It is always a shock to loose someone suddenly, and news of Ray Hartmann's death hit me hard on Friday. Judging by the tributes people shared with me everywhere I went this weekend, I'm not alone in that. I hope you'll join the Donnybrook crew this Thursday for a special episode focused on Ray's life.
And tonight, as long as the weather holds, you can find me at Saint Louis University moderating a panel discussion about voting. It may not be quite as fun as a Derby Day party (news on a great option for that below), but I feel confident it will be enlightening.
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City employee Mike Gilbert searched for homeless people who needed shelter on a frigid night in January, part of St. Louis' Code Blue initiative. Photography by Samir Knox
THIS JUST IN
St. Louis officials now say two unhoused people died from hypothermia this past winter
Two unhoused people died of hypothermia this past winter, the City of St. Louis is now saying, despite efforts to bring unhoused people into shelter through the new Code Blue program. One man died Nov. 2, 2025, a time when temperatures were just above freezing. A few months later, on Jan. 26, another man was found at North 13th Street and Cass Avenue. Both had “co-morbidities,” a city spokesman says.
When asked why the city had not previously discussed either cold-related death—nor released any information about them—Department of Human Services spokesman Ryan Sheehan told SLM in a message “the city doesn’t proactively share information about deaths” as a policy.
Anthony D’Agostino of Peter and Paul Community Services noted that situations like the one in November present a challenge: People are still at risk, but because temperatures aren’t low enough to trigger a scaled response, there aren’t emergency beds available.
Overall, providers have praised the city’s efforts this past winter as a big upgrade from past years, and Code Blue appears now to have another year of funding. City leaders say they’ve budgeted $2 million for the program in the city’s next fiscal year. —Samir Knox
Ray Hartmann, 1953-2026. Photography by Suzy Gorman
DEEP DIVE
RIP Ray Hartmann, the journalist who changed St. Louis, and my life
Ray Hartmann sent me a note to say "good job" when I was brand new in St. Louis. It was 2011, and I’d written a story that derailed the career of a once-promising politician for the Riverfront Times, where I’d just been brought in from Phoenix to be managing editor. I didn’t know anyone important in town yet, but I knew Ray Hartmann was a big deal. Even though he'd sold the paper a dozen years earlier, any time I'd introduce myself as being with the RFT, people would ask about him. That note meant everything.
And now that he’s gone—killed in a tragic car crash last Thursday—I find myself thinking not just about the friendship we later formed, but about all the doors he opened for me, all the things he built that I benefited from. I wouldn’t be in St. Louis without Ray Hartmann. I have no idea where I would be instead.
Why did Ray cast such a long shadow? In his decades on Donnybrook, he became something larger than life, an avatar for crusading liberals who wanted St. Louis to be a better place. He hated corporate welfare. He defended the downtrodden—often not a popular position in Missouri. He made the case for what he believed to anyone who would listen, sometimes at such great length that they’d concede the point. He was feisty and partisan, but genuinely loved the debate. And he really cared about shaping his arguments for maximum impact. Any friend of Ray’s knew not to pick up the phone on Thursday afternoon; he’d painstakingly workshop his commentary for that night’s Donnybrook, and woe to anyone trying to get a word in edgewise.
Ray the Pundit was such a seminal figure that it’s easy to forget he was also a great writer—and, indeed, an entrepreneur. The Riverfront Times wasn’t just an idea that he lucked into. He hired incredible people and let them do what they did best. The paper was a juggernaut in the 1980s and '90s, one of the most successful alt-weeklies in the country. When he sold the RFT to Arizona-based New Times in 1998, it reportedly commanded $15 million. For an alt-weekly! And then he went out and re-started St. Louis Magazine, and that’s having a good run as well. He created the conditions that let countless journalists get their start, do their best work, and thrive.
Ray sold this magazine in 2019, long before I came on board. After his time here ended, in fact, I hired him to write a column for the RFT—a full circle moment. You may wonder what it was like editing a legend, but unlike many legends, Ray didn’t need editing. He just needed someone to get him to file—a sounding board, I suppose. That part wasn’t always easy. I was busy. I just wanted him to file already! He was perpetually apologetic, but it never changed a thing. Ray had could no more change his spots than a leopard in the zoo.
Please read more about Ray's remarkable life in SLM editor in chief Jarrett Medlin’s eulogy. For my part, I was amused to see the woman Ray desperately wanted to send packing from Congress, Ann Wagner, issue an anodyne tweet about his death. It was exactly the kind of gesture he would have loved to rip into on Donnybrook. It breaks my heart that he’ll never have the chance. —S.F.
A MESSAGE FROM BAYER
Lest We Forget: Holocaust survivor portraits in St. Louis
Experience powerful, larger-than-life portraits of Holocaust survivors in this free outdoor exhibition, April 16 through May 3 at The District of St. Louis in Chesterfield. Reflect, remember, and engage with stories that inspire dialogue and stand against hate.
Strong, severe storms are in the forecast for Monday (KMOV): There's a chance for tornadoes and hail throughout the region, beginning tomorrow afternoon.
Man admits to tracking down and running over cyclist after previous confrontation (KMOV): The cyclist died, and his assailant now faces first-degree murder charges.
Bistro La Floraison to close in Clayton on May 30 (SLM): The eatery from the owners of Vicia had a four-year run.
BRANDED CONTENT
How a play becomes an opera: Inside the creative process
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is known for bold storytelling, from reimagined classics to powerful contemporary works. But how does a spoken play transform into a fully sung opera? Learn about the process from OTSL’s Principal Conductor.
Anna Farrell, fourth from left, celebrates Derby Day with other "Heart Moms" in 2025. The Farrells' fundraiser has become the place to be in Webster Groves on Derby Day. Courtesy photo
Around Town
🎆 COUNTY LIVING
If drone shows are your thing, you can head to downtown St. Louis for the Celebrate 250 festivities at the Arch on July 3 and 4, or you can just wait a month and see them in Chesterfield. Unlike the downtown Fourth of July celebration, which is funded by nonprofit Celebrate St. Louis (previously VP St. Louis), the one in West County comes courtesy of the taxpayers. The Chesterfield City Council this week approved a contract not to exceed $41,000 for a drone light show planned for August 14 as part of its America 250 celebration. The show, which will follow a Toby Keith tribute concert, is expected to run 12–15 minutes and feature fully choreographed aerial displays. Although the measure passed by a 6–2 vote, Councilmember Patricia Tocco expressed concern about the cost and prioritization of funds. “I believe spending $41,000 on a drone show that’s 12 to 15 minutes is a bit excessive,” Tocco said during the meeting. “I’m not really in favor of this. I think the money could be spent better in other ways.” The show, however, will go on. —Mike Miller
🏇 THE CHARITY CIRCUIT
Conor Farrell, age 4, was diagnosed with a heart defect at his 20-week ultrasound—a terrifying event that ended up becoming a stroke of good fortune. Thanks to that early discovery, Conor was whisked into surgery within a few days of birth and today is thriving. "He has no limitations," says his mother, Anna Farrell. Anna's passion for the cardiac cause has since led to a job as fundraising and development manager for the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation. Founded by Jenn and Mark Hinkle of Olive + Oak, the foundation recently launched a program to provide preventative screenings to students around the region and potentially save lives, just like Conor's was saved as a newborn.
Anna and her husband Graham Farrell first threw a Derby Day party to raise money for heart-related causes in 2024, and their soiree has since moved to The Hall at Olive + Oak and become an official fundraiser for foundation. Befitting its connection to one of St. Louis' top restaurants, it's an epicurean's dream: Exclusive whiskey tastings, wine donated from top wineries, and a host of amazing raffle items, including magnums of more great wine and a chef's tasting dinner. Says Anna, "I always tell people, our events are not only for a really good cause, they're really fun, because we have that tie to the hospitality industry. It's not like you're drinking a house Merlot out of a plastic cup." Derby Day, of course, is Saturday. Tickets and more info online. —S. F.
Join bestselling author and television writer Kashana Cauley for an engaging evening of conversation, insight, and storytelling at this year’s One Author One Kirkwood community event. Get tickets.
Heard on the Street
Facing the writing on the (nonexistent) wall: The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. On Friday, spokesman Mitch McCoy responded to concerns that a police shooting range made Marine Villa sound like a war zone, tweeting, “We are actively working to initiate a bidding process and reallocate unspent funds to support the construction of a sound barrier wall.” The Police Board no-showed a community meeting Thursday to discuss the issue.
Earning raves: St. Louis (really!). Travel writer Huy Oliver came to St. Louis on the inaugural direct flight from London, and raved about what he experienced for The Sunday Times. Oliver raved about everything from Salt + Smoke to the 21c Museum Hotel to the Central West End, but the ending line is of special note: "Last weekend was certainly the most fun I’ve had west of the Mississippi. Meet you in St Louis."
Born on this date in 1896: Cardinals’ great Rogers Hornsby. The Rajah would have been 130 years old today.
“You're going to see all kinds of great treasures, but it's also celebratory about St. Louis— the Busch family history, this incredible asset that we have in St. Louis, and just all the great people who came and wanted to be a part of it. I am so excited to see these episodes.”
—Nine PBS CEO Amy Shaw, speaking on The 314 Podcast about the three Antiques Roadshow episodes filmed in St. Louis last year that debut on her station beginning tonight.
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