Early voting has started for St. Louis’ 8th Ward alderperson. Five candidates seek to represent neighborhoods from Benton Park to downtown. Here’s the latest on the election and where candidates stand.

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8th Ward Special Election

Early voting is underway in St. Louis ahead of the special election to replace Cara Spencer as the 8th Ward alderperson, with polls open tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Five candidates are competing for the seat, representing neighborhoods from Benton Park to the downtown business district.

Candidates include Shedrick Kelley (Democratic nominee), Cam McCarty (Libertarian nominee), and three independents: Brian Dallas, Afia Cox Antwi, and Genevieve Hoyt. The ballot lists no party affiliations after a court rejected the city’s Democratic Central Committee’s attempt to add them. Key campaign themes include downtown investment, priorities for the $294 million Rams settlement, public safety, and infrastructure improvements. Several candidates have emphasized community involvement, responsible spending, and support for both downtown and neighborhood needs.

The 8th Ward covers 13 neighborhoods, making its race one of the city’s most closely watched. For more candidate details, visit this deep dive on the 8th Ward election.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis aldermen have introduced a bill offering $72 million in tax breaks for the $670 million redevelopment of the vacant Millennium Hotel site in downtown St. Louis. The Cordish Companies, known for Ballpark Village, plans to replace the 28-story hotel—which has been shuttered since 2014—with luxury housing, offices, an amphitheater, and a food hall near the Gateway Arch. City staff project the 20-year, 90% tax abatement will still generate $45 million in extra property tax revenue and benefit public schools by $15 million. See full project details.

With heat indices expected to surpass 100 degrees this week, St. Louis-area organizations are ramping up efforts to protect vulnerable residents. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Ameren Missouri joined forces again as Ameren donated 900 ENERGY STAR air conditioning units to communities hit by recent severe weather, marking 20 years and nearly 20,000 units since the program’s start. More public help and donations remain urgently requested as demand rises. Read more details.

A Red Circle celebrates Black Music Month, Juneteenth, and Black fatherhood with community support and cultural resilience. In June, the North St. Louis County nonprofit honors Black culture by blending storm relief efforts with soulful cookouts, art events, and music, providing free meals sourced from local Black farmers to tornado-impacted neighborhoods. Leaders Erica Williams and Erica Tyus emphasize dignity and food justice, offering free produce, Father’s Day card-making, and career-track internships. Families can reserve free tickets for upcoming Sundae Stories events at Heaven’s Creamery throughout June.

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Black Wall Street 314 Marks 10th Year

The 10th Annual Black Wall Street 314 Festival took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in St. Louis, celebrating Black entrepreneurship through a bustling marketplace and parade.

Inspired by Tulsa’s original Black Wall Street, the event featured local vendors, performances by A.J. McQueen and Grammy nominee D. Smoke, and youth groups such as the Riverview Gardens High School Marching Band. Community leaders and business owners say the festival’s decade-long run underscores growing support for Black-owned businesses in the region. See photo highlights.

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Ledisi Brings Soulful Energy to Stifel Theatre

Grammy winner Ledisi headlined “Love You Too, The Tour” Thursday night at Stifel Theatre, joined by Marsha Ambrosius. The concert highlighted R&B’s enduring appeal, drawing a packed crowd that sang and danced along to both classic and new hits.

Ambrosius opened with tributes to Prince, Patti LaBelle, and Teena Marie, engaging the audience with favorites like “Say Yes.” Ledisi performed songs from her April album "The Crown" and revisited hits such as "Anything For You," creating an energetic atmosphere. Read more about the night’s performances on Ledisi’s St. Louis concert.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of the Guardians with a 7-0 win Sunday, moving nine games over .500 and extending their road winning streak to six with 35 home runs so far in June.

St. Louis County’s Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Program reports mosquito counts are slightly above average this summer, elevating West Nile virus risk, as only 3 of Missouri’s 115 counties routinely conduct surveillance for the disease.

McKinley Bridge will close to vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for deck sealing work, with the Illinois Department of Transportation urging drivers to use alternate routes while bike and pedestrian lanes remain open.

Northside Youth and Senior Service Center delivered nearly 2,000 meals per day to tornado-affected North St. Louis residents after the May 16 storm, expanding its usual senior meal delivery and youth services to meet emergency needs.

St. Louis soccer legends are honored by a new mural commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1950 U.S. World Cup team’s historic upset over England, in which five of the 11 players came from the city.

GENERATING BUZZ

A community member moving from Springfield, IL, shared their struggle to find a satisfactory grocery store in Soulard and South St. Louis. They noted that Schnucks on Grand was expensive and uncomfortable, Aldi on Gravois was cramped, and they favored Dierbergs despite the 18-minute drive. Responses highlighted the challenge of balancing cost, convenience, and the shopping experience in urban settings. Discussions touched on local alternatives, such as STL Food Outlet, which offers quality groceries at discount prices in Soulard, and the urban-scaled Fields Foods, valued for blending well with the city environment. Check it out.

PERSON OF INTEREST

Born in St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker became an international superstar, dazzling audiences in Paris as a singer, dancer, and actress. She was also a courageous civil rights activist and served as a spy for the French Resistance during World War II. Known for her magnetic stage presence and bold personality, Baker broke barriers for African American performers worldwide. Learn more.