Good morning, St. Louis. Today, we cover the Senate’s debate over a major Medicaid reform bill that could impact health care funding, access, and jobs across Missouri. Stay informed with the latest updates.

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Senate Debates Medicaid Cuts

The U.S. Senate is debating the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which would reduce federal Medicaid spending by about $800 billion over 10 years. The bill, already passed by the House, could also cut hundreds of billions in funding for the Affordable Care Act.

Health providers and advocates warn that the proposed cuts could sharply reduce access to maternity care and force states to lower Medicaid enrollment, eligibility, or payments to medical providers. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt supports the bill, citing the need to curb fraud and maintain Medicaid for residents with disabilities. Others highlight potential losses in jobs and economic activity if billions in federal aid disappear.

The Senate aims to finalize legislation and send it to President Donald Trump by July 4. If passed, states could face challenging decisions on funding, affecting hospitals, providers, and families who rely on Medicaid coverage for essential care.

AROUND TOWN

McArthur’s Bakery will close its Lemay Ferry Road storefront on July 11, shifting to online-only sales. Citing a 20% drop in retail sales around key holidays, owner Scott Rinaberger announced the South County institution will end in-store sales, custom cakes, and most food service, focusing instead on pre-designed and wedding cakes and wholesale customers. The bakery (over 70 years old) faced trademark pressure regarding its Smiley Face Cookie, but resolved the issue; some employee layoffs are likely. Read more details on McArthur’s Bakery’s transition.

Despite rising Tesla vandalism nationwide, Chesterfield’s “Tesla graveyard” remains largely untouched. Around 300 vehicles are stored on the former Chesterfield Mall site, leased by developer Michael Staenberg to Tesla as an overflow and logistics hub. Heightened security and police awareness have helped deter major incidents, unlike high-profile vandalism elsewhere. Local political threats remain, as a proposed ballot initiative could revoke Tesla’s direct-to-consumer exemption in Missouri. With redevelopment underway, Tesla must relocate the cars when the lease ends in eight months. Read more about the future of the Chesterfield lot.

A summer tech program in north St. Louis became disaster relief after the May 16 tornado. Students with the nonprofit Love the Lou, originally planning to map sidewalks, quickly shifted to using their drone and coding skills to assess storm damage in their neighborhood. Their aerial mapping enabled efficient donation tracking and targeted aid, with nearly 6,000 donations reaching over 2,000 households. Read how teens supported recovery and rebuilding here.

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Roscoe Crenshaw Dies at 82

Roscoe Crenshaw, a longtime St. Louis photographer, writer, and jazz historian, died Friday, June 20, 2025. He was 82 and had been dealing with ongoing health issues, according to friends and collaborators.

Crenshaw spent nearly 70 years documenting the St. Louis arts scene, especially its jazz musicians and Black culture, often for The St. Louis American. Community members described him as a “cultural bridge” and historian, whose photos and writing were instrumental in chronicling local and global jazz talent. Plans are underway to preserve his extensive photographic archives.

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Stuckey’s Adds Halal Options

Stuckey’s in Doolittle, Missouri, is attracting a new wave of customers by serving halal burgers and biryani. The store aims to meet rising demand from Muslim truck drivers and travelers on Interstate 44. It began offering halal menu items in the past six months and advertises them on four interstate billboards.

Store owners and managers report that nearly 20% of truck drivers now buy halal food. Immigrant truckers and international students from the nearby University of Missouri Science and Technology frequent the spot. Owners plan to expand halal offerings to more stores in the coming months.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis tornado cleanup continues with more than 57 city and contractor crews removing debris from neighborhoods where five people died, as officials estimate up to 500,000 cubic yards of damage but warn many residents remain uninsured.

St. Louis Cardinals relied on home runs from Masyn Winn, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Gorman, plus aggressive baserunning by Winn, to secure an 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs on June 24, 2025.

Extreme heat caused sections of Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. in St. Louis and West Sunny Hill Blvd. in St. Peters to buckle, prompting city crews to begin slab replacements and urging residents to report damaged roads.

Thomas Dunn Learning Center is seeking community donations after a series of window and door vandalism incidents in its south St. Louis building caused thousands of dollars in damage since early 2024.

Jewish Photo Dating Service connected hundreds of St. Louis singles and helped facilitate 117 marriages in the 1980s through in-person matchmaking, photos, and community events organized by Martin and Tammy Finer.

GENERATING BUZZ

A community discussion sparked curiosity over what items are allowed inside Busch Stadium, highlighting stadium security policies. Guests may bring bags, purses, and soft-sided coolers no larger than 10" x 8" x 10". Prohibited items include alcoholic beverages, aluminum and glass containers, large bags, balloons, chairs, drones, weapons, noisemakers, and costume masks covering the face. Exceptions for medical and diaper bags are permitted, and all items are subject to inspection upon entry. This detailed exchange clarified common questions about stadium entry rules for St. Louis Cardinals fans planning their visit. Check it out.

NEIGHBORHOOD EVOLUTION

Picture this: You're walking down Martin Luther King Drive today—some boarded-up storefronts, but still, the faint hum of life as people gather on porches or the corner store. But if you’d strolled the same stretch in the 1940s or '50s, you'd have heard big band music spilling from clubs and neighbors crowding into the now-shuttered Annie Malone Children’s Home for parades. The Ville was once the heartbeat of African-American culture and education in St. Louis, home to Sumner High School (think: Tina Turner, Dick Gregory) and stars like Chuck Berry. The big change? In the 1970s, ‘urban renewal’ and school desegregation pulled institutions and families away, shrinking the tight-knit energy. What’s wild: the grand façades of Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Sumner still stand—silent reminders that this neighborhood once launched legends, and still beats with a proud, if quieter, legacy.