‘This isn’t a traditional library anymore’
St. Louis American See page A5
The
OCTOBER 2 – 8, 2025
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
Vol. 97 No. 26 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Reining in a sheriff
Aldermen approve oversight bill, intensifying clash gerous precedent. The board cited concerns about transparency and accountability, but Montgomery’s attorney, retired Circuit Judge David Mason, argues the move is unlawful overreach — interfering with the authority of an independently elected county officer and preempting an ongoing court case that will determine
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American The St. Louis Board of Aldermen took steps this week to rein in Sheriff Alfred Montgomery’s office, approving a measure to redefine his duties and tighten oversight of his spending — a move Montgomery’s attorney says sets a dan-
Montgomery’s fitness for office. Thirteen of the board’s 15 members, including President Megan Green, voted in favor of the legislation, with one member absent. The measure requires Montgomery to submit expense requests, with written explanations, to the city comptroller and provide monthly expense and contract reports to the board’s public
A homecoming fit for a symphony
Starting with a media preview on Sept. 24, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra welcomed audiences to the opening weekend for its 146th season. The concerts were the first held in the newly renovated Powell Symphony Hall, which includes the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center.
safety and budget committees. Alderman Matt Devoti, who sponsored the bill, said the board is on “extremely solid ground” with the new rules. But Montgomery’s allies argue that while the sheriff’s office is funded through the board, it is a county-level position not
See SHERIFF, A12
Tornado recovery program launched By Ashley Winters St. Louis American St. Louis is making $2.5 million available to turn vacant apartments into homes for families displaced by the spring tornado, officials said last week. Through the new Tornado Recovery Vacant Unit Turns program, nonprofit developers and community development corporations can apply for grants to cover
See TORNADO, A12
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Erica Williams of Momentum Academy
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
Symphony’s 146th season introduces expanded Jack C. Taylor Music Center, $140M in upgrades
T
By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American
he stunning upgrades to Powell Symphony Hall, along with the architectural elements of the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center that wraps around it, reflect a $140 million transformation unveiled in spectacular fashion. “It’s like an art piece, you know what I mean,” said veteran media personality Robyn Boyce as she made her rounds through the space last week. See SYMPHONY, A13
Turning adversity into hope Williams inspires students to believe in themselves
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
See Living It, page B1, for additional Powell Symphony Hall coverage.
By Melanie Johnson For the St. Louis American Erica Williams’ life has been a testament to defying the odds. Growing up in north St. Louis as one of 10 children, she endured hardship, including the death of two siblings, one to gun violence. She was determined to rise above those challenges and saw education as the path forward. That determination carried her
See WILLIAMS, A13
at
HEALTH
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B1 - Living It A2 - Editorial B2 - Sites and A3 - News Sounds s A4 - Local New B5 - Sports s s A5 - Busines B7 - Classified A7 - Health n io B8 - Relig A9 - STEM t A11 - Hotshee fs rie A13 - News B
SPORTS
Jayson Tatum hasn’t ruled out late-season return
As his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury continues, the St. Louis-born NBA star says his son Deuce has been an inspiration.
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