Tishaura Jones

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has announced a new personnel director after the firing of Sonya Jenkins-Gray earlier this month. John Unnerstall worked as the deputy director for the department. He was one of the finalists considered for the personnel job in 2022.

The two contestants for St. Louis mayor took part in an often testy joint appearance on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

Jail reform advocates had been pushing to have the facility closed since 2018, and they say seeing a portion of the building come down was an emotional, surreal moment.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has fired Personnel Director Sonya Jenkins-Gray. The decision comes months after Civil Service Commission hearings began and marks the first time a personnel director has been fired in the city’s history.

With both chambers approving the legislation, the bill now goes to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who made the issue one of his priorities.

The St. Louis Democrat also discussed some of his legislative priorities on an episode of St. Louis Public Radio’s Politically Speaking podcast.

If the Missouri House passes the bill as is, the legislation then goes to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk.

The city’s Democratic Central Committee met Saturday with representatives of all 14 wards. Nine voted in support of endorsing Mayor Tishaura Jones, and 15 members voted for Spencer.

The Senate is expected to approve the bill on Monday. Because the Senate made changes to the House bill, it would go back to that chamber for another vote.

Mayor Tishaura Jones will face Alderwoman Cara Spencer of the 8th Ward in the April 8 election. Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler was third, while retired utility executive Andrew Jones was fourth.