Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 9h

St. Louis Blues fans from across the region gathered with their friends and family to enjoy opening day celebrations at Union Station on Thursday.

Here are some of their stories:

Photos: Blues hockey fans celebrate season opener with optimism

Hundreds of people gathered at Union Station in Midtown to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 St. Louis Blues hockey season.

www.stlpr.org

2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 10h

Alfred Montgomery is still sheriff in St. Louis — at least for now.

A St. Louis circuit judge today denied another motion from the Missouri Attorney General to have Montgomery immediately removed from his position:

St. Louis sheriff survives 3rd removal attempt after landing 5 federal charges

The judge's decision came the day after Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was indicted on five federal felony charges.

www.stlpr.org

1 3

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 18h

“Soul on Fire” tells the story of St. Louisan John O’Leary, who survived burns over 90% of his body at age 9.

Now, his journey is headed to the silver screen. It's the first major film shot in St. Louis since 2009.

In 'Soul on Fire,' John O'Leary takes St. Louis and his story of survival to the big screen

John O’Leary came home to St. Louis in order to tell his life story. “Soul on Fire,” a new film that follows O’Leary’s life, premieres Friday in theaters nationwide.

www.stlpr.org

1 2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 18h

St. Louis residents raised alarms over electricity rates, water use and lack of transparency during the first town hall on a proposed data center in the Armory.

Developers say the project could bring jobs and tax revenue, but many remain unconvinced.

Consultants met with complaints during first town hall on Armory data center proposal

Concerned St. Louis residents made their thoughts known about a proposed $1.5 billion data center project that developers hope to build on the premises of the shuttered Armory building in Midtown.

www.stlpr.org

1 1 7

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 19h

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois says some of her constituents will pay double for health insurance if Congress doesn’t vote to extend a subsidy program that helps pay for premiums.

The issue is at the heart of the federal government shutdown.
www.stlpr.org/health-scien...

Rep. Budzinski of Illinois says some health insurance premiums will double if Congress doesn’t act

Democrats in Congress have held off voting on a spending bill unless legislators agree to again approve the tax credits for people who buy insurance on healthcare.gov.

www.stlpr.org

5

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 19h

Missouri health officials say West Nile virus is spreading more than usual this year.

So far in 2025, state health workers have reported 16 human cases of the virus, which is spread through mosquito bites.

Missouri officials warn of increased West Nile virus activity this year

Missouri health officials say West Nile virus is spreading more than usual this year.

www.stlpr.org

1 4

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery has been indicted on five federal felony charges, which include four witness retaliation charges and one for witness tampering.

St. Louis sheriff indicted on 5 federal felony charges

The sheriff was charged with witness retaliation and witness tampering.

www.stlpr.org

6

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

St. Louis’ autistic community strongly rebukes Trump’s characterization of autism as a “horrible crisis."

"They always either want to blame the parent or blame circumstances that caused it or try to cure it, not realizing that we … don't need a cure."

www.stlpr.org/show/st-loui...

St. Louis’ autistic community rebukes Trump’s characterization of condition

Autistic St. Louisans and parents of autistic children said President Trump harmed efforts to remove the stigma attached to the disorder.

www.stlpr.org

6 13

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

A new book, “Spooky America: The Ghostly Tales of St. Charles,” guides young readers through the city’s haunted history.

Author Nicki Jacobsmeyer joined @stlonair.bsky.social to talk about her fourth book and the most haunted locations in St. Charles.

‘Spooky America’ takes young readers on a haunted tour of St. Charles

Nicki Jacobsmeyer’s fourth book combines Halloween and history for an adventure through downtown St. Charles.

www.stlpr.org

2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

The Quincy and Fort Leonard Wood airports say they’ll continue operating despite the federal shutdown.

The suspension of funding comes at a time when the airport in Quincy is switching from Southern Airways Express to Contour Airlines.

Quincy and Fort Leonard Wood airports will continue operating despite government shutdown

The airlines serving regional airports without other air service options receive federal grants that will be suspended starting Sunday.

www.stlpr.org

2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

The St. Louis Blues open their season Thursday at Enterprise Center. 🏒

After last year’s midseason turnaround under coach Jim Montgomery, the team’s looking to keep that momentum going.

Blues start season hoping to build on second-half success last year

This year marks head coach Jim Montgomery’s first full season at the helm after he turned the team's fortunes last year and made the playoffs.

www.stlpr.org

4

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 1d

A man has died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after being transferred to the Ste. Genevieve Detention Center.

This is the second death of an ICE detainee Missouri this year.

A second man dies in ICE custody at a Missouri detention center

This is at least the 15th ICE detainee death nationwide and the second in Missouri this year, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's website.

www.stlpr.org

4 7

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s office says a city vehicle is responsible for a strike on a pedestrian bridge that crosses into Forest Park from the northeast side.

St. Louis water division truck damaged Forest Park pedestrian bridge

The June 19 crash caused enough damage that the bridge will have to be demolished.

www.stlpr.org

1

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

Public media lifts every voice. Our Race Culture and Identity Reporter Andrea Henderson has mic, will travel to any part of our region to find new voices that expand your view of #STL. Hear Andrea talk about the work she loves — and how you can support it. stlpr.org/give

2

Reposted by St. Louis Public Radio

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 2d

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A new bus service from the St. Clair County Transit District and Metro Transit will take St. Louis Blues fans in the Metro East to and from the Enterprise Center at select home games this season. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/...

New bus service will take St. Louis Blues fans to and from Belleville this season

A round-trip ride will cost $10 on the "Blue Note Express."

www.stlpr.org

1 2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

A new bus service from the St. Clair County Transit District and Metro Transit will take St. Louis Blues fans in the Metro East to and from the Enterprise Center at select home games this season.

Here's how much it will cost:

New bus service will take St. Louis Blues fans to and from Belleville this season

A round-trip ride will cost $10 on the Blue Note Express.

www.stlpr.org

1 2

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

Foundry Bakery owners Ray and Leah Yeh celebrate the annual Mid-Autumn Festival with an artisanal take on Taiwanese-style moon cakes: laminated pastry filled with ingredients from small farmers.

They joined @stlpublicradio.bsky.social to talk about this year’s lineup.

This St. Louis bakery puts a flaky, organic spin on Taiwanese-style moon cakes

Taiwanese-centered bakery in St. Louis makes artisanal moon cakes with organic ingredients from small U.S. farms.

www.stlpr.org

5

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

Ferguson residents say the city has made important strides under its consent decree, addressing issues like municipal court reform.

But deep cuts to funding risk undoing progress.

Ferguson residents worry funding cuts could stall consent decree progress

Ferguson residents spoke during a consent decree hearing Tuesday, praising the city’s progress but worried cuts will be a step backward.

www.stlpr.org

1

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

St. Louis isn’t experiencing the bright yellow, orange and red fall colors that it has in years past. Instead, green leaves are turning straight to brown.

On @stlpublicradio.bsky.social, two experts talk about how heat waves and instances of drought may be the reason.

St. Louis trees will be more brown this autumn. Here’s why

“The leaves may drop sooner, and the coloration may not be as vibrant,” says horticulturist Daria McKelvey.

www.stlpr.org

1 1 5

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

Some St. Louisans are suing the owners of the abandoned St. Alexius-Jefferson hospital, demanding the property be cleaned up or declared abandoned.

The lawsuit describes vandalism, left behind medical equipment and human remains.

Fed-up neighbors want a vacant St. Louis hospital cleaned up. Could a buyer come through?

The former St. Alexius-Jefferson hospital campus has been vacant since 2022. Neighbors, fed up with what they claim is a deteriorating and dangerous property, want change soon.

www.stlpr.org

6

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

University City’s stormwater commission unanimously recommended denying a plan to build more than 100 townhomes on cemetery land, citing flooding and stormwater concerns.

University City’s stormwater commission recommends rejecting housing development

The recommendation from the commission now goes to the city council, which makes the final decision.

www.stlpr.org

2 3

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

Our new Engagement Producer Paola Rodriguez loves public media because it's for the people, by the people. ✊ You can support people-powered news when you become a member. stlpr.org/give #stlouis #stlpr #publicmedia

1 4

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 3d

St. Louis Realtors wants to increase Black homeownership in the region.

The association suggests that financial institutions and Realtors offer more programs for first-time buyers and expanding access to credit and down payment assistance programs.

Local Realtor group wants to improve the homebuying process for Black St. Louisans

St. Louis Realtors is trying to promote Black homeownership through its Reimagining St. Louis plan. The plan suggests financial institutions should provide more first time homebuying programs, financi...

www.stlpr.org

1 8

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 3d

Art and objective local news are essential to the health of #STL. Our Arts & Culture Senior Reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin gets to champion both, and he's pretty thrilled about the sweet gig. Defend the arts and free expression ❤️ at stlpr.org/give. #STLPR #stlouis #stlart #stlartscene

1 6

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 3d

After almost 20 years, St. Louis officials say the area surrounding the Cortex district is still blighted and needs further redevelopment for another five years.

Officials say Cortex area still blighted after all these years, move renewal forward

An aldermanic committee moved forward with a plan to renew a blight determination for St. Louis’ Cortex district in an effort to finish redeveloping the area.

www.stlpr.org

2