Welcome to your St. Louis news update. Today: Missouri enacts a new law blocking local tenant protections related to housing vouchers and public assistance, affecting ordinances in several major cities statewide.

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Missouri Blocks Local Source-of-Income Protections

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed legislation Monday that makes local laws prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants who use public assistance unenforceable. The law targets ordinances in cities such as St. Louis, Webster Groves, and Columbia, which protect renters who use Section 8 housing vouchers and similar income sources.

The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Chris Brown (R-Kansas City) and Ben Keathley (R-Chesterfield), had support from landlord groups, apartment associations, and the Show Me Institute, who argue source-of-income protections overreach into property owners’ rights. Opponents, including Empower Missouri and Kansas City officials, say that it infringes on local control and will exacerbate affordable housing shortages.

Similar protections were previously passed in Kansas City in 2023, but were paused in February due to court action. The new law immediately nullifies local ordinances statewide.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis is ramping up tornado recovery efforts, focusing on safe rebuilding and contractor oversight. Nearly two months after an EF3 tornado damaged thousands of properties, city officials and agencies, led by Mayor Cara Spencer, have launched initiatives to help reconnect electricity, stabilize homes, and link residents with licensed contractors. The city’s new registry aims to prevent fraud, while advocates urge equitable construction opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms. Additional federal grants may boost repair aid for low-income homeowners. Read St. Louis Public Radio’s tornado recovery coverage for updates.

A prominent downtown St. Louis hotel has rebranded from Holiday Inn to The Arch Convention Hotel. The 293-room property at 811 N. Ninth St., near America’s Center convention complex, changed its branding in recent weeks, according to guest reviews. The ownership group, Vidhi 8 LLC, and its former parent company, IHG Hotels, provided no comment on the reason for the switch. The site previously operated as a Ramada Plaza before reopening as a Holiday Inn in 2015 after renovations. Read more on the hotel rebranding.

St. Louis Public Schools will relocate students from tornado-damaged buildings to a long-vacant school this fall. SLPS finalized the relocation plan on Monday night, moving Sumner High students to Stevens Middle School, which had been closed since 2016, after a May 16 tornado displaced 2,000 students. Other affected students are assigned to various temporary locations, with teachers and staff transitioning alongside them. Some neighbors express concern over transportation and neighborhood issues, while SLPS prepares support events ahead of the August 18 start. Read the whole plan here.

ALSO READ

Police Bodycam Contract Under Federal Probe

A federal investigation is underway into how St. Louis awarded a multimillion-dollar police equipment contract, following a whistleblower’s claim that the bidding process was rigged. The newly created St. Louis Police Commission will review the contract at its first meeting.

The previous vendor, Utility, supplied body cameras and other technology for about $6 million, but a $25 million deal later went to Axon, sparking controversy and a formal appeal. Following the state's control of the department and cancellation of the Axon contract, commissioners must now decide on a new agreement to keep the cameras operational. Read more information here.

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STL Bucket List Acquires Sauce Magazine

STL Bucket List announced on Tuesday that it acquired Sauce Magazine, one of St. Louis’ last food publications, according to a post on Sauce’s website. The magazine will continue to publish its monthly print issues, restore its podcast, and expand its digital offerings.

Sauce, founded in 1999 and long under Allyson Mace’s ownership, had been threatened with closure after Chris Keating’s 2023 purchase led to staff cuts. The new owners plan editorial independence for Sauce, which will now operate alongside STL Bucket List. For more, see details of the acquisition.

QUICK HITS

“Antisemitism in our Backyard” gathered nearly 50 people on July 7 in St. Louis County to urge the Jewish community and allies to confront local antisemitism and support one another.

Missouri's expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act has led local advocates to warn St. Louis residents about scams, as the Department of Justice has not yet released an official application for compensation.

St. Louis will host its final open houses on July 16 and July 19 to discuss the new Transportation and Mobility Plan, which is scheduled for adoption this fall as the city’s first official plan since 1948.

St. Louis community members are supporting the family of 16-year-old Elijah, who was fatally shot Friday, as police continue searching for suspects in one of two juvenile homicides reported in the city this year.

South Broadway Athletic Club celebrates its 125-year legacy in Soulard as a new book details its evolution from an immigrant-founded men’s club to a thriving, inclusive center for sports, events, and community gatherings.

GENERATING BUZZ

A recent thread asked users to name their go-to local radio stations, prompting dozens of replies covering everything from public radio and classic rock to niche music genres and community broadcasts. Commenters highlighted specific shows, time slots, and longtime local personalities, offering insight into what’s popular on the airwaves in 2025. The discussion also surfaces how listeners balance streaming services with traditional radio and where they tune in for regional news, weather, and traffic updates. Check it out.