Jacob Barker
@jacobbarker27.bsky.social
St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter covering local politics, development, etc. Rooting for the Rust Belt, particularly the River City. https://www.stltoday.com/users/profile/jbarker/
Just a reminder: Nothing in the Sunshine Law requires a public body to discuss things in closed session, as the St. Charles County Counselor wrongly suggests, even if it relates to personnel
stltoday.com/news/local/g... via
@stltoday.com
stltoday.com/news/local/g... via
@stltoday.com
St. Charles County deleted comments from meeting video. Councilman is 'pissed'
Now, the decision to redact the video, which county officials said was done for employee privacy reasons, has some legal experts questioning if St. Charles County officials violated state laws.
stltoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Just a reminder: Nothing in the Sunshine Law requires a public body to discuss things in closed session, as the St. Charles County Counselor wrongly suggests, even if it relates to personnel
stltoday.com/news/local/g... via
@stltoday.com
stltoday.com/news/local/g... via
@stltoday.com
Rents soar across St. Louis region, especially where investors buy homes www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Rents soar across St. Louis region, especially where investors buy homes
Rents across the region are soaring, but nowhere more so than neighborhoods that have become the targets of real estate investors.
www.stltoday.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Rents soar across St. Louis region, especially where investors buy homes www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
“Those owners made a tremendous amount of money in their careers of operating nursing homes. There’s resources out there. They’re not broke.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
Workers win $2M in chaotic closure of St. Louis nursing home. But will they collect?
Getting the home's longtime owners — Mahklouf “Mark” Suissa and Chicago nursing home magnate Eric "Ricky" Rothner — to pay up will not be easy.
www.stltoday.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“Those owners made a tremendous amount of money in their careers of operating nursing homes. There’s resources out there. They’re not broke.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
St. Charles woman accused of bilking food program convicted of fraud, identify theft www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
St. Charles woman accused of bilking food program convicted of fraud, identify theft
Connie Bobo blew up her plea agreement with federal prosecutors earlier this month. A jury found her guilty Thursday.
www.stltoday.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
St. Charles woman accused of bilking food program convicted of fraud, identify theft www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Film projects line up for Missouri tax breaks, from 'Ted Lasso' to 'Antiques Roadshow' www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
Film projects line up for Missouri tax breaks, from 'Ted Lasso' to 'Antiques Roadshow'
The largest tax credit award so far is for "Ted Lasso," which is approved for $4.3 million. Starring Jason Sudeikis, its season premiere was filmed in Kansas City.
www.stltoday.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Film projects line up for Missouri tax breaks, from 'Ted Lasso' to 'Antiques Roadshow' www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...
Lux Living restarts Crestwood apartment project. Go-kart track pushed out. www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Lux Living restarts Crestwood apartment project. Go-kart track pushed out.
A Lux Living lawyer told Crestwood he did not "want to fully engage in this matter as a litigator." Crestwood aldermen then held a special meeting to renew development rights.
www.stltoday.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Lux Living restarts Crestwood apartment project. Go-kart track pushed out. www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
“It’s just a sad thing we’ve lost a $500 million investment in North St. Louis.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Bell blasts Trump for pulling North St. Louis factory grant; Mayor Spencer silent
Department of Energy's decision to pull a $200 million grant that would have helped build a $570 million North St. Louis factory.
www.stltoday.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
“It’s just a sad thing we’ve lost a $500 million investment in North St. Louis.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Gas station slot machine company misled public on its games, St. Louis jury finds www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Gas station slot machine company misled public on its games, St. Louis jury finds
A federal judge could rule next on whether the machines constitute illegal gambling after years of inaction from Missouri politicians.
www.stltoday.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Gas station slot machine company misled public on its games, St. Louis jury finds www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Something you see in movies about court but not actual court:
$11M food fraud? St. Louis nonprofit chief doubles down: 'Those are lies' www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
$11M food fraud? St. Louis nonprofit chief doubles down: 'Those are lies' www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
$11M food fraud? St. Louis nonprofit chief doubles down: 'Those are lies'
Connie Bobo was indicted on charges of defrauding a program meant to provide meals for low-income children. Her expected guilty plea did not go as planned.
www.stltoday.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Something you see in movies about court but not actual court:
$11M food fraud? St. Louis nonprofit chief doubles down: 'Those are lies' www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
$11M food fraud? St. Louis nonprofit chief doubles down: 'Those are lies' www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
After eminent domain threat, St. Louis negotiates for Paul McKee land around NGA www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
After eminent domain threat, St. Louis negotiates for Paul McKee land around NGA
The city could sue to take control of dozens of NorthSide Regeneration parcels relatively quickly. It's opting to negotiate to avoid lengthy litigation but has "no definitive timeline."
www.stltoday.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
After eminent domain threat, St. Louis negotiates for Paul McKee land around NGA www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Washington Avenue food hall slated to open in downtown St. Louis www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Washington Avenue food hall slated to open in downtown St. Louis
Developer who has bought up downtown apartments said project will help reenergize area.
www.stltoday.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Washington Avenue food hall slated to open in downtown St. Louis www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
St. Louis' ex-HR chief pressured staffer in 'campaign' to fire an employee, complaint says www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
St. Louis' ex-HR chief pressured staffer in 'campaign' to fire an employee, complaint says
Sonya Jenkins-Gray tried to get a deputy who had complained about her fired, offering to connect another employee who had complained about him to a civil rights attorney.
www.stltoday.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
St. Louis' ex-HR chief pressured staffer in 'campaign' to fire an employee, complaint says www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Feds said developers accused of fraud would repay tax breaks. The check only covers half. www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Feds said developers accused of fraud would repay tax breaks. The check only covers half.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus hand-delivered the former criminal defendants' restitution check to City Hall.
www.stltoday.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Feds said developers accused of fraud would repay tax breaks. The check only covers half. www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Some in the department have made no secret of the fact that they would prefer an insider in the top job. The state takeover law even requires the next chief to come from within the ranks.
stltoday.com/news/local/c... via @stltoday.com
stltoday.com/news/local/c... via @stltoday.com
St. Louis police foundation will not renew contract that boosts pay of chief
Police board members sounded surprised by the news the foundation will not renew the chief's supplemental pay when informed at the end of a committee meeting.
www.stltoday.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Some in the department have made no secret of the fact that they would prefer an insider in the top job. The state takeover law even requires the next chief to come from within the ranks.
stltoday.com/news/local/c... via @stltoday.com
stltoday.com/news/local/c... via @stltoday.com
It was a reversal from the position of the U.S. Attorney's office weeks ago, when the prosecutor who brought the case argued that regardless of the DOJ's position on the city hiring program, it does not entitle people to "lie, cheat and steal."
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Feds drop charges against St. Louis developer represented by Pam Bondi's brother
The brothers and their accountant led major regional developer Lux Living and landlords Asprient Properties and STL CityWide.
www.stltoday.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It was a reversal from the position of the U.S. Attorney's office weeks ago, when the prosecutor who brought the case argued that regardless of the DOJ's position on the city hiring program, it does not entitle people to "lie, cheat and steal."
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Albus' motion came shortly after Chakraverty hired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother, Washington D.C. lawyer Brad Bondi, to defend him in the case.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Feds ask to drop charges against St. Louis developers accused of lying for tax breaks
The prosecutor's motion came shortly after Sid Chakraverty hired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother, Washington D.C. lawyer Brad Bondi.
www.stltoday.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Albus' motion came shortly after Chakraverty hired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother, Washington D.C. lawyer Brad Bondi, to defend him in the case.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
State funding cut to Missouri Technology Corp. adds to uncertainty for startups www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
State funding cut to Missouri Technology Corp. adds to uncertainty for startups
The Missouri Legislature stripped out $8.5 million for the state-sponsored venture capital fund amid federal funding uncertainty and struggles in the St. Louis entrepreneurship community.
www.stltoday.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
State funding cut to Missouri Technology Corp. adds to uncertainty for startups www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
As its leaders fight fraud charges, Lux Living sells U City apartments for $72 million www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
As its leaders fight fraud charges, Lux Living sells U City apartments for $72 million
he sale of the 251-unit McKenzie apartments at Delmar Boulevard and Interstate 170 in University City comes as Lux Living principals Vic Alston and Sid Chakraverty recently hired the U.S.
www.stltoday.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
As its leaders fight fraud charges, Lux Living sells U City apartments for $72 million www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Holleman: St. Louis' ex-comptroller is back on the city payroll. No one is saying why. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
www.stltoday.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Holleman: St. Louis' ex-comptroller is back on the city payroll. No one is saying why. www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
They claimed to be working with a copper company that was to sign an $800 million mining deal and use proceeds to finance the hospital.
“The gentleman and his company are real," Mark Vincent, general counsel of the hospital, wrote.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
“The gentleman and his company are real," Mark Vincent, general counsel of the hospital, wrote.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
Lawsuits pile up over millions in unpaid bills at Paul McKee's Homer G. Phillips Hospital
Eight lawsuits seek $3.5 million in unpaid invoices from shuttered north St. Louis clinic.
www.stltoday.com
July 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
They claimed to be working with a copper company that was to sign an $800 million mining deal and use proceeds to finance the hospital.
“The gentleman and his company are real," Mark Vincent, general counsel of the hospital, wrote.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
“The gentleman and his company are real," Mark Vincent, general counsel of the hospital, wrote.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b... via @stltoday.com
“I don’t want people to get so bogged down on ‘it’s the International Institute, so we’re bringing immigrants.’ I want people to understand we’re trying to bring population to St. Louis.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
International Institute of St. Louis shifts focus after Trump ends key immigration programs
The International Institute and its Latino Outreach initiative will work to lure those of Hispanic or Asian descent — with citizenship or a green card — to the region.
www.stltoday.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“I don’t want people to get so bogged down on ‘it’s the International Institute, so we’re bringing immigrants.’ I want people to understand we’re trying to bring population to St. Louis.”
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
After calling the mayor's office to get his Sunshine request fulfilled, the city's records portal, which had been processing his request for over a month, sent a message saying it needed another week to fulfill the request.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Holleman: St. Louis trickles out a bit of transparency, but not without a fight
Request for information tied to recent tornado in St. Louis finally was fulfilled — but not through system city uses to handle public’s Sunshine Law requests
www.stltoday.com
July 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
After calling the mayor's office to get his Sunshine request fulfilled, the city's records portal, which had been processing his request for over a month, sent a message saying it needed another week to fulfill the request.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Jacob Barker
Among local govts, St. Louis is in a class by itself with its glacial handling of records requests.
For a 3rd straight year, the city took 100+ days to answer the Post-Dispatch's annual request for payroll data.
St. Louis County needed just 8.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
@stltoday.com
For a 3rd straight year, the city took 100+ days to answer the Post-Dispatch's annual request for payroll data.
St. Louis County needed just 8.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
@stltoday.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Among local govts, St. Louis is in a class by itself with its glacial handling of records requests.
For a 3rd straight year, the city took 100+ days to answer the Post-Dispatch's annual request for payroll data.
St. Louis County needed just 8.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
@stltoday.com
For a 3rd straight year, the city took 100+ days to answer the Post-Dispatch's annual request for payroll data.
St. Louis County needed just 8.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
@stltoday.com
Missouri regulators say they can’t revoke approval of Grain Belt Express energy project www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Missouri regulators say they can’t revoke approval of Grain Belt Express energy project
The project is an 800-mile, multi-state power line that would stretch from Kansas to Indiana.
www.stltoday.com
July 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Missouri regulators say they can’t revoke approval of Grain Belt Express energy project www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
“In this context, one has to be cognizant of the distinct possibility that this is about corrupt influence peddling rather than any kind of decision on the merits."
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
Indicted St. Louis apartment developer hires Pam Bondi’s brother, asks to dismiss charges
Sid Chakraverty and brother Victor Alston argue the government’s case against them should be tossed because they are accused of defrauding an unconstitutional program to hire minority contractors in v...
www.stltoday.com
July 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“In this context, one has to be cognizant of the distinct possibility that this is about corrupt influence peddling rather than any kind of decision on the merits."
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...