Today’s top stories: Missouri Supreme Court reviews state voting laws; St. Louis restaurants seek community support; Delmar Maker District rebuilds after tornado; hundreds of trees replanted in Forest Park; details on Lake of the Ozarks casino campaign and Lindenwood’s NCAA soccer debut.

MAIN STORY

Missouri Supreme Court Hears Election Law Challenges

The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in two significant cases on state voting laws, including the 2022 voter photo ID requirement and restrictions on voter registration and absentee ballot outreach.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs, including the ACLU of Missouri and the NAACP, seek reversal of previous rulings upholding the photo ID law, arguing it creates significant obstacles. The state maintains that voters approved a constitutional amendment supporting the photo ID law by 63%, and says opponents have not shown anyone unable to vote because of the law. The judges also considered another case on whether limits on paid voter registration efforts and absentee ballot application outreach are unconstitutional. In that case, the state wants a lower court’s ruling striking down those provisions reversed, while the ACLU says the rules infringe on protected speech.

The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether these election law measures remain in effect statewide. Read more about the hearings and legal arguments here.

AROUND TOWN

Hundreds of new trees are being planted in Forest Park’s Successional Forest following the May tornado damage. Forest Park Forever, in partnership with the City of St. Louis, is restoring a 2.4-acre section of the more than 20-acre Successional Forest, which was affected by the May 16 tornado that damaged over 3,000 trees parkwide. About 170 volunteers joined staff to plant 800 trees this month, with 500 planted in the Successional Forest. Restoration will continue with additional plantings and possible prescribed burns. Learn more about volunteering or supporting Forest Park Forever here.

St. Louis developer Jeff Tegethoff contributed $250,000 to the Lake of the Ozarks casino campaign. Tegethoff, with a background in major mixed-use projects in St. Louis and the lake region, joined forces with the Lake of the Ozarks Community Gaming committee, formed June 14, to push for a statewide ballot measure legalizing a riverboat casino by November 2026. Local leaders, including Andrew Prewitt and his uncle, Gary Prewitt, back the initiative, which requires voter support in Missouri. For more details, see the casino campaign coverage.

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St. Louis Restaurants Seek Support

Several St. Louis restaurants are turning to social media for help as sales continue to drop in late 2025. O'Connell's Pub owner John Parker went public about the pub's financial struggles, asking customers to show support.

Restaurant owners across the city cite slow foot traffic and ongoing economic challenges as reasons for their pleas. Many hope increased community visibility will help them survive the coming months. For more on local efforts, see this detailed report on restaurant appeals.

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Delmar Maker District Rebuilds After 2025 Tornado

The Delmar Maker District is working to recover after a tornado struck in May 2025, leaving many businesses damaged or destroyed. Several restaurants, including Steve’s Hot Dogs and Nixta, have since reopened, but business remains down by 30 to 50 percent.

A new fundraising campaign, Dollar$ for Delmar, launches on December 11 to support the ongoing recovery for affected businesses. Organizers hope to raise $1.5 million. Events and new developments are bringing back crowds, but leaders say sustained community support is needed to restore the district’s momentum fully.

QUICK HITS

Clement Ford dealership will officially open on Friday in Wentzville, featuring Ford’s new 71,000-square-foot showroom design, a Bronco-exclusive center, and a fully climate-controlled service shop accommodating nearly 40 cars.

Lindenwood University qualified for the NCAA Division I soccer tournament for the first time in 2025, led by forward Luca Bartoni, who scored seven goals as the team charts a new chapter in program history.

Salvation Army began assembling St. Louis' most enormous Christmas tree at Kiener Plaza for its 78th annual holiday celebration, with the official lighting, Thanksgiving parade, and Red Kettle Campaign launch scheduled for November 22 at 6 p.m.

Brandy and Monica electrified a sold-out Enterprise Center on Sunday with their The Boy Is Mine Tour, delivering decades-spanning R&B hits and tributes alongside Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and 2025 American Idol winner Jamal Roberts.

Judge Matthew Thornhill accepted a six-month unpaid suspension, 18 months of return, and mandatory retirement after allegations he wore an Elvis costume and played Presley songs in his St. Charles County courtroom.