Good morning, St. Louis. Legal challenges put Missouri’s proposed congressional map under review. Also today: sharp health insurance hikes loom, Katie’s Pizza goes national, downtown businesses feel the Cardinals’ pinch, and a townhome proposal could reshape University City. Plus, see cheetah cubs debut at Saint Louis Zoo.

MAIN STORY

Missouri Redistricting Debate Heads to Court

Legal battles are underway over Missouri’s new congressional map, which could shift Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City district toward the GOP. At least two lawsuits filed this month challenge lawmakers' authority to redraw district lines mid-decade.

Plaintiffs argue the Missouri Constitution only allows redistricting immediately after a census, while map defenders say the lack of an explicit prohibition means such moves are legal. The Missouri Supreme Court has never directly ruled on the issue, and legal experts say the outcome depends on the interpretation of the state's constitutional language. Opponents are also seeking a statewide vote and must gather more than 100,000 signatures within 90 days to trigger a referendum.

For now, courts will decide if the new map stands or voters will have their say. The decision could set a lasting precedent on redistricting timing in Missouri.

AROUND TOWN

A proposed development could bring 108 townhomes to a previously unused cemetery site in University City. William James Capital LLC plans to purchase 10.7 acres from United Hebrew Cemetery for $1.2 million, with the intention of building The Enclave on Canton, which will feature amenities such as a coffee shop and pickleball courts. The University City council must approve the project after input from the Metropolitan Sewer District and local stormwater officials, with residents raising concerns about flooding due to proximity to the River Des Peres.

The Black Rep is staging “Raisin,” the rarely revived Tony-winning musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” through Sunday at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. The 1973 musical, which first premiered eight years after Hansberry’s death, draws fresh connections between 1950s Chicago and the history of segregation and disinvestment in St. Louis, according to Black Rep artistic director Ron Himes. The production features a 10-person band and a 15-member cast. Read more about this “Raisin” revival.

Downtown St. Louis businesses are feeling the pinch as Cardinals’ home game attendance drops to record lows. Karen Boschert, a vendor operating K’s Unique Dogs near Busch Stadium for more than 20 years, says her sales are down nearly 80% from their peak, citing declining ticket sales and decreased foot traffic. The Cardinals recently sold a record low of 17,002 tickets for a Sept. 2 game, dropping their 2024 season average to 27,700 tickets per game, which ranks 19th in Major League Baseball. Taxable sales in the 63102 ZIP code have decreased by approximately $50 million compared to last year, representing a roughly 7% annual decline. Boschert’s story underscores the broader economic impact on restaurants, vendors, and downtown revenues as the team’s on-field struggles persist. Despite closing a second cart, Boschert remains hopeful for a turnaround, believing fan demand will recover once the team improves.

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Rising Health Insurance Costs

Small businesses and employees in Missouri and Kansas are bracing for significant increases in health insurance premiums in 2025 and 2026, with some small-group plans seeking rate hikes of up to 19%. Companies like Alma Mader Brewing and DMC Service Inc. have transitioned to self-funded insurance models to continue offering benefits despite rising costs.

Nationally, health insurance costs for employer-based plans have jumped from $5,963 per employee in 2015 to $8,486 in 2024. Analysts expect even steeper rises ahead, driven by inflation, health care demand, and policy changes. Read more about the coming premium increases here.

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Katie’s Pizza Launches in Target

Katie’s Pizza, a St. Louis-based favorite, will now be available in Target stores nationwide. The company, led by founder Katie Lee, announced the rollout of four frozen pizza varieties based on its popular menu at the restaurant.

Katie’s Pizza began offering frozen options during the pandemic and operates three locations across the St. Louis area. The expansion brings locally inspired flavors such as Burrata Margherita and Meatball to a national audience. For more details on product varieties and store locations, visit the official announcement.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis is among 25 cities being considered to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch Blues reporter Matthew DeFranks.

Trailnet is urging St. Louis City and County leaders to lower arterial road speed limits to 25 mph and neighborhood streets to 20 mph, citing research linking reduced speeds to significant drops in pedestrian injuries.

Saint Louis Zoo began offering the public limited viewing hours of its five four-month-old cheetah cubs and their mother Cora at the River’s Edge habitat as of Wednesday, with daily appearances set between 9 and 10 a.m.

Speak Up St. Louis has received numerous resident-submitted policy ideas since its launch a week ago, with the most popular suggestion as of Wednesday morning calling for “The Boys Are Back In Town” to replace the opening prayer at city meetings.

St. Louis County launched Project Eagle FANG, a federally funded testing initiative identifying drugs in anonymously submitted street samples, with results published monthly to help local health officials and users track dangerous substance mixtures.