Today’s top stories: Officials probe a major explosion in Black Jack; tornado aid deadline looms; a Harris-Stowe center supports Black entrepreneurs; I-64 lane closures continue; and The Gin Room welcomes a new chef. Plus, other local news, city sports, and upcoming events across St. Louis.

MAIN STORY

North County Explosion Probe

St. Louis County officials are investigating a powerful explosion that destroyed five homes and damaged several others in Black Jack on Monday morning, sending at least three people to area hospitals. The blast occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Candlewyck Drive and Belcroft, with firefighters rescuing victims from the rubble and evacuating dozens of residents.

About 90% of damaged homes in the area were deemed unsafe to enter, according to Black Jack Fire Protection Chief Paul Peebles. Gas and electricity were shut off to approximately 30 homes, but Spire officials said their infrastructure was undamaged. The ATF and county bomb and arson investigators are leading the search for the explosion’s cause. Some residents described chaos and fear in the moments following the blast.

A shelter for displaced residents has opened at St. Angela Merici Church. Authorities have not yet reported any fatalities as the investigation continues.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis commuters using I-64 face continued lane closures and delays for at least six more weeks. The Missouri Department of Transportation reports one eastbound lane will close daily from 22nd Street to 6th Street between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., while one westbound lane will close most days starting at 8 a.m. Crews are installing debris netting along this corridor, with work expected to last another month and a half. MODOT recommends I-44 as an alternate route for drivers seeking to avoid delays.

Justin Newsom has been named executive chef at The Gin Room on South Grand, bringing a new culinary direction. Newsom’s appointment marks a significant change for the cocktail-focused bar, known for its extensive gin menu. The Gin Room, led by Natasha Bahrami, continues to highlight innovative small plates and spirits-driven cuisine. Newsom plans to expand the food offerings while maintaining the bar’s signature style, aiming to draw new and returning patrons to the South Grand staple. Read more about Newsom and The Gin Room.

Two Holocaust-era plays examining the cost of allyship will be presented at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum on Aug. 28. The event, “When Allies Go Dark,” features staged readings of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Jewish Wife” and an adaptation of Kathrine Kressmann Taylor’s “Address Unknown,” both exploring betrayal and social silence in 1930s Germany. Directed by Kathleen Sitzer, the program includes live music and aims to prompt community reflection on antisemitism and responsibility. Tickets are $8 via the event page. More details can be found here.

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Tornado Aid Deadline Nears

St. Louis residents affected by the May 16 tornado face a Tuesday deadline to apply for federal aid. City officials are asking the government to extend the deadline, hoping to give survivors more time.

The tornado damaged dozens of homes, including those without insurance. Some residents, like Betty Mitchell from Greater Ville, have used FEMA funds to relocate. St. Louis previously requested deadline extensions, citing ongoing recovery needs. Residents can find application details through official assistance programs. The city has not yet received a response to its latest extension request.

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Center Boosts Black Entrepreneurs

Harris-Stowe State University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is helping Black entrepreneurs in St. Louis, including local business owner Emilia Robertson, find new opportunities and skills. Robertson credited the center’s mentorship after she pivoted her Jell-O shot brand, ShotsByEmilia, into a licensed mobile bartending business.

The center launched in 2021 and moved into its Olive Street home last year, offering support in a city where only about 2% of African Americans own businesses. For more details, listen to St. Louis on the Air.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis City SC fired sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel after a decline from a 2023 Western Conference title to a 14th-place standing and second-worst record in Major League Soccer in 2025.

Missouri State Treasurer’s Office can continue distributing $51 million in public funds for private-school scholarships while a lawsuit challenging the program's constitutionality proceeds in Cole County Circuit Court, according to a judge's ruling Monday.

Benton Park Lake in St. Louis drained after multiple sinkholes formed beneath the 1-acre lake, prompting city crews to clear away debris and assess repairs in August 2025.

SLUH boys soccer coach Bob O’Connell said the team is focused on maintaining a strong mindset to build on last season’s success as they prepare for the upcoming year.

Proud Boys billboard appeared near Breese Central Community High School, displaying a "Join now" message and raising concerns in the Metro East community.