Good morning, St. Louis. Today’s newsletter covers major tornado recovery funding approved locally and at the state level, providing crucial aid for those affected by recent severe weather in our area.

MAIN STORY

Tornado Relief Funding Approved

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen approved Board Bill 31 on Tuesday, allocating $30 million from the Rams settlement fund to support local tornado recovery efforts. The funds come from interest earned on the original $250 million settlement received in 2022.

The money will be used for relocation assistance, home repairs, food and property storage aid, and in-home support for seniors impacted by recent tornadoes. Earlier this month, Missouri lawmakers approved $100 million in disaster relief for St. Louis, with Governor Mike Kehoe signing the measure into law on June 14. The state package includes an additional $25 million for emergency housing and a $5,000 income tax deduction for those affected.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer reported over $1.6 billion in damage and five deaths from the EF3 tornado in late May.

AROUND TOWN

Union officials say that SunCoke Energy remains committed to its plan to repurpose Granite City’s blast furnaces. The Chicago-area company aims to convert the Metro East facility into a granulator operation, potentially ending steelmaking at the site and reducing permanent jobs to about 500, according to United Steelworkers Local 1899. The plan persists as U.S. Steel’s $14.9 billion merger with Nippon nears completion Wednesday, but neither company has commented recently. Read more about the Granite City mill’s future.

Galilee Academy has withdrawn plans to open in Chesterfield after neighborhood opposition and zoning concerns. The Christian Science private school, intended for pre-K through 12th grade, faced resistance when more than 800 residents signed a petition against its proposed location on Baxter Road near Parkway West Middle. Chesterfield’s city code requires at least 10 acres for middle and 20 for high schools; the site is 5.7 acres. The school plans to open elsewhere in west-central St. Louis County this year, while zoning debates and traffic concerns remain points of local discussion.

Eckert’s Farm in Belleville kicks off summer pick-your-own blackberry and peach seasons starting this week. Families can visit Eckert’s at 951 S. Green Mount Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, to pick blackberries for $5.99 per pound with required field access passes starting at $3. Peach picking officially opens June 28, with limited peach access at a special pop-up June 21-22. For more details, visit Eckert’s Farm information. Peaches are also available at the Belleville Country Store.

ALSO OF NOTE

Fredbird Honored

Fredbird, the St. Louis Cardinals' mascot, was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame on Tuesday, coinciding with National Mascot Day. The announcement followed a two-week online fan vote in May.

Fredbird, a fixture at Cardinals games for over 44 years, joins eight other Major League Baseball mascots already in the hall. Organizers say over 125,000 votes were cast among 28 mascots this year.

ALSO OF NOTE

Session Taco Reopens in CWE

Session Taco welcomed back customers this week in St. Louis' Central West End after a fire shuttered the restaurant for nearly three years. The reopening at McPherson and Euclid comes after damage from a June 2022 blaze and a minor tornado delay earlier this year.

The return of Session Taco marks a milestone in restoring the historic McPherson building. Other businesses, including Ranoush and Pass the Past, have also reopened, with more expected by summer’s end. Area business owners say the renewed activity has brought new energy to the neighborhood.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Cardinals secured a 12-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox behind Brendan Donovan's four-hit game, home runs from Alec Burleson and Victor Scott II, and a quality start by Matthew Liberatore (4-6).

Environmental Protection Agency officials removed nearly 2 tons of contaminated materials from a Dutchtown home after a resident spilled and unsuccessfully attempted to clean up 16 ounces of elemental mercury in May.

Eastbound I-270 ramp to southbound I-170 in St. Louis will close from June 20 through September for I-170 bridge demolition and replacement, with detours and lane reductions scheduled throughout the construction period.

Black churches in North City have provided shelter, food, and ongoing support for tornado victims since May 16, as faith leaders and congregations fill gaps in disaster recovery and push for community-driven rebuilding efforts.

Reginald Wright was convicted on June 25 of five felonies, including assault and unlawful use of a weapon, for a July 7, 2023, attack on Steak 'n Shake employees in St. Louis' Clayton-Tamm neighborhood.

GENERATING BUZZ

The Downtown West Timber Tower, known as "The 314," is generating buzz as it prepares to go out to bid, with Tarlton named as the general contractor. This 29-story mass-timber high-rise will be a landmark in St. Louis for its innovative use of cross-laminated timber, aiming to combine sustainability with urban revitalization. The project plans include 287 residential units, 15,000 square feet of retail space, and a parking garage, transforming the 2100 block of Locust Street near the MLS stadium. Adjacent redevelopment opportunities are also in play, promising a significant neighborhood transformation. Check it out.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT

Scott Joplin, born in 1868 near Texarkana, Texas, became widely known as the 'King of Ragtime' while living and working in St. Louis, MO. Joplin’s innovative compositions, such as 'The Entertainer' and 'Maple Leaf Rag,' were pivotal in shaping American music at the turn of the 20th century. His influence extended beyond ragtime, paving the way for jazz and modern popular music. Learn more.