SUMMARY: A major tree-planting initiative in St. Louis has been halted due to federal funding cuts, affecting two grants intended for Arbor Day activities. Beyond Housing, a local nonprofit, was set to plant 1,000 trees with grants from the Arbor Day Foundation and the CDC, both of which were rescinded last month. These cuts not only impact the tree-planting effort but also threaten the work of community health workers aiding families with chronic conditions. Beyond Housing’s president, Chris Krehmeyer, expressed concern over the long-term impact on neighborhood health and resilience, urging for additional support from local businesses and communities.

Read the full article

The post Federal cuts halt major Arbor Day tree-planting effort in St. Louis appeared first on fox2now.com

SUMMARY: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, highlighting the dangerous habits that lead to accidents. Diamond Palmer reports on efforts by car companies and state agencies to raise awareness and provide safety tips, urging drivers to buckle up and put their phones down. With the warmer weather, crashes increase in the St. Louis area. Missouri’s hands-free law, enacted nearly two years ago, has led to over 300 tickets this year alone, coinciding with a reported 5% reduction in phone use while driving. Tips include using navigation before driving and having conversations about risks with young drivers. Safety should be practiced year-round.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. It’s time to bring attention to the dangerous and deadly driving habit.

Source

SUMMARY: A key witness in a foster care abuse case has tragically died after being mauled by two dogs in Oklahoma. Ronald Graham, charged with 13 crimes in 2022 for abuse while fostering children with his ex-wife Vicki, had several children placed in his care. Vicki, deeply affected by the case, shared her grief after learning of the witness’s death. Lincoln County prosecutor Mike Wood confirmed the loss of this victim but assured the case will continue with other cooperating witnesses. The Department of Social Services (DSS) had been warned about Graham’s actions but continued placing children in his custody.

A foster care sex abuse case has taken a chilling turn with the unusual death of a key witness.

The case involves Ronald Graham, 73, who faces 13 sex crimes from when he was a foster father. FOX 2’s Chris Hayes reports.

St. Louis News: FOX 2 covers news, weather, and sports in Missouri and Illinois. Read more about this story or see the latest updates on our website https://FOX2Now.com

Follow FOX 2 on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/FOX2Now
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOX2Now/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FOX2Now/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fox2now/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@fox2now
SnapChat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/fox2now

Source