🌱 COVID Relief Removed From Budget + Local Eateries Give Back

Good morning, neighbors! Helen Eckhard here with today's St. Louis Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cooler. High: 55 Low: 36.

Here are the top 3 stories in St. Louis today:

1. The St. Louis County Council has removed COVID-19 relief spending from next year's budget. County Executive Dr. Sam Page said the council had planned to use a portion of the $193 million in federal relief funds to offset tax revenue during the pandemic, but the county needs to confirm the money will follow federal conditions first. The council plans to add the funding back into the budget once it confirms that the relief money is being spent appropriately. (KMOV.com)
2. A grassroots organization is partnering with local St. Louis restaurants to donate nutritious meals to unhoused people and others in need. The group, Tent Mission STL, has received donations from restaurants including Mai Lee, Taco Buddha, and Salt + Smoke. The organization has also already lined up ten more restaurants for 2022. Volunteers do all the work, and the Tent Mission STL is always looking for people to help. (Sauce Magazine)
3. A St. Louis student was awarded a full-tuition MOSAIC Diversity Scholarship to Greenville University. The recipient, Carnahan High School of the Future student Xela Davis, was awarded the scholarship for her academic success and a commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture. Davis's scholarship is eligible to be renewed annually. (RiverBender.com)

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Today in St. Louis:

• Mindfulness Through The Holidays At Carondelet Park Rec Complex (6:30 PM)
• Uncanny Book Club: "10th of December" by George Saunders At Central Branch Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra continues a holiday concert tradition that is 30 years strong and counting. (Facebook)
• A new Planetarium tunnel exhibition is opening at the Saint Louis Science Center. (Facebook)
• The Brentwood Police Department and Brentwood Fire Department are hosting a pillow collection drive that will benefit local families in need. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll be 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.