Today: St. Louis County voters weigh school tax proposals, Chesterfield Mall’s $2B redevelopment breaks ground, and the Archdiocese launches an emergency food drive amid SNAP benefit cuts. Plus: Anthem’s downtown move, local heroes at Parkway North, Missouri opioid warnings, and more top headlines.

MAIN STORY

School Tax Proposals on Ballot

Voters in St. Louis County will decide on new property tax proposals for Rockwood and Mehlville school districts on Tuesday. The measures would impact local funding for public schools if approved.

Local governments and voter-approved propositions determine property tax rates in Missouri. School districts often seek increased rates to cover budget gaps or fund new programs. Some community members have voiced concerns about rising property taxes and household budgets, while others argue that increased funding is essential to maintain educational standards.

Election results will be posted after polls close. For more information on Missouri property taxes, see this guidance on how tax rates are determined.

AROUND TOWN

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield opened its new downtown St. Louis office Monday, relocating 500 employees. The insurer’s new space in the Deloitte Building, near the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium, aims to enhance workplace collaboration and update operations. Company leaders say the move will help “strengthen its downtown footprint,” but it does not add jobs; around 1,200 Anthem employees work regionally, many remotely. City officials cite this shift and nearby projects as signals of revitalization. More on the ribbon cutting here.

Three St. Louis sisters made history as the first Black sisters to earn Eagle Scout honors together. Cedar, Macy, and Maya Fitzpatrick, including twins, were among the first girls to join the Boy Scouts in 2017 after the organization's policy change. The trio, supported by long-time troop leader Sheri McCurdy, completed unique community service projects that included building equipment for a veterans’ hospital, aiding endangered birds, and helping the Endangered Wolf Center. Read more about the Fitzpatrick sisters’ achievements. 

St. Louis City SC interim coach David Critchley addressed the media ahead of the team's season finale. Critchley spoke Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, before City's matchup with Real Salt Lake on Saturday, marking the end of a transitional season (see St. Louis City SC interview for video). As the club navigates coach changes and future decisions, fans closely watch for updates on the interim role and potential long-term leadership plans.

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Chesterfield Mall Redevelopment Begins

Construction crews will start infrastructure work on Tuesday on the $2 billion Downtown Chesterfield project, launching a significant redevelopment effort in west St. Louis County at the site of the former Chesterfield Mall, which closed 14 months ago.

The Staenberg Group, led by Michael Staenberg, will spend the next 18 months completing water, gas, sewer, fiber lines, and public roads before vertical construction begins in early 2027. The Macy’s building will convert to office and retail space, while Dillard’s will reopen by August 2027. See additional project details at the Downtown Chesterfield project announcement.

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Archdiocese Launches Emergency Food Drive

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has announced an emergency food drive to assist families following a temporary halt in SNAP benefits, which affects over 650,000 Missourians as of November 1.

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski is urging local parishes to collect nonperishable food donations over the next two weekends. Local pantries anticipate a surge in demand amid ongoing federal cuts to food assistance. For more information, visit the Archdiocese food drive update. Parishioners can drop off items like canned goods and baby food for local distribution.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Art Museum presents "Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea," its largest exhibition in decades, showcasing massive, site-specific works from the German artist with free admission to visitors.

Parkway North High School teachers and students received commendation after they quickly performed CPR and used an AED to revive a 78-year-old marathon runner who collapsed while training on the school track last month.

Missouri health officials warned that products containing the compound 7-OH, which mimics opioids, can be deadly and urged residents to avoid unregulated substances.

Construction crews have been dumping truckloads of soil on the 5400 block of Meramec Bottom Road, raising the site's elevation as work progresses through late October 2025.

Small, independent pharmacies in Missouri say drug pricing and insurance reimbursements are forcing them to fill prescriptions at a loss, threatening their businesses and patient access to medications as PBM contract negotiations continue into 2025.