St. Louis American

07/18/2025

From scooping ice cream in north St. Louis to leading one of the region’s largest transit systems 🍦➡️🚉 Charles Stewart’s journey is a true St. Louis success story. After nearly 14 years at Bi-State Development — including as COO of Metro Transit — Stewart retires with a legacy of transformation, inclusion, and impact.

'Charles Stewart retires after transforming St. Louis transit and championing diversity at Bi-State'

🖋 Wendy Todd | The St. Louis American
📸 Charles Stewart headshot

'From the age of 5, when he was shelving bottles in his dad’s store, Charles A. Stewart knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an entrepreneur. He quickly graduated from stocking shelves to ringing up his friends’ purchases of chips, candy and ice cream — standing on a box behind the register after school.

As he got older, Stewart’s father gave him more responsibility. “He taught me everything about running the businesses — bank deposits, inventory, everything,” Stewart said...'

From the age of 5, when he was shelving bottles in his dad’s store, Charles A. Stewart knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an entrepreneur. He quickly graduated from stocking shelves to ringing up his friends’ purchases of chips, candy and ice cream — standing on a ...

07/17/2025

Legal battles and raised voices 🧑🏾‍⚖️✋🏿 The new state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners met for the first time Thursday — but not without controversy. Board member Sonya Jenkins-Gray has her own lawsuit pending against the city, and others are challenging the board’s legitimacy in court. Mayor Spencer says she hasn’t ruled out legal action either.

'State board of police commissioners meet with lawsuits pending'

🖋 Alvin A. Reid | The St. Louis American
📸 Alvin A. Reid | St. Louis American

'Mayor Cara Spencer said Wednesday she has not ruled out suing to stop implementation of the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners.
Following the first meeting of the board on Thursday at St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Spencer said while she has not sued and voted in favor of the formal establishment of the board during the meeting she has nor ruled out legal action against the state.
“I have always stood up for local control. It is ideal for the citizens. It is ideal for the police department,” she said...'

Mayor Cara Spencer said Wednesday she has not ruled out suing to stop implementation of the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners. Following the first meeting of the board on Thursday at St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Spencer said while she has not sued and voted in f...

07/17/2025

Civil rights leader and Missouri’s first Black congressman, William L. Clay Sr., dies at 94

… in 1963, Clay ran for an open seat in the First Congressional District. He was the first African American to win that seat. He served for more than three decades.

🖊 Sylvester Brown, Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 St. Louis American archive
.. Some of his accomplishments included co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus, sponsoring the Family and Medical Leave Act, which became law in 1993; working tirelessly to revise the Hatch Act, which restricted the rights of federal workers to endorse candidates and organize fundraisers fighting successfully to raise the minimum wage and successfully boosting federal funding for historically Black colleges.

In a public statement, Clay Sr.’s son, William Lacy Clay, described his father as a pivotal figure in both American politics and his family.

“He changed a community, he changed a state, and he changed a nation with the work he did in Congress,” Lacy Clay said. “Whether it was fighting in St. Louis for equal and civil rights or fighting against apartheid in South Africa, he made a difference.”

https://www.stlamerican.com/news/local-news/civil-rights-leader-and-missouris-first-black-congressman-william-l-clay-sr-dies-at-94/

07/17/2025

Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul are bringing their Good Vibes Only Tour to Hollywood Casino Amphitheater with special guest DaBaby . See CONCERTS for details.

'STL Sites and Sounds'

🖋 St. Louis American staff
📸 Photo from Wiz Khalifa Facebook

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

CONCERTS  Fri., July 18, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors) Jamo Presents X MATI with DJ Jazzy Jeffwith DJ Mahf, Rockwell Knuckles and more, Atomic Pavilion, 4140 Manchester. For more information, visit www.jamopresents.com.Mon., July 21, 6:30 p.m. Wiz Khalifa & Sean Paul – Good Vibes Only Tour w/ Special Gue...

07/16/2025

Bradley Beal is taking his talents to L.A. 🏀 The St. Louis native has agreed to a two-year deal with the L.A. Clippers after a buyout from the Suns. With a player option on the table, Beal joins LeBron James as one of the few with a no-trade clause still in play.

'Bradley Beal is headed a bit further west'

🖋 Alvin A. Reid | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo from Bullets Forever

'The native St. Louisan, who has played with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns , has agreed to a buyout from the Suns and will join the L.A. Clippers, Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN on Wednesday....'

The native St. Louisan, who has played with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns, has agreed to a buyout from the Suns and will join the L.A. Clippers, Beal’s agent MarkBartelstein told ESPN on Wednesday. Beal, who is joined by only LeBron James of the L.A. Lakers with no-trade clauses in NBAco...

07/16/2025

Currently celebrating 40 years in operation, RAC is the leading public investor in arts and culture experiences in the St. Louis region, funded primarily through a hotel and motel tax in St. Louis city and county.🖌💃🏿🎤🎧

🖋 Alvin A. Reid | The St. Louis American
📸 Miiyaya Adero stands with her mural at Bustani Ya Upenda garden in August 2024 in the Academy/Sherman Park neighborhood in August 2024. The mural is one of 28, two in each city ward, managed by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis. Photo by Sophie Proe | St. Louis Public Radio

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) announced it will award $3,723,212 in funding to 122 organizations in St. Louis City and County.

A diverse array of organizations including Festivals of Nations, Frizzy By Nature, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, National Blues Museum, the Hispanic Festival, Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis African Chorus, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, and more are receiving RAC support.

In 1985, the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen and the St. Louis County Council voted to establish the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis – acting on behalf of public desire to prioritize arts and culture as a vital regional resource.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis for their generous support, which empowers us to create bold, joyful, and thought-provoking theatre for young audiences,” said Jacqueline Thompson, Metro Theater Company artistic director, a 2025 grant recipient.

“With this funding, we’re not only telling stories – we’re celebrating the brilliance of St. Louis artists, honoring the spirit of our youth, and deepening our commitment to service through the arts.”

Learn more about RAC programs at stlamerican.com?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American.

Frizz Fest

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) announced it will award $3,723,212 in funding to 122 organizations in St. Louis City and County. A diverse array of organizations including Festivals of Nations, Frizzy By Nature, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, National Blues Museum, the Hispanic Festiv...

07/16/2025

Confluence Academies’ Educators for Gun Safety (EGS) has received the 2025 What’s Right With the Region Award from FOCUS St. Louis! Honored for its powerful, student-led advocacy, EGS is creating change through education, outreach, and policy efforts 💛🔐

'Confluence gun safety initiative honored by FOCUS'

🖋 St. Louis American staff
📸 Photo courtesy of Confluence Academies

'Educators for Gun Safety (EGS), an initiative of Confluence Academies, recently received a FOCUS St. Louis 2025 What’s Right With the Region Award.

Honored in the Emerging Initiatives category, EGS was celebrated for its student-led work in gun safety education, advocacy, and community outreach.

Founded in 2022 in response to the rise in gun deaths among children in the St. Louis region, EGS brings together educators, community leaders, and students to raise awareness, distribute resources, and drive policy change...'

Educators for Gun Safety (EGS), an initiative of Confluence Academies, recently received a FOCUS St. Louis 2025 What’s Right With the Region Award. Honored in the Emerging Initiatives category, EGS was celebrated for its student-led work in gun safety education, advocacy, and community outreach. F...

07/16/2025

Webster University adjunct professor Christina “Steenz” Stewart is making waves in the comics world 🎨📚 Recently profiled by Pages and Panels, Steenz is the lead cartoonist behind the syndicated strip Heart of the City and co-creator of Side Quest: A Visual History of Roleplaying Games.

'Steenz Stewart of Webster U. profiled in'

🖋 St. Louis American staff

Webster University Adjunct Professor Christina “Steenz” Stewart was the subject of an article in Pages and Panels, an online blog about illustrators. Stewart is the lead cartoonist for the syndicated comic strip Heart of the City and co-creator of the graphic novel Side Quest: A Visual History o...

07/16/2025

STL’s own Sterling K. Brown earns Emmy nod for 'Paradise'🏆💫🎙

🖋St. Louis American staff
📸 Sterling K. Brown, who stars in the Hulu television show "Paradise," is a 2025 Emmy nominee for best actor in a drama series. Photo courtesy of Hulu.

… Brown is already a three-time Emmy winner. His first was an “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie” for his portrayal of Christopher Darden in the FX Network series “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story” in 2016. Two years later, he won his first “Best Actor in a Drama Series” for “This Is Us." Brown captured an “Outstanding Narrator” Emmy in 2021 for lending his voice to the documentary “Lincoln: Divided We Stand.”

Other nominees for the 2025 Primetime Emmys include Uzo Aduba, Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri, Brian Tyree Henry and Giancarlo Esposito, Natasha Rothwell, Rashida Jones, Colman Domingo, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ruth Negga.

https://www.stlamerican.com/arts-and-entertainment/stls-own-sterling-k-brown-earns-emmy-nod-for-paradise/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American

07/16/2025

By now, we should’ve also been presented with a draft proposal for rebuilding our devastated neighborhoods, not just individual structures.

🖋 Jamala Rogers | The Way I See It | The St. Louis American
📸 Wiley Price | St. Louis American

The E3 tornado that ripped through St. Louis on May 16 resulted in an unplanned topography for the city. It also exposed the ever-present racial history of the planned neglect and abandonment of certain predominantly Black neighborhoods. Two of those Northside neighborhoods were hit particularly hard during the storm. Mother Nature’s fury has given St. Louis an opportunity to rebuild a different landscape that rises from a new common vision for the city.

I have been a part of the recovery efforts. I have attended the meetings of elected officials and their bag of promises. I drive through the Northside neighborhoods almost daily to review the incredible damage and the progress (or lack thereof) for the survivors. I have talked to many tornado survivors. This has helped me keep grounded in reality and not get caught up in a false narrative.

And yes, it’s great that a few million of the nearly $800 million in Rams settlement funds has been allocated to the disaster relief. Most of that is triage money, not so much for the rebuilding phase.

Because I haven’t seen or heard a comprehensive recovery plan, nor a comprehensive rebuilding plan, I feel compelled to publicly share my humble observations and suggestions...

The E3 tornado that ripped through St. Louis on May 16 resulted in an unplanned topography for the city. It also exposed the ever-present racial history of the planned neglect and abandonment of certain predominantly Black neighborhoods. Two of those Northside neighborhoods were hit particularly har...

07/15/2025

Kirkwood standout Jacob Eberhart is headed to the Big Ten 💪🏾🏈 The four-star wide receiver/safety has committed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, continuing his late father Jason Eberhart’s legacy in Champaign. After a dominant junior season, Jacob’s next chapter is set.

'Kirkwood football standout Jacob Eberhart commits to Illinois'

🖋 Earl Austin, Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo from on3

'Four-star football high school football standout Jacob Eberhart of Kirkwood High has given a commitment to the University of Illinois.

A 6’3” 210-pound wide receiver/safety Jacob Eberhart chose Illinois over Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. In selecting the Fighting Illini, Eberhart will be continuing a family tradition of talented football players headed to Champaign.He is the son of the late Jason Eberhart, a former Mehlville High football star in the mid-1990’s who also played at Illinois...'

Four-star football high school football standout Jacob Eberhart of Kirkwood High has given a commitment to the University of Illinois. A 6’3” 210-pound wide receiver/safety Jacob Eberhart chose Illinois over Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. In selecting the Fighting Illini, Eberhart wi...

07/15/2025

As summer heats up, Ameren Corporation is expanding programs to help customers stay cool and keep bills manageable 🌞💡 From increased energy assistance and weatherization funds to new eligibility for seniors and domestic violence survivors, help is available now. Visit ameren.com/assistance?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American to learn more and apply through your local agency.

'Ameren adjustments can help keep customers cool'

🖋 St. Louis American staff
📸 Wiley Price I St. Louis American

'Missouri is reminding customers of several adjustments to its assistance programs for those needing help with their energy bill this summer. As of June 1, the following changes went into effect:

Keeping Cool/Keeping Current – Funding increased to $6 million per year (an increase of 41%).
Keeping Cool provides up to five bill credits of $50 from May through September.
Keeping Current provides a monthly bill credit of $35 to $90 and past due balance forgiveness with on-time monthly payments...'

Missouri is reminding customers of several adjustments to its assistance programs for those needing help with their energy bill this summer. As of June 1, the following changes went into effect: “Many customers don’t realize they’re eligible for energy assistance and may even qualify for more ...