Willow Springs native Hannah Harper was crowned American Idol after a tearful season finale and a hometown sendoff that drew hundreds to Main Street. The stay-at-home mom says she’ll tour through the fall.

MoDOT held a May 12 open house and is seeking input on a roughly $64M Forward 44 package for I‑44 between Route 109 and Route 141. The plan includes pavement repairs, bridge replacements and safety upgrades at Antire Hill.

A county audit says policy gaps that helped Steve Stenger’s pay‑to‑play scheme persist, and the report heads to the County Council for discussion Tuesday.

Draft would ban new short‑term rentals within 600 feet, require county licenses and local contacts.

Two men were shot early Monday on Carmel Woods Drive in Ellisville. Police recovered a firearm and say they believe the victims knew each other.

The Church of St. Michael moved to end the school's K–6 program this spring, leaving parents and staff scrambling and pushing for more time.

Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy was shot at a Mississippi concert and is in stable condition after surgery, the university said.

A Belleville apartment fire on Monday sent five people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials say the cause is under investigation.

Joan and Wayne Long plan to leave their Sidney Street building, putting about 100 emergency winter shelter beds at risk unless a buyer or the city steps in. Advocates say a one‑time capital purchase or targeted funding could keep the space working as a shelter.

Breckenridge Hills police say Joanna Herrera hurled rocks at patrol cars and bit a former chief. She is jailed on a $75,000 cash-only bond.

A Florissant man was jailed after a downtown crash in a stolen car and police say he discarded a firearm. Court documents show he is a convicted felon facing multiple charges.

A person was killed after a crash at Gravois and Allen in Soulard; SLMPD's Accident Reconstruction unit is investigating and the intersection was closed.

A house fire near North 15th Street and Missouri Avenue sent a large smoke plume across East St. Louis early Monday; crews remained on scene as they worked to contain the blaze.