- Gateway Arch showing rust and decay
Almost 45 years into its reign atop the St. Louis skyline, the 630-foot monument is suffering from growing rust and decay. And nobody knows how extensive. Corrosion, some of it feared aggressive, and severe discoloration of the stainless steel skin have long been present, according to engineering reports reviewed by the Post-Dispatch. The problem is not yet a safety issue. Via St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Highway 40 reopens after fatal truck crash
A truck driver was killed in a Monday morning crash that shut down portions of Highway 40 in the city for 5 hours. Thomas J. Niemeyer, 48, of Bethalto, died when he was ejected from his eastbound tractor-trailer after it began to drift to the left and slammed into the median at the Taylor Avenue overpass, police said. Niemeyer landed in the westbound lanes. It is unclear what caused Niemeyer to lose control, police said. Via St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Obama grants Missourians disaster relief
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says that President Barack Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for “areas across Missouri hit by flooding, severe storms and excessive rain during June and July.” Such a declaration means that the federal government will cover 75 percent of the eligible emergency response and recovery expenses, beginning with the storms on June 12. Via St. Louis Beacon
- Illinois launches new high risk pool for uninsured
A new health insurance option for people with pre-existing conditions and without medical coverage launches in Illinois on Friday, but only a small fraction of the uninsured will benefit. Enrollment in the Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) will proceed on a first-come, first-served basis. It is one of the first major programs to be rolled out in Illinois under recently enacted national health reform. Via Chicago Tribune
- New businesses soon to create jobs at site of old Ford plant
Jobs will soon be available in Hazelwood thanks to the development of a new building on the same site where the old Ford plant was located. The 160 acre site of the old plant will become the site of a $200 million business park with at least 11 buildings. Many businesses will move into the new office complex. Crews have been re-building on the site for the past year and a half since California based Panattoni Development bought the property and demolished the Ford plant. Via KMOV
- Missouri unemployment rises to 9.2 percent
Missouri labor officials say the state’s unemployment rate edged higher to 9.2 percent last month, up from 9.1 percent in June. In a report this week, the Department of Economical Development also said the state had a net gain of 2,700 non-farm jobs in July. That follows a net loss of 7,500 in June. Missouri’s total non-farm payroll in July was just below the April figure. The department says last month’s biggest increases came in administrative and support services, which added 4,200 jobs. Financial services shed 1,900 jobs in July, the biggest loss by sector. Via Associated Press