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New prosecutor in St. Louis County promises criminal justice reform

Henrietta Reily

A young girl holds a sign as the embattled community remembers the shooting of Michael Brown Jr. by a Ferguson police officer. Photo: Michael B. Thomas/Getty

Underdog Wesley Bell upset incumbent Robert McCulloch in the democratic primary for top prosecutor of St. Louis County, bucking the prosecutor of nearly 30 years on the promise of criminal justice reform.

The big picture: The criminal justice system in St. Louis has been under fire since unarmed teenager Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in 2014 and charges against the officer were dropped. There's no Republican challenger for the general election in November.

Why it matters: Bell is more liberal than McCulloch and has run a campaign focused on upending the criminal justice system in the city. His victory shows that residents are still deeply dissatisfied with the way prosecutors handled Brown's case, and they're eager to see change.

Bell, 43 and previously a municipal court judge, focused on specific, popular pledges in his campaign:

  • To never seek the death penalty.
  • Eliminate cash bail for nonviolent offenses.
  • Oppose proposed legislation that would develop mandatory minimum sentences for some crimes.
  • Work with criminal justice reform advocates to develop new policies.

Go deeper

Axios
Updated 5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

British national named in Colleyville synagogue standoff

A law enforcement vehicle sits near the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Jan. 16. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

British national Malik Faisal Akram took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue outside Fort Worth on Saturday, the FBI said in a statement.

State of play: Authorities had initially declined to release the name of the 44-year-old suspect or identify the hostages, all adults, though police chief Michael Miller confirmed that one of those held was Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who leads the congregation.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Omicron dashboard

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

  1. Health: Concerns grow over CDC's isolation guidelines — Experts warn of more COVID-19 variants after Omicron — WHO recommends 2 new treatments — What "mild" really means when it comes to Omicron — Deaths are climbing as cases skyrocket.
  2. Vaccines: America's vaccination drive runs out of gas— Puerto Rico expands booster shot requirements— Supreme Court blocks Biden's vaccine mandate for large employers.
  3. Politics: Vivek Murthy calls SCOTUS vaccine mandate block "a setback for public health" — Focus group says Biden weak on COVID response, strong on democracy
  4. Economy: America's labor shortage is bigger than the pandemic— — CDC COVID guidance for cruise ships to be optional starting Saturday — The cost of testing.
  5. States: West Virginia governor feeling "extremely unwell" after positive test — Youngkin ends mandates for masks in schools and COVID vaccinations for state workers — America struggles to keep schools open
  6. World: Beijing reports first local Omicron case weeks before Winter Olympics — Teachers in France stage mass walkout over COVID protocols.
  7. Variant tracker
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Erin Doherty
10 hours ago - Sports

Novak Djokovic loses Australian visa appeal

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2022. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Tennis star Novak Djokovic left Australia on Sunday evening, facing a three-year visa ban after an appeals court in the country revoked his visa.

Driving the news: Djokovic will not be able to defend his Australian Open title when the tournament starts in Melbourne. The World No. 1 is looking to break a three-way tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most Grand Slam men's singles titles.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow