Melissa Price Smith

The county prosecutor’s hospital violence unit began its work about a year ago. Much of the initial efforts focused on encouraging health care workers to make police reports and officers to bring the cases to the prosecuting attorney’s office rather than municipal courts.

Melissa Price Smith says her office reviewed about 6,000 cases between January and June. None was for violent crimes like homicide or assault.

The Missouri state auditor’s office looked into the St. Louis County prosecutor’s office after the county council pushed for an investigation to discover any waste, fraud and abuse. County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith had asked for an audit earlier.

Blair’s Law makes it a crime to fire a gun in a celebratory manner in any municipality in Missouri.

Former Gov. Mike Parson appointed Melissa Price Smith to replace Wesley Bell when he resigned to take his seat in Congress. Price Smith has already said she plans to run for a full term in 2026.

St. Louis County Third Ward Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton, will cover his own legal costs from the effort to oust him for nepotism and has promised to never hire another relative.

Gov. Mike Parson appointed Melissa Price Smith to fill out the term of Wesley Bell, who was recently sworn in as Missouri’s 1st Congressional District representative.

Diann Valenti was ensnared in a dispute over a councilman hiring his stepdaughter as an aide.

Melissa Price Smith’s swearing-in follows a monthslong legal fight between Missouri and county officials over who has the power to appoint the prosecutor.

The Missouri Court of Appeals issued the ruling several hours after holding a hearing Thursday.