Matt Averett
@matthewaverett.bsky.social
📤 1103
📥 1211
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Architectural historian at Creighton University. St. Louis Cardinals fan. Aura farmer.
pinned post!
My new book, Canfield Drive, is available now. The book is the first comprehensive history of Black spaces in St. Louis and it reconstructs the urban context of the 2014 killing of Michael Brown and the
#Ferguson
Uprising.
#STL
upress.missouri.edu/978082622339...
@umissouripress.bsky.social
4 months ago
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"The project will help restore the conservation area’s natural flood plain and curb costly repairs to the old levee along the river’s edge."
#STL
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Mississippi-Missouri confluence temporarily closed during levee construction in north county park
Missouri Department of Conservation officials say construction at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area should wrap up by the end of the year.
https://www.stlpr.org/health-science-environment/2026-04-06/parts-mississippi-missouri-confluence-temporarily-closed-levee-construction-north-county-park
1 day ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
Katie
8 days ago
The people in front of me at the game today found a dog on their way to the game and somehow got it into the stadium. The puppy was unbelievably perfect. I consider him the Royals good luck charm this season. They’re naming the dog Crown by the way.
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reposted by
Matt Averett
The St. Louis American
9 days ago
'St. Louis ‘No Kings’ protesters push back on Trump’s power' 🖋 Rod Hicks | The St. Louis American 📸 Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis American
#stlamerican
#stlnews
#stlouis
#NoKings
https://www.stlamerican.com/news/local-news/st-louis-no-kings-protesters-push-back-on-trumps-power/
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Is he ever going to be healthy enough to trade?
#STLCards
add a skeleton here at some point
13 days ago
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“Plans to demolish the garage have been in the works since at least 2025, when the LCRA purchased the 10-parcel vacant garage for about $2.6 million. It sits just south of the actual Railway Exchange building.”
#STL
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St. Louis eyes demolition of troubled Railway Exchange garage in hopes of attracting redevelopment
The Railway Exchange and its garage have long been problem properties for the city, due to continued break-ins, graffiti covering most of the garage’s street-facing walls, fires and more.
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-03-24/st-louis-demolition-railway-exchange-garage-redevelopment
14 days ago
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St. Louis could demolish as many as 1700 tornado-damaged homes. Older buildings often release lead and asbestos as dust during demolitions, representing immediate and long-term health hazards.
#STL
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St. Louis demos 2 tornado-damaged homes as test case for large-scale action
With two house demolitions serving as tests, St. Louis is now beginning a new phase of the tornado recovery process. There are close to 1,700 homes that could need to be demolished.
https://www.stlpr.org/health-science-environment/2026-03-20/st-louis-demolished-2-tornado-damaged-homes
17 days ago
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Very happy that CANFIELD DRIVE was recognized.
#STL
add a skeleton here at some point
22 days ago
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The Trump administration's aggressive pace early victories, but only by skipping almost all of the procedural steps required by federal law. Once universities and their allies recovered from their shock, they were able to block many, if not most, of the White House’s moves in court.
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Trump’s Assault on Higher Education Has Hit a Snag
Universities and their allies have been able to block many, if not most, of the White House’s moves in court.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/trump-universities-lawsuits/686319/?gift=xzgFE-KFdAQ2eJI5Ic5hETNBIjZn76KNPh8iwitUfZI&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
27 days ago
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"The project makes use of a former Land Reutilization Authority property, the former United Railways substation on North Spring Avenue" in the in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.
#STL
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St. Louis Negro Leagues museum developers seek permit
The St. Louis Department of Public Safety held a hearing on a conditional use permit for the Negro Leagues Baseball satellite museum. The museum will be on North Spring Avenue and housed in a former c...
https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2026-03-09/st-louis-negro-leagues-museum-developers-seek-permit
29 days ago
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#STL
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St. Louis beer fans pour one out amid rumors of discontinued Stag kegs
It’s unclear if kegs of St. Louis-favorite Stag will still be available in the coming months, or if the kegs will still be available in certain parts of the region in the future.
https://www.stlpr.org/culture-history/2026-03-06/beer-lovers-discontinue-stag-kegs-maplewood-bar
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
St. Louis Public Radio
about 1 month ago
The Federal Emergency Management Agency told St. Louis it will not pay for most building demolitions the city hoped would be covered. This denial means St. Louis will have less money to spend on rebuilding.
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FEMA says it won't pay to demolish a majority of tornado-damaged properties in St. Louis
St. Louis sought permission for the federal agency to pay for demolishing vacant condemned properties, second homes and some commercial properties. This denial means St. Louis will have less money to…
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-03-04/fema-pay-demolish-tornado-damaged-properties-st-louis
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I love this stamp.
about 1 month ago
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"The venue opened as a dance hall in 1928 and later featured performances by the Ike and Tina Turner Revue — who recorded part of a live album there — Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton and many other well-known artists before they achieved stardom."
#STL
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City takes step toward demolishing the former Club Imperial in north St. Louis
Club Imperial opened as a dance hall and featured live performances by Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner and other influential artists. The long-vacant building escaped previous demolition proposals.
https://www.stlpr.org/arts/2026-02-25/city-takes-step-toward-demolishing-the-former-club-imperial-in-north-st-louis
about 1 month ago
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#STL
#Ferguson
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
Jeff Sharlet
about 1 month ago
I can't get over this number: in 2007, there were 360,000 newspaper jobs. Now, there are 80,000. "My local paper sucked!" Sure. What sucks even more? The void. "I get all my news from the Guardian!" No, the Guardian doesn't report on your town council, your school board, local cops.
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#STLCards
#STL
about 2 months ago
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Lecture this Tuesday! Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis: An Illustrated Timeline.
#STL
@sah1365.bsky.social
@stlpubliclibrary.bsky.social
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2026 SAH STL/SLPL– Steedman Library Lecture Series presents John C. Guenther
The February installment of the 2026 SAH STL/SLPL Steedman Library Lecture Series presents John C. Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP, architect, historian, author, President of the Society of Architectural His...
https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/69656966c967cb4120817a0a
about 2 months ago
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The Department of Education has ended its "Dear Colleague" directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
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Department of Education Backs Down on Unlawful Directive Targeting Educational Equity | NEA
In a victory for academic freedom and education equity, the U.S. Department of Education conceded the end of its February 14, 2025, “Dear Colleague” directive that sought to restrict diversity, equity...
https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/department-education-backs-down-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity
about 2 months ago
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I have a guest post about CANFIELD DRIVE on the University of Missouri Press blog.
#STL
@umissouripress.bsky.social
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Guest post: Matthew Knox Averett - University of Missouri Press
The following is a guest blog post by Matthew Knox Averett, author of Canfield Drive: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis.
https://upress.missouri.edu/guest-post-matthew-knox-averett/
about 2 months ago
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Tonight!
#STL
@leviathanbookstore.bsky.social
@umissouripress.bsky.social
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Matthew Knox Averett, Author of Canfield Drive — Leviathan Bookstore
Join us on the evening of Thursday, February 12 for a conversation with Matthew Knox Averett about his book Canfield Drive: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis . If you...
https://leviathanbookstore.com/events/matthew-knox-averett-author-of-canfield-drive
about 2 months ago
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“For decades, a fatal assumption of American downtowns has been that, to compete, they must offer their best approximation of the big, blank parcels and ample parking of their suburban rivals. It’s an impossible game to win.”
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People Who Don’t Understand Downtowns Are Destroying Downtowns
A far-fetched plan to demolish Dallas’s seat of government reflects the city’s diminished role in the region.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/dallas-city-hall/685953/?gift=xzgFE-KFdAQ2eJI5Ic5hEUrIYqN9HiRtewkH7Nns1m0&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
about 2 months ago
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Looking forward to this on Thursday at Leviathan Bookstore!
#STL
@leviathanbookstore.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Thanks. I hate it.
#STLCards
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
Jacob Bogage
about 2 months ago
👀 What if I told you there was a hidden art gallery scattered across the country? What if I told you some of its treasures had vanished? What if I told you that I found them? A project three years in the making (🎁 gift link):
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The disappearing art gallery in your post office
The U.S. Postal Service is home to thousands of historic works of art in post offices nationwide. Hundreds have been lost, sold or destroyed.
https://wapo.st/4ro6mKh
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"Through Prop NS, the city stabilizes homes in the city land bank and lists them for sale to investors or prospective home renovators. However, after five years, only 12 homes have been fully rehabbed through the program."
#STL
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Struggling St. Louis program to repair vacant land bank homes gets boost from aldermen
The struggling Prop NS program aimed at repairing vacant homes in the city’s land bank will have more relaxed spending rules under a bill approved by the Board of Aldermen.
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-02-06/struggling-st-louis-program-repair-vacant-land-bank-homes-aldermen-prop-ns
about 2 months ago
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#STLCards
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Happy to be at Leviathan Bookstore in St. Louis next week to talk about my new book, CANFIELD DRIVE.
#STL
@leviathanbookstore.bsky.social
@umissouripress.bsky.social
#4theVille
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Matthew Knox Averett, Author of Canfield Drive — Leviathan Bookstore
Join us on the evening of Thursday, February 12 for a conversation with Matthew Knox Averett about his book Canfield Drive: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis . If you...
https://leviathanbookstore.com/events/matthew-knox-averett-author-of-canfield-drive
2 months ago
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MoDOT has proposed plans to remove or significantly alter the I-64/Compton Avenue interchange in St. Louis.
#STL
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In MoDOT’s plan to kill I-64/Compton interchange, the devil is in the details
You can add Saint Louis University to the list of organizations and business owners speaking out against the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to rip out the Compton/I-64 interchange. In a st...
https://www.stlmag.com/news/modot-plan-i64-compton-slu/
2 months ago
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"Recovery officials urged property owners to apply if there’s any outstanding need before that deadline. After that, unsafe properties that haven’t applied for assistance and have shown no signs of improvement will be condemned..."
#STL
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City weighs condemnations as deadline looms for tornado relief applications
Eight months after the May 16 tornado, St. Louis officials are considering condemnation to address deteriorating, derelict properties whose owners have shown no interest in getting help for them. A Fe...
https://www.stlmag.com/news/condemnations-tornado-relief-applications/
2 months ago
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#STL
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3 months ago
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#STL
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3 months ago
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Thanks to the Mound City Messenger for this review of Canfield Drive.
#STL
.
@umissouripress.bsky.social
@moundcitymessenger.bsky.social
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Book Review: Canfield Drive: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis
A new book examines Black space in St. Louis, tracing a long history of racism in local urban planning.
https://moundcitymessenger.com/2026/01/19/book-review-canfield-drive-a-history-of-race-and-the-american-city-on-a-street-in-st-louis/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbKxZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEew0o9Y7xrJFgQzumk9i0O5VMNyRnSwgMh3i02INYSNrRe3_5gqws4BSSdNgg_aem_8mXJ6fe3T9Gc4clGGl1h-g
3 months ago
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"McKee and his firm are frequently cited as barriers to growth in North City. They’re accused of sitting on empty or deteriorating properties and not delivering on promises to redevelop the area after cutting a deal with the city to obtain around 1,500 acres of North St. Louis 17 years ago..."
#STL
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After McKee’s firm demanded $116M, city moved to seize Northside land
The St. Louis Development Corp. only moved to seize land from developer Paul McKee after he sought to demand $116 million for the acreage, according to a letter released by the agency Friday. The lead...
https://www.stlmag.com/news/mckee-northside-116m-city-eminent-domain/
3 months ago
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Happy to chat about my book on "The Way of Improvement Leads Home" blog.
#STL
#Ferguson
@umissouripress.bsky.social
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The Author’s Corner with Matthew Knox Averett
Matthew Knox Averett is Professor of Art History at Creighton University. This interview is based on his new book, Canfield Drive: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis (…
https://thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/09/the-authors-corner-with-matthew-knox-averett/
3 months ago
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Great to see my book, Canfield Drive, at the
#AHA26
meetings!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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"The proposal lays out short-term actions including home repair, home down payment assistance, flexible retail permitting and more long-term plans like creating mixed-income housing, establishing a land trust and creating community improvement taxing districts."
#STL
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Plan to revitalize north city neighborhoods aims to reverse more than just tornado damage
St. Louis officials hope to reverse the impact of decades of disinvestment in the Ville, the Greater Ville and Kingsway East through a new neighborhood plan.
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-01-07/plan-revitalize-north-city-neighborhoods-reverse-tornado-damage
3 months ago
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#STL
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3 months ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
University of Missouri Press
3 months ago
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said this about CANFIELD DRIVE by Matthew Knox Averett: “Combining a narrative of racialized housing policies with deep, statistical dives into local history, including an illuminating series of maps, CANFIELD DRIVE provides a convincing systematic analysis.”
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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a short review of my book on the urban history of Black spaces in St. Louis.
#STL
@stltoday.com
@umissouripress.bsky.social
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'Canfield Drive' traces the history of race relations in St. Louis and beyond
Anyone who wants to trace the history of race relations in St. Louis, and its effect on housing, could start by listing the chapter headings in this comprehensive, exhaustively researched
https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/books/article_54da3579-be5b-4af2-a596-b094d27a6be7.html
3 months ago
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#STL
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3 months ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
Jack El-Hai
3 months ago
"Primed for tragedy long before." Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of
#popularhistory
. Congrats to author
@matthewaverett.bsky.social
&
@umissouripress.bsky.social
! Read/subscribe to Damn History:
damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Suburban Omaha strip mall: Starbucks, vape shop, bar, and shoe store.
4 months ago
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I wrote about the Bernard Lynch “slave pen” in my book about
#STL
, Canfield Drive:
upress.missouri.edu/978082622339...
@umissouripress.bsky.social
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New plaque will mark notorious St. Louis slave prison site near Busch Stadium
The bronze historical plaque will be installed at the site of a slave prison once owned by Bernard M. Lynch, a nationally known trader of enslaved men, women and children.
https://www.stlpr.org/culture-history/2025-12-12/new-plaque-mark-notorious-st-louis-slave-prison-site-busch-stadium
4 months ago
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My new book, Canfield Drive, is available now. The book is the first comprehensive history of Black spaces in St. Louis and it reconstructs the urban context of the 2014 killing of Michael Brown and the
#Ferguson
Uprising.
#STL
upress.missouri.edu/978082622339...
@umissouripress.bsky.social
4 months ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
University of Missouri Press
4 months ago
CANFIELD DRIVE: A History of Race and the American City on a Street in St. Louis by
@matthewaverett.bsky.social
is now available! Find the book here:
upress.missouri.edu/978082622339...
#StLouis
#STL
#BlackHistory
#HistoryMatters
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New projects in downtown
#STL
.
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Momentum builds for alternative highway plan in downtown St. Louis
Big changes are now underway in downtown St. Louis—with the groundwork being laid for even bigger ones in the decades to come. In 2026, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Park Service t...
https://www.stlmag.com/news/momentum-alternative-highway-plan-downtown-st-louis/
4 months ago
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I have a chapter on
#Petrarch
and
#Rome
in this great new volume on "overwriting" the
#MiddleAges
. "'Per menia fracte urbis:' Overwriting and Building-Over Medieval Rome"
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Sovrascrivere e riscrivere il Medioevo
Sovrascrivere e riscrivere il Medioevo scritto da Simona Moretti è stato pubblicato a novembre 2025 e appartiene alla categoria architettura e design, arte, storia,
https://www.tabedizioni.it/shop/product/sovrascrivere-e-riscrivere-il-medioevo-90
4 months ago
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“The fire reflects a growing regional homeless population that has also prompted fires in St. Louis County, Lincoln County and East St. Louis, Ill. in the past few days.”
#STL
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Series of fires around STL region point to broader issues with housing and shelter
Series of fires around St. Louis region point to broader issues with housing and shelter
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/06/series-fires-around-stl-region-point-broader-issues-with-housing-shelter/
4 months ago
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#STL
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Matt Averett
The St. Louis American
4 months ago
'St. Louis tornado survivors call for FEMA reform' 🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American 📸 Photo by Lawrence Bryant
#stlamerican
#stlnews
#stlouis
#DisasterRecovery
#FEMAReform
#CommunityAdvocacy
#NorthSTL
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St. Louis tornado survivors call for FEMA reform
Melanie Randels has often stood in the remains of North St. Louis homes blasted by the May 16 tornado. Nearly seven months has passed since the historic storm and Randels, an organizer with The People’s Response at Action St. Louis, says FEMA and city officials have not fulfilled promises. “The storm lasted minutes, the recovery […]
https://www.stlamerican.com/news/local-news/st-louis-tornado-survivors-call-for-fema-reform/
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