Good morning, St. Louis. Today, the Supreme Court declines Missouri’s gun law appeal. Prop NS shows progress and presents hurdles for local housing. KDHX radio halts broadcasting. New restaurants outpace closings, and a prolonged heatwave signals the shifting seasons. Plus: weekend community highlights and standout student-athletes.

MAIN STORY

Supreme Court Rejects Missouri Gun Law

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to review Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act, a law that banned local police from enforcing federal gun regulations. The decision ends a lengthy legal fight involving gun rights supporters and law enforcement agencies.

Passed in 2021, the law imposed $50,000 fines on officers who enforced federal gun laws lacking a Missouri equivalent, including restrictions related to domestic violence offenders. Local governments in Kansas City and St. Louis, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, challenged the law, calling it a threat to public safety and police effectiveness. Lower courts have previously found that the law violates the constitutional principle that federal law supersedes state legislation.

Despite this latest Supreme Court rejection, Missouri Republicans are preparing new proposals for the coming legislative session. Similar legal and political debates have occurred in several states regarding firearm regulations.

AROUND TOWN

In September, St. Louis saw restaurant openings outpace closings by about three to one, with coffee shops leading the way among new concepts. Nine new café or coffee-focused spots debuted, and when including Zensia’s late-August opening, the trend stands out among typical turnover. Hangar Kitchen + Bar in Rock Hill is set to be replaced with a Mexican restaurant, while the Boathouse at Forest Park is shut temporarily for renovations. Mom’s Deli completed its move, and Stacked STL launched a second location in the CWE. For more details, visit the openings and closings roundup.

Union Avenue Opera's October festival will feature one-act operas that explore race and gender identity. Theater veteran Joan Lipkin will make her opera directorial debut with “As One,” inspired by the life of trans documentarian Kimberly Reed, while Ivan Griffin directs “dwb” (driving while black), depicting the anxiety of a Black mother. The performances will take place from October 10 to 12 in Union Avenue Christian Church’s gallery, following the tornado damage to the sanctuary. Tickets are $25.

A prolonged hot spell in St. Louis highlights a trend of longer summers and shorter autumns. Weather data indicate the city now experiences higher average temperatures and later summer endpoints compared to past decades, with the National Weather Service noting a steady increase in days above 90 degrees since the 1970s. Local scientists attribute the shifting seasonal patterns to broader climate changes, urging residents to adapt activities—from crop planning to recreational events—accordingly.

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Prop NS Shows Success, Faces Hurdles

Torre Sanders purchased a vacant Greater Ville home that was stabilized through St. Louis’s Prop NS program for $10,000 last year. After full rehabilitation, he sold it for $225,000 in June, just six days after listing.

Launched in 2020, Prop NS receives $6 million yearly to stabilize vacant homes, primarily in north St. Louis. Of the 221 approved homes, 190 have been stabilized, and 113 have been sold to buyers. However, only 12 have been fully rehabbed and resold. Officials cite funding caps and lending barriers as ongoing challenges. Read more about Prop NS’s efforts and future steps here.

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KDHX Ceases Operations

St. Louis-based radio station KDHX has gone off the air and suspended all programming, according to a newsletter sent to subscribers this week. The station announced it will not produce or air any programs until late 2026 or early 2027.

KDHX did not specify a reason for the extended pause. The 36-year-old nonprofit has been a staple in the local music community. Updates on the station’s future will be shared with subscribers. For additional details and historical context, visit KDHX’s announcement.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Coalition to Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians organized a cleanup along the 3600 block of Gravois Avenue, where dozens of volunteers filled bags with trash on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

Field Hockey Phenoms recognizes standout St. Louis-area athletes such as Derdoy, Breckenridge, Mowry, Fenier, and Steffens, highlighting their crucial goals, assists, and defensive performances during the season's pivotal mid-point.

Dork Dancing brought a freeform, sober dance event to the Gateway Arch grounds on World Mental Health Day, aiming to unite St. Louis residents by reducing stress and boosting mental wellness through movement.

Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors, in partnership with Partners for Pets, will host the Howl-O-Ween adoption event on October 11 from noon to 3 p.m. to connect rescue animals with new families at 9136 Lower Marine Road.

St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery has defended his first 10 months in office amid lawsuits, criticism over spending and staffing, and a state effort to remove him, emphasizing his commitment to reform and compliance with court orders.