STL trio finds new teams on NBA Draft Night
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St. Louis American See page B3
The
CAC Audited JULY 3 – 9, 2025
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Science Camp at Little Creek Nature Area By Ashley Winters St. Louis American School’s out for summer, but learning hasn’t stopped at Little Creek Nature Area, a program supported by the St. Louis American Foundation (SLAF). The 97-acre outdoor classroom located in North St. Louis County is drawing elementary and middle school students from across the region for a hands-on STEM exploration. Hiking trails, restored prairies, a pond ecosystem, and a Nature Explore classroom offer young learners a chance to connect with science in the wild. Savannah Channel, 17, a mentor and student at MICDS, leads lessons on plant and animal survival. One activity had students design butterflies with camouflage patterns to blend into the classroom environment before challenging each other to spot the hidden butterflies, mimicking how creatures survive in the wild. “The kids come here to learn more about science to have a better idea of what they are learning in school,” Channel said.
See CAMP, A7
Vol. 97 No. 13 COMPLIMENTARY
American excels at NNPA Awards
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
The St. Louis American garnered three first-place awards and several other recognitions in the 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards competition. The award winners were announced on Thursday June 29, 2025 during the NNPA national conference in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by Cathy Sewell / The St. Louis American
Boeing manufacturing engineer Travion Crutcher explains helicopter design and testing at The St. Louis American’s Summer Science Academy.
1st place for Layout and Design Kerry Broadsheet – Robert Carter L. Vann Award “August 22-28 edition featuring Jasmine Crockett, Democratic National Convention and local coverage.” Mike Terhaar, Art Director and Melvin Moore, Graphic Designer 1st place for Video Campaign Award “37th Annual Salute to Education Recap” Salute To Excellence in Education videos honoring the following: Lifetime Achiever Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Video by Dawn Suggs), Stellar Performer Ellicia Lanier, SEMO Counselor of The Year Kimberly Merrell and Excellence in Education Awardees (Videos by James Lebine and Raven Whitener).
See AWARDS, A7
Fate of Medicaid is in hands of House Vote could come July 3
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Gospel veteran BeBe Winans performed alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the IN UNISON Chorus for a special tornado relief benefit Sunday, June 29 at The Fox. All proceeds from the “pay what you can” concert benefited the efforts of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and their support of those affected by the devastating tornado.
‘This is a defining moment for St. Louis’ Tornado relief concert raises more than $200K and counting for Urban League
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American There was a brief, but touching moment that was repeated during the Tornado Relief Concert held Sunday afternoon at The Fabulous Fox. Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra,
and IN UNISON Chorus director Kevin McBeth shared conductor duties on Sunday afternoon. As they took turns, a hug or handshake would take place before the other stepped into the conductor’s stand. It was as if they were a tag team enthusiastically sending the other off with encouragement to get the job done. The gesture was symbolic of the
HEALTH
Richard Liekweg retiring from BJC Healthcare
St. Louis and the Midwest will lose one of its prominent health care leaders on Oct. 1, 2025, when BJC Health System’s CEO, Rich Liekweg, retires, the nonprofit organization has announced.
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team effort to produce and present the performance – and the commitment to rebuild after the devastation. The “pay what you can” concert raised more than $200,000 and counting. Organizations, charitable foundations and individuals worked together to support the massive undertaking
See TORNADO, A6
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American The fate of millions of Americans’ Medicaid enrollment, including more than 200,000 in Missouri, was being debated Wednesday in the House of Representatives. The Senate passed its version of the Budget Reconciliation Bill on Tuesday, and many medical experts and social agency representatives agree that there would be a cataclysmic impact on American healthcare if the House gives its approval. Sen. Josh Hawley, who suggested he could not approve the Senate version of the bill, did finally vote with his fellow GOP senators to approve the bill. Sen. Eric Schmitt also voted yes, not surprisingly as he stood with President Trump in support of the bill that guts Medicaid, SNAP benefits, while slicing taxes for the wealthy. The Senate version passed 51-50. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote. “Josh Hawley & Eric Schmitt just voted to sell out the people of Missouri,” said Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan.
See MEDICAID, A6
BUSINESS
St. Louis launches tornado recover programs
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has announced several new recovery programs to assist St. Louis residents impacted by the May 16 tornado.
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