Today: Local food banks prepare for increased demand as a possible government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits. Plus, The Sports Bra sports bar comes to Maplewood, Dia de los Muertos returns, and local activists open the Northside Movement Center. Get updates on schools, Boeing, and St. Louis sports.

MAIN STORY

Food Banks Brace for SNAP Impact

St. Louis area food banks are preparing for an increase in demand as a possible federal government shutdown could halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November. Local organizations are urging the community to donate food and essential items.

St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search offer online maps to help residents locate nearby distribution sites in Missouri, while Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network aids those in Illinois. National partner Feeding America also provides a food bank locator. Food drives and donation barrels are active at City Foundry and all Affinia Healthcare sites through November. Recent statements, including one from Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, highlight the growing need for donations as local groups brace for potential disruption.

Officials expect further updates on SNAP benefit status in the coming weeks. Find more details on food banks and drives in St. Louis.

AROUND TOWN

Two major St. Louis activist groups, Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders, have purchased a former church to establish the Northside Movement Center. The 36,000-square-foot property on Goodfellow Boulevard in the North Pointe neighborhood will serve as a shared base for legal advocacy and grassroots organizing, bringing the organizations closer to their clients and streamlining efforts. Renovations are underway, with plans for a January move-in followed by a grand opening event in early 2026; the organizations continue raising funds for operation and construction. Read more about the Northside Movement Center project.

Missouri Republicans’ new congressional map, passed last month, faces a potential derailment from a looming 2026 voter referendum. GOP legislative leaders rushed redistricting in line with a Trump-backed national strategy, aiming to unseat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City). Still, lawsuits and the People Not Politicians signature drive threaten the map’s implementation. Legal battles persist as Republicans and state officials block the referendum, citing constitutional concerns, while Democrats and some Republicans argue the rushed process invites confusion and legal jeopardy. Read more on the redistricting debate and ongoing lawsuits here.

Civil rights protests at the Gateway Arch site led to transformative federal action on job discrimination. In July 1964, Percy Green and Richard Daly climbed 125 feet up the unfinished Arch to spotlight the exclusion of Black workers in its construction, just days after the Civil Rights Act was signed. Their demonstration, along with later protests over Black plumbers, led to the Department of Justice’s first-ever pattern-or-practice lawsuit under Title VII, pressuring St. Louis trade unions to end discriminatory hiring. The North Arch’s symbolic role builds on a more profound legacy, including the 1846 Dred Scott freedom suit at the site’s Old Courthouse, which later became a catalyst for the Civil War. Arch historians recently discussed these moments and the monument's impact on labor, architecture, and social justice during a segment of St. Louis on the Air.

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Sports Bra Bar Coming to Maplewood

The Sports Bra, a female-owned sports bar focused on women’s sports coverage, will open its first St. Louis-area franchise in Maplewood. The bar, owned by Heather Hill and Sara Pilsner, is slated to launch at 7344 Manchester Road in early 2026.

The Maplewood location will maintain elements of the former Boogaloo space, with nods to local character and classic pub fare. The concept arrives amid growing interest, as women’s sports accounted for 15% of sports media coverage in 2023, up from 5% in 2019. Find more details from Sauce Magazine.

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Dia de los Muertos Returns

The annual Dia de los Muertos celebration will take place in St. Louis this fall, marking the city’s continued tradition of honoring the Mexican holiday. The event features altars, music, and food to commemorate departed loved ones.

Organizers expect hundreds to attend, highlighting the region's growing Latino community. Visitors can experience live performances and educational displays on the cultural significance of the Day of the Dead. For more details, including event times and locations, visit the official events page.

QUICK HITS

Millicent Borishade has been fired as superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools after 15 months, with Myra Berry, a 20-year district veteran, named interim leader.

Boeing is increasing efforts to hire replacement workers as the St. Louis strike continues, affecting production and prompting the company to address workforce shortages.

The Sauce podcast features Lodging Hospitality Management’s Todd Hotaling discussing Westport Plaza’s revival, Union Station attractions, holiday pop-ups, and the group's future plans for its 20-plus St. Louis hotels and 10 restaurants.

Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders have launched a $15 million capital campaign to renovate a 36,000-square-foot building in North Point, creating the Northside Movement Center for social justice work and community gatherings.

St. Louis CITY2 exited the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs Sunday after a loss to Minnesota United 2, but the club’s development pipeline and coach John Hackworth’s leadership continue shaping the 2026 roster and first-team opportunities.