Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. I am grateful to be alive and in relatively good health. Many black men who were born and raised under impoverished conditions don’t live long enough […]
Posted inObituaries
In Loving Memory of Lila Lee Ruffin
Lila Lee Ruffin who quietly departed in her sleep Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 78 years of age. “Our family and friends have truly lost a very special person who made it her mission to inspire and spread love in her community. She is survived by her loving children: Jerry Ruffin, Sonya Henry, DeVoin Ruffin, and […]
Posted inLiving It
‘Smoke City’ creator Cami Thomas dives into STL one neighborhood at a time
“I kind of became a documentary filmmaker by accident,” said Cami Thomas. “I felt like this was the best way to tell this particular story – and that’s the way it happened.” She’s two seasons into “Smoke City” – the web docuseries she created, produced and directed that is available for viewing on Thomas’ media […]
Posted inPrep notebook
The Midwest Showdown Shootout is at Webster
One of the biggest events on the high school basketball calendar is the Rameybasketball Midwest Showdown Shootout, which is presented by area basketball coordinator Terrell Ramey. The 12th edition of the Midwest Showdown Shootout will be held this Saturday with six games at Webster Groves High School. There will be teams represented by teams on […]
Posted inBusiness news
KAI Design & Build awarded for Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being
KAI Design & Build received a 2018 Honor Award in the Commercial-Office Buildings category from the Design-Build Institute of America – Mid-America Region for its work on the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being. KAI completed construction of the $8.5 million center in December 2017. The project achieved 36 percent Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and 3 […]
Posted inEditorials
St. Louis shows promise for bail reform
This week, we reported on a diabetic inmate in the St. Louis City Justice Center who had his gangrene-infected toe amputated at the end of November after what he described as medical neglect. He is in jail awaiting trial for robbery only because he cannot post a $40,000 cash-only bond. This begs the question: Is […]
Posted inHealth opinion
Under Trump, the number of uninsured children rose in 2017 for the first time this decade
New administrations bring about changes: some good, some not so good. Take for instance the Trump administration. Per a recent Georgetown University report on children’s health coverage, for the first time in this decade the number of uninsured children rose by 276,000 kids in 2017. There were 3,925,000 children uninsured in 2017, as compared to […]
Posted inHealth news
Healthier diets and exercise would slow rise of chronic kidney disease
Advances in treating cancer, heart disease and other major health conditions in recent decades have extended life spans for millions of people. However, chronic kidney disease is an outlier, with cases accelerating at a faster pace than all other noninfectious diseases, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and […]
Posted inLocal religion
Catholic leadership must declare: ‘Black Lives Matter’
I am now in my 20th year teaching theology at Catholic schools in St. Louis. I have been asked what I need from Archbishop Robert Carlson and the church regarding racism. I need Archbishop Carlson and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to literally and loudly proclaim “Black Lives Matter.” Say the words: […]
Posted inAthlete of the week
Prep Athlete of the Week: Keyyaun Batchman, Chaminade – Boys Basketball
The senior guard was impressive in leading the Red Devils to a pair of victories last week. The 6’2” Batchman had 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in a 76-43 victory over Vianney. He followed up with 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a 96-62 victory over Maplewood. For the season, Batchman […]