Baby bison, Simone Biles, then a tornado. A look at May 2025
Post-Dispatch photographers capture tens of thousands of images every year. See some of their best work from May 2025 here.
Herd welcomes calves
A bison calf walks close to its mother in Lone Elk Park in 51黑料 County on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Park Supervisor Pat Curry says two bison calves born at the park on May 6 will spend the next few months in the bison pasture as they gradually gain independence.
Get a look inside 51黑料鈥 own pink hippo house, a rare Lustron home
Simone Biles addresses graduates at Washington University's 164th commencement ceremony
U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles addresses the graduates during her commencement speech at Washington University's commencement ceremony聽at Francis Olympic Field on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Seniors protest policies deemed anti-democratic at WashU
A Washington University student passes by about 15 residents of Laclede Groves senior living community in Webster Groves protest outside the campus in 51黑料 on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in support of international students, science and medical research, DEI initiatives, gender equality, free speech and against policies they associate with an anti-democracy movement in the United States.
Missouri's legislative session wraps up a day early
Representatives throw papers into the air in the traditional paper toss marking the final moments of the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, on the House floor at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Missouri's legislative session wraps up a day early
Representative Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, sits with his daughter Rose, 9, during the waning minutes on the final day of the legislative session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the House chamber at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Pathway to Health provides free health care to 51黑料ans
Alice Mureithi, from Kenya but living in 51黑料, gets an eye exam from Dr. Daniel Beckner, of Oregon, during a free health care clinic at America's Center in downtown 51黑料 on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Pathway to Health, a humanitarian mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, sponsored the clinic to provide free medical care on a first-come, first-served basis through Thursday.
The 75th annual Greater 51黑料 Book Fair draws literature lovers and collectors
People pick through the book selection at the Greater 51黑料 Book Fair in the Greensfelder Recreation Complex at Queeny Park in west 51黑料 County on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The 75th annual event, which organizers say is one of the largest charity book fairs in the Midwest, is free and open to the public Friday through Sunday, and includes books, collectibles, vinyl, CDs, DVDs and comics.
Missouri Department of Conservation tag lake sturgeon
Gracie Phillips with the Army Corps of Engineers steadies a sub-adult lake sturgeon as Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Technician Christian Goodson scans the ancient fish for a tag on Wednesday, April 17, 2025, on the Mississippi River in Winfield. The fish was too small to receive a telemetry transmitter for their study.
Simone Biles addresses graduates at Washington University's 164th commencement ceremony
A faculty member puts on a poncho as a light rain falls during Washington University's commencement ceremony at Francis Olympic Field on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Demesha Coleman sentenced to 13 years
Demesha Coleman fist-bumps with her defense attorney Isaac Dodd after Judge Madeline O. Connolly sentenced her to 13 years in prison on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the 22nd Circuit Court in 51黑料. Connolly followed the recommendation of the jury, who in March found Coleman guilty of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Darius Jackson, 19, who was in the passenger seat of Coleman鈥檚 stolen SUV, when Coleman tracked it down at a gas station, and exchanged gun fire with the thieves.
Police and families remember fallen officers at the 39th Memorial Breakfast
The candle is blown out at a table set in remembrance of the 167 police officers that have died in the line of duty from 1863 to 2024 at the end of the 39th Memorial Breakfast at Union Station in downtown 51黑料 on May 5, 2025.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
The 51黑料 Blues honor 51黑料 Police Officer Nathan Spiess who was injured in the line of duty while attempting to arrest a suspected car thief back in March before the start of of Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
51黑料 Blues forward Brayden Schenn (10)celebrates his goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during second period action of Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
Blues forward Brayden Schenn celebrates his goal against Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck during second-period action of Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington salutes the fans after the Blues best the Jets in Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday at Enterprise Center.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
51黑料 Blues forward Nathan Walker (26) celebrates his goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during second period action of Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Blues face elimination by Jets in Game 6 in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
Blues forward Nathan Walker, left, joins defenseman Colton Parayko in the celebration of defenseman Cam Fowler鈥檚 goal against Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck during second-period action of Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Blues players, coach and general manager reflect on season
鈥淚t hurts more today than it did two days ago, to be honest,鈥 said聽Blues head coach Jim Montgomery says, reflecting on the Blues鈥 season-ending loss to the Jets in double overtime of Game 7 in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, during a news conference on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
51黑料 Cardinals finish series against Pittsburgh Pirates
Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II scores the game鈥檚 first run sliding into home from first base on a base hit against the Pirates on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
51黑料 Cardinals finish series against Pittsburgh Pirates
Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker celebrates after hitting a single to drive in Brendan Donovan and Luken Baker against the Pirates on May 7 at Busch Stadium.
Ow!
"Ow!"51黑料 Cardinals batter Alec Burleson is exuberantly congratulated by teammate Willson Contreras on Monday, May 5, 2025, after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Two-run homer
51黑料 Cardinals Willson Contreras celebrates after hitting a two-run home run on Monday, May 5, 2025, in the sixth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Boss moves
51黑料 Cardinals batter Victor Scott II is congratulated by teammates on Friday, May 2, 2025, after stealing third and scoring on a throwing error in the third inning of a game against the New York Mets at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Ground game
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Masyn Winn scoops up a ball on Friday, May 2, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the New York Mets at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
The 51黑料 Cardinals host the Detroit Tigers
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II rolls on the ground after being hit in the hand by a pitch during the game between the 51黑料 Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers in Busch Stadium in 51黑料 on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
51黑料 City SC coach Olof Mellberg shortly before being let go
51黑料 City SC head coach Olof Mellberg talks with media after practice at their training facility in downtown 51黑料 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Pitch pull
51黑料 City SC left back Akil Watts is hampered by Sporting Kansas City left wing Daniel Salloi on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the first half of a match at Energizer Park in 51黑料.
Wide shot to the left
Union Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu reacts to an errant shot that fired wide on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the first half of a U.S. Open Cup tournament match against 51黑料 City SC at Energizer Park in 51黑料
Post Malone performs at Busch Stadium
Grammy-award recording artist Post Malone performs on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Jelly Roll performs at Busch Stadium
Recording artist Jelly Roll calls attention to his drummer, Pork Chop, or Cody Ash, right, as he performs on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in an opening act for Post Malone at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
51黑料 tornado: What happened and what you need to know in under 3 minutes
Storm clouds form over Kirkwood moving toward 51黑料 City
Clouds begin to descend as a severe storm rolls through Kirkwood on May 16, 2025 before heading east to 51黑料 and spawning a tornado that caused major damage.
Tornado rips through Fountain Park neighborhood of 51黑料
51黑料 firefighters carry Sherrill Jackson from Centennial Christian Church on Friday, May, 16, 2025, after the steeple at the church collapsed from a tornado that struck the Fountain Park neighborhood of 51黑料 and she was trapped inside. Another woman in the church died from injuries.
Woman rescued after being trapped in collapsed church
Sherrill Jackson, a member of Centennial Christian Church, is attended to on Friday, May 25, 2025, after being rescued from inside the collapsed church where she took shelter, Friday, May 16, 2025. 51黑料 was under a tornado warning when high winds tore through the area causing multiple building collapses and widespread damage.
Praying for the trapped
A group of people pray outside of Centennial Christian Church in the Fountain Park neighborhood on Friday, May 16, 2025, as they wait for rescuers to reach a woman trapped in the rubble at the church after a tornado ripped through parts of central and north 51黑料. She was later found dead from injuries sustained in the collapse.
Tornado claims the life of dedicated church member
A woman is consoled outside of Centennial Christian Church in north 51黑料, after being told her loved one died on Friday, May, 16, 2025, when part of a church collapsed as a tornado struck the Fountain Park neighborhood.
Woman killed in 51黑料 church lauded as 'servant' in tight-knit community. Patricia Penelton
Ward 10 Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard,left, and Pastor of Centennial Christian Church Rev. Derrick L. Perkins comforts聽Harry Pendleton聽after learning his wife Patricia died when a tornado collapsed the church bell tower and roof trapping her and two other people on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Fountain Park neighborhood.
51黑料 matriarch killed when her 125-year-old family home collapses in tornado
Allen Lyles, 60, waits with the body of his wife, Rena Scott-Lyles, after she was killed by a tornado on May 16, 2025 in their house on Bayard Avenue in the Fountain Park neighborhood of 51黑料. The couple was running toward the basement when the house collapsed, said Chastidy Henry, Scott-Lyles鈥 daughter. She said Rena was trapped under a dresser while Allen was blown into a wall. 鈥淭hey were buried in two different spots, just 5 inches away from each other.鈥
City left in devastation
A man bounds through fallen debris next to the 51黑料 Fire Department鈥檚 Engine House 28 shortly after a tornado hit in the 4800 block of Enright Avenue. A storm warning siren is seen at top center. In the days following the tornado, 51黑料 Mayor Cara Spencer said the siren system didn鈥檛 properly activate before the tornado.
5 dead, as home and buildings destroyed in 51黑料 storm
"It used to be a three stories. My home is gone," said David Lester, who stands on the second story which now opens to the sky, as he finds an old t-shirt in the rubble on Friday, May 16, 2025, after a tornado ripped through his house along Euclid Avenue in the Fountain Park neighborhood. Lester was not home when the storm hit.
Residents reflect a day after a tornado hit 51黑料: 'I've never seen it this bad'
Clean up begins a tornado damages 51黑料 area
"I have never seen anything like this," said Jerikah McCloud, 23, seen in the destroyed second story of her family home on Kensington Street, in the Academy neighborhood of 51黑料,聽on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
5 dead, as home and buildings destroyed in 51黑料 storm
鈥淚t sounded like a freight train ... we just prayed and prayed and prayed,鈥 said Lisa Nash, left, owner of Heaven Sent Banquet Hall, who is comforted by Monica Green on May 16, 2025 after a tornado ripped through her business in the Fountain Park neighborhood of 51黑料. Nash said she was setting up for a 100-person wedding when she and another employee were trapped inside.
Tornado hits 51黑料 city
Broken trees and damaged houses are seen near the pedestal where the Martin Luther King Jr. statue was knocked off its base in Fountain Park in north 51黑料 after a tornado came through on May 16, 2025.
Tornado hits 51黑料 city
Zuhdija Omerovic removes fish while it's still fresh, after the roof was ripped off聽Pops Kingshighway Market聽by a tornado that hit the Fountain Park area of 51黑料 on May 16, 2025.
Clean up begins after a tornado damages 51黑料 area
鈥淢y house is just gone, and it was beautiful,鈥 said Curtis McGrath, who retrieves some personal papers, photos and clothes from his home of 18 years on Enright Avenue on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the Academy neighborhood. The National Weather Service has confirmed that it was a tornado, possibly an EF-3, that hit 51黑料 the day before.
Clean up begins after a tornado damages 51黑料 area
鈥淚 grew up in this community. People need help and we are helping,鈥 said Cornelius Coleman, who uses a sledge hammer to break apart a tree blocking a resident鈥檚 home along Enright Avenue on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the Academy neighborhood of 51黑料.
Drone footage shows tornado damage in 51黑料 neighborhoods
Residents riding out the storm in damaged homes in the Greater Ville neighborhood
鈥淚鈥檒l sit here until dark then I get the flashlights out,鈥 said Darnell 鈥淗ardTimez鈥 Forest on Sunday, May 18, 2025. He has been living in his home, on Cottage Avenue in the Greater Ville neighborhood, since a tornado ripped off the front. Forest has little money, does not have insurance, and is concerned about looting. Forest is known throughout the community as 鈥淗ardTimez鈥 because he owned a HardTimes Autobody shop in the city.
Homeowners without insurance face uncertain future
Siblings Aaliyah, 22, Ethan, 13, and Samantha Williams, 14, prepare for bedtime in their parents鈥 car outside their tornado-damaged home on May 22 in the Greater Ville neighborhood of 51黑料. The children are part of a 14-person family that has been without power since a tornado torn their roof clean off, and their parents don鈥檛 have home insurance. The family members have been sleeping in the cab of their dad鈥檚 long-haul truck, in the family car, on cots, and on the floor of the house鈥檚 main level. They are extra worried that their home will eventually be condemned after their house received a red sticker saying it is not livable.
Homeowners without insurance face uncertain future
"This is the first time I have ever tried to grill pizza rolls," said Gregory Williams, who fires up the grill in front of his tornado-damaged house on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Greater Ville neighborhood of 51黑料. He is part of a 14-person-family that has been without power since a tornado tore their roof clean off, and his parents don't have home insurance.聽
Homeowners without insurance face uncertain future
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be a burden to anyone,鈥 said Arletta Bonds, who broke down after accepting fried rice from a pastor who was doing outreach on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Greater Ville neighborhood of 51黑料. Since the May 16 tornado destroyed the two properties she owns, Bonds has been staying with her daughter and wants to help her make her rent.
Homeowners without insurance face uncertain future
鈥淚s this the house I used to play in when I was little?鈥 asks Danielle Austin, as she pulls out her aunt鈥檚 dress while digging through the rubble of her uncle Norbert Thompson鈥檚 collapsed two-story house on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Kingsway East neighborhood of 51黑料. The home has been in the family for three generations, but Thompson (above, with his dog Oreo) does not have insurance on it.
Cleanup continues on damage caused by May 15, 2025 tornado in 51黑料
Michael Luong places a red tag on a home hit by the May 16, 2025 tornado in the Academy neighborhood of 51黑料, prohibiting entry to the property on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Luong, an inspector from University City, was one of several volunteering with the Missouri Structural and Visual Evaluation (SAVE) Coalition to determine the structural integrity of homes in the neighborhood after the storm.
Repairs underway among damage from tornado
Thomas Hoffman, of Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating, checks out HVAC units damaged by the May 15, 2025 tornado on a roof in the DeBaliviere Place neighborhood of 51黑料 on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The Bullet Recovery Injury Clinic (BRIC) provides services to help mental state of tornado victims
Pat Miller, right, and Afua Bromley, a licensed acupuncturist volunteering with The Bullet Recovery Injury Clinic (BRIC), chat while Miller receives acupuncture treatment at The BRIC鈥檚 wellness tent in the Fountain Park neighborhood of 51黑料 on Friday, May 23, 2025. Miller鈥檚 house in Fountain Park was damaged by the May 16, 2025, tornado.
Save-A-Lot parking lot becomes a grassroots community hub for food, clothing and supplies
Ora Frederick, 11, left, and McKinzey Matthews, 13, hand out water a on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in front of the Save A Lot parking lot in the Penrose neighborhood in North 51黑料. Frederick lives in the neighborhood and said their roof fell down. The parking lot as become a grass-roots distribution hub for free food, water, toiletries and clothing ever since the tornado hit the neighborhood.
Save-A-Lot parking lot becomes a grassroots community hub for food, clothing and supplies
Volunteers steady Charles Culton, 9, as he helps unload a delivery truck of donations from Manos Unidas STL on May 25, 2025 in the Save A Lot parking lot in the Penrose neighborhood of 51黑料. The parking lot has become a grass-roots community hub for free food, water, toiletries and clothing ever since a tornado hit the neighborhood.
Neighbor comforting neighbor
"I have been spending $150 a night on a hotel room since the tornado. I ran out of money. I suffer from anxiety. My body is trembling still, " said resident Keena Walker, left, who is comforted by another resident Helen Lane, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in the Greater Ville. Walker met Lane after Walker drove up the street to find a small supply station offering free food, water, cleaning items and other basics in a church parking lot.聽
Fountain Park-Lewis Place monthly meeting held outside due to tornado
Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard addresses residents' concerns over the use of eminent domain to take their tornado-damaged properties, during a Fountain Park-Lewis Place neighborhood meeting that was held in Fountain Park on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The group's usual meeting spot at West Side Missionary Baptist Church was not an option because of tornado damage. The residents questioned when state and federal help would arrive, citing their concerns they would be forgotten because they live north of the Delmar Divide.
Recovery from the rubble
Dex Boston presents photos to his fiance, Tirzah Russell, that he salvaged from the rubble of her grandmother's home on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in the 3100 block of Newstead Ave. while searching for whatever personal items were in reach. Russell has her her 9-month-old daughter, Ren, close. Friday's tornado completely collapsed the home with three people inside. All were rescued by neighbors and were largely unhurt.
Tornado damage around 51黑料
Roofs are covered with tarps after damage caused by Friday鈥檚 tornado in the O鈥橣allon neighborhood of 51黑料 on Tuesday.
Shards of the past
Broken shards of the stained glass windows that hung in Pilgrim Congregational Church lay scattered over a church program on Monday, May 19, 2025, in the stairwell of the building on North Union Blvd. in 51黑料.
Proper siren protocol may have saved lives lost in tornado
"There is no way she would have just sat there if she heard that siren." Donnie Holmes emerges from the basement of his mother, Delois Holmes, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, after showing a photographer where he believes she was going when her house in the 4500 block of Cote Brillante collapsed and killed her during Friday's deadly tornado. Donnie's brother, Reginald Holmes, not pictured, said he found his mother on the steps to the basement.
Grappling with losses
Vanessa Brown stops to gather herself during a stressful moment on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, as she sorts her belongings in one of her tornado-damaged homes in the 4600 block of Labadie Ave. Brown is now barred from living in either of her two houses after the city deemed them structurally unsafe. "This was a house of love," said Brown. We're gonna turn it into something beautiful."
Tight pathway
Going from one of her backyards to the other requires Vanessa Brown to slip under a tight tarp cord on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, as she gathers and sorts her belongings in them. Brown, who owns both homes, is now barred from living in either after the city deemed them structurally unsafe.
Tornado leaves residents reluctant to separate from damaged property
Jasmin Brown, Vanessa Brown's daughter plays catch with her son, Xavier and his friend on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, outside her mother's tornado-damaged homes in the 4600 block of Labadie Ave. Vanessa Brown owns both homes and is now barred from living in either after the city deemed them structurally unsafe
Tornado leaves residents reluctant to separate from damaged property
Vanessa Brown shares a laugh with friends on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, as they grill meat that was bound to go bad inside her tornado-damaged homes in the 4600 block of Labadie Ave. Brown, who owns two homes, is now barred from living in either after the city deemed them structurally unsafe.
"Not going anywhere"
Gwen Hudgins retrieves some items from the trunk of one of her vehicles on Friday, May 23, 2025, as she settles in for the evening to sleep near her collapsed house on North Newstead Avenue in 51黑料. She and her son Wayne are living in tents on the property.聽
"Not going anywhere"
A volunteer asks tornado victim Gwen Hudgins about her clothes size as Hudgins settles into a new tent donated and raised by volunteers on Friday, May 23, 2025 in 51黑料.
"Not going anywhere"
Gwen Hudgins sweeps up debris in front of her collapsed home on Friday, May 23, 2025,聽on North Newstead Avenue聽in 51黑料.
"Not going anywhere"
Wayne Hudgins organizes donated goods while settling into a new tent that was donated and raised by volunteers on Friday, May 23, 2025, in 51黑料. He and his mother, Gwen Hudgins, had been living in their vehicles on their property since the May 16 tornado.
"Not going anywhere"
鈥淚 told my mother I was going to do this.鈥 Wayne Hudgins secures an American flag on the highest point of the collapsed home he shared with his mother, Gwen Hudgins, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in the 3000 block of North Newstead Avenue. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a little bit better by the day,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut not that good.鈥 Gwen owns five adjacent parcels surrounding her home.
Christian Gooden | Post-Dispatch
Photographer
Michael Hamtil | Post-Dispatch
Multimedia Director
Allie Schallert | Post-Dispatch
Videographer/Photographer
Laurie Skrivan | Post-Dispatch
Photographer
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