🌱 County Ends Mask Mandate + Serial Killer Pleads Not Guilty

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Helen Eckhard, your host of the St. Louis Daily.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon shower in spots. High: 71 Low: 39.

Here are the top stories today in St. Louis:

1. St. Louis County announced the end of its mask mandate on Thursday. The mandate was rescinded following a ruling by a Cole County judge last month that deemed the order unconstitutional. Despite the new ruling, St. Louis County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khanis advised that residents continue to wear masks in indoor public spaces. (KMOV.com)
2. A man charged with a string of killings across Missouri and Kansas pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and armed criminal action in St. Louis on Wednesday. Suspected serial killer Perez Reed was arrested in early November while he was traveling from Kansas City to St. Louis. He is suspected of killing four people and authorities have said there is no known connection between the victims. (The Missourian)
3. MetroLink trains have resumed operation following a brief suspension Thursday morning that was caused by damage to the trains' overhead catenary system. (KMOV.com)
4. A St. Louis man faces 17 charges after shooting a MetroBus driver near the border of Beverly Hills and Normandy last week. (STLtoday.com)
5. A new study ranked St. Louis as one of the most fun cities in the nation. (Alton Telegraph)

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Today in St. Louis:

• Speaker Series: Editorial Cartoons and the Weatherbird with Dan Martin (11:00 AM)
• Housing Court - University City Meetings (2:00 PM)
• Legendary Afrobeat DJ Rich Medina (9:00 PM)

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Events:

• Grace PCA’s Cookie Walk & Knitwit Knitbits - Fundraiser Sale Returns (December 11)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.