St. Louis area prep teams take home five state titles
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St. Louis American See Sports page B3
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Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited MARCH 23 – 29, 2023
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A desert oasis
Chris Krehmeyer, CEO and President of Beyond Housing speaking at the opening of the new Fields Foods in Pagedale, Mo. Tuesday, Mar. 21.
After the cutting of an emerald, green ribbon, a long line of customers who had patiently waited, began shopping. On Tuesday, Fields Foods opened its sixth location in the St. Louis area and its first in St. Louis County. The company has steadily opened stores in the region, including Washington Avenue downtown, Central West End, Dogtown and Lafayette Square locations. “Thank you for being here on this rainy day,” founder of the stores Chris Goodson,
See FIELDS, A6
COMPLIMENTARY
It’s urgent
Fields Foods holds grand opening in Pagedale By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Vol. 94 No. 51
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Medicaid re-enrollment deadline is March 31 By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American and Alexa Spencer Word in Black More than 200,000 Missourians – and millions could soon be without health insurance coverage through Medicaid if proper actions are not taken immediately. In 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law, requiring states to keep people with Medicaid enrolled in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Previously, enrollees had to reapply for benefits every 12 months, but under FFCRA, they’re automatically reenrolled. States received additional funding for executing the policy, and uninsured rates hit record lows. In February, the Missouri Department of Social Services announced it expects Medicaid enrollment numbers to “level off” then “slowly ramp down” by around 200,000 people over the course of the next
See MEDICAID, A7
State AG filed amended petition to remove Kim Gardner She has 10 days to respond
By Sylvester Brown St. Louis American Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Stating their case
Cardinal Ritter players celebrate after defeating Ladue 65-54 in the Class 5 final for its 10th state championship in the school’s storied boys’ basketball history. It was the third state championship in four years for the Lions.
Betty Wheeler name now graces school
Was founding principal of Metro High School Dr. Nicole Williams interim superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, Antionette Toni Cousins, VP of the St. Board of Education, Bryan Williams the grand son of Mrs. Williams and on the right her daughter Gayle Wheeler-Williams with her husband Herman Williams.
St. Louis American staff Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy is the official new name of the former Kennard CJA, creating “a new legacy of excellence.” Parents at the school began a campaign in 2019 to remove the name of Kennard, a confederate officer who became a wealthy St. Louis businessperson with known ties to a leader of the Ku Klux Klan. His name has been replaced by “a trailblazing educator who represents our changing world,” according to George Sels of SPLS. “Women’s History Month is the perfect time
See WHEELER, A6 HEALTH
Regional Medical Centers partners with Alive and Well
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed an amended petition to remove St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner from office. The new filing of more than 100 pages details his explanations as to why she should no longer hold the office she has twice been elected to hold. In his petition, Bailey wrote that judges have been “forced to dismiss more than 2,700 cases because defendants have not received discovery information in timely fashion nor have they received speedy trials.” Bailey alleges that Gardner: Failed in her duty to review warrant applications, with at least an eight-month backlog. Failed in her duty to properly present many cases to the grand jury, receiving Kim much criticism by the grand jury Gardner on many occasions. Engaged in years of costly and wasteful litigation, including suing the City of St. Louis, a case which has been pending for four years. Consented to extraordinary bond reductions, and failed to file motions to revoke bond, involving serious, violent crimes. Caused turnover of Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) in record number. Caused CAOs to commit discovery abuses, resulting in sanctions by the court. He also alleged that Gardner has created “a toxic work environment.” “This is about protecting the people of the City of St. Louis, restoring the rule of law, and finding justice for victims. We brought this suit to remove a prosecutor who has refused to perform her duties to the people of St. Louis,” Bailey said in a statement. “The evidence is shocking and deeply disturbing,
See GARDNER, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
BUSINESS
New southern style restaurant opens in Ferguson
The St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Alive and Well have recently partnered in the effort to eliminate health disparities throughout the state.
Located on the 500 block of South Florissant Road, Elicious Southern Style Breakfast and Brunch serves breakfast all day, and also features hamburgers, salads, and wraps.
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LIVING IT
AJ McQueen was king of The Dark Room
Hip-Hop artist AJ McQueen turned out the Dark Room last Saturday. The Dark Room in Grand Center served as the perfect set-up for the rapper.
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