New refugee families are headed to St. Louis over the next few weeks. A local immigrant and refugee nonprofit is working with a national resettlement agency to help families get immediate housing, employment and other resources.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is helping Black St. Louisans trace their roots as far back as possible. Staff members were in St. Louis this fall to teach people how to research genealogical archives and digitize old family recordings. Black St. Louisans want to help the next generation better understand their ancestry.

Much of Sugarloaf Mound will return to the Osage Nation, thanks to a recent land transfer. It’s the oldest man-made structure in St. Louis.

Religious leaders had challenged the state’s near-total ban on the grounds it contained explicitly religious language.

Across the nation, Black people have received racist text messages saying they have been “selected to pick cotton.” Black St. Louisans are furious about the texts, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, whose son received one.

A message of sadness and resistance was echoed by more than a dozen Democratic state lawmakers who voted to keep Illinois one of the most welcoming states for immigrants.

Across the St. Louis region, many members of Alpha Kappa Alpha ended the presidential election season Tuesday at watch parties. Many Black sorority members say they want the country’s next president to expand women's rights, create economic security for Black Americans and support education reform.

Clyde Cahill, a native of St. Louis, was the first Black federal judge in the Eastern District of Missouri, which is based in the city.

As many Indian Americans come to St. Louis for work, they often leave family and traditions behind. However, one St. Charles family has been bringing Diwali celebrations to the local Indian American community from their backyard for over a decade, to help people feel closer to home.

Little Rock Nine member Thelma Mothershed-Wair died this month in Arkansas. She taught in East St. Louis for nearly 20 years before retiring and working at the St. Clair County Jail and Juvenile Detention Center. She was 83.