Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How did $500 a month change life for St. Louis families?

Spotted on the St. Louis calendar: Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ"

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Coffee in hand, St. Louis? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did $500 a month change life for St. Louis families?
  • Could your St. Louis ZIP code qualify you for radiation compensation?
  • Why prosecutors just added another murder charge in a St. Louis shooting

Also on today's calendar: Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ" and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in O'Fallonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in O'Fallonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and colder, with a high of 39 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 58, low: 27.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and cooler, with a high of 43 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Louis guaranteed income program boosted financial stability (futurity.org) — St. Louis’ guaranteed income pilot has ended, but new research shows the $500 monthly payments helped more than 500 low-income city families stay current on bills, avoid crises, and even build savings. Washington University evaluators also found participants’ credit scores improved compared with other St. Louis residents, and they’re urging city leaders and local philanthropies to explore ways to revive or expand the program.
   

2. As cleanup money grows, advocates push residents to claim radiation relief (stlamerican.com) — New federal funding is speeding up radioactive waste cleanup in the St. Louis region and expanding access to compensation for residents who may have been exposed, especially in North St. Louis County and near downtown. Advocates are urging city and county residents to check whether their ZIP codes and cancer diagnoses qualify under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and to seek help navigating the application process so more local families can receive relief.
   

3. More murder charges filed after teen killed while breaking into cars in St. Louis (firstalert4.com) — St. Louis readers should know another teen suspect has been charged as an adult in the May shooting that killed 16-year-old Aeyion Barnett during an alleged car break-in on Vermont Avenue. Prosecutors now have three suspects facing second-degree murder and related weapons charges, after surveillance video showed a group firing handguns in multiple directions that night.
   

4. 105-foot cell phone tower proposed at South County church, residents call it an eyesore (firstalert4.com) — Neighbors in south St. Louis County are pushing back against a proposed 105-foot cell tower on St. Catherine Laboure’s property near Sappington and Lindbergh, saying it’s too close to homes and schools and was poorly communicated. The project, which needs special permission because of its proximity to houses, has been slowed by a county councilman as the pastor and contractor weigh next steps.
   

5. New Meta 'support hub' launches, but real people still can't reach a human for help (ksdk.com) — Two St. Louis women’s struggles to restore disabled Facebook and Instagram accounts highlight how hard it still is to reach a real person at Meta, even as the company rolls out a new AI-driven support hub. Meta says account recovery is faster and hacks are down, but one local user only regained years of memories after media intervention and still can’t fully resolve lingering issues.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in St. Louis

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📣 St. Louis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday December 19
  • Remington Winter Sing
    Pattonville R-iII Saint Ann, MO 63074
    9:30 am
  • Winter Program
    Riverview Gardens Saint Louis, MO 63137
    12:30 pm
  • Winter Break Bash (FMPL)
    Ferguson Municipal Public Library , 35 N Florissant Rd , Ferguson
    4:00 pm
  • Santa Visits Brentwood
    Brentwood Calendar Brentwood, MO 63144
    4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • First "Talking Transit" Forum of 2026 to Highlight the Trajectory of Public Transit in the St. Louis Region —Hauser Group Read on Patch

Ok St. Louis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
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