Tracy Hinson

St. Louis

Meteorologist and Reporter at KSDK-TV (St. Louis, MO)

Certified Meteorologist & Reporter

Articles

Asbestos, lead paint and other contaminants may be in the air after May 16 tornado

2 weeks ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

Many of the damaged homes were over 50 years old, some even over 100. Any structure built before the 80s may contain hazardous materials"If you look around the community, in this storm we have several houses throughout the community that are torn down which means that the contaminants are airborne," Brandy said. The city of St. Louis has distributed masks to neighborhoods hit by the May 16 tornado.
Palm trees thrive in St. Louis thanks to florist's weather hack

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

Tropical trees, stored in a heated warehouse over winter, brighten up St. Louis each spring. Example video title will go here for this videoExample video title will go here for this videoTo stream 5 On Your Side on your phone, you need the 5 On Your Side app. ARNOLD, Mo. — Late every spring, tropical trees start to pop up all over the St. Louis area. Most palms don't and won't grow in Missouri or Illinois. "Weather is the issue," explains David Knoll with Walter Knoll Florist.
By mail, drop box or in person the St. Louis County Health Department wants your ticks

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — May 1 is Lyme Disease Awareness Day, and the entire month of May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The St. Louis County Health Department Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Unit wants you to mark the days, months, and years to come by sending them ticks to identify. St. Louis County recently launched Tick Watch STL.
'F' grade given to St. Louis' air quality in nationwide report

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

Missouri and Illinois residents living near large cities were exposed to unhealthy ozone and pollution over the past year. ST. LOUIS — Half of the United States' population breathes unhealthy air, according to the American Lung Association's most recent 'State of the Air Report'. St. Louis received the worst grade. "(St. Louis is) 21st in the country for being the most polluted for ozone," Laura Turner with the American Lung Association told 5 On Your Side.
St. Louis doctors tracking U.S. measles cases closely

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

The first confirmed case of measles in Missouri reported last weekExample video title will go here for this videoExample video title will go here for this videoTo stream 5 On Your Side on your phone, you need the 5 On Your Side app. ST. LOUIS — Missouri's first measles case was confirmed last week. A child tested positive in Taney County after international travel. There have been no cases reported in Illinois.
Frequent flash flooding is eroding away public and private land in Wildwood

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

WILDWOOD, Mo. — On a dry day, Caulks Creek in Wildwood looks like a gravel road. During and after a Midwest rainstorm, it rages like a class III rapid. "This is an area we call the triple meander," Wildwood City Administrator Thomas Lee said, pointing to the banks of Caulks Creek near Anniversary Park. "This is one of the greatest examples we have of some of the erosion issues we've been facing here."Over time, the banks of Caulks Creek have eroded away leaving nearly two story bluffs behind.
Security robots on loan for Frozen Four NCAA hockey tournament in St. Louis

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

Security robots will patrol downtown St. Louis during the Frozen Four, showcasing their future potential in crime fighting. To stream 5 On Your Side on your phone, you need the 5 On Your Side app. ST. LOUIS — Security robots will be patrolling downtown during the Frozen Four NCAA hockey tournament this weekend. The robots are on loan but may be a part of St. Louis crime fighting in the future.
St. Louis nonprofits worry more federal cuts are coming

1 month ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

"It's really hard for me to believe that you're going to cut half of the staff at HUD and then not cut the funding," - St. Louis Nonprofit, DOORWAYS, President saysTo stream 5 On Your Side on your phone, you need the 5 On Your Side app. ST. LOUIS — Changes and budget cuts at the federal level have trickled down to St. Louis area nonprofits. Now the future of some nonprofits is in limbo.
Windy, warm conditions stirring up an allergy soup in St. Louis

2 months ago | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

Seasonal snifflers stand no chance with this spring weather. ST. LOUIS — What is blooming in St. Louis is beautiful, but windy conditions are making it ugly for allergy sufferers. "The wind can blow the allergens, the pollen around," explains Total Access Urgent Care Physician Dr. Mollie Spire. She said allergens like pollen are thrown into the air and blown about. "Just walking from your house to your car or from your car to the office, it's easier to breathe in," explains Dr. Spire.
COVID-19 turns 5 this year, but it's far from being gone

Feb 28, 2025 | ksdk.com | Tracy Hinson

For some, it's not much different than dealing with a cold or flu. But for others, COVID completely upended their lives. From 2014 to 2016, she provided care at the Chicago Marathon. In 2018 Dr. Cheng worked at the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games in Orlando, Florida. Today she cares for Washington University women's soccer and both basketball teams. Injury rehab is Dr. Cheng's specialty.