Today's top stories: SSM Health and United Healthcare’s unresolved contract may disrupt care for thousands; St. Louis invests $10 million in winter storm recovery; a plaque will honor a former slave prison site; explore unique holiday gifts from local businesses; and a new aviation exhibit celebrates Forest Park at 150.

MAIN STORY

SSM Health, United Contract Standoff

Thousands of St. Louis-area patients may need to find new doctors or face higher out-of-network costs if SSM Health and United Healthcare do not reach a contract agreement by December 31. Patients insured by United Healthcare and treated by SSM Health received letters warning of possible disruptions in care.

The dispute does not involve Medicare plans but deeply affects patients managing chronic conditions. Some, like Stephanie Hickman, say their care is at risk after finally establishing relationships with specialists. SSM Health officials cite patient care concerns as the reason for holding firm on negotiations, while United Healthcare has not commented. Similar contract issues have arisen recently in the region between BJC HealthCare and Aetna.

A separate contract deadline for Anderson Healthcare patients with United Healthcare falls on February 15. For updates and answers to patient questions, SSM Health has established a dedicated website.

AROUND TOWN

Anchovy Book Co. specializes in cookbooks, local pantry staples, and curated experiences on Cherokee Street. Open since 2022, the shop offers a range of titles from culinary classics to global releases, with hours from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. In addition to Fishwife tinned fish and Big Heart Tea, customers can buy shop-branded accessories. For gifts, consider the “Tiny Bookshop Dates,” which include exclusive access, snacks, and beverages. Find details on weekend visits at Anchovy Book Co.'s website.

Aviation pioneer Albert Bond Lambert's 1908 kite flight is highlighted in a new Missouri History Museum exhibit. The exhibit, "Yours Forever: Forest Park at 150," celebrates the 150th anniversary of St. Louis’s Forest Park and features a photograph of Lambert, whose name graces St. Louis Lambert International Airport, experimenting with early aviation by using kites. The historical showcase aims to illuminate St. Louis’s rich scientific legacy and runs throughout 2024 at the Missouri History Museum.

Rising St. Louis Blues prospect Justin Carbonneau eyes an NHL debut in the 2025 season. At just 19, Carbonneau spoke June 30 about his admiration for Blues forward Jordan Kyrou, expressing his ambition to follow in Kyrou’s footsteps. He stepped onto the ice as an official Blues prospect this week, marking a key milestone in his development. Fans can learn more about Carbonneau’s goals and the team’s prospects in this detailed profile.

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St. Louis Expands Winter Aid

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer announced Thursday the city will invest more than $10 million to help residents affected by recent tornado damage and winter weather. Hotel rooms, rental assistance, and direct outreach will support families with children, seniors, and people with accessibility needs.

The City’s Recovery Office will contact eligible residents based on FEMA assistance applications and encourage those in need to visit the STLRecovers Outreach Center or call 833-925-0977. Local shelters, like Gateway180, report ongoing need among people who were homeless before the storm as officials plan long-term relief efforts.

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Plaque to Mark Former St. Louis Slave Prison

A new plaque will soon mark the site of a former slave prison operated by Bernard Lynch, located near Busch Stadium at Clark Avenue and South Broadway in St. Louis. The area now includes Ballpark Village, high-rise condos, and a parking garage.

The plaque aims to educate visitors about the city’s history of slavery, where hundreds were once held and traded. The site’s transformation reflects changing uses over time, but organizers believe public acknowledgment of difficult history remains essential for community dialogue. No formal dedication date has been announced.

QUICK HITS

Missouri State Board of Nursing awarded $3.1 million in Nursing Education Incentive Program grants to 21 Missouri colleges and universities for FY25, aiming to expand nursing program capacity and address workforce shortages statewide.

U.S. lawmakers have urged the Environmental Protection Agency to follow the CDC's recommendations for more research and monitoring on long-term pollution risks in Metro East communities near the Veolia incinerator.

St. Louis Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier will introduce a resolution Friday supporting rapid, low-cost traffic safety upgrades and a citywide 25 mph speed limit on Gravois Avenue, with advocates highlighting urgent concerns ahead of planned state improvements in 2029.

4TheVille introduced a new cohort of Memory Tellers, including Brittany Raji Alberty and Tierra Parks. It named Marvin-Alonzo Greer as Cultural Heritage Director, to expand storytelling and preservation initiatives around The Ville’s Black history.

Macey Brown, a 17-year-old, became the first pediatric patient in Missouri to receive a combined heart and kidney transplant at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, returning home six weeks after the rare procedure.