St. Louis will demolish 40 residential buildings severely damaged by the recent tornado. Learn which properties are affected and what safety measures the city recommends for those living nearby.

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Tornado-Damaged Buildings Set for Demolition

The St. Louis Land Clearance For Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) approved a measure Tuesday to demolish 40 residential buildings damaged by the May 16 tornado. The plan uses existing funds from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

These 40 structures, identified as posing risks of imminent collapse, include properties on both public and private land. For those on private property, the LCRA will seek owner consent for demolition but will not assume ownership. The St. Louis Development Corp. emphasized that the effort focuses exclusively on residential buildings.

A city spokesperson pointed residents to online safety guidelines for those near demolition sites. For more details, visit this report on the demolition initiative.

AROUND TOWN

President Donald Trump is urging Missouri Republicans to redraw congressional districts before the 2026 midterm elections. Congressman Eric Burlison confirmed that the White House wants the GOP-controlled legislature to revamp the map, specifically to disadvantage Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City). This unprecedented mid-decade redistricting push could spark legal challenges and intensify partisan tensions, as Missouri law is unclear regarding the redrawing of maps outside the decennial census. Law experts predict lawsuits if the effort succeeds, while Democratic leaders call it a power grab and vow strong opposition in the General Assembly.

St. Louis business owners affected by the May 16, 2025, tornado are seeking recovery resources after the storm caused $1.6 billion in damages. Pop’s Market owner Aliyah Almasri, whose store and car were destroyed, joined dozens at the July 17 Business Recovery Resource Forum, hosted by St. Louis City Hall, to connect businesses with local, state, and federal recovery support. The tornado damaged over 5,000 structures and claimed five lives, marking the deadliest local tornado since 1959. FEMA urges affected residents to apply for assistance by August 11, with aid available for uninsured homeowners and small businesses. For more details, see city forum focuses on business recovery.

St. Louis officials unveiled a new Transportation and Mobility Plan, aiming for safer, more connected streets. At a feedback session on July 16, residents commended the framework but expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action, particularly for vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. The draft plan, the first since 1948, is based on survey input from 1,241 locals and will guide infrastructure decisions for up to 25 years once it is adopted. Public comments will open this fall, with more details available here.

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Mastercard Builds O’Fallon Solar Plant

Mastercard has started construction on a 40-acre solar facility to power its largest U.S. data center in O’Fallon, Missouri. The project began in spring and aims to provide renewable electricity before 2027.

The O’Fallon data center accounts for more than 33% of Mastercard’s annual electricity use—about as much as 4,000 homes, according to company officials. Mastercard’s move comes as Ameren, the local utility, remains reliant on coal, and major companies push for cleaner energy sources. The new solar array will only supply Mastercard’s operations. The company targets net-zero emissions by 2040. Read more here.

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Jewish Athletes Exhibit at Holocaust Museum

The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is hosting “Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During and After the Holocaust,” a temporary exhibit running through Sept. 14. The installation features rare artifacts, photos, and memorabilia, highlighting the stories of Jewish athletes who faced adversity before, during, and after World War II.

Sourced in part from collector Neil Keller, the exhibit reveals how sports figures like Victor “Young” Perez and Helene Mayer became icons of resistance and survival. Admission includes access to this and other exhibits, including “Stitching History from the Holocaust.” Learn more at the museum’s website.

QUICK HITS

Goshen Market Foundation hosts its weekly Land of Goshen Community Market in downtown Edwardsville each Saturday from May through October, featuring 40–65 local vendors, live music, family activities, and mission-driven programs supporting area farms and food access.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie right-hander Andre Granillo pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rockies, lowering his ERA to 1.08 across 8 1/3 MLB innings since his June call-up.

Southern Illinois University’s School of Dental Medicine hosted high school students for Dentistry Day as part of the BESt Healthcare Institute’s 2025 summer program, offering hands-on activities and mentorship to inspire diverse teens to pursue careers in dentistry.

Missouri Medicaid Director Todd Richardson says the state aims to implement new federally required work requirements for Medicaid enrollees as seamlessly as possible, while also addressing future funding challenges as pandemic-era expansion support ends by fiscal year 2027.

St. Louis hot dogs have deep Jewish roots in the region, where kosher stands, synagogue events, and delis have shaped the city's hot dog culture for more than a century, now celebrated each August during National Hot Dog Month.

GENERATING BUZZ

A recent discussion in the St. Louis community brought attention to a captivating photo taken in Carondelet. The image, shared by a local photographer, highlights the beauty of this historic neighborhood. Carondelet, founded in 1767, has a rich history and cultural significance, having been an independent city before its annexation by the city of St. Louis in 1870. The photo received positive feedback, showcasing the area's unique charm and architectural heritage. For more details and to see the photo, visit the post on Reddit. Check it out.