Tennis partnership supports East St. Louis students
News briefs Tennis partnership supports East St. Louis students The East St. Louis Community Tennis Association and the Missouri Valley section of the United States Tennis Association distributed tennis racquets, coloring books and other supplies to third grade students at three East St. Louis schools as part of the launch of the city’s 2026 Summer […] The post Tennis partnership supports East St. Louis students appeared first on St. Louis American.
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Tennis partnership supports East St. Louis students
The East St. Louis Community Tennis Association and the Missouri Valley section of the United States Tennis Association distributed tennis racquets, coloring books and other supplies to third grade students at three East St. Louis schools as part of the launch of the city’s 2026 Summer Tennis Program.
Students at Wyvetter Young School of Excellence, Katie Harper Wright Elementary School and Officer Elementary School also received beginner tennis balls, bookmarks and book bags during presentations held last week.
The coloring books highlight influential Black tennis figures, including late champion Arthur Ashe, who attended Sumner High School in St. Louis.
St. Louis population decline accelerates
St. Louis lost more than 23,000 residents between 2020 and July 2025, the steepest percentage population decline among major U.S. cities, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The city’s population fell by 7.7% during the first half of the decade, surpassing declines in cities including San Francisco and New Orleans.
Demographer Ness Sandoval of Saint Louis University told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the figures likely do not yet reflect the full impact of the May 2025 tornado, which may lead to additional losses in future revisions.
Census data also showed St. Louis lost housing units from 2024 to 2025, while most U.S. cities added housing.
Missouri House rejects parental rights bill
The Missouri House voted down legislation that would have expanded parental rights in decisions involving children’s education and health care, halting the proposal for the current legislative session. The measure failed Thursday after drawing opposition from some lawmakers and advocacy groups.
The bill sought to give parents broader access to school curriculum materials, student records and medical information involving their children.
Supporters said the proposal would increase transparency and strengthen parental involvement, while critics argued parts of the legislation could create legal and privacy concerns.
Missouri lawmakers approve expungement measure
Missouri lawmakers approved legislation that would automatically clear certain nonviolent criminal records, including some drug possession convictions, if signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe.
The proposal, backed by state Sen. Brian Williams, was added to a broader public safety bill passed Friday by the General Assembly. Under the measure, the Missouri State Highway Patrol would review eligible records on a rolling basis and automatically expunge qualifying convictions beginning in 2028.
Supporters said the legislation would remove financial and legal barriers tied to the current expungement process and help people secure housing and employment after completing their sentences.
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