Ashley Winters

1 week ago | stlamerican.com | Ashley Winters

St. Louis resident Jamala Rogers and Mike Milton are challenging Missouri’s legislative attempt to usurp control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) through House Bill 495. In a lawsuit filed on their behalf by ArchCity Defenders, Rogers and Milton maintain that the law violates the Missouri Constitution by imposing special legislation on a single jurisdiction and by levying an unfunded mandate against St. Louis City taxpayers.

2 weeks ago | stlamerican.com | Ashley Winters

As parts of the St. Louis region, especially the city’s northside, are just taking the first steps on a road to recovery, Erion “Prop Man” Johnson, a contractor, truly embodies the spirit of community support. Following the devastating EF3 tornado on May 16th, 2025, Johnson rallied a group of local teenagers and young men to work on an imaginative initiative.

2 weeks ago | stlamerican.com | Ashley Winters

The entrepreneurial spirit is being nurtured in our community with K through eighth-grade students participating in the Mission: St. Louis “Beyond School” 16-week entrepreneurship program. In partnership with VentureLab, Mission St. Louis invited students from 40 schools to pitch business ideas to a panel of judges on May 8, 2025. The ideas addressed community challenges. Their product pitches included house cleaning products, pest control, jewelry, and a mental wellness app.

2 weeks ago | stlamerican.com | Ashley Winters

Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker doesn’t know how much it will cost to rebuild Centennial Christian Church, which suffered severe damage during the EF-3 tornado on May 16, 2025. But she knows its resurrection won’t be quick or easy. Wise Baker explained that insurance will cover some of the rebuilding expenses, but the church must raise most of the funds needed for the extensive demolition and reconstruction project that is expected to take at least four years.

3 weeks ago | stlamerican.com | Ashley Winters

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force has reconvened as a proactive measure as measles cases are growing nationwide, and include a few reported cases in Missouri. While the Task Force is educating and informing the public about the measles virus, its symptoms, preventive measures, and how to manage suspected exposure, Dr. Alex Garza says the infectious disease potential is extremely low – for now. “Immunization rates are below 95% in our region.