THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
7-Day HOT, HOT, HOT! Forecast 96 96 92 92 89 88 89
St. Louis American The
JULY 2 – 8, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Vol. 98 No. 12 COMPLIMENTARY
SLPS considers a major reset
Plan would close up to 22 schools, expand Pre-K-8 and reshape transportation By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American St. Louis Public Schools is asking families and residents to weigh in on the most sweeping overhaul of the district in decades — a plan that could close or repurpose up to 22 schools while reshaping grade configurations, transportation,
magnet programs and the future use of school buildings. District leaders say years of declining enrollment, aging facilities and mounting financial pressures have made the current system unsustainable. Three draft proposals outlined in the district’s “Future Ready SLPS: School Portfolio Preview”
District leaders say years of declining enrollment, aging facilities and mounting financial pressures have made the current system unsustainable. would reduce the district from 62 schools to between 40 and 47 by the
2027-28 school year. “This work is not simply about closing or
consolidating schools,” the report says. “It is about creating a stronger system of well-resourced schools where students have access to high-quality academic programming, safe learning environments, enrichment opportunities and sustainable facilities.” SLPS will hold three community meetings this month before presenting a
final recommendation to the Board of Education, which is expected to vote in August. After previewing the proposals to civic, business and community leaders, Superintendent Dr. Myra Berry said attendees recognized that significant change is necessary.
See SLPS, A10
A baby’s killing raises troubling questions Police say infant was shot by 10-year-old boy
By Lauren Marisol Preston and Na’Porsha Williams A week after 7-month-old Kiyomi Parker was fatally shot inside a North St. Louis home, her mother isn’t asking people to choose sides. She’s asking them to pray. “I want others to pray for my family,” 19-year-old Janyla Parker told KSDK. “Pray for her father’s family as well.” Her plea has lingered as St. Louis continues searching for answers to a tragedy that has drawn national attention. Educators, Kiyomi Parker counselors and child-development experts who spoke to The St. Louis American say understanding how something like this happens requires looking long before the moment a trigger is pulled. Investigators say the shooting happened June 26 Carrying a a home in gun felt like inside the 8400 block of protection North Broadway until the after a 10-yearold boy found a day he was handgun accidentally loaded hidden beneath a shot. mattress and shot Kiyomi. She died later at a hospital. Police charged Kiyomi’s father, 19-year-old Ca’Marion Pawnell, alleging the handgun belonged to him and had been left accessible to children. The 10-year-old also faces a murder charge in juvenile court. For many child advocates, however, the legal case is only one part of
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Beating the heat Aarin Bernard and Cherish Harshaw play in the water at Turner Playground as families looked for ways to cool off during the St. Louis heat. Splash pads and playgrounds offered children a place to stay active while finding relief from the summer temperatures.
Black St. Louisans reflect on America at 250
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Those were the words of abolitionist, orator and writer, Frederick Douglass. He delivered them during his July 5, 1852 speech in Rochester, New York. Although slavery ended in 1865, 161 years later, Douglass’ question is still relevant to the descendants of a nation founded in slavery. What should America’s 250th anniversary mean to Black America? Should it be collectively celebrated or independently ignored, denounced or dismissed? “That’s for them, not us,” Dawn Wise, founder of
The DeShields family walks past the Saint Louis Art Museum as a large American flag hangs ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
See America, A9 HOTSHEET
See Shooting, A9 LIVING IT
This week only! Hotsheet moves to page B7
Wellston native AJ McQueen brings tour to City Winery
Janet Jackson moves Teyana Taylor to tears during BET Awards. Muni Long reveals double lung transplant. Read those stories and more in this week’s Hotsheet.
At the concert, McQueen — a rapper, songwriter, poet and author — shared words of wisdom and offered an intimate glimpse into his spiritual worldview.
Page B7
Page B1