The Gateway

Thousands missed out on summer camp last year because of COVID-19 cancelations. This year, camp directors want to reopen and welcome children back.

Missouri residents who the state says “keep the essential functions of society running” are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. That includes educators, child care providers and critical infrastructure workers. Also, more students are returning to schools today.

A Des Moines-based artist is returning to St. Louis with a new project that includes the Close the Workhouse campaign.

On the year anniversary of the WHO declaring a pandemic, Sarah Fentem talks to those who are still suffering months after being infected with the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for backyard chickens and other birds. For hatcheries, getting newborn chicks to their owner is a race against time. Extreme weather, like the snow storm that hit Missouri in February, make that process more challenging.

Arts organizations, alumni, and Harris-Stowe State University are rallying to save historic Sumner High School. The St. Louis School board could vote this evening on whether to permanently close the oldest high school for African Americans west of the Mississippi.

Tourism is being hit hard during the pandemic. Many attractions throughout the region have gone through a huge drop in business but are planning to bounce back.

Teachers want to skip standardized state examinations for the second year and focus on getting students caught up and back in the classroom. Some administrators worry about how testing would work for those learning remotely. The state education department in Missouri insists exams are necessary to pinpoint learning loss.

Story Stitchers’ latest project examines everyday life in five St. Louis-area neighborhoods and municipalities: the Ville, West Side, University City & Delmar Loop, Walnut Park, and Ferguson. The initiative includes an album celebrating life in St. Louis, and a podcast about the city’s music scene hosted by rapper Ntegrity.

Environmental activists say the concern over demolishing a shuttered East Alton coal plant is only the beginning. They say there are few state or federal rules and more coal plants will go offline as demand continues to drop.

The director of the film “America’s Last Little Italy: The Hill” was concerned the lack of in-person festivals during the pandemic would hurt distribution. But Joseph Puleo says online streaming helped attract a wide range of viewers in cities like Chicago and New York.

A Black St. Louis-based chemical engineer has played a key role in battling COVID-19. Paul Mensah led the team that developed Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. He says the shots are critical to ending the pandemic.

The four candidates for St. Louis mayor agree that violent crime is the top issue facing the city. They are outlining their approaches to the complex issue ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

Singer Javier Mendoza who performs as Hobo Cane has been writing and performing Latin music for years. The artist has written songs for Enrique Iglesias, Juan David, Ricky Martin. He has also poured his heart into rock music.

Some of the 46,000 Missourians ordered to pay back unemployment benefits are appealing. State representatives are moving forward on legislation to forgive the federal portion of the money, but legal groups representing people filing appeals are looking for more help.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson used federal funding to build 50 tiny houses for the homeless in December. Some homeless advocates say the money could have been better spent on other initiatives.

Many students have not been in a classroom for roughly one-year. Some have decided to stay away during the pandemic. Others have been following decisions by school districts. Many parents and students are feeling burned out and unmotivated to continue with online lessons.

Missouri may not finish drawing House and Senate maps until 2022 because of delays in obtaining Census data. That could conflict with the start of candidate filing, possibly causing lawmakers to reshuffle the election schedule to avoid a time crunch.

Throughout the pandemic and protests, Black artists grappled with expressing grief and joy in their lives. Seven local African American artists will showcase that work through a virtual exhibit hosted by the Griot Museum.

Missouri S&T has an ambitious plan to improve access to campus and pave the way for growth. But it will include demolishing the three oldest buildings on campus. Historians, preservationists and community die-hards are opposed to the measure.