St. Louis boosts city worker pay to address staff shortages, while the region vies for 2031 Rugby World Cup matches. Get updates on Hanukkah celebrations, Anthem’s downtown move, a historic housing revival, new restaurant openings, and more highlights shaping our community this week.

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City Workers Receive Pay Raises

Mayor Cara Spencer announced Tuesday that St. Louis will allocate about $13 million for city employee raises, aiming to compete with private sector jobs and fill hundreds of vacancies.

The plan dedicates $5.5 million to boost starting salaries for lower-paid workers, $4.5 million for raises among long-time employees, and $3 million for salary increases at the airport and water division. City officials say more than 20% of jobs remain unfilled, impacting key services such as trash pickup and pothole repairs. Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who chairs the budget committee, voiced support but urged a review of persistently vacant positions to reallocate funds possibly.

This initiative follows more than $30 million in raises over the past few years under former Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. City leaders frame the move as the next step in addressing staffing shortages.

AROUND TOWN

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield opened its new downtown St. Louis office Monday, relocating 500 employees. Located inside the Deloitte Building at 4th and Market, the office places staff near the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium, supporting efforts to modernize workspaces and encourage collaboration. Anthem, which employs about 1,200 people regionally, will not add staff with this move but aims to boost downtown’s revitalization. City leaders and local businesses welcomed the development as part of broader downtown investments. Read more about Anthem’s downtown move.

A historic St. Louis housing model, the single-room occupancy (SRO), is making a comeback. Local landlord Marquitta Kirwan plans to convert a Northside property into an SRO after the city overturned a 75-year zoning ban in 2024, now allowing the low-cost, communal housing option in most areas that previously had restrictions. Advocates expect SROs to help curb rising rents and homelessness, as seen in cities like Minneapolis and Seattle, though concerns remain about management and tenant independence. For more, see the deep-dive on St. Louis’ SRO resurgence.

October saw long-anticipated restaurant openings across St. Louis, signaling both fresh starts and comebacks. Nicky Slices Pizza Club, known for its Detroit-style take-and-bake pizzas and unique toppings, opened its first brick-and-mortar last week and reportedly sold out in just over two hours. Meanwhile, Extra Wavy and Prohibition revived fire-damaged Lafayette Square venues, and Mainlander resumed table service in the Central West End after a February relocation. Readers can share overlooked openings by contacting St. Louis Public Radio. Read more on local business moves.

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St. Louis Eyes 2031 Rugby World Cup

St. Louis is among 27 North American cities being considered to host matches for the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, World Rugby announced Friday. If selected, the games would take place at The Dome at America's Center.

Over the next 14 months, World Rugby and USA Rugby will assess each city’s suitability with site visits and venue evaluations. The final host cities will be named after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Teams are expected to learn their stadium assignments in 2029 or 2030. Learn more about St. Louis’s bid process.

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Hanukkah Hullaballoo Returns

Hanukkah Hullaballoo, a community music and food celebration hosted by the Brothers Lazaroff, returns for its 15th year on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at The Grandel Theatre in St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District.

The annual event features live music, hot latkes, and benefits local tornado relief efforts—the Brothers Lazaroff & Friends headline at 7 p.m., with tickets available now through MetroTix. Recognized nationally for its atmosphere, the Hullaballoo continues to draw crowds and support local causes. Learn more about the event’s history and schedule here.

QUICK HITS

Kimbilio, a fellowship program founded by author David Haynes, is connecting emerging Black fiction writers with mentorship, publishing opportunities, and a national literary community after officially relocating to St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District this year.

Food pantries in the St. Louis area continue to provide groceries and essential support to families facing food insecurity throughout 2025, with organizations like TEAM in Florissant distributing critical resources to the community.

Missouri overdose deaths dropped 26% last year, with the St. Louis region seeing a nearly 34% decline, as local nonprofits like MoNetwork expand harm reduction efforts and distribute Narcan and fentanyl test strips.

Dalibor Dvorsky scored his first career NHL goal on Nov. 3, 2025, helping the Blues secure a home win over the Oilers.