Hancock And Kelley

St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer announces she’s running for mayor, setting up a rematch of the 2021 race, won by incumbent Tishaura Jones. … Mayor Jones lifts a hiring freeze she implemented over fears state lawmakers might do away with the city’s 1% income tax. The legislative session just ended with the tax intact. … St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and County Council Chairwoman Shalonda Webb hit a stalemate over the spending of $8 million in ARPA funds. The money will return to the federal government if Page doesn’t release the funds before the end of the year. … Missouri Governor Mike Parson is at odds with Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Bailey, whom Parson appointed, is representing three lawmakers in a defamation suit. They are accused of wrongly implicating a Kansas City Chiefs fan as being one of the gunmen in the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade and rally. Parson says no state taxpayer dollars should be used in this case. … Former Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Hal