Good morning, St. Louis. Missouri’s $50.8 billion budget is set, with Governor Kehoe approving major spending cuts and changes. Here’s what local communities, schools, and workers can expect in the new fiscal year.

MAIN STORY

Missouri Governor Signs State Budget

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bulk of the state's $50.8 billion budget Thursday, vetoing or restricting spending on more than 240 items, including road, sewer, and higher education projects. He reduced university and college funding increases to 1.5%, down from the 3% legislators had passed.

Kehoe said fiscal restraint was needed as lawmakers' proposals exceeded Missouri’s means. The state constitution still bars public funds from going directly to private religious schools, but $50 million in the new budget aims to expand private school vouchers through the state treasurer’s office. The budget also includes up to 10% pay raises for longtime state employees, $107 million for child care, and $3 million for rising medical costs in mental health care. The Department of Social Services, managing Medicaid and other benefits, will receive $17 billion.

The budget takes effect with the start of the new fiscal year. For more details, visit St. Louis news coverage.

AROUND TOWN

Alberici Corp. has taken an ownership stake in St. Louis-based LCG Capital Management to broaden its services. The construction giant joined the LCG board and plans to expand its offerings beyond construction, aiming for turnkey real estate solutions while LCG continues to operate independently. This local partnership comes as commercial clients face tighter credit markets. Financial details were not released, but leaders say the collaboration will help meet evolving client and market needs.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has proposed slashing lot size requirements to boost residential density. Board Bill 42 would reduce the minimum lot sizes for single-family homes from 4,000 to 2,000 square feet and for two-family residences from 2,500 to 1,250 square feet per unit in select zoning districts. Aldermanic President Megan Green said these measures target obstacles to development, especially on vacant lots following the May 16 tornado. For more details, read about the aldermen’s proposal.

Bootleggin' Tavern will close its Grove location and reopen in Wood River, Illinois, in July. Known for Kansas City-style barbecue, the restaurant announced on Facebook that July 3 will be its last day at 4501 Chouteau Ave. in St. Louis' Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The new address is expected to be 203 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River, though the owners have not confirmed an exact opening date. Read more about the move and owner updates here.

ALSO READ

Chronic Absenteeism Surges

Nearly 30% of U.S. public school students were chronically absent during the 2022–2023 academic year, double the pre-pandemic average, according to Department of Education data. The rate rises to 40% among Black students.

Local education advocates and researchers cite post-pandemic mindset changes, system barriers, and the political climate as contributing factors. Chronic absenteeism widens achievement gaps and raises dropout risks, especially for Black students. Experts urge improved parent engagement and increased support for schools. Read more about the absenteeism crisis and community calls to action in this report on student absenteeism disparities.

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Smino Closes Tour in St. Louis

Grammy-nominated rap artist Smino wrapped up his national “Kountry Kousins Tour” on Sunday at St. Louis Music Park, bringing a hometown atmosphere and high energy to a packed crowd. The set, designed like a St. Louis front porch, featured two hours of live music and a light show.

Emerging acts Mamii and Samara Cyn opened the night, introducing their unique sounds to local fans. Smino’s performance highlighted both his roots and global appeal, blending hits like “No Ls” and “90 Proof” with newer tracks. Read more details about the show and performers here.

QUICK HITS

Wentzville School District updated its student code of conduct on June 18 to allow peace disturbance charges and 5-10 day suspensions for students who assault anyone at school, with policy wording now under review.

University of Missouri Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield remain at a stalemate over contract negotiations, leaving roughly 90,000 central Missouri residents facing higher health care costs and limited provider access since April 1.

St. Louis Downtown Airport will receive about $1.2 million in federal funding to complete upgrades to Curtiss-Steinburg Drive, improving access for terminal operations, airport businesses, and hangar facilities in Sauget and Cahokia Heights.

St. Louis officials are advancing a plan to buy out and demolish seven homes in the Ellendale neighborhood that have repeatedly flooded, following the July 2022 storms that left hundreds of homes damaged and prompted over 400 rescues.

Paul Kamphoefner, 76, remains one of the last hand-gravediggers in the St. Louis region, continuing a decades-old tradition by manually digging as many as 3,200 graves across more than 20 cemeteries in St. Charles County.

GENERATING BUZZ

A recent community discussion in North Hampton shared a near-miss incident involving a cyclist and a driver at Chippewa and S Kingshighway. The driver stopped at a red light, nearly colliding with a cyclist making a turn, highlighting the risk cyclists face when they are not easily visible at night. The post emphasizes that while drivers must remain vigilant, cyclists can enhance safety by wearing reflective gear, especially given St. Louis’s high rate of crashes on urban roads with 30-35 mph speed limits, many of which occur at intersections. The conversation highlights the urgent need for all road users to increase visibility and exercise caution. Check it out.

HISTORICAL EVENT

In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its infamous Dred Scott decision, stemming from a case filed in St. Louis. Enslaved man Dred Scott sued for his freedom after living in free states, but the Court ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. This landmark case intensified tensions leading up to the Civil War. Learn more.