis, Chicago, and Baltimore, prosecutors have announced a policy of not prosecuting marijuana possession or have launched a new expungement program.
Daniel Nichanian Feb 07, 2019
How Activists Helped Change St. Louis: An Interview with Cassandra Gould
“We saw [the prosecutor’s] race as being very pivotal in restoring hope to the community and in changing the course of history.”
Daniel Nichanian Dec 19, 2018
On Marijuana, Four States Are Holding Six Referendums
Michigan and North Dakota vote on whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and Missouri and Utah for medical use.
Daniel Nichanian Oct 18, 2018
Cole County Prosecutor Known for Prosecuting Clergy Protest Loses Reelection
Daniel Nichanian Eyes were glued on St. Louis County on Aug. 7, but another Missouri prosecutor was also ousted that same night. Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson was seeking a fourth term, but he lost in the Republican primary to Assistant State Attorney General Locke Thompson. Cole County includes the state capital Jefferson City, […]
Daniel Nichanian Aug 14, 2018
2018 Election Preview: Prosecuting attorney of Platte County, Missouri
Reprimanded by state Supreme Court, prosecutor heads toward re-election Daniel Nichanian Platte County’s longtime prosecuting attorney Eric Zahnd was disciplined this year, just months before he is to face voters in this county north of Kansas City. In 2015, Zahnd oversaw the prosecution of a man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child. At […]
Daniel Nichanian Aug 10, 2018
St. Louis Prosecutor Faces First Opponent Since Ferguson Protests
Daniel Nichanian St. Louis County’s longtime prosecuting attorney Bob McCulloch is seeking an eighth four-year term, four years after the 2014 Ferguson protests. That year, he drew heavy criticism for the way he handled his investigation into Michael Brown’s shooting and for his failure to indict Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot Brown. His actions fit a […]
Daniel Nichanian Aug 02, 2018
2018 Election Preview: First Congressional District of Missouri
Ferguson activist challenges Democratic representative Criminal justice and policing reform are in the spotlight in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, which includes St. Louis and Ferguson. One of the candidates in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary is Cori Bush, a pastor who participated in the 2014 Ferguson protests and other local initiatives, and helped organize subsequent […]