Good morning, St. Louis! Today’s newsletter highlights a $3 million commitment from the McDonnell Foundation to support tornado recovery and rebuilding efforts in North St. Louis neighborhoods.

MAIN STORY

McDonnell Foundation Commits $3 Million for Tornado Recovery

The James S. McDonnell Foundation announced a nearly $3 million investment to aid recovery and rebuilding after the deadly tornado that struck the St. Louis region on May 16, 2025. The funding targets hard-hit areas of North St. Louis, with $1 million going to Invest STL for direct cash assistance.

The foundation will also support six organizations focused on urgent recovery and long-term neighborhood needs, including home repair and reopening early childhood education centers. This new commitment follows $90,000 in emergency grants issued immediately after the tornado. Foundation President Jason Purnell said these efforts aim to support economic mobility for residents facing the starkest disparities.

The McDonnell Foundation—established in 1950 and now focusing all resources on St. Louis—has a long philanthropic history, including an $8 million gift to the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 2024. Read more about the recovery efforts.

AROUND TOWN

Missouri will allocate $50 million in public funds to private school scholarships after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 12 in St. Louis. The July 10 law expands the MOScholars voucher program, which last year served roughly 2,700 students, to cover up to 6,000 more, raises eligibility to 300% of the poverty limit, and increases vouchers for some students to $12,000. The measure faces legal challenge in Cole County, alleging unconstitutional use of public dollars for private religious education.

St. Charles City-County Library officials are revising a proposal on how book bans are decided. Under the new plan, requests to remove books may be appealed to the library board, which would need a supermajority of 6 out of 9 members to ban a book after reviewing appeals. The policy comes amid concerns over newly appointed trustees and potential targeting of books with LGBTQ themes. The board will vote on the revised proposal on Tuesday; details are online at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Learn more about the library board proposal.

Ameren plans a new gas plant at its former Meramec coal site amid utility and regulatory debates. The company is investing $800 million in the Castle Bluff Energy Center, an 800-megawatt facility in south St. Louis County, after closing its Meramec Energy Center in 2022. State regulators and watchdog groups are scrutinizing how utility costs for such projects will affect customers, especially as demand projections remain uncertain. Federal energy policy shifts and lapsing tax credits for renewables further complicate utility decisions. Ameren’s Rush Island plant, now retired, was entangled in a lengthy lawsuit over illegal generator modifications and excessive sulfur dioxide emissions, with appellate courts recently overturning orders to offset its pollution. Read more details on the regulatory and legal backdrop.

ALSO READ

Bakery’s Future Uncertain

The Missouri Baking Company on The Hill faces an uncertain future after a lawsuit between co-owners Camille Lordo and Anthony Favazza concluded this week in St. Louis Circuit Court. Lordo, the granddaughter of the bakery’s founder, has refused to continue operating the business with Favazza, who acquired her brother’s 50% share last year.

Lordo filed a petition last fall to dissolve the business, citing irreconcilable differences with Favazza. Favazza, who owns two other Hill businesses, wants to preserve the storied bakery, which has won multiple local accolades. The court will determine the next steps for the bakery’s legacy.

ALSO READ

St. Louis Ranked 3rd Most Exciting City

St. Louis has secured the No. 3 spot among the most exciting cities in the United States, according to a recent FinanceBuzz study. The ranking highlights local attractions and the city’s vibrant entertainment and dining scenes.

The report credits St. Louis for its high density of nightclubs, lively districts like The Loop and Ballpark Village, and major city parks such as Forest Park. The study also notes the city’s affordability and diverse venues, making it a standout among urban destinations nationwide.

QUICK HITS

Chris Stapleton captivated a packed Hollywood Casino Amphitheater with a two-hour set featuring powerful vocals, dynamic guitar work, and hits like "Tennessee Whiskey," culminating in an encore of "Outlaw State of Mind."

St. Louis Cardinals avoided a sweep by the Atlanta Braves Sunday, rallying for a 5-4 victory after two rain delays at Busch Stadium, with Jose Fermin hitting his first MLB home run to clinch the win.

Federal K-12 education funding of more than $6 billion is on hold as the U.S. Department of Education reviews several grant programs, impacting Missouri and Illinois school districts as they assess local effects and await updates.

Brown recluse spiders are increasingly appearing in St. Louis homes as mating season begins, prompting entomologists to urge residents to tidy storage spaces and consider professional pest control for long-term management.

St. Louis Bosnian community marked the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide with a solemn March of Remembrance, speeches, and commemorations downtown on Saturday, July 12, 2025, to honor more than 8,000 victims.

GENERATING BUZZ

A new coffee shop has opened in the Central West End, located inside the Hotel Indigo on Lindell near Kingshighway. What sets this spot apart is Outpost Coffee [& Bricks], a café where customers can enjoy Goshen Coffee alongside renting LEGO sets for hands-on building experiences. The concept is part of Bel Air Social, a larger social space featuring dining vendors like Pizza Via 2.0 and an outdoor area with live music and games. The coffee shop currently operates daily from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and aims to offer a place for meaningful interaction unplugged from digital distractions. Check it out.

PERSON OF INTEREST

Maya Angelou, born in St. Louis in 1928, became one of America's most influential poets and authors. Her groundbreaking autobiography, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' broke barriers in literature by addressing racism and trauma with honesty and grace. Angelou was also known for her work as a civil rights activist and mentor to generations of writers. Learn more.