Celebrating 40 years of Black Dance USA
St. Louis American See page B1
The
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
APRIL 9 – 15, 2026
Vol. 97 No. 52 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
A reckoning in Florissant Doug Dobynes, Jakeem Jones, Anthony Agnew, and Jeremiah Ward of Boys To Mentors sit attentively during the Teen and Youth Violence Prevention and Safety Town Hall at Calvary Bible Church in Florissant, as community members gathered to address youth gun violence following the fatal shooting of 13 year old LaJuan Swopes.
Town Hall confronts North County youth violence By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American There was something different about the Teen and Youth Violence Prevention and Safety Town Hall held Saturday morning April 4, 2026, at Calvary Bible Church in Florissant. What began as a familiar format — elected officials and community leaders outlining strategies to curb youth gun violence — quickly shifted into something deeper. By the time the final speaker
stepped away from the microphone, the gathering had moved from policy talk to collective soul-searching. Parents, educators, clergy, and residents filled the sanctuary, many still carrying the emotional weight of a devastating week in North St. Louis County. The town hall was organized in direct response to a shooting at McCluer South-Berkeley STEAM High School — a tragedy that reignited long-standing fears about the safety of the
See Violence, A13
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Justice delayed, but finally not denied City jury awards $37M to Tyron Edwards By Ashley Winters St. Louis American A St. Louis jury has awarded $37 million to Tyron Edwards after it found that he was unjustly shot by police as a 14-year-old nearly a decade ago. The verdict, reached after several hours of deliberation, found former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer Thomas Streckfuss and current officer Ryan Murphy liable for assault, malicious prosecution, and false imprisonment. Jurors determined Edwards was wrongfully shot during an Oct. 2, 2016 encounter and that the officers’ account of the incident led to his arrest and prosecution. Edwards declined an interview with
See Edwards, A13 Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Ron Spivey casts his vote at the St. Louis City Library location during local elections.
City earnings tax easily wins approval By Ashley Winters St. Louis American St. Louis voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly supported renewal of the 1% earnings tax, a major source of city funding which currently accounts for almost 36% of St. Louis’ general revenue. The earnings tax, Proposition E’s renewal garcurrently accounts for nered 22,772 votes (85%), with almost 36% of St. Louis’ 4,903 residents (15%) voting no. general revenue. Only 26,876 (13.7%) of the city’s 196,299 registered voters cast ballots. The tax applies to anyone who lives or works in the city and funds essential services including police, fire protection, street maintenance and day-to-day city operations. A “no” outcome would not have immediately eliminated
Williams steps aside for new SLDC director By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
85% of voters stood in support
Nearly a year ago, Mayor Cara Spencer asked retired St. Louis Development Corp. (SLDC) Director Otis Williams to return as interim leader during a period of significant upheaval. At the time, the city faced a potential lawsuit from developer Paul McKee over its move to seize his land through eminent domain. During her campaign, Spencer, backed by developers, criticized SLDC’s operations under her predecessor, Tishaura Jones. Spencer targeted Jones’ Northside “economic justice” plan, which relied on federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Tasked with restructuring or elimi-
See Williams, A12
See Tax, A12 HEALTH
SPORTS
State House approves bill which extends doula services
Chicago backs Black baseball with HBCU Classic
The legislation would expand coverage of doula support for women enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program from six to 16 visits covering pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
On May 2, 2026, Alabama A&M University and Prairie View A&M University will play at Wrigley Field, “for a groundbreaking celebration of culture, legacy, and the game of baseball,” according to the Cubs.
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