Today's top stories: FEMA extends disaster aid deadline for St. Louis tornado victims; Dutchtown pilots a new Smart Badge for business security; Schlafly's Art Outside festival returns; record M/WBE contracting reported amid legal challenges; a recovery high school proposed for teens. Plus, development and community updates.

MAIN STORY

FEMA Aid Still Available

St. Louis residents affected by the recent tornado can still apply for disaster aid from FEMA, even though the original deadline has passed. The city’s chief recovery officer, Julian Nicks, stated that late registration will be open for the next 60 days for those with extenuating circumstances.

Since the tornado, FEMA has approved assistance for about 8,400 households and completed 13,500 home inspections. The agency has provided $40 million in aid to homeowners and renters. If FEMA denies an application, residents have 60 days to appeal, providing any required documents listed in the denial letter. Common reasons for late applications include technology barriers or illness.

Residents should include both the FEMA application number and the tornado disaster number (4877) on all documents and may track appeals by phone or at recovery centers. FEMA appeal decisions are typically made within 30 to 90 days. Find more details or apply via FEMA’s disaster assistance page.

AROUND TOWN

The St. Louis City NAACP reports record gains in minority contracting, but warns that legal actions are jeopardizing progress. A new analysis of the City’s Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise program reveals that M/WBE participation reached an all-time high of 30.6 percent in 2024, with $90.3 million in contracts awarded. However, recent federal court cases and the program’s suspension over tornado recovery funds threaten its future. The report emphasizes the program’s compliance with constitutional requirements established by Supreme Court precedent, situates its achievements against the backdrop of legal uncertainty, and urges reinstatement to ensure the continued inclusion of minority contractors in St. Louis’s rebuilding efforts.

A new high school supporting teens in addiction recovery is expected to open in St. Louis soon. Advocates and educators are developing a charter school model to serve students overcoming substance use disorders, with hopes to open by 2025. The plan addresses a regional gap, as alternatives for youth returning from rehabilitation mostly remain nonexistent in Missouri. Organizers are starting fundraising efforts and scoping a location. Nationally, recovery high schools (see this overview) report lower relapse and higher graduation rates.

McBride Homes is demolishing the long-vacant Hubert Wheeler State School in The Hill to build townhomes. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, demolition began on Wilson Avenue, with crews from Bellon Wrecking Co. preparing the site for about 80 planned units. The former state school building had stood unused for years, following neighborhood debate about the site’s future. Officials say the new homes could accommodate significant demand for housing in the historically Italian-American Hill neighborhood.

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Dutchtown Pilots Smart Badge

Business owners in Dutchtown's commercial district are now utilizing the Smart Badge, a safety device developed by St. Louis-based Kwema, to enhance security. The program launched this month, making Dutchtown the first commercial district in the nation to adopt the hospital-focused technology for local businesses.

Merchant volunteers say the badges function like a digital neighborhood watch, sending GPS alerts to fellow users if someone feels threatened. Community leaders hope the system, funded by the Dutchtown Community Improvement District, will address delayed police response times and support local business stability. Read more about the Smart Badge program in Dutchtown.

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Schlafly Art Outside Returns

Schlafly Beer’s annual Art Outside Festival runs Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7, at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood. The free event features over 60 local artists, live music, festival food, and Schlafly beer.

Festivalgoers can explore ceramics, woodworking, paintings, and photography, plus take part in creative crafts and henna tattooing. Schlafly will debut an AF Raspberry Hefeweizen, with 20% of sales benefiting Artist First. Covered tents provide shade and weather protection. See festival details and hours here.

QUICK HITS

Lux Living and affiliated landlords Asprient Properties and STL CityWide did not disclose how many St. Louis-area employees lost their jobs following layoffs announced by company leaders and their accountant.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer is urging residents whose homes were damaged by the May 16 tornado to apply for property tax relief before the Oct. 1 deadline, as more than 100 applications have been submitted so far.

Mykhi Joyner scored his first goal for St. Louis City SC and is now in contention for a spot on the U.S. Under-20 World Cup team.

Compton Hill Water Tower underwent a detailed masonry assessment last week as St. Louis officials progress toward a restoration plan that could reopen the 127-year-old landmark to the public by year’s end.

Eckert’s Farm will host its annual Hard-Pressed Cider Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at its Belleville location, featuring more than 40 drinks, artisan vendors, and a new Brunch & Brews experience.