Arch Grants invests $1.875 million in startup companies
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St. Louis American See page B1
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CAC Audited NOVEMBER 16 – 22, 2023
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L.I.T. is it!
Teen summit takes leadership training to youths By Ashley Winters St. Louis American Taking on the narcotics crisis and building young new leaders were goals of the inaugural Leaders In Training (L.I.T.) teen summit on Tuesday at Hazelwood Baptist Church. Gerald Dennis, L.I.T. creator and coordinator, said he was inspired to create the teen summit after attending a youth community forum in St. Charles. He thought ‘how many young teens could benefit from a program focused on them and designed and led by young people?’ “I want the kids to know that we adults understand that their generation has a lot of things at school and outside of school that they have to navigate through,” said Dennis, who serves as a program director at Preferred Family Health Care.
See SUMMIT, A7
Vol. 95 No. 33 COMPLIMENTARY
St. Louis records 20% drop in homicides
Largest drop in 90 years By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
The inaugural Leaders in Training teen summit featured Terry Bowman of Preferred Family Healthcare discussing youth mental health.
A veteran salute Don Clarke, a member of Tom Powell Post #77, waves to the crowd during the Veterans Day Parade Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Post #77 was chartered on September 17, 1919, and was the first Black post in the United States.
As St. Louis entered the fourth quarter of 2023, its homicide rate was down 20%. If the trend continues through December, it would be the largest homicide reduction in the city in 90 years. According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police statistics, there had been 139 homicides as of Nov. 6 compared to 173 at the same time last year. As both Mayor Tishaura Jones and Chief Robert Tracy have stated, “one is too many.” During a Tuesday press conference celeJames brating St. Louis’ perClark fect score in the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equity Index, Mayor Jones said “a whole lot of things,” have helped reduce the homicide rate. “We opened our Office of Violence Prevention over [18 months] ago and they work with, and in, communities with violence interrupters, social workers, and other behavioral health providers,” Jones said. Jones said, “people have been diverted from emergency rooms and jail, and our 911 Diversion Program connects them with mental health providers.”
See HOMICIDES, A7
St. Louis earns perfect score on Equality Index Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Jackson to co-anchor KSDK 10 p.m. news By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Kelly Jackson keeps moving on up at KSDK. Jackson has been named Mike Bush’s new 10 p.m. weekday co-anchor, beginning on Nov. 27. She will continue as 5 p.m. weekday anchor alongside Bush, Sports Director Frank Cusumano, and meteorologist Jim Castillo. “I am looking forward to expanding my role in the newsroom in so many ways, including having more opportunities
HEALTH
Helping my mom live with Alzheimer’s has strengthened me Helping my mom through Alzheimer’s has strengthened my determination in the face of overwhelming adversity. I can honestly say that I don’t fear anything related to my mother’s illness.
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to report on stories that are impacting St. Louis,” Jackson told the St, Louis American. “I am so proud to be part of a hard-working group of journalists in our newsroom. People still have great respect for local journalism. We truly do hold [people] accountable. That is sometimes easier said than done, but we do a very good job doing it.” Jackson will still contribute to the award-winning series
See JACKSON, A6
By Brian Munoz St. Louis Public Radio The Human Rights Campaign has awarded the City of St. Louis a perfect score in the organization’s 2023 Municipal Equality Index for its support of the queer community. The annual report, now on its 12th edition, is a comprehensive nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality through the lens of policies, laws and services that exist in communities around the United States. “Even with the challenges that we’re facing, the [index] shows us that more cities and towns than ever are standing up for LGBTQ+ equality,” said Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Commission Foundation. “That’s thanks to mayors, counselors and city managers who are doing everything they can to support their LGBTQ+ residents.”
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SPORTS
Prep football’s chase for state is heating up
CBC, DeSmet, Lutheran North and Eureka lead the way as the 2023 prep football season heads into state quarterfinals this weekend.
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