🌱Loop Trolley Risks Losing Funds + Affordable Housing Grants

Happy Wednesday, St. Louis! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

A touch of afternoon rain. High: 48 Low: 40.

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

1. The city of St. Louis may be forced to pay back millions of dollars in federal grants if officials do not submit a documented plan to revive the Loop Trolley by Feb. 1. In a letter sent to St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones on Monday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) warned that it would exercise its authority to recover the federal funding if it did not receive a submission by the deadline. The FTA had initially awarded the city $37.45 million to help with the 2.2-mile Loop Trolley project on Delmar. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)
2. The Missouri Housing Development Commission awarded $49 million to four nonprofit organizations to build affordable housing complexes in St. Louis. The projects will focus on housing for veterans, people with mental illness, senior citizens, and people with HIV/AIDS. All of the developments are expected to be completed by 2025. (St. Louis Public Radio)
3. A St. Louis Pastry Chef has gained national attention after two of her signature desserts were featured on the Cooking Channel. Carolyn Downs, who owns SugarFire Pie in Olivette, showcased her pastries on an episode of "Cheat Day USA." The desserts, a gooey butter stack pie and a chocolate cherry "pake," will return to her restaurant for a limited time in January to celebrate the national recognition. (KMOV.com)

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Today in St. Louis:

• The Next Chapter Book Club At Richmond Heights Memorial Library (6:00 PM)
• The Magic And Mystery Book Club At Richmond Heights Memorial Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Saint Louis Zoo celebrated the 20th birthday of Utamu the chimpanzee, who also gave birth to her first infant this year. (Facebook)
• The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reminded residents that firing guns in the air is illegal and encouraged everyone to celebrate the new year safely and responsibly by ending the tradition of celebratory gunfire. (Facebook)
• The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra IN UNISON Chorus is having its final auditions of the season before concerts begin next year. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.