Today’s highlights: $1.14 million awarded for St. Louis neighborhood projects; city opens emergency shelters for unhoused residents; three local artists receive 2026 Grammy nominations. Plus: rent hikes hit the region, SLU basketball rebuilds, and local heroes uplift the community.

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Grants Fund St. Louis Neighborhood Projects

Economic development projects in Jeff-Vander-Lou, St. Louis Place, and other city neighborhoods have received a combined $1.14 million in Community Development Administration (CDA) Neighborhood Plan Implementation Awards. The Brickline North CDC project secured $279,500 to launch business incubators along Brickline Greenway.

This initiative, in partnership with Mission St. Louis and Tabernacle CDC, will use shipping containers as spaces for vendor markets, food pop-ups, and cultural events. Another major award, $234,376, went to Cornerstone CDC to redevelop the vacant 900 Hodiamont Ave. warehouse at the western trailhead of the planned Hodiamont Greenway. City officials highlight that each funded project reflects priorities identified in adopted neighborhood plans.

Projects are expected to begin staging business incubators and redevelopment work in the coming months. The awards follow extensive community engagement and planning across St. Louis neighborhoods.

AROUND TOWN

Rents across the St. Louis region have surged, especially in neighborhoods with high investor ownership. Tenants like LaCharla Dunbar in St. Louis County have faced rent hikes, with her rent rising $165 per month in April due to increases by landlords such as Ohio-based VineBrook Homes. Residents report greater financial stress, prompting skipped bills to afford housing, while housing advocates push for policy responses as investment firms expand their holdings in local single-family homes.

St. Louis has committed $13.7 million to expand emergency housing as winter nears and tornado displacement continues. The city plans to open 200 new shelter beds, serve 1,000 unhoused residents, and bolster winter shelter, rental assistance, and transportation for vulnerable residents. Authorities are urgently seeking partners to manage additional shelters, prioritizing rapid expansion due to extreme weather and ongoing housing shortages while targeting the prevention of unsheltered homelessness. See the full update.

Youth leadership initiatives engage and empower St. Louis teens through hands-on development programs. The 2026 Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), a nine-session fellowship, helps high school students build self-confidence, practice public speaking, and advocate for policy reforms. Programs like the Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Contest complement these opportunities by offering scholarships and fostering connections among youth affected by dementia in their families, amplifying community involvement as the next generation shapes the city’s future. Explore the story here.

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St. Louis Opens Emergency Shelters

St. Louis and local organizations will open emergency shelters for unhoused residents and tornado survivors from Sunday through Tuesday morning, 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., as cold weather arrives.

If temperatures stay below freezing, shelters will remain open until conditions improve. Shelter options include spaces for single men, single women, and families. The city encourages those in need to bring personal essentials, but does not require them. Residents can call 211 to connect with a shelter or arrange transportation. Learn more about the initiative and partners on the official announcement.

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St. Louis Artists Land 2026 Grammy Nods

Three St. Louis musicians have earned nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, highlighting the city’s influence across genres. SZA, Sexyy Redd, and Keyon Harrold will represent the region at the ceremony on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

SZA is up for Song of the Year for her duet “luther.” Sexyy Redd received her first nomination as a featured artist on Tyler, The Creator’s “Sticky.” Keyon Harrold secured two jazz nominations. For more details and the complete list of nominees, see the official Grammy Awards 2026 nominations.

QUICK HITS

Marilyn K. Humiston has dedicated more than 60 years to the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra as a volunteer performer, leader, and educator, shaping its community impact and fostering generations of young musicians.

Michelle and Rafael Robertson dedicate time each week to stocking two self-serve food pantries in St. Charles County as increasing demand highlights ongoing community needs.

St. Louis University men's basketball enters Year 2 under Coach Josh Schertz with a revamped roster that includes transfers like Robbie Avila, signaling a significant shift in playing style and team dynamics.

The St. Louis region will host the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club from Aug. 17-23, 2026, with ticket sales opening Nov. 20 and proceeds benefiting the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Bob Gibson would have turned 90 on Sunday, as fans remember both his Hall of Fame pitching career with 251 wins and two World Series MVPs for the St. Louis Cardinals, and his famously overlooked sense of humor.