News briefs
City announces summer camps, youth recreation programs
St. Louis is offering a range of summer camps and recreation programs for youths, including boxing, basketball, baseball, soccer, dance and swimming activities.
Free full-day summer camps will operate at recreation centers from June 1 through Aug. 7, featuring activities focused on STEM, outdoor recreation, golf and film production. Meals and snacks will be provided.
The city’s outdoor pool season begins May 23 and runs through Labor Day weekend, with free admission at several locations. Registration information is available throughCity of St. Louis summer activities page.
Missouri Supreme Court upholds new congressional maps
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld newly redrawn congressional district maps backed by Republican lawmakers, clearing the way for the boundaries to be used in the November midterm elections.
In a series of rulings issued hours after oral arguments, the court rejected challenges claiming the maps violated constitutional standards for compactness and contiguity. The court also ruled that a referendum effort seeking to place the maps before voters did not automatically block the new districts from taking effect.
The revised map, approved during a special legislative session last year, is designed to strengthen Republican advantages in Missouri’s congressional delegation.
The changes split Kansas City into three separate districts and expand the territory represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver — one of only two Black members of Congress representing Missouri — from his urban Kansas City base into rural central Missouri.
The state’s other Black congressman is Democratic U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, whose 1st District includes all of St. Louis and much of North St. Louis County, including Clayton, Ferguson and Florissant.
Opponents argued the new districts weaken representation and could create voter confusion ahead of the election.
Study links environment, health disparities in St. Louis
A new report from Washington University in St. Louis examines environmental racism across the St. Louis region and outlines recommendations aimed at reducing disparities in health, housing and environmental conditions.
The updated study builds on a 2019 report and includes expanded data on issues such as asthma, air quality, illegal dumping and housing conditions. Researchers also added recommendations focused on policy changes and community response efforts.
Among the proposals are more frequent updates to Missouri’s environmental health tracking database, expanded air-quality monitoring in the city and additional testing for soil contamination in public spaces used by children.
The report also recommends improving data collection on mold complaints in rental housing and addressing vacant properties and illegal dumping.
Researchers said natural disasters, including the May 2025 tornado in St. Louis, can deepen existing inequalities in neighborhoods with older housing and fewer re
Spencer criticizes police board lawsuit over funding dispute
Cara Spencer criticized the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners this week after it filed a lawsuit seeking about $67.6 million in additional police funding.
The lawsuit asks a judge to require the city to include Rams settlement funds and reserve balances in calculating police funding under Missouri law. Spencer said the demand could threaten city services, tornado recovery efforts and infrastructure spending.
The dispute follows Missouri’s 2025 takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and a state law requiring at least 25% of general revenue be allocated to policing.
WashU receives record $200 million gift for public health school
Washington University in St. Louis has received a $200 million donation for its School of Public Health, the largest gift in the university’s history.
The contribution from the Bursky Family Foundation will support faculty hiring, scholarships and research initiatives at the school, which launched in January 2025, the university said.
The school will be renamed the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky School of Public Health in recognition of the donation from alumni Andrew and Jane Bursky. Andrew Bursky is co-founder of Atlas Holdings and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.