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Illinois regulators OK statewide electric grid upgrades, rate increases

10 hours 16 minutes ago
Illinois utilities are set to invest more than a billion dollars into upgrading the state’s electric distribution grid, resulting in higher rates for customers around the state. The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved scaled-back plans submitted by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois, the electric utilities for northern and southern Illinois, respectively. ComEd is part of Chicago-based Exelon Corp. (Nasdaq: EXC), and Ameren Illinois is part of St. Louis-based Ameren Corp. (NYSE:…
Andrew Adams

Missouri judge strikes down abortion ban, but clinics say access remains blocked

10 hours 50 minutes ago
A Missouri judge on Friday temporarily struck down several laws that Planned Parenthood clinics have said made access to abortion all but impossible across the state. Among the laws Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang blocked include a 72-hour waiting period for an abortion and a mandate that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. But abortions will not yet restart in the state because licensure requirements remain in place. Planned Parenthood Great Plains,…
Anna Spoerre

Judge rules Gov. Mike Parson gets to pick next St. Louis County prosecutor

13 hours 46 minutes ago
Following a weeks-long political battle over who gets to pick the next St. Louis County prosecutor to replace outgoing Congressman-elect Wesley Bell, a judge ruled Friday that the right belongs to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. County Executive Sam Page and Parson both claimed the authority to fill the vacancy, with each naming different attorneys to serve the two remaining years of Bell's term. The dispute was brought before Judge Brian May, who heard from both sides this week. On Friday, he ruled…
Kelsi Anderson

Know someone advancing DEI issues in St. Louis? Submit a nomination for this awards program

15 hours 45 minutes ago
The St. Louis Business Journal is currently seeking nominations for its annual Champions for Diversity & Inclusion Awards program, which also includes awards for an outstanding nonprofit partner and an outstanding for-profit partner. The program, including all three awards, celebrates individuals, companies and nonprofits who have shown exceptional commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace or in the St. Louis community. Nominations are due Sunday, June 15, before midnight.…
Veneta Rizvic

St. Louis building inspector resigns amid investigation into potential corruption

20 hours 19 minutes ago
A building inspector at the center of a day care donation scandal resigned Thursday, as federal authorities intensified their investigation into potential corruption within the St. Louis Building Division. Dan Coplin submitted his resignation to Director Ed Ware, the current head of the city agency, on Thursday amid mounting scrutiny over his role in soliciting charitable contributions during official building inspections. “I didn't do anything wrong,” Coplin said in a Thursday interview. "I…
Mark Maxwell

St. Louis County clerk readies defense attorney as grand jury indictment looms

23 hours 4 minutes ago
The St. Louis County clerk has hired an outside attorney after her attorney says she was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday. Sources familiar with the investigation say St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell green-lit the grand jury proceedings before leaving for vacation. But when papers were turned in to a judge Thursday morning, those specific indictment papers were not included—bringing into question if there's a possible internal dispute inside Bell's office over whether or…
Mark Maxwell, Sam Clancy and Brent Solomon

Francis Howell School District earns lowest-possible ranking in state audit

1 day 6 hours ago
Recent findings from a state audit have put the Francis Howell School District under a microscope. On Wednesday, Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a 31-page review and a "poor" rating of the school system in St. Charles County. It is the worst rating a school can receive. The report states Prop S to build the district's newest high school was misleading. "District officials were not transparent with the Board or the public about the Francis Howell North High School (FHN) construction…
Travis Cummings