A severe winter storm hit parts of Illinois and Missouri, leading to heavy snow, icy conditions, and dangerously low temperatures, with the National Weather Service issuing multiple warnings.

Wentzville declares a Snow Emergency with a parking ban to enable snow removal, advising residents to limit travel and report issues online or to the non-emergency police line.

Missouri reports a decrease in traffic deaths and will host events to discuss road safety progress, involving MoDOT, the Highway Patrol, and safety partners, with Gov. Kehoe speaking in Jefferson City.

Local chef Belle Nieder bought two downtown Washington businesses — the Sand Bar and The Axe Depot — calling the move a childhood dream.

Two St. Louis police officers were injured Friday on the I-170/I-64 ramp; at least one person died and the ramp was closed while investigators worked the scene.

Nonprofit Bridge Bread opens a Delmar Loop grab-and-go bakery next Saturday, expanding its job-training program with bagels, milk bread and pastries.

A father died after a shooting near West Florissant and Canfield Drive in Ferguson; a child in the car was unharmed. Police detained multiple people of interest as the investigation continues.

State police released multi-angle video showing a trooper firing into a vehicle during a Jan. 4 stop in East St. Louis that left Rachel E. Tarrence dead.

A Houston company wants to build a primary data center and two backup sites across the Metro East. Officials and residents are already debating jobs versus power and water impacts.

A first-alarm blaze ripped through a vacant three-story building on the 3900 block of North 21st in St. Louis, forcing an evacuation and a defensive firefighting response.

St. Louis is preparing for winter weather by treating roads with brine and planning to deploy snowplows, with priority on main routes and vital areas. The city has a strategy for both normal and severe snowfall, with additional resources on standby.

St. Louis Health Department warns of frostbite risks in cold weather, advising residents to minimize exposure, cover skin, and stay warm and dry. A video and social media campaign offer further resources.

St. Louis is facing severe winter weather with the NWS issuing advisories for extreme cold and 6-12 inches of snow, urging precautions against hypothermia and frostbite. Travel disruptions are expected.