Myles Rowe revs up WWT Raceway with historic run
St. Louis American See sports page B5
The
JUNE 11 – 17, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
Vol. 98 No. 9 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Missouri students lag in reading, math
NAACP says education gaps remain a concern in St. Louis region By Ashley Winters and Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American Educational recovery remains elusive for many Missouri students, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which found that reading and math proficiency remain below pre-pandemic levels and the state slipped slightly in national rankings for child well-being. Nearly three out of four Missouri fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and
University City High School math teacher Malinda Baker assists a student in her classroom. She briefly left the profession but returned because she loves working with students.
more than three out of four eighth graders are not proficient in math, according to the annual report published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The findings echo concerns raised by the St. Louis City branch of the NAACP, which two years ago filed federal civil rights complaints alleging a “literacy crisis” in 34 city and county school districts, including charter and private schools. According to the report, 73% of
See Students, A8
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Cox takes helm of county police By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American When St. Louis County police leaders explained why Juan Cox should become the department’s next chief, they repeatedly returned to one issue: accountability. The County Board of Police Commissioners voted Tuesday to appoint Cox as the department’s permanent chief after he served as acting chief followJuan Cox ing the retirement of Kenneth Gregory, the department’s first Black chief, in April. Commission Chair Richard Banks said Cox’s experience during and after the Ferguson unrest helped distinguish him
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Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Ohun Ashe speaks during testimony at a St. Louis Board of Aldermen committee hearing Tuesday as residents called for more Rams settlement funds to be directed toward North St. Louis and tornado recovery.
ARCHS expands network for victims of violence
North STL, downtown clash over Rams funds By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American A sharp divide over how St. Louis should spend $230 million in Rams settlement money was on display Tuesday as aldermen advanced a spending plan that boosts funding for tornado recovery, water infrastructure and vacant-property enforcement while preserving a The committee controversial $55 million allohearing was less a cation for downtown redevelopdebate over account- ment. ing than a clash of The committee vote is not the final decision. Board Bill 22 priorities. now returns to the full Board of Aldermen, which must approve the plan before any of the money can be spent. What unfolded during a nearly six-hour committee hearing was less a debate over accounting than a clash of priorities. Residents, business leaders, activists and elected officials
Aldermen advance compromise plan despite criticism from activists
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American In some St. Louis neighborhoods, exposure to violence and trauma has become so common that many residents no longer recognize the need for help, according to James Clark, vice president of public safety and executive director of the Neighborhood Alliance at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “Exposure to trauma, violence and other adverse social conditions has become normalized,” Clark said. “Many residents are left without the resources needed to heal and recover.” Public health researchers say the
See Rams funds, A8 BUSINESS
See ARCHS, A10 LIVING IT
East St. Louis solar project promises lower utility bills
A century of Miles and Coltrane reimagined
East St. Louis wants to turn a polluted property once owned by aluminum manufacturer Alcoa into a community solar project that could lower electric bills for thousands of residents.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presented a tribute to John Coltrane and East St. Louis’ own Miles Davis that opened Saturday night with a groove.
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