Today’s briefing covers the pivotal budget votes of Missouri senators, their impacts on hospital funding, and what’s next as the bill moves to the House. Stay tuned for the latest developments shaping Missouri’s priorities.

MAIN STORY

Senate Advances Budget Bill

Missouri Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt voted Tuesday to advance a sweeping federal budget package featuring new limits on medical provider taxes. The bill passed the U.S. Senate with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President J.D. Vance and now heads to the House.

The legislation would require states like Missouri to gradually cap medical provider taxes at 3.5% by 2032, down from the current 4.2%. The Missouri Hospital Association and rural health advocates warn this could cost Missouri hundreds of millions of dollars and threaten hospital funding, especially for Medicaid services. Sen. Hawley pushed for a $50 billion rural hospital fund and the reinstatement of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for St. Louis-area victims of radioactive waste. At the same time, both senators highlighted tax cuts and border security provisions.

The House is scheduled to take up the bill Wednesday, but opposition among both Missouri Democrats and some House Republicans may complicate final passage. Read more about the bill’s provisions.

AROUND TOWN

Chesterfield contractor Builder’s Bloc and McBride Homes have settled, ending multiple lawsuits over alleged fraudulent deed filings. The companies announced on Tuesday that they had resolved "all outstanding matters," just before the conclusion of a St. Charles County trial. Builder’s Bloc accused McBride Homes of fraudulently filing real estate records and withholding over $10 million in payments, prompting mechanics’ liens and similar lawsuits in other counties. McBride denied wrongdoing and previously paid over $10 million to resolve lien claims. Both firms, once closely linked, emphasize optimism and continued community contributions. Read more details in this St. Louis local business update.

Rigazzi’s, the oldest operating restaurant on The Hill, has changed ownership after 66 years in the same family. Former Anheuser-Busch executive Peter Trampe and local business owner Joel Rakers purchased the cherished Italian restaurant in 2024 from the Moscko family, who originally opened Rigazzi’s in 1957. The new owners plan to honor their legacy while making modest changes. Rigazzi's remains a community mainstay in St. Louis, famous for its signature fishbowls and Italian-American cuisine. Read the full story.

Hamantaschen in July has become a summer favorite in St. Louis, expanding for 2025. Each year, Jodie Bertish of Delectable Dough Baking Company fills orders from July 2 to July 31 for these traditional Purim pastries, which are normally reserved for spring but now symbolize both Jewish and American freedom. Classic poppy, apricot, apple, cherry, and chocolate varieties remain the most popular, although new flavors are emerging. To place an order, customers must provide 48 hours’ notice and a minimum of $25 for delivery; more details are available at DelectableDough.com. Read more about this St. Louis summer tradition in the full report.

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Free 4 All Festival Debuts

A new, all-local music festival called Free 4 All will take over 10 Grand Center venues in St. Louis on Sept. 6 and 7. Organizers expect 4,000 attendees and 100 bands, just days before Music at the Intersection (MATI) begins Sept. 12.

Free 4 All spotlights St. Louis artists exclusively, offering a platform to musicians who play infrequently or have lower profiles. Venues are provided by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, with performances also scheduled at Strauss Park and Urban Chestnut’s Midtown location. Interested artists can apply online.

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New Restaurants Pop Up Across St. Louis

A wave of new restaurants opened in St. Louis during June 2025, including Bougie Bites, a fast-casual vegan spot on Page Avenue, and Fufu n’ Sauce, a West African eatery in Vinita Park.

Other newcomers include Lefty’s Bagels' second location in Creve Coeur, the Sweet Creamery in Midtown, Coffee Girl Cafe in Waterloo, and the Moniker bar downtown. Meanwhile, Jovick Bros Cafe closed after less than a year. See more about openings and closings in this local roundup.

QUICK HITS

Webster Groves sophomore Scottie Adkinson verbally committed to Missouri on Tuesday, after leading his high school to a Class 5 state title and breaking the program’s single-season scoring record with 783 points.

Missouri’s investment in a behavioral health crisis network brings statewide mobile crisis teams and the 988 hotline to connect residents with mental health support, reducing reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement for crisis response.

United Airlines Flight 4423 returned to St. Louis Lambert International Airport around 6:40 a.m. Tuesday, after a lavatory smoke warning, causing a 4.5-hour delay before passengers resumed travel to Chicago.

Miniature Museum leaders report that at least three vehicles have crashed into their South Gravois storefront since February, prompting city officials to install concrete barriers and discuss further measures to address ongoing traffic safety concerns.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis hosted its 2nd Annual Men's Event, drawing nearly 500 Jewish men to connect over food, keynote remarks from Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman, and discussions about community, history, and local tradition.

GENERATING BUZZ

The St. Louis City Museum is unveiling its largest new experience since 2018, called Labyrinth, which opens on July 4, 2025. This permanent exhibit on the museum's fourth floor is both an art installation and an architectural puzzle, created from rescued St. Louis artifacts, including syrup tanks, gears from the Mel Price Lock and Dam, and glass from the Central Library renovation. Labyrinth invites visitors to explore a maze where every twist has a story and nothing is wasted. It represents a new chapter in the museum’s innovative and immersive attractions. Check it out.

HISTORICAL LANDMARK

The Old Courthouse in St. Louis is a remarkable historic site where pivotal events in American history unfolded, including the first two trials of the Dred Scott case that challenged slavery in the 19th century. The building, completed in the 1860s, features striking neoclassical architecture and elaborate murals. Today, it stands as a key component of Gateway Arch National Park, offering exhibits about civil rights and St. Louis history. Learn more.