Your St. Louis morning: Opponents submit thousands of signatures to put Missouri’s Trump-backed redistricting plan before voters. St. Louis County faces an $80 million budget gap. Coldwater Creek cleanup gets federal funds. Plus: $5M in nonprofit grants, Enterprise expansion, local event highlights, and more.

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Missouri Map Challenged

Opponents of Missouri's new congressional map turned in more than 305,000 signatures on Tuesday, aiming to put the Trump-backed redistricting plan on the November ballot. The proposal would shift Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-area district toward Republicans after the 2026 midterms.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins may attempt to block the referendum, but legal experts say state law and past precedent do not favor that approach. People Not Politicians, the opposition group, tripled the required signature count and argues the map should be paused until voters decide. Disputes continue over whether the map can go into effect immediately, with Missouri officials and courts yet to rule definitively.

Election authorities have until late July to verify signatures. If the required thresholds are met, Missouri voters could cast ballots on the redistricting map’s fate, echoing a similar vote on congressional districts in 1922. Read more about the redistricting challenge.

AROUND TOWN

The St. Louis County Port Authority approved nearly $5 million in grants for 38 local nonprofits. This year’s Community Investment Fund saw a record 80-plus applications, up from 36 last year, with funding focused on business expansion, real estate, and underserved community support. Room at the Inn, a Bridgeton shelter, received $73,000 to upgrade its parking lot after a recent renovation. Grant disbursements will occur after nonprofits finalize their paperwork, with reimbursement for eligible expenses. Learn more about the grants and recipients.

Enterprise Holdings plans expansions in St. Louis as vehicle rental demand grows post-pandemic. The company, headquartered in Clayton, reported revenue increases driven by continued travel recovery and higher fleet utilization in 2023. Executives say their employee base, which tops 80,000 globally, could grow locally as they add new services and technology. Industry observers note increased competition from ride-share and subscriptions, but Enterprise expects strong demand for rentals through 2024 and plans to invest in electric vehicles and customer-facing upgrades.

Chef Andrew Cisneros has brought a Peruvian-American menu to Rockwell Beer Co. in the Grove. After partnering with co-owner Chris Hulse in early 2024, Cisneros revamped Rockwell’s food offerings, blending Peruvian flavors with American classics like burgers and fries. The chef, known for his work at Jalea and Brasas, draws from both European culinary training and Peruvian heritage. Rockwell Beer Co. will host a Candy Cane Lane Run on Dec. 10 and a Holiday Market on Dec. 14; find details via Rockwell’s events page or Instagram.

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St. Louis County Faces $80M Budget Gap

St. Louis County leaders will meet Tuesday night to address a budget shortfall of more than $80 million, with council members weighing two sharply different proposals. Key decisions are expected at the County Council meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

County Executive Sam Page wants to use Rams settlement funds and introduce an internet sales tax, while council members propose deep spending cuts that could close the county’s three public health clinics and impact police and prosecutor’s office budgets. Page has warned that reducing law enforcement funding could threaten public safety. Read more about the budget debate and its possible impact.

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Coldwater Creek Cleanup Funding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently received new federal funds for ongoing radioactive waste cleanup along Coldwater Creek, near Jana Elementary School in Florissant. Workers began removing contaminated soil in September 2023.

Coldwater Creek has a long history of radioactive waste issues stemming from nuclear weapons production during World War II. Area residents and officials have called for expedited cleanup, especially after contamination was found near schools. The new funding aims to accelerate remediation efforts, with local oversight continuing as projects progress. Community updates and public input sessions are expected in the coming months.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Blues report a positive MRI for injured forward Jordan Kyrou, though his return date remains uncertain after the team secured consecutive road wins in Ottawa and Montreal.

Mya Grimes, a St. Louis college student who survived the May 16 EF-3 tornado, earned state recognition and a global fellowship for her resilience and service to families affected by the disaster.

St. Louis City expanded its recycling drop-off sites from 25 to 45 since August, increased pickup frequency to address overflowing bins, and reported a 76% recycling rate, with $100,000 in monthly savings from reduced contamination.

Operation Any Means Necessary is racing to repair tornado-damaged roofs in north St. Louis ahead of a bitter cold snap, focusing on keeping senior residents like 92-year-old Crandall Jones safe in their homes.

El Monstero members discuss their annual seven-night Pink Floyd tribute at The Pageant, the evolution of their nearly 30-year holiday tradition, and the behind-the-scenes process on a new episode of The Sauce podcast.