St. Louis Government News | STL Homelife

City of St. Louis Earns Certified Welcoming Designation by Welcoming America

Lou — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 23:17:45 +0000

The City of St. Louis is pleased to announce its achievement in becoming a 2-star Certified Welcoming community, reinforcing its role as a leading, inclusive economic ecosystem that actively supports immigrant residents’ participation in civic life, economic opportunity, and essential services. “St. Louis is and has always been a place shaped by the energy and hard work of new Americans”, said Mayor Cara Spencer. “We are honored to receive this star designation. It’s a testament to the work our entire community, both city government and a strong network of nonprofit and private-sector partners, put into making sure every person is welcomed and included here.”Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for cities that have created policies and programs that reflect their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging. Since launching in 2017 and introducing a new star designation system in 2023, Certified Welcoming and its framework, the Welcoming Standard, has served as a roadmap for local governments seeking to build truly welcoming communities.”St. Louis is a city shaped by migration and has long understood that its future depends on helping newcomers and longtime residents alike feel at home,” said Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America. “This designation reflects that commitment — it shows what welcoming actually looks like when a city builds it into how government operates, how services reach people, and how community institutions work together. We’re proud to recognize St. Louis and look forward to what comes next.”Spencer and others praised the tireless dedication of Gilberto Pinela, Director of the Office of New Americans (ONA), whose leadership was instrumental in achieving this certification alongside our community partners, including the International Institute, St. Louis Mosaic Project and Vitendo4Africa. The ONA serves as a foundational hub within local government to build cross-departmental collaborations and community partnerships. It is dedicated to dismantling barriers for foreign-born residents, expanding language access, and fostering a shared regional responsibility for immigrant inclusion. ONA will continue to work towards additional stars with support from strong regional partners.”The designation of St. Louis as a Certified Welcoming community is the culmination of a decade-long effort to showcase St. Louis as a national leader, ” said Blake Hamilton, President and CEO, International Institute of St. Louis. “St. Louis has long been a region others have looked to as an example of how collaboration among welcoming institutions grows our impact. This certification lights the way as to how we can continue to create equitable access to our region’s amenities for all who call St. Louis home.”St. Louis is one of more than 50 Certified Welcoming communities across the country. Each star designation reflects the depth of a community’s progress across the seven areas of the Welcomin

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City of St. Louis Encourages Neighborhoods to Register for National Night Out by September 20

Lou — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:01:34 +0000

The City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are encouraging residents, block units, and neighborhood organizations across the city to register their National Night Out celebrations before the Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. deadline.National Night Out will take place Tuesday, October 6, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. throughout the City of St. Louis. The annual event provides an opportunity for residents to come together with their neighbors, strengthen neighborhood relationships, encourage community involvement, and help build safer, stronger, and more connected communities.”Strong neighborhoods are those where people know their neighbors, look out for one another, and feel connected to the community around them,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “National Night Out gives St. Louisans an opportunity to make those connections, whether their neighborhood has been organizing for years or residents are coming together for the first time. I encourage neighborhoods across our city to register, bring people together on October 6, and use that evening as a rallying point for continued engagement throughout the year.”Already, 134 National Night Out celebrations have been registered across St. Louis, surpassing the 124 celebrations registered in 2025. City officials are encouraging even more neighborhoods to participate before registration closes.National Night Out can also serve as a starting point for continued neighborhood engagement beyond October 6. Residents who do not currently have an organized block unit are encouraged to use the event as an opportunity to meet their neighbors, discuss establishing a block unit, and identify a block captain or neighborhood point of contact who can help residents stay connected throughout the year.”Public safety is strongest when there are meaningful relationships between residents, their neighbors, and the officers who serve their communities,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Tracy. “National Night Out gives us an opportunity to strengthen those relationships outside of an emergency or a call for service. When residents are engaged, communicate with one another, and have strong connections within their neighborhoods, we are all better positioned to work together to keep St. Louis safe.”Residents and neighborhood organizations interested in hosting a National Night Out celebration are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Residents can register the event by going to https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/nst/national-night-out/ and filling out the form.2026 National Night Out Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026Time: 4:00-9:00 p.m.Registration Deadline: Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.Registration and Information: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/nst/national-night-out/About National Night OutNational Night Out is an annual community-building initiative that encourages residents to connect with their neighbors and strengthen relationships within their communities. In St. Louis, the eve

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SLATE Expands Workforce Role Through Registered Apprenticeships

Lou — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:01:24 +0000

By James Drew | St. Louis Business JournalOriginally published August 18, 2026Republished with permission from the St. Louis Business Journal.The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) has been approved to serve as an apprenticeship intermediary, giving the city workforce agency a larger role in developing paid training programs with local employers and community organizations.SLATE’s first initiative in the new role is a registered apprenticeship program for production cooks developed with Propel Kitchens, a St. Louis-area nonprofit culinary training and social enterprise organization. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship approved the program Aug. 6.The one-year program will combine structured instruction with about 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Participants will learn food preparation and production, kitchen operations, sanitation, food safety, equipment use, inventory management and menu planning. The hourly wage will increase from $15.50 to $17.50 during that one-year period.An apprenticeship intermediary helps employers and other organizations design, register and administer apprenticeship programs. SLATE said its approval would allow the agency to develop additional apprenticeship partnerships with employers throughout St. Louis.Apprentices also will have opportunities to complete food handler and manager coursework. Those who complete the program will receive a nationally recognized Department of Labor apprenticeship credential.Registered apprenticeships combine paid employment, workplace training and classroom instruction while offering workers a recognized credential. Employers can use the programs to develop workers for particular occupations and improve employee retention.”You have a lot of people who are interested in culinary arts and this is a great starting space,” SLATE Executive Director Connie Johnson said. “We did some research and what we found was a production cook model, which has standards that were directly aligned with what Propel Kitchens is doing.”Propel Kitchens uses culinary education and food-industry training to help area residents develop employment skills and gain access to economic opportunities.Kisha Lee, president and CEO of Propel Kitchens, said the partnership would turn practical kitchen experience into a defined career path and provide trainees with a credential the organization could not offer on its own. Ten to 15 apprentices are expected in the first class, she said.The new apprenticeship program is in addition to on-the-job training that Propel Kitchens provides through SLATE for those who are 24 years old or under, Lee said.”The impact that I want to see is to be able to give those same community members an additional leg up to leave here and go work in the commercial kitchen space, whether it be in a hospital, a university kitchen or a major institutional kitchen which has a higher rate of pay, so it puts them on a path to self-sufficiency,” she said.Johnson is no

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City of St. Louis Invites Community to ZOUP Open House Events

Lou — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:01:10 +0000

The City of St. Louis is inviting residents, business owners, neighborhood leaders, and other community members to participate in the next round of public workshops for the City of St. Louis ZOUP: the Zoning Upgrade Project.Two public open houses will be held:Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 4:30-7:00 PMDeaconess Center for Child Well-Being (1000 N. Vandeventer Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113)Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 4:30-7:00 PMSt. Joan of Arc Parish Center (5800 Oleatha Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139)The open house events will occur between 4:30 – 7:00 PM at both locations. You can register to attend at www.zoup-stl.com/get-involved, but registration is not required.Both workshops will follow an open house, come-and-go format, allowing participants to arrive at any time between 4:30 and 7:00 PM, move through informational stations at their own pace, talk directly with members of the project team, ask questions, and provide feedback.”Each round of public input is helping us refine the zoning code and map so they better reflect the needs, priorities, and future of St. Louis,” said Mary Hart Burton, City of St. Louis Zoning Administrator. “These open houses are an important opportunity for residents to see how the proposals have evolved, understand what they could mean for their neighborhoods, and continue shaping the decisions that will guide development across our city for years to come.”This round of public engagement will focus on several key components of the new zoning code that have continued to evolve based on technical analysis and input gathered throughout the ZOUP engagement process.Participants will have an opportunity to:Review updated draft zoning maps and see how proposed districts are applied across the city;Learn more about the proposed zoning districts and uses, including what types of housing, businesses, services, and other activities would be allowed in different areas;Review and provide feedback on draft administration standards, which aim to establish how the zoning code will be administered and how zoning-related decisions and processes will work; andSpeak directly with the project team to ask questions and share feedback on the proposed updates.The updated materials build on previous rounds of public engagement, including workshops, working groups, roundtables, community meetings, and other opportunities for residents and stakeholders to review and respond to earlier drafts. Feedback gathered during the September open houses will help inform continued revisions as the City moves toward a complete draft of the new zoning code and map.The City is also looking for input about parking via a survey, now open online, as the planning team considers what policies and standards will help St. Louis meet these goals and move forward into the future. The parking survey will be open through Monday, October 5th and is available at www.zoup-stl.com/get-involved.Additionally, a virtual “Code Connect” meeting will be held on October 15th, fro

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Moody’s Rating Assigns A2 to St. Louis (City of) MO Airport Enterprise’s Airport Revenue Bonds

Lou — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:09:28 +0000

Moody’s Ratings has affirmed the City of St. Louis’ credit rating of “A2″ on its Airport Enterprise’s Airport Revenue Bonds. The outlook for Series 2026A, Series 2026B, and Series 2026C remains stable.The A2 rating reflects Moody’s expectation of stable credit metrics, supported by the airport’s solid position within the Missouri-Illinois service area and a strong Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA).”The reaffirmation by Moody’s is a clear vote of confidence in the airport’s current fiscal standing and the continued dedication of our office,” Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer said. “As St. Louis Lambert International Airport embarks on the Consolidated Terminal Project (CTP), our office remains committed to maintaining financial stability, transparency, and effective long-term planning.”Moody’s noted that sustaining strong debt service coverage ratios, keeping enplanements competitive, and seeing demographic growth in the St. Louis region could lead to an upgraded rating in the future. However the city needs to sustain a sound financial performance over the next two years. ###Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city’s credit rating and protecting taxpayer dollars. Learn more about the Office of the Comptroller.

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City Adopts “OurPlan” for Historically Disinvested North St. Louis Neighborhoods

Lou — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:09:22 +0000

Thanks to the work of over 1000 City residents and partners, Project Connect “OurPlan” was formally adopted by the Planning Commission last night. “OurPlan” is a supplement to the City’s Comprehensive plan for six historically disinvested northern neighborhoods surrounding the National Geospatial Association (NGA) west site: St. Louis Place, Hyde Park, Old North St. Louis, Columbus Square, Carr Square, and Jeff-Vander-Lou.This initiative began under Mayor Francis Slay in 2016, after the NGA decided to build its new headquarters in North St. Louis. To ensure the largest federal investment in the city’s history benefitted rather than displaced existing residents, the Mayor’s Office and St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) launched Project Connect as a two-pronged strategy: community engagement through public meetings and coordination of local infrastructure and development.Under Mayor Lyda Krewson, the Project Connect team targeted federal funding opportunities to support infrastructure projects in the area, and built out project collaboration between residents, the City, regional and federal agencies, local nonprofits, and the private sector. Under Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, SLDC launched the community-driven planning phase, resulting in nearly 100 meetings and working groups being conducted with more than 1,000 residents in partnership with neighborhood steering committees, neighborhood associations, aldermen, and private sector partners.Under Mayor Cara Spencer, SLDC released proposed draft neighborhood plans, hosted more community feedback meetings, and incorporated that feedback prior to finalizing the plan adopted by the Planning Commission. The final plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for the revitalization of those neighborhoods and recommends targeted actions across core focus areas to guide revitalization and infrastructure development:Housing and vacancy: emphasizes long-term neighborhood stability through expanded housing repair resources, tax abatements, community land trusts, and enhanced anti-displacement and homeowner assistance policies.Economic development: focuses on place-based strategies to generate growth, build community wealth, and leverage nearby regional investments.Transportation and mobility: details physical infrastructure improvements, including pedestrian and cycling amenities (sidewalk repairs, upgraded lighting, crosswalks), traffic calming, street connectivity restoration, and alignment with major regional transits like the Brickline Greenway and the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).Arts, culture, and community assets: prioritizes community-serving spaces, youth programming, and expanding educational opportunities.Historic preservation, architecture, landscape design, and urban design: establishes design guidelines sensitive to the architectural history of the neighborhoods.Sustainability, climate resiliency, mitigation, and adaptation: localizes broader climate goals by upgrading sewer and stormwater infras

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Propel Kitchens Registered Apprenticeship Featured by St. Louis Public Radio

Lou — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:54:04 +0000

St. Louis Public Radio recently featured the new Propel Kitchens Registered Apprenticeship, highlighting how the program is creating a pathway into culinary careers. It also spotlights SLATE’s efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in St. Louis.Read the full article on St. Louis Public Radio

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SLATE Marks National Workforce Development Month, Highlights New Career Pathways

Lou — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:53:58 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is joining workforce organizations across the country in recognizing September as National Workforce Development Month. A strong workforce development system supports the economic health of the region and helps communities grow and thrive. At its core, workforce development connects people with skills and opportunities while helping businesses build a qualified workforce. For job seekers, that may mean training, credentials or employment; for businesses, it can mean recruiting talent, training employees or developing long-term talent pipelines. During Program Year 2024-2025, SLATE served 10,411 St. Louis residents and delivered 48,588 services. The agency also held 20 hiring fairs, partnered with 120 employers through those events, and served 574 veterans. “Workforce development is ultimately about connecting people with opportunity and helping businesses find the talent they need to grow,” said Connie L. Johnson, Executive Director of SLATE. “National Workforce Development Month allows us to highlight the many ways those connections happen every day in St. Louis and make sure residents and businesses know that SLATE is here to help. “Workforce Development in Action This SeptemberThroughout September, SLATE will connect residents with workforce resources and raise awareness of career pathways, reentry programs, emerging skills, and apprenticeships.On September 3, SLATE will launch a new podcast highlighting workforce programs, career opportunities, and community partnerships. That same day, SLATE and the City’s Division of Corrections will welcome the next cohort of Prison to Prosperity, a 10-week program that helps St. Louis City Justice Center residents build job-readiness and life skills in preparation for reentry.Throughout September, SLATE will also continue offering Learn2Tech, which builds digital literacy and introduces participants to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Apprenticeship education will be another focus throughout the month. SLATE’s Workforce Strategic Planning & Innovation (WSPI) Committee will receive a special apprenticeship presentation, and the full St. Louis Workforce Development Board will receive training from the Missouri Office of Workforce Development on September 22. Beginning in September, SLATE’s Adult/Dislocated Worker team will also incorporate apprenticeship training into its Friday WIOA Orientations at 2 p.m. Expanding Apprenticeship Pathways in St. LouisThe September focus comes as SLATE expands its role in the apprenticeship system. Last month, SLATE was approved as an Apprenticeship Intermediary, allowing the agency to work directly with employers and community partners to help develop Registered Apprenticeship programs.SLATE’s first initiative as an intermediary is the Propel Kitchens Production Cook Registered Apprenticeship, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprentic

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Joe Cunningham Named Executive Director of Brightside St. Louis

Lou — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:51:35 +0000

Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, Greg Hayes, has named Joe Cunningham as the new Executive Director of Brightside St. Louis. Joe brings to the role a commitment to sustainability practices, environmental protection, and recycling education. He becomes just the third Executive Director of Brightside St. Louis since its founding in 1982.Mary Lou Green who served as the organization’s Executive Director since 1990 recently retired after 36 years. During her tenure, Mary Lou led the growth of Brightside St. Louis to its current service delivery which includes graffiti eradication, neighborhood clean ups, recycling outreach and education, a demonstration garden, sustainable landscaping program, and pollinator conservation.”Thanks to Mary Lou’s extensive experience and the network of Brightside partners she built across the region, the organization has an incredibly strong foundation,” said Greg Hayes, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. “Under Joe Cunningham’s leadership, the organization has an exciting new chapter ahead. Joe offers the organization a keen understanding of engaging local communities on behalf of our natural assets and is committed to Brightside’s mission.”Joe joined Brightside St. Louis as a Program Manager in 2025. His responsibilities have included raising public awareness of Brightside’s programs and events and directing the recycling education program for Saint Louis City Recycles. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Maryville University and a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia.”I’m honored to be entrusted with this role at Brightside St. Louis, which has made such a meaningful impact on improving the lives of City residents for more than 40 years,” said Joe. “I look forward to working with neighbors across the region to build on what has been accomplished and to continue to work toward new and innovative ways to fulfill our mission.”

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St. Louis Stands Ready: Three Steps to Take This September

Lou — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:48:50 +0000

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s national theme—Americans Stand Ready—is built on a simple idea: the households that prepare in advance are the ones that come through an emergency best. The St. Louis City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) is asking every resident to take three steps this month.Sign up for emergency alerts. NotifySTL is the City’s free emergency notification service, delivering urgent messages—severe weather warnings, boil water advisories, and other public safety alerts—by text, email, or phone call. Register at stlouis-mo.gov/notifystl. CEMA recommends residents have more than one way to receive warnings, since no single channel works in every situation.Add a NOAA Weather Radio to your home. A weather radio sounds an alarm for warnings in your area at any hour, including overnight when phones are silenced. Most models are programmable and run on battery power when the electricity is out.Build or refresh a kit. If you already have emergency supplies, September is a good month to check them. Food, water, medications, batteries, and flashlights all have shelf lives. If you’re starting from scratch, Ready.gov has a checklist to work from.Get trained: City/County CERTResidents who want to go further can join the City/County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT volunteers learn basic disaster response skills—fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations—and support their own neighborhoods when professional responders are stretched.The next session begins the week of September 7 through St. Louis Community College’s Continuing Education program. Classes meet Tuesday evenings at the Wildwood Campus or Wednesday evenings at the Forest Park Campus for eight weeks, concluding with a hands-on skills exercise Saturday, November 7, in Fenton.Registration is $9 and available through STLCC’s Continuing Education website.The City’s side of the commitmentPreparedness runs both directions. Over the past year, CEMA has invested in important capabilities our community relies on when something goes wrong.The agency formalized proactive partnerships with city, regional and national partners, including the National Weather Service St. Louis office, which provides tailored weather briefings and direct support from meteorologists during activations.The Mayor’s Executive Order #93 established a two-tier, NIMS-compliant activation system, giving the City a defined structure for scaling its response to the size of the event—including the Winter Weather Unified Command that coordinates snow operations and Code Blue protocols across departments.CEMA has also run multiple tabletop exercises with City department leaders to test disaster response procedures before they’re needed.CEMA continues to bring on experienced emergency management professionals. Every position added is a capability the City didn’t have before, and most of them exist to do one thing: get accurate information and coordina

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