The Gateway

St. Louis police increased its presence and focus on crime in an area of north city known as Hayden's Rectangle. Named for Chief John Hayden, the strategy focuses on some of the city's most violent neighborhoods. But, is the approach working 18 months after it was launched?

A commercial cabinet maker in St. James has a unique hiring strategy: bring on employees with prison convictions and past drug addiction problems. The entrepreneur has built his business while giving people second chances, and it’s paying off.

This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of Pride St. Louis. Local photographer Scott Lokitz has captured nearly all four decades. His documentation ranges from a time when many were afraid to be seen at the event to the celebration becoming mainstream.

Missouri's population of alligator gar, a large prehistoric fish, is one of the lowest in the country. Conservationists have been working for more than a decade to raise the numbers, especially since the fish could help consume invasive Asian carp. However, state conservation officials have failed to pass regulations to help protect the species from overfishing.

This year's flooding has brought barge traffic on the Mississippi River to a standstill. But it could be an opportunity for Cairo, Illinois. Many in the community without a grocery store or gas station say a proposed port could revitalize the area's economy.

A program this month at the public library in Normandy involved hip-hop and architecture. The aim was to spark imaginations about how the combination could improve communities. Nearly 30 students, mostly teenagers, took part in the week-long camp.

Protesting in Ferguson after Michael Brown was killed thrust Brittany Ferrell into a national spotlight. Now, the former nurse is funneling her activism into a documentary called “You Lucky You Got a Mama,” about how racism is at the root of why more black women don’t survive childbirth.

Property owners in some flood-prone areas of Missouri have been able to sell their homes to local governments through the FEMA flood buyout program. Missouri has the highest number of such buyouts of any state -- more than 5,000 since 1990.

The president of Harris-Stowe State University is leaving after five years. Dwuan Warmack is moving to another historically black institution - Claflin University in South Carolina. He reflects on his time at Harris-Stowe and shares some thoughts about the challenges facing the school in St. Louis.

The Magic House has opened a new satellite location on Delmar Boulevard. The space features hands-on STEAM activities like video game design, 3D-printing, button-making, and pottery for children. One hope is that the location helps children learn how to become entrepreneurs by turning their creations into businesses.