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🌱 Patch AM: Which St. Louis stories will dominate 2026 coverage?

Happening soon: Chrisette Michele on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Hey there, St. Louis! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which St. Louis stories will dominate 2026 coverage?
  • Which Hi-Pointe locations are closing—and which ones stay open?
  • How a 7-1 vote unlocked 122 acres in Westland Acres

Also on today's calendar: Molly Healey Album Release Concert and 8 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 62 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Thursday: Rain; breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 62, low: 47.
  • Friday: Cooler; a shower in the a.m., with a high of 52 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The stories that will shape St. Louis news in 2026 (stlpr.org) — St. Louis Public Radio reporters are previewing the big local stories likely to shape 2026, from tornado recovery to economic development and jail oversight. Their roundtable on “St. Louis on the Air” recaps 2025’s biggest regional headlines and explains what they’ll be digging into next, giving St. Louis listeners a roadmap for the issues that could affect daily life this year.
   

2. Popular St. Louis area burger spot closing 3 locations (ksdk.com) — St. Louis burger fans will soon have fewer Hi-Pointe Drive-In options, as the chain is closing its Ballwin, O’Fallon, and Edwardsville locations while keeping three city spots plus Kirkwood, Cottleville, and Chesterfield open. The owners say the move will help them refocus on quality and consistency, and employees at closing sites have been offered positions elsewhere in the company.
   

3. After generations of waiting, a Missouri family moves closer to developing historic land (ksdk.com) — A longtime Black landowning family in west St. Louis County just cleared a major hurdle to finally develop their 122-acre Westland Acres property, as Chesterfield’s council approved new zoning in a 7-1 vote. Ninety-four-year-old resident Doris Frazier, whose family has owned the land since 1879, says the decision caps decades of struggle and brings long-awaited development plans closer to reality.
   

4. Local January 6 defendants move forward five years later (firstalert4.com) — Several St. Louis-area residents charged in the January 6 Capitol riot are trying to move on after receiving pardons, with their attorney saying most have resumed normal lives. The story revisits high-profile local figures like Emily Hernandez and Rally Runner, while noting that convictions technically remain but rights such as voting and firearm ownership have been restored.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in St. Louis

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday January 17
  • Chrisette Michele
    City Foundry STL, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis
    6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 St. Louis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer to be a 2026 Woman of Achievement
    It’s the final days of Women of Achievement’s call for nominations for the 2026 Women of Achievement. Please nominate an outstanding volunteer... (More info)

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 nailed it!
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