St. Louis is under an Extreme Heat Warning through Tuesday. Stay informed on safety tips, cooling centers, and utility aid as high temperatures and heat index values impact the region this weekend and beyond.

MAIN STORY

Extreme Heat Warning Continues

A prolonged heat wave that started on Saturday continues in the St. Louis region. The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning through Tuesday. Heat index values have reached over 100 degrees during this period.

According to federal data, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., often surpassing floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Researchers note that these deaths may be undercounted, as heat can worsen existing medical conditions. St. Louis health officials urge residents to stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, remain indoors in air conditioning, and check on vulnerable groups. Cooling centers and utility assistance are available, and Missouri’s Hot Weather Law temporarily halts utility disconnections during the warning.

Scientists link increasing Midwest heat waves to climate change, with projections showing more days exceeding 95 degrees in the coming decades. For updated forecast details, residents can monitor local weather alerts.

AROUND TOWN

The Illinois Department of Transportation increasingly uses full closures during major Metro East roadwork, citing improved safety, speed, and cost-efficiency. Recent examples include the Interstate 255 rehabilitation near East St. Louis and ongoing Interstate 55/70 closures in Collinsville, where officials say projects finished faster and saved $10 million compared to traditional methods. Full closure strategies, borrowed from Missouri’s 2009 Interstate 64 revamp, depend on available detours. Read more about IDOT's evolving construction approach here.

St. Louis HVAC companies report a surge in repair requests as a heat wave approaches the region. Bart Inman, owner of Bart Inman Air Conditioning and Heat, says nonstop calls cite broken parts as the primary issue, and urges residents to maintain their systems by changing filters and clearing debris. Tariffs on imported units remain at 10%, with no expected increases from major suppliers, but government mandates on refrigerant and containers sharply raised costs in January. Regular maintenance appointments are delayed as repair demand spikes. Learn more about summer HVAC challenges in St. Louis.

Makini Morrison, a St. Louis jazz pianist and producer, blends family influences, jazz training, and hip-hop into his music as K Kudda Muzic. Raised in a home filled with iconic playlists, Morrison’s early education in music came from his parents before formal studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He now leads collaborations at A Topsoil Company studio in Benton Park West, connecting with local artists through shared values and spontaneity. For more about Morrison’s “Kudda Classics,” visit St. Louis on the Air. Listen to the interview here.

Tornado

Granite City Steel’s Future in Focus

Japan-based Nippon Steel finalized a $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel this week. The company announced it will maintain production at Granite City Works for two years. This marks its first public statement about the Metro East facility in nearly two years.

At a Saturday press conference, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and United Steelworkers leaders called for at least $500 million in new investment for Granite City Works. They seek a seat at the table, protections for collective bargaining agreements, and actionable commitments beyond temporary assurances. Read more about the labor demands and deal details in this in-depth report.

JUNETEENTH

St. Louis Juneteenth Draws Crowds

Hundreds of St. Louis residents celebrated Juneteenth on Thursday along West Florissant Avenue in Dellwood, braving high temperatures to attend parades and festivals that honored the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.

Attendees watched dance troupes, drum lines, and community groups, with special cheers for the 40-Plus Double Dutch Club. Museum and festival organizers noted growing turnout since Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Some expressed hope for more education about the day's meaning, while others saw the festivities as a chance for community healing.

QUICK HITS

The St. Louis Cardinals managed just three hits in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Reds amid high temperatures. Miles Mikolas dropped to 0-3 in his last five starts, and their Sunday losing streak extended to four games.

Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill to make 60-credit-hour blocks in five popular degree fields universally transferable among all public universities and community colleges across the state by the 2028-29 school year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Wood River Drainage and Levee District completed a $39.46 million project to upgrade the Wood River Levee in Madison County and reduce flood risk for 31,000 residents.

University City’s historic searchlight will be restored in 2025, as project leaders seek local expertise to repair its 100-year-old elevator before the light can again shine over the city.

A 911 call from a vigilant 7-Eleven owner in Tower Grove South led St. Louis police to arrest five Romanian nationals in a credit card skimming operation, who have since pleaded guilty to bank fraud and will be sentenced this summer.

GENERATING BUZZ

Visitors and locals chimed in on where to find the most indulgent, over-the-top milkshakes in St. Louis, sparking a delicious debate. Favorites include The Fountain on Locust, known for its retro soda fountain vibe and iconic ice cream martinis, blending nostalgia with modern decadence. The Soda Fountain at Union Station also gets rave reviews for its creative shakes with old-school charm and fun fizz. For those craving imaginative and outrageous milkshake creations, The Yard Milkshake Bar, popular across the U.S. and featured on Shark Tank, was highly recommended. Perfect picks for anyone seeking a fun, sweet adventure in STL! Check it out.

HISTORICAL PERSON

Dred Scott was an enslaved African American from St. Louis who famously sued for his freedom in the 1857 Supreme Court case, Dred Scott v. Sandford. The case's outcome denied citizenship to African Americans and intensified national tensions leading up to the Civil War. Learn more.