Today's top stories: British Airways plans nonstop St. Louis–London flights, new Tucker Boulevard bike lanes advance, Missouri audits city development agency, TLC surprises local fans, and Villa Duchesne wins a spirited field hockey match. Plus: health news, community updates, and CITY SC soccer tournament returns to St. Louis.

MAIN STORY

London Flights Coming

British Airways is set to launch nonstop service between St. Louis Lambert International Airport and London, sources told First Alert 4. The planned route will operate four times a week, marking a rare transatlantic connection for the region.

This announcement comes as several airlines have pulled back from the St. Louis market in recent months. In 2023, Southwest Airlines dropped five domestic routes from Lambert. Leaders across St. Louis County and City, including County Executive Dr. Sam Page and Mayor Cara Spencer, are expected to attend a press event organized by regional development groups. American Airlines, a partner of British Airways, is reportedly considering boosting local service as well.

If confirmed, the London route would be St. Louis’ second direct link to Europe, following Lufthansa’s 2022 launch of service to Frankfurt. The press event is expected to provide more details.

AROUND TOWN

Tim Wiggins, known for Yellowbelly and Lazy Tiger, shares his cocktail journey on The Sauce podcast. In this week’s episode, Wiggins discusses his evolution from Small Batch to launching cocktail-forward restaurants, including his newest project, Extra Wavy, which features a seafood-forward menu and raw bar in a 150-year-old space. He describes his “juicy yet dry” style, consulting across St. Louis, and future openings, offering listeners insights on clear menus, accessible pricing, and nostalgic drinks. Listen or watch the episode here. New episodes release on Tuesdays.

R&B superstars TLC surprised fans by crashing a local performer’s set at a St. Louis hot spot. Singer Tish Period was singing the group’s hit “Waterfalls” at Broadway Oyster Bar on Sunday when TLC members Chilli and T-Boz walked in, sparking a viral moment. Period, who has performed on national TV, described the experience as surreal and emotional. Fans and patrons quickly joined the stage, with the spontaneous cameo drawing thousands of views online. Read more about TLC's surprise in St. Louis.

Villa Duchesne edged St. Joseph’s 2-1 in a spirited annual field hockey matchup Sunday. The game, held at Sport Port in Maryland Heights, drew a massive crowd as both teams embraced creative themes—The Masters for St. Joseph’s and Formula One racing for Villa Duchesne—amplifying a festive atmosphere. Finley Meek’s fourth-quarter goal secured Villa Duchesne’s comeback, handing St. Joseph’s its first loss of the season. For a full photo gallery, visit 2025 Villa Duchesne–St. Joseph’s field hockey game images. Read more at Metro Sports STL.

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Tucker Boulevard to Add Bike Lanes

St. Louis will add new bike lanes and pedestrian safety features to Tucker Boulevard as part of the Tucker Bike-Walk-Bus project, city officials announced this week. Construction on the 0.94-mile trail connecting Washington and Chouteau avenues is expected to be completed next spring.

The project includes a two-way bike path, raised medians, and safer crossings, aiming to reduce accidents and increase accessibility. Backed by about 60 organizations, the effort reflects the city’s push for transportation improvements downtown. Leaders say these upgrades could also boost local businesses. Read more details about the project and timeline here.

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State Audits St. Louis Development Corporation

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has launched a comprehensive audit of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) following multiple whistleblower complaints, his office announced on Tuesday. The audit began on September 25 and targets the North St. Louis Small Business and Non-Profit Grant Program, as well as $166,000 in severance payments to SLDC’s former president.

Fitzpatrick said his office found credible concerns about the possible misuse of federal pandemic funds and conflicts of interest. The review is expected to take several months due to the limited staff available. Residents can confidentially submit information via the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline.

QUICK HITS

Research highlights that African American men in north St. Louis County face a 60% higher prostate cancer incidence and the nation's highest death rates, with experts stressing that early PSA screenings can significantly improve outcomes.

ArchWell Health opened its fifth St. Louis-area primary care center for adults ages 60 and older in Florissant, marking its 73rd nationwide location across 12 states.

Devorah Stein-Roberts and Menashe Roberts launched a U. City Moishe House in St. Louis three years ago, building a Jewish community focused on meaningful engagement, not attendance figures, and fostering personal ownership of Jewish identity through monthly events.

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are creating property management headaches for St. Louis city officials, after neighbors complained about issues at a South City home owned collectively through the blockchain-based Lofty investment platform.

St. Louis CITY SC will host the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament semifinals and championship at Energizer Park on Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, returning the event to St. Louis for a second consecutive year.