The Gateway

Increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in rural America is now less of a problem of access and more an issue of trust. Scientists say people in under-vaccinated parts of the country like sections of rural Missouri and Illinois, are at serious risk, especially as the delta variant spreads rapidly.

Musician Eldraco Price is releasing his first collection, "Free Love," today. He wrote the music for the five-song project over the past few years. The artist has already received national acclaim for his song Malori, which won a John Lennon songwriting award.

Some parents in school districts throughout the St. Louis region are demanding teachers stop talking about race and identity in the classroom. They are opposing three controversial words: critical race theory.

A recently elected member of the Rolla City Council may not be eligible to serve in that office. The situation underlines the difficulty in proving where a Missouri elected official lives and who enforces the requirements.

Wine lovers should thank a few Missouri winemakers and scientists who saved the global industry after small bugs almost wiped it out in the 1850s.

A recent United Nations report predicts a dramatic reshaping of the climate undoubtedly driven by human activity. The state climatologist discusses the changes in Missouri.

Another disturbance at the downtown jail in St. Louis comes as improvements are being carried out at the City Justice Center. The work is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2023.

Kansas City and St. Louis are both known as barbecue destinations, but recent efforts to redefine the cuisine have sidelined the very barbecuers, pitmasters and restaurateurs who made it an institution.

Environmental organizations in the region are collaborating on rallies and other efforts. The groups on both sides of the river have not traditionally worked together. Some are already thinking beyond just strengthening regional ties.

Keeping farm animals cool is essential – not just for their comfort and health - but also for their productivity. But many livestock producers are struggling to keep livestock cool during increasingly hot summers linked to climate change.

Economists have long used measurements like unemployment, inflation and interest rates as measurements of economic health, but new research suggests that measuring posts made by businesses may be another useful tool.

It’s been seven years since the death of Michael Brown Jr. His father, Michael Brown Sr., and his stepmom, Cal, are reflecting on his life and legacy. They remain hopeful the former Ferguson police officer who killed their son will be prosecuted.

A United Nations report finds more than 2 billion people around the world regularly eat bugs. But munching on insects is a tough sell in the U.S. Some farmers in the Midwest are trying to change that.

COVID-19 cases are increasing throughout Missouri, including among people behind bars. A highly contagious mutation along with a lack of universal testing and staffing shortages are making outbreaks more dangerous inside the state’s prisons.

A circuit judge has issued a temporary restraining order against St. Louis County’s indoor mask restriction — which only went into effect last week. The order will remain in effect at least until another hearing later this month.

Illinois has hired thousands of contact tracers through $300 million in grants to local health departments. Many have been at it for months and say their job is more than just contacting people to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Missouri is one of the leading states for new COVID cases. Critics say Governor Mike Parson is not doing enough to cope with the Delta variant-fueled surge. Parson counters those claims by saying the vaccine incentive lottery is working, citing a significant increase in daily doses.

Though COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available for adults and adolescents in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration has not approved them for children under 12. A St. Louis area pediatrician is advising parents about when young children should wear masks, and the return to in-person learning this fall.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wants a judge to grant a temporary restraining order against St. Louis County’s face-covering restriction. His office is also suing to invalidate the mandate. County Executive Sam Page says the restriction will remain pending the court battle.

Scott Air Force Base has many connections to the St. Louis region, including how it collaborates with the medical community. One initiative trains military medics in trauma care and another is a shared residency program at an area hospital.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis recently revealed some of its early bishops and clergy held enslaved people. That includes Bishop William DuBourg and Bishop Joseph Rosati. Now two schools named for the men are reckoning with that history.

The Missouri Supreme Court delivered an earthquake for the state's politics and health care communities: It means thousands of people among the working poor will have a way to pay for medical procedures — and a lifeline for rural health care providers. It also fundamentally changes the state's politics.

Advocates worry that a highly contagious strain of the coronavirus could cause staffing shortages and health risks for residents in nursing homes. Many want Congress to pass the Essential Caregivers Act to give people in long-term facilities better care during public health emergencies.

Area hospitals report as much as one-third of their workforce is still unvaccinated. That is a concern as a new wave of cases sparked by the Delta variant sweeps across Missouri.

Health officials in the region are thinking about taking more steps to avoid another wave of COVID-19. Low vaccination rates and the highly contagious Delta variant are two reasons why officials recommend residents go back to face coverings in public spaces.