The new year starts with a couple newcomers joining the sports staff at the Post-Dispatch and its website, STLtoday.com, part of moves impacting three major beats in the department.
First up is Matthew DeFranks, who is working with beat writer Jim Thomas in covering the Blues. DeFranks started this week and takes over for Tom Timmermann, who is moving full time to covering St. Louis City SC — that MLS team plays its first game next month.
DeFranks had been at the Dallas Morning News, for which he was in his fifth season of covering the Stars.