ST. LOUIS – A brain trust of black health care professionals who gathered here last year marked Medicaid expansion as the answer to restoring health insurance to thousands who simply…
Author: Bill Beene
bill.beene@thenorthsider.com
Bill Beene was born and raised in north St. Louis. He has been a journalist for 12 years. He enjoys cooking and roller skating. He lives in the historic Ville neighborhood.
Proposed changes to Community Reinvestment Act spark fight
ST. LOUIS – Proposed changes to a federal law could leave parts of the city – and especially north St. Louis – with less, not more, service from financial institutions, critics…
'Hair Love' brings Oscar to St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis was represented two-fold at the Academy Awards this year with two nominations, with “Hair Love” locking a win for Best Animated Short Film Sunday at…
Poverty, racial divide contribute to high homicide rate
ST. LOUIS – In the past five years, St. Louis has averaged 192 homicides, according to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden. The numbers are staggering. There were 188 people…
T-shirt aims for solidarity and justice
BENTON PARK WEST – A hip T-shirt promoting solidarity among racial groups is the latest effort to keep detainees who can’t make bail from sitting unnecessarily in the notorious Workhouse…
Drugs are claiming even more black lives than guns in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – At an annual New Year’s Eve vigil, police Chief John Hayden revealed that while there were an alarming 194 homicides last year, 108 more people died from…
Pan African flag is raised at City Hall, noting Black History Month
ST. LOUIS – The red, black and green Pan African (or African American Heritage) flag was raised Monday morning inside and outside City Hall, signaling the dawn of Black History…
High school recruiters visit, vie for Yeatman students
PENROSE – “You look like you too bad to go to Soldan, maybe you need to go to Vashon or Roosevelt,” a Soldan International Studies High School student said Friday…
Neighbors question 'HGP' in bill for hospital to be named 'Homer G. Phillips'
THE VILLE – What’s in a name? Apparently a lot when when it comes to the historic Ville’s eponymous, venerable Homer G. Phillips Hospital. It’s named for the African-American attorney responsible…
MoDOT's safety plan for Natural Bridge includes medians, new crosswalks
HAMILTON HEIGHTS – Just on the heels of a new report flagging St. Louis as the 16th most dangerous city for pedestrians, MoDOT met for the second time with residents to…
Arkansas Fried Chicken is reopening as bar and grill
LEWIS PLACE – After being closed for nearly a year for remodeling, Arkansas Fried Chicken restaurant has crossed the road to become a grill – and bar. Why did the…
Save Our Sons town hall uses 'rock, paper, scissors' to motivate youths
MIDTOWN – A keynote speaker at the Save Our Sons town hall meeting against violence Saturday used the childhood game “rock, paper, scissors” to give three keys to his success…