Navigating Missouri’s Medicaid mayhem
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St. Louis American See page A14
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited NOVEMBER 9 – 15, 2023
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Honoring Nicholas Booker St. Louis and Forest Park now have more bounce in their step
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Splendid weather helped family and friends of the late Nicholas J. Booker and supporters of basketball courts in Forest Park enjoy the groundbreaking ceremony for the newest addition to America’s largest urban park. Booker was a graduate of John Burroughs School who had worked during summers with the city Parks and Recreation Department. He took his love for St. Louis and basketball with him to Fordham University. A severe asthma attack claimed his life while participating in a pick-up basketball game during his first year at college in 2018. The courts, which are set to open in summer 2024, will be named in Nicholas Booker’s honor.
See BOOKER, A6
Vol. 95 No. 32 COMPLIMENTARY
Broadcaster Donn Johnson passes away at 76 By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
From left, Greg Hayes, Parks director; Mayor Tishaura Jones; Sue McCollum, Forest Park Forever chair; Britt and Tonya Booker; Andy and Peggy Newman; Chris Booker; and Larry Zarin break ground for the new Nicholas J. Booker basketball courts in Forest Park.
Transformation through education
Salute awards nearly $2.8M in scholarships
Donn Johnson, a longtime St. Louis broadcaster with KTVI/FOX Channel 2 and one of the area’s first Black news anchors, refused to let pancreatic cancer let his family or his multitude of friends down. He and his wife, Earlene, recently returned from a trip to Alaska and last month he walked his daughter Lauren down the aisle at her wedding. On Wednesday November 1, 2023, Johnson passed away at the age of 76 while surrounded by family members. “Dad lived an amazing life,” said Donn his daughter, Lauren Johnson Johnson Morton. He loved St. Louis, and he loved St. Louis broadcasting. He had a profound impact on broadcasters here; he cared so much about all of them, particularly the Black broadcasters and establishing a legacy there.” Former KMOV Channel 4 anchor Julius Hunter remembered his brotherly type of relationship with Johnson. “Donn and I were ‘brothers’ bonded by the fact that we were among the first persons of color ever seen on St. Louis TV,” he said. “Off camera, Donn and I spent a lot
See JOHNSON, A7
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
Some of the many SIUE guests that attended the Salute to Education Scholarship and Awards Gala to honor 2023 Stellar Performer Dr. James T. Minor (center).
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American 2023 Stellar Performer recipient Dr. James T. Minor was the final honoree to address the audience at the St. Louis American Foundation 36th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala Saturday night at America’s Center. Like fellow Stellar Performer Dr. Joycelyn Pugh–Walker, who he followed on stage, his remarks were brief but impactful. As he prepared to close, he made a statement that left a lasting impression – and demonstrated the magnitude of the evening’s purpose. “I want to say something that you all already know – and that is, I didn’t look like a chancellor at 17, at 19, and maybe not even at 22,” Minor said. “Giving a young person an opportunity to go to college can completely change their life. And I would argue that for most of us in this room, your life was completely changed by the opportunity to go to college.” Last year, Minor made history when he was installed as the tenth Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He became the first African American to be
See SALUTE, A6
BUSINESS
The Drip pours purpose into each cup of coffee
Co-owner LaTosha Baker says she wants everyone who visits to feel empowerment within a supportive environment. The Drip for short represents the power of freedom fighters.
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National Election Day results bode well for Dems
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
2023 Stellar Performer in Education Dr. Joycelyn Pugh-Walker of Ferguson Florissant School District accepts her award.
After Ohio voters bolstered abortion rights through a constitutional amendment, Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce issued a statement saying, “Missouri’s next.’ Throughout the nation on Tuesday, one year before the 2024 presidential election, Democratic candidates and progressive causes found success. Virginia Democrats achieved a political turnaround in Tuesday’s legislative elections, successfully flipping the House of Delegates while narrowly retaining control of the State Senate. The outcomes significantly impact the future of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s agenda, specifically his hopes of passing a 15-week abortion ban. The results also have far-reaching implications for the Republican Party, as
See ELECTION, A7
SPORTS
CBC, Francis Howell to meet in battle of titans
In an oddity, both teams are defending state champions. CBC won the Class 6 state championship last year, while Francis Howell won the Class 5 state title.
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