Good evening, St. Louis. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Today’s Big Stories
1. Road to Olympic skating medals coming through St. Louis in 2026
The final U.S. Figure Skating Championships before the 2026 Milan Olympics will take place in St. Louis, officials announced Monday. Enterprise Center will host the 2026 nationals from Jan. 5-11, 2026, with the results determining the makeup of the 2026 squad, including men, women, pairs and ice dancing.
2. Saint Louis University names Oregon State provost as next president
The next President of Saint Louis University is coming to the Gateway to the West from the Pacific Northwest. The school announced Monday that Edward J. Feser, Ph.D. will assume the role on July 1, 2025.
3. $5 million approved for Missouri colleges, universities to enhance nursing programs
Gov. Mike Parson announced the approval of $5 million in grants for 13 Missouri colleges and universities to continue enhancing nursing education programs. The funds were from a special appropriation to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Recipients will now be able to improve their nursing programs by increasing faculty salaries, develop future faculty through scholarships and nursing educator programs.
4. Missouri’s distracted driving law will start to be enforced Jan. 1
Missourians can be cited and fined for holding their cellphones while driving starting Jan. 1 under a state law. The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law prohibits all drivers from manually typing, scrolling or holding a cellphone or another wireless device while operating their vehicles. This also includes watching, recording, posting, sending, or broadcasting a video or movie.
5. Professional pickleball is coming to Edwardsville
Edwardsville will host a new Profession Pickleball Association (PPA) league tournament next August during the PPA Challenger Series’ inaugural season. This league produces opportunities for aspiring pickleball players that dream of playing in the PPA and to build toward the PPA Carvana Tour, a higher level in the PPA.
6. Pritzer supports legislation on regulating intoxicating hemp
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced support for proposed legislation aiming to regulate the “intoxicating hemp” industry. Specifically, hemp-derived THC and CBD products, such as Delta-8 products, sold outside of a licensed dispensary setting. House bill 4293 would set limits on intoxicating hemp products similar to those imposed on legal cannabis through the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA).
The Mega Millions jackpot has reached nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in the wake of Friday night’s drawing. There were no jackpot winners, meaning $740 million will be the big prize for the next drawing on Tuesday night. Friday’s winning numbers were 36, 43, 52, 58, 65, with the Mega Ball 16. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won at $810 million in Texas on Sept. 10.
