Today’s newsletter covers Missouri’s commitment to timely SNAP payments amid legal challenges, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow national nomination, and St. Louis’s first cannabis microbusiness harvests. Plus: Boeing’s new contract offer, medical advances at Barnes-Jewish, storm recovery volunteer needs, sports highlights, and local community events.

MAIN STORY

SNAP Funds Remain on Track

Missouri officials said this week that they still expect to release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds as planned, despite ongoing legal disputes. The update comes as disruptions in SNAP funding have increased demand at food pantries across the St. Charles area.

Local organizations, such as Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, along with the Salvation Army, are responding by distributing additional food donations. Convoy of Hope recently delivered a truckload of nonperishable items to help meet rising needs. Legal wrangling over the SNAP program has fueled uncertainty, but Missouri maintains that benefit payments should be released this week as scheduled.

Community groups and beneficiaries await clarity as court challenges continue to unfold. Residents seeking updates can visit the Missouri Department of Social Services SNAP webpage. SNAP has remained a lifeline for more than 700,000 Missourians for nearly six decades.

AROUND TOWN

Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s new “meds to beds” program doubled Hepatitis C cure rates for postpartum women. Washington University School of Medicine researchers analyzed 149 cases from January 2020 to September 2023, finding that two-thirds of women left the hospital with a full antiviral course and were cured, compared to just one-third referred to outside specialists. Hepatitis C infections among reproductive-age Americans tripled from 2010 to 2021, prompting Missouri to ease Medicaid restrictions and expand third-trimester screenings. The successful approach, already treating over 250 patients hospital-wide, could serve as a national model for patient care innovation.

Boeing has offered St. Louis-area machinists a revised contract as their strike nears a fourth month. The new proposal, detailed by Boeing Defense, Space & Security CEO Steve Parker, would provide a $6,000 ratification bonus but removes restricted stock units and previous retention bonuses, aiming to deliver more immediate cash. About 3,200 union members, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, will vote Thursday, potentially ending the work stoppage if the contract is ratified. Read more about the new Boeing proposal.

Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response group, has returned to St. Louis to assist storm victims. Dozens of volunteers began helping families clean up homes damaged during last week’s severe weather, marking their third deployment to the region. Volunteer Catherine Webb emphasized the urgent need for additional volunteers but acknowledged the challenges of taking time away from work or family. Donations and volunteer sign-ups are being accepted at the Team Rubicon USA website, as cleanup efforts continue.

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Botanical Garden Lights Nominated

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Garden Glow holiday light display is up for "Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights" in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Public voting runs through 11 a.m. Dec. 1, and fans can vote once daily.

Garden Glow, featuring over 2 million lights, was ranked No. 4 last year. This year’s display runs Nov. 15-Jan. 4 and adds expanded installations and interactive features. The nomination is among 20 nationwide. To vote or buy tickets, visit the Garden Glow voting and ticket page.

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Missouri Cannabis Microbusinesses See First Harvests

Missouri’s marijuana microbusiness owners are finally seeing their first harvests after two years of investment, setbacks, and regulatory delays. Only 12 of 68 licensed microbusinesses, mainly small cultivators and manufacturers, have received state approval to operate.

The microbusiness program, launched in 2023 to aid those affected by past drug enforcement, requires owners to navigate financial challenges and strict health standards. Some, like Bud Wizard’s Samantha Blum, invested personal savings after struggling to find investors. Owners hope recent manufacturing approvals and growing retail demand will stabilize revenues. Read more about Missouri’s cannabis microbusiness progress here.

QUICK HITS

Jacob Talve-Goodman will lead volunteers on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to clear debris from the trails at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Day School as the first phase of a 1½-year restoration plan.

Midwest BankCentre opened its new Bevo branch at 4612 Gravois Ave., maintaining its commitment to neighborhood investment after donating its previous location for affordable senior housing development.

Wanda Sykes appears at the St. Louis International Film Festival to screen her first dramatic movie role in “Undercard,” participate in a Q&A, and accept the Trailblazer Achievement Award on Monday at Hi-Pointe Theatre.

Summit boys soccer captured the Class 3 District 2 title Saturday at Moss Field with a 2-1 overtime win against Webster Groves, advancing to the state quarterfinals after rallying from a first-half deficit.

Army veteran Morris, age 85, has spent 18 years volunteering and building a veterans memorial inside a nursing home to honor the stories and sacrifices of fellow service members.