The St. Louis Department of Health’s new leader plans to tackle continuing vaccine hesitancy and pandemic complacency. Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis is also dealing with a department suffering from high burnout rates, increasing staff turnover, and lack of funds.

The Missouri legislative redistricting commission is holding hearings to help determine future state House and Senate maps. Similar panels in the past have deadlocked along party lines, sending the issue to the courts.

Illinois has taken steps to overhaul energy programs to combat climate change. Now, there is a call to reach a goal of eventually putting 1 million electric vehicles on the state’s roads.

Thousands of high school bands from nine states are packing the Dome at America’s Center over the next couple of days for the Bands of America Super Regional Championship. It marks a return to competition for students after being sidelined during the pandemic.

Despite last year's protests and petitions calling for the removal of statues and street names in St. Louis that honor people with ties to slavery, genocide, and other atrocities, little has changed.

Several districts in the Midwest are setting up school farms. They help students develop a work ethic while learning about caring for animals and growing food.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has joined a coalition of U.S. mayors to commit to reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. Many Black Americans say it's past time for a reparations program to address the legacy of slavery, legalized segregation, and to address the wealth gap between Black white people.

Families and friendships have been strained by those who don't get the COVID-19 vaccine. For people who want their loved ones to be safe from the virus, trying to persuade others to change their minds can be frustrating but not impossible.

More Black families are choosing to homeschool their children. The U.S. Census Bureau says the rate of Black families shifting from traditional learning to homeschooling is increasing at a greater pace than other racial groups.

The Grammy Award-winning band plays a fusion of Gospel, blues and music from the Gullah culture of enslaved Africans who lived in South Carolina. A member of the band what it means to interpret the music for a contemporary audience.