Welcome to your St. Louis briefing. The Supreme Court has ruled Missouri's ban on gender-affirming care for minors can stand. Here’s what the decision means for Missouri families and ongoing legal challenges.

MAIN STORY

Transgender Care Ban Upheld

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Missouri’s ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender people under 18 can remain in effect, upholding similar laws in Tennessee and other states. The 6-3 decision followed lawsuits from families and medical providers.

Missouri passed its law in 2023 amid national debate; at least 20 states have enacted bans. Supporters cite safeguarding minors, while critics argue such laws discriminate and violate constitutional rights. The law followed whistleblower claims at the Washington University Transgender Center in St. Louis, which remain contested. The Missouri ACLU and LGBTQ advocacy groups voiced concern, but supporters like Jamie Reed praised the court ruling. Missouri’s ban is set to expire in 2027, but a pending state ballot initiative could extend the restrictions.

Legal challenges continue based on Missouri’s constitution.

AROUND TOWN

Nippon Steel pledged not to reduce production capacity at Granite City Works for at least two years. After acquiring U. S. Steel, Nippon confirmed on Wednesday it will maintain current operations at the Metro East mill, where both blast furnaces remain idled and about 900 employees work. SunCoke Energy plans to repurpose the blast furnaces while union leaders warn of potential job cuts if that happens. Federal consent is required for future closures under a new security agreement. Read further at Granite City Works production pledge.

The St. Louis County Council is considering plans for a new Animal Protective Association shelter in north St. Louis County. The proposed location near Benham Road and Redman Road would include a remodeled adoption center, a new 10,000-square-foot animal clinic, an education facility, and an outdoor dog park, with no opposition during an April public hearing. County Executive Sam Page also requested $17.8 million from the NFL Rams settlement for shelter retrofits, separate from an additional $3 million request for operations.

Hotshots Bar & Grill in Arnold has officially reopened three months after a destructive EF2 tornado. The bar, shuttered since the March 14 storm known locally as 314 Day, suffered major damage but returned with upgraded spaces and an expanded menu this week. Owners credit community support and employee flexibility during repairs, while nearby businesses like The Pasta House still face lengthy closures. Customers and staff have returned enthusiastically, celebrating the neighborhood fixture’s comeback. Read more about Hotshots’ recovery.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth Menu Honors Black History

On Saturday, Simone Faure, co-owner of La Pâtisserie Chouquette in St. Louis, debuts a special Juneteenth menu inspired by Black culinary traditions. The annual tradition, started in 2018, features dishes tracing Faure’s family history and the journey of newly emancipated Black Americans.

Sweet potato pone, a highlight for 2025, connects Faure to her Louisiana, Gullah, and West African roots. The menu includes Carolina gold rice pudding, crawfish pies, and watermelon salad. Pre-orders have closed, but select items are available first-come, first-served. Learn more about the menu and its stories on the bakery’s Instagram page or in the full interview on St. Louis on the Air.

RECA

St. Louis Radiation Aid Advances

Sen. Josh Hawley said that federal compensation for radiation exposure in north St. Louis County is closer than ever after the area was included in a key budget bill. The measure, previously blocked in the House, is now part of a larger, “must-pass” budget package.

If approved, the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) would cover Missouri residents harmed by nuclear waste at sites like West Lake Landfill and Coldwater Creek. Advocates call it a long-awaited step. Supporters remain cautiously hopeful as the Senate aims to pass the bill soon.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Cardinals will play their first straight doubleheader tonight against the Chicago White Sox, beginning at 1:10 p.m., after winning Tuesday’s series opener 12-2 for their first double-digit scoring in a month.

Missouri lawmakers voted in May to extend a rule through 2030 that allows retired teachers to substitute without losing retirement benefits. The move aims to ease the state's ongoing teacher shortage.

Missouri's health care system ranks 43rd nationally, with high rates of antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, significant income-based disparities, and worsening premature death rates, according to new 2023 data from The Commonwealth Fund.

A St. Louis resident spilled a jar of mercury in their Dutchtown home, prompting an EPA cleanup after the hazardous material was discovered in a local dumpster.

Shellie "Shaye" Robinson has transformed St. Louis neighborhoods through grassroots advocacy, youth mentorship, overdose prevention, and community events, reducing Black male overdose deaths by 30% with GROW STL and supporting hundreds through Operation Help STL.

GENERATING BUZZ

Panera Bread is embarking on a major shift, moving from fresh-baked bread prepared in-house to a par-baked, frozen bread model across the country, including St. Louis. This means bread dough will be made at centralized facilities, frozen, then finished fresh in stores to improve consistency and expand reach. While this change may mean less of the traditional fresh-baked aroma Panera is known for, the company assures quality and availability, allowing cafes to serve more reliable offerings even late in the day. The move also involves closing fresh dough plants and retooling operations to support future growth. Check it out.

HISTORICAL LANDMARK

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, completed in 1914, is renowned for its impressive Romanesque Revival architecture. It has one of the world's largest collections of mosaic art, containing over 41 million glass pieces in stunning, vibrant colors. Serving as the mother church for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, it attracts visitors seeking spiritual reflection and artistic admiration. Learn more.