St. Louis residents exposed to Coldwater Creek contamination can now seek federal compensation. Learn about new application details, recent health studies, and ongoing cleanup efforts in today’s top local headlines.

MAIN STORY

Radiation Compensation Applications Open

St. Louis-area residents can now apply for federal compensation due to radiation exposure linked to Coldwater Creek contamination. Local and federal officials announced the move Tuesday during a ceremony in Hazelwood, following recent legislative action.

A new Harvard study found an increased cancer risk for individuals exposed to radioactive waste near Coldwater Creek during the 1950s and 1960s. Mallinckrodt began processing uranium ore downtown in 1942, leaving parts of St. Louis contaminated for more than 80 years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to start removing radioactive material from the West Lake Landfill in 2027. State leaders have urged the EPA to address a “high likelihood” of radiological contamination in the Bridgeton landfill.

Eligible residents can begin submitting compensation claims under the newly expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. More details are available on the EPA's Coldwater Creek public website.

AROUND TOWN

The long-stalled Riverpointe project in St. Charles could soon see progress with plans for two new hotels. After years of delays plagued by changing market conditions and developer uncertainty, city leaders in July 2025 expressed optimism that hospitality investments could catalyze further development along the Missouri River. The proposed hotels, which would add roughly 250 rooms, are expected to attract both leisure and business travelers, potentially transforming the Riverpointe site into a regional destination.

A street collapse outside Pappy’s Smokehouse may force the Midtown restaurant to close for a week. A nearly 15-foot hole opened along Olive Street on Tuesday after a delivery truck passed over it, causing the sewer line to collapse and extensive water damage from heavy rain. Though Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District officials have no set timeline for repairs, co-owner John Matthews estimated they might reopen by Friday if all goes well. Pappy’s remains closed as excavations continue.

ALSO READ

Advocates Urge Ameren to Halt Power Disconnections

Advocates rallied outside Ameren’s headquarters Wednesday morning, demanding the utility stop electricity shutoffs for tornado victims unable to pay bills. Ameren resumed disconnections August 5 after a temporary pause following the May 16 tornado.

More than 30 community groups previously urged Ameren’s CEO to extend the moratorium through year’s end and erase debts for impacted households. Ameren leaders maintain that financial assistance programs are available, and highlighted a $1 million donation to tornado relief. Some advocates say accessing aid remains difficult. As of June, over 160,000 customers owed electricity payments.

ALSO READ

EPA Review Flags St. Charles Contamination

A recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review found that contamination at the Findett Corporation Superfund Site in St. Charles is spreading, and the cleanup’s effectiveness remains uncertain in some areas. The report raises concerns for residents who rely on a nearby wellfield for drinking water.

The EPA review, the sixth since the site’s 1980s designation, deferred a protectiveness decision for two site sections due to limited data on ecological risks. Groundwater contamination is moving closer to city wells, prompting the EPA to rate cleanup efforts as only “short-term protective.” Read more about the EPA review.

QUICK HITS

Josephine Baker memorabilia will be donated to the Missouri Historical Society in 2025, following a bequest by philanthropist Mary Strauss, honoring the St. Louis-born entertainer and civil rights activist.

SLU women's soccer begins a new era this fall, with longtime midfielder Hannah Larson returning as a key player for the team.

St. Louis Public Schools officials said all 220 bus routes will be covered for the 2025-26 school year starting Aug. 18, following last year’s transportation struggles and a provider switch to Zum.

Man infected with brain-eating amoeba after waterskiing in Lake of the Ozarks contracted the rare Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which is commonly found in warm freshwater, according to Missouri health officials.

Tower Grove East neighbors reported a landscaping truck illegally dumping a large pile of debris in their alley, prompting a city cleanup and a police investigation into the driver, who may face charges.