Friday Jr. is here, yet the long weekend still seems so far away. Sigh. We'll get there, pals. In the mean time, why don't you read about school funding, food and developers potentially getting their criminal charges dropped?
1. New Missouri law threatens funding for schools in St. Charles, Jefferson counties
As you know from yesterday's Morning Post, some new laws are going into effect today, but this one was signed in June -- and has education officials worried.
The law would require the three counties and others to place a measure on local ballots by the April municipal elections, asking voters whether property tax bills should be frozen for homeowners.Residential real estate taxes are one of the largest sources of revenue for Missouri public schools.At least five area school boards have voted to challenge the validity of the law, but the suit has yet to be filed. Explosion in north St. Louis County destroys 3 homes, shakes neighborhood Edward Jones begins layoffs, including at its Des Peres headquarters Francis Howell investigated superintendent before buyout. Records offer clues on why. BJC HealthCare is phasing out pension benefits, bars new participants St. Louis is losing its only nonstop flights to several regional cities New vocalist plays it safe in Linkin Park's return to St. Louis after more than a decade A St. Louis lake is vanishing. The culprit: sinkholes. And they're all over. Feds drop charges against St. Louis developer represented by Pam Bondi's brother Bullet that killed CBC hockey player was intended for drug dealers, new documents say What to expect from Chaim Bloom? Rays executive says he's 'a great fit' for Cardinals Former KMOV meteorologist wins $826,000 ruling in discrimination case St. Louis County police rule out crime in house explosion, say it's 'likely' gas incident Imo's worker apologizes for stabbing homeless man in Ferguson. 'I made a mistake' Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas talks 'not being OK' ahead of solo St. Louis concert Lutz Pfannenstiel is fired with St. Louis City SC about to miss the playoffs again
The property tax provision was slipped into a major bill during the special legislative session this summer. It was grouped in with the $1.5 billion stadium subsidy plan to keep Kansas City sports teams in Missouri.
Read more.2. Feds ask to drop charges against St. Louis developers accused of lying for tax breaks
The new U.S. attorney for the region moved to drop a criminal case against two local developers and their accountant shortly after one of them hired U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother to defend him.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus wrote the minority business program that Sid Chakravery, Vic Alston and Shijing "Poppy" Cao, are accused of violating has been paused by the city of St. Louis and deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Department of Justice.The three are charged with lying about using minority contractors to obtain city property tax breaks.The move marks a reversal in position: Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney office argued against dismissing the charges because such constitutional claims do not entitle people to "lie, cheat and steal."
The three defendants previously had agreed to pay the city back for the tax breaks they received.
Read more.
Before the next story...
If you just can't get enough of us (we wouldn't be surprised) you can scroll through our pool guide or explore our public pay database.
3. Cottleville's Cottle Village is wildly ambitious. The restaurant alone is worth a visit.
Cottle Village is a hit. Post-Dispatch restaurant critic writes that the "project's ambition is obvious." Cottle Village features a two-level restaurant and event space with 270 seats inside and a patio as well as a separate distillery and an outdoor area with a stage for live music.
Hold on, let me catch my breath. Phew. Ok, very ambitious. Froeb also writes that Cottle Village is more upscale than the owner's previous ventures (Wheelhouse, the Midwestern, the late Start Bar) but it isn't fancy.
Now on to the food:
Chef Jonathan Quint "isn't aiming for fussy, let alone challenging, fare, but traditionally satisfying dishes several steps above standard-issue." What dishes represent that, you ask? The side dishes of mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts with bacon in a balsamic vinegar reduction.The main courses favor bold flavors over finesse. Froeb says after several happy bites, the approach becomes fatiguing.
Oh, and try the crab cakes.
Read more.
That's all from us today. We'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.
Written by Jenna Jones. We welcome your feedback on this email; send it to Beth O'Malley at [email protected].
Want more? Find us here:
FacebookInstagramTikTokBlueskyThreadsX / Twitter