St. Louis County

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is on a mission to battle mask mandates around the state. In some cases, legal services to defend the mandates are costing thousands of dollars — dollars from Missouri taxpayers.

Missouri Solicitor General John Sauer said taxation-by-citation was “entrenched in St. Louis County” and it impacted poor, minority communities.

COVID-19 killed more than 1,300 St. Louis County residents last year, comprising about 11% of all deaths. Only heart disease and cancer killed more people. North St. Louis County residents had the highest COVID-19 mortality rate.

St. Louis County officials have distributed more than $18 million in emergency rental assistance funds, exceeding the amount the federal program requires the county to spend by September. Another round of funding is coming soon.

Some believe the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners needs to act before the mandate affects the police department.

Creve Coeur officials will rededicate a park Saturday to honor Dr. H. Phillip Venable, a Black man forced to sell his property more than 50 years ago.

Asian, Hispanic and multiracial populations are growing throughout the St. Louis area.

During the last week of August, 373 students and 56 staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, County Executive Sam Page said this week. More than 1,300 students and employees have had to quarantine after coming into contact with a person who has tested positive.

St. Louis County officials have until the end of the month to distribute about $8 million more in federal rental aid. If the county does not do so, the money will be returned to the federal government.

The Ballwin Republican believes he can piece together a diverse coalition required for a GOP candidate to win in a Democratic-leaning county.