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CAC Audited FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2024
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Michael Neidorff honored posthumously
Michael Neidorff, who joined Centene as CEO in 1996, grew the company from a $40 million regional business into a national healthcare giant with revenues that eclipsed $126 billion in 2021.
When Michael F. Neidorff, the longtime chief executive officer of Centene Corporation, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at age 79, his passing was reported as national Salute to news by Forbes, the Wall Street Business Journal, and the New York Times. Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying body for the health insurance industry, told Forbes that Neidorff was among the first health insurance executives to address patients in “under-represented and underserved communities.” Forbes reported that Neidorff, who joined Centene as CEO in 1996, grew the company from a $40 million regional business into “a national healthcare giant with revenues that
See NEIDORFF, A6
COMPLIMENTARY
Bush calls spending allegations ‘baseless’
2024 Salute to Business Champion For Civic and Business Inclusion
By Chris King For The St. Louis American
Vol. 95 No. 43
By Jason Rosenbaum St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri congresswoman Cori Bush confirmed Tuesday that the Department of Justice is investigating her campaign spending on security. Bush said she’s done nothing wrong and added that she’s cooperating fully with the investigation. On Monday, while the U.S. House was in session, the clerk read a message that the sergeant of arms received a grand jury subpoena for documents from the U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, D.C.-based Punchbowl News reported on Monday the subpoena was related to a Democratic member Cori Bush possibly misusing congressional allowance funds for security. Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman reported on Tuesday that the Democratic lawmaker was Bush, who represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Bush said in a statement Tuesday that “the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign’s spending on security services.” Bush pushed back against Punchbowl News’ report that the investigation was related to misuse of a congressional allowance. “Since before I was sworn into the office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and my life,” Bush said. “As a rank-and-file member of Congress, I am not entitled to personal
Photo courtesy of Michael Neidorff Family
‘Literacy for the Lou’ a new chapter in education
See BUSH, A6
An evening with Kemba Smith: Harris-Stowe State University screens the movie, ‘Kemba’
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Zara Daugherty, 7, (left) author of Broken Promises and Ava Johnson, 8, author of “But What Can You Do?” got to showcase their books at the Literacy for the Lou education fair at the Central Library downtown Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American “Literacy for the Lou,” St. Louis Public Schools’ citywide, effort to increase and improve literacy among St. Louis’ children, turned its first pages with a pair of events last week. During a Jan. 25, 2024, press conference at Mullanphy Elementary School, SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett called ‘Literacy for the
Lou’ “an all hands-on-deck mobilization of our entire city,” in a release. “We plan to get children reading, family and friends coaching, and the entire community asking the question: “What book are you reading right now?” Scarlett says on the SLPS website that students should get used to being asked what they are reading or writing. “If they know the question is coming, they will want to have an answer,”
BUSINESS
Former incarcerated have a chance at entrepreneurship
St. Louis County Small Business Launchpad program gives second chances to formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs. The program helps participants find the resources needed to start their business.
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she said. According to SLPS, students and families will be assisted in building their own home libraries with several books being sent home to keep each school year for younger readers. Coaching will also be provided to families on how to teach through the ‘science of reading’ and help young readers learn and improve.
Harris-Stowe State University’s Presidential Lecture Series has brought an array of talented leaders and entertainers to the HCBU campus, and the January 25, 2024 session lived up to its high standard. The movie, “Kemba,” a chronicle of the journey of Kemba Smith, a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, was screened. It was followed by a Q&A session moderated by Award-winning journalist and reporter, Carol Daniels. Asked by Daniels how it felt to relive her experience on the widescreen, Smith answered honestly. “It tugs at my heart strings…the script was difficult for me to go through,” she said. “But I got to be a part of the whole (moviemaking) process. It’s been surreal
See SMITH, A7
See LITERACY, A7 SPORTS
St. Mary’s fires up 20-win season as postseason nears
The St. Mary’s Dragons entered the week with a 20-1 record. After a 15-13 campaign last season, the Dragons have responded with their first 20-victory season since 2018.
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