Governor Pritzker unveils new food and housing initiatives in Metro East. FEMA sends $59M for St. Louis tornado recovery. Kaldi’s Coffee tops US chain rankings as workers seek union. Plus: SLPS school closures, school tax votes, and more local updates.

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Pritzker Highlights Food, Housing Initiatives

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited the Metro East on Wednesday to announce new investments to increase residents’ access to affordable food and housing. His day began in Venice, where the state is investing $2.4 million in a new grocery store.

Madison County faces high food insecurity, with over 12% of its 33,000 residents living in food deserts, according to Feeding America. Nearly half of these individuals do not qualify for federal aid like SNAP, making low-cost groceries difficult to access. The new store will be required to accept WIC and SNAP and offer fresh produce. Pritzker said the timing is crucial as some lawmakers seek tighter food aid requirements.

Pritzker’s second stop was the opening of the Sunnybrook Affordable Housing Development in Alton, expanding housing options for working families. Read more details about Pritzker’s Metro East initiatives.

AROUND TOWN

Kaldi’s Coffee was named the best U.S. coffee chain for 2025 by USA Today’s 10BEST poll. The St. Louis-based company secured the top ranking for the second year in a row, according to company statements and USA Today. On Wednesday, employees from at least eight local stores rallied outside Kaldi’s headquarters to begin a union campaign. Kaldi’s leadership confirmed respect for staff’s unionization rights and highlighted pay, benefits, and internal communication channels. Next, employees will pursue formal organizing steps.

Voters split on school funding propositions in the Mehlville and Rockwood school districts on Tuesday. Mehlville residents approved Proposition A, maintaining the current tax rate and allocating around $1.4 million for vital infrastructure improvements, with 66% in favor. Rockwood’s Proposition S, a 45-cent tax levy increase aiming to raise $27 million annually for teacher pay and security, failed by just over 500 votes. Election details and district statements can be found here.

St. Louis Public Schools board voted to close two schools due to declining enrollment and budget needs. Sumner High School and Hickey Elementary will shut their doors at the end of the 2024-25 school year, after a unanimous vote on June 11. District leaders said enrollment in St. Louis Public Schools has dropped by 25% over 10 years, forcing consolidation. Community members raised concerns about the neighborhood's impact, while officials pledged to support affected students and staff during the transition. Read more details about the closures.

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FEMA Releases Tornado Aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will transfer $59 million to St. Louis to assist with tornado recovery, following the May 16 storms. The funding is part of an estimated $180 million in federal support for Missouri.

Senator Eric Schmitt announced the relief, which includes debris removal funding and support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose experts arrive in Jefferson City today. President Trump approved disaster declarations in June at the request of Governor Mike Kehoe. Read more details on FEMA’s tornado recovery funding for St. Louis.

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Youth of the Year Returns

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis will announce its 2024 Youth of the Year winner next week, the group’s top honor recognizing outstanding young members.

Past winners Jalisa Wines (2017) and Walls (2012) have returned to the club as staff, inspiring a new generation. Both credit the lifelong support and mentorship received at the club for shaping their paths. The Youth of the Year program has recognized local youth since 1947. More on their stories and the club's impact.

QUICK HITS

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis features "The Brothers Size," an award-winning drama by Tarell Alvin McCraney, running through Nov. 9 and exploring themes of brotherhood and ancestry through music, ritual, and poetic storytelling.

Incarnate Word advanced to the Class 4 girls volleyball state tournament after sweeping St. Dominic and will face Lee’s Summit North at 10 a.m. Thursday in the semifinals at St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Kirkwood's city-owned electric utility raised rates by 14.8% as of Nov. 1, surpassing Ameren Missouri's rates for the first time in years after overspending on a 12-year infrastructure upgrade.

Missouri overdose deaths declined 26% in 2023, with St. Louis region deaths down nearly 34%, as harm reduction efforts and organizations like MoNetwork expanded life-saving measures.

Washington University sophomore Rena Cohen has had six crosswords published in the New York Times and leads the Student Life daily minipuzzle section, mentoring peers and advancing crossword diversity.