Low vaccination numbers lead to path for measles
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page A10
The
CAC Audited JUNE 5 – 11, 2025
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Gabe Gore: ‘Lives have been saved’
By Rachel Lippmann St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore says his office has cleared a backlog of nearly 7,000 cases that were awaiting charges. “Really, the story of the last two years for this office is a story of the community coming together and collaborating to address a situation that had reached a crisis point,” Gore said Tuesday at a news conference marking two years in office. Then-Gov. Mike Parson appointed Gore to the circuit attorney post in May 2023 after Kim Gardner resigned under pressure. He won a full four-year term in August. When Gore took over, there were more than 6,700 cases awaiting charging decisions from the prosecutor. He said that thanks to hard work by his assistant circuit attorneys and outside help, that backlog has been eliminated. Many of the cases were for violent crimes including murder, Gore said. In some instances, defendants were facing charges from multiple cases.
See GORE, A11
Vol. 97 No. 9 COMPLIMENTARY
St. Louis Jack and Jill celebrates banner year By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by Rachel Lippmann
During his annual update, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said Tuesday at the Mel Carnahan Courthouse that his office has cleared nearly 7,000 cases that “removed dangerous individuals from the street.”
Jack and Jill St. Louis raised $60,000 while celebrating a banner year of community support and youth leadership development, and its first as a “FiveStar Chapter of Excellence.” The St. Louis chapter, which is in its 78th year, raised over $50,000 during a fundraiser featuring comedian Guy Torry in February. “It’s more than a fundraiser; it’s a legacy of service and leadership in action,” said local Jack and Jill St. Louis President Angela Rhone. “It’s an incredible milestone made possible by the dedication of our youth and members. What makes me most proud is knowing that our teamwork and commitment will directly impact thousands of students and families across our community.” The funds were shared by ten local organizations as well as the national Jack and Jill Foundation. The support went to Almost Home, $11,000; Boys and Girls Club - $1,500; Teens also built a new literacy room stacked with hundreds of new African American books; Gentlemen of Vision, $1,500; Haven of Grace, $1,000; JJOA Foundation, $17,500; Little Bit
See JACK AND JILL, A9
Defying will of the voters
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
The American Red Cross and two food trucks served those with with badly-damaged homes who had no where to go in the city’s Penrose neighborhood near Natural Bridge and N. Newstead Wednesday, June 4.
Deadly tornado magnifies Delmar Divide
By Ashley Winters The St. Louis American
Following the devastating tornadoes that struck historically Black neighborhoods in St. Louis on May 16, 2025, communities north of Delmar are faced with the formidable task of rebuilding. This recovery effort will be massive and require considerable ongoing support. More city support is on the way
after a Tuesday vote by the Board of Aldermen approved expansion eligibility for the city’s Impacted Tenants Fund. Approved applicants will get a month of federal fair market rent to help cover up-front expenses like a security deposit or first month’s rent at a new building. “People need housing now and amending the Impacted Tenants Fund is a critical first step in helping renters who lost their homes in last month’s tornado. We know the program’s cur-
BUSINESS
Realtor volunteers in tornado recovery to help neighbors
Derrick Hibbler, president of Flip, U.S.A. LLC, grew up hanging out in what is now a disaster zone and has deep personal connections to the people and places impacted.
Page B1
Dismantling women’s reproductive rights By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
rent balance isn’t enough and our next step is finding a way to expand the fund so more residents can secure housing,” said Board of Aldermen President Megan Green. She noted that even though the bill has passed, the application process is not yet open. “DHS is working to finalize criteria and the application process with
In the November 2024 General election, one sentiment was made abundantly clear: women – young and older, conservative and liberal – voted overwhelmingly to protect their reproductive rights and that included access to safe abortions. A record-breaking ten states had initiatives or measures on the ballot that allowed voters to have a direct say in the future of abortion access in their states. They all passed. In Missouri, Amendment 3 (the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative) was passed in seven of the state’s 114 counties. St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County accounted for 554,372 of the “yes” votes in the state, about 36% of the total. St. Louis County accounted for 338,486 votes, St. Charles County
See TORNADO, A6
See RIGHTS, A9 SPORTS
St. Louis area track teams triumph at state meet
There were three area schools that brought home state team championships. Ladue’s girls won the Class 5 state championship while Festus won the girls’ Class 4 state title.
Page B3