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The Work of Art: The Federal Art Project, 1935–1943 presents a remarkable group of artworks that reflect the creative efforts of artists working under difficult circumstances. During the Great Depression, […]

The post The Work of Art: The Federal Art Project, 1935–1943 appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Royal Canin, a dog food plant in Rolla, Missouri, is expected to shut down later this year.

AMES, Iowa - More than 1,600 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University this fall. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held Dec. 20-21, 2024, at Hilton Coliseum. Of the 1,675 students who graduated in December, 1,357 earned undergraduate degrees and 318 earned masters or doctoral degrees. Edwardsville's Christopher Edward Merica graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude.

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ST. LOUIS – Today, the Board of Aldermen moved two bills to the informal calendar, ending debate on the Rams Settlement legislation. Mayor Jones issued the following statement in response: “When we received the Rams Settlement funds, my initial recommendation was to hold on to the bulk of the funds and live off the interest due to the uncertainty of federal elections and how the economy would react. For months, these funds have been in an investment account gaining significant interest - about $26,101,958 over roughly 24 months. After almost a year and a half of public input and months of debate and compromise among City leaders, the public, and other stakeholders, it’s clear that there are a number of projects and programs this money could have supported that would result directly in notable quality-of-life improvements for everyone in St. Louis. Despite my initial inclination to keep this money in accounts where they’ve been gaining interest, I was proud

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See how the nonprofit unites startups and investors in a ‘Shark Tank’-like system to push forward innovation in the early stages.

Before Elon Musk can exercise authoritarian power, he must purge the federal bureaucracy. But federal workers aren’t playing ball.

EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Public Works Director Eric Williams will be the new City Administrator in Edwardsville, effective Monday, March 24. He was appointed by Mayor Art Risavy and unanimously approved by the City Council during the Tuesday, February 4, meeting. Williams will replace City Administrator Kevin Head, who last month announced his plans to step down from the position to spend more time with his family. “Eric Williams was the clear-cut choice to be the next City Administrator for Edwardsville. His extensive experience and knowledge from his many years with the City are an asset,” Mayor Risavy said. “I am confident that, just as Kevin Head did, Eric will provide the elected officials and me the guidance and support to keep Edwardsville on a fiscally prudent path of smart development.” Williams is a lifelong Madison County resident with more than 28 years of public service experience between the Village of Bethalto and the City of Edwardsville.

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by Lulu Ramadan and Sydney Brownstone, The Seattle Times

This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with The Seattle Times. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed an executive order forming a team to evaluate the impact of data centers on energy use, state tax revenue and job creation.

The order follows a Seattle Times-ProPublica investigation last year into the clean-energy and economic impacts of the state’s power-guzzling data center industry, the backbone of the modern internet. Data centers — warehouse-like structures filled with computer servers — receive some of Washington’s largest corporate tax breaks. They require enormous amounts of electricity, a need that is only expected to grow with increasing reliance on artificial intelligence.

“We must ensure Washington remains a leader in technology and sustainability — these experts will help us do that,” Ferguson said in a news release. “This group will help us balance industry growth, tax revenue needs, energy constraints and sustainability.”

Ferguson’s order, one of his earliest actions since he took office this year, authorizes a workgroup of state officials and industry stakeholders to study the impact of data centers and recommend policies that balance industry growth with tax revenue needs, energy constraints and sustainability, according to the executive order. That includes evaluating the state’s robust tax incentives for the data center industry, according to the governor’s office.

State lawmakers encouraged the dramatic growth of the data center industry by offering lucrative tax breaks in the name of bringing jobs to rural areas. The Times and ProPublica reported last year that data centers have grown into a major consumer of electricity in some of Washington's greenest counties, threatening the region’s ability to meet power demand while phasing out fossil fuels.

In 2022, then-Gov. Jay Inslee blocked efforts to study data center electricity use, the news organizations reported. State lawmakers included a provision to measure how much power data centers use in a bill that expanded tax breaks for the industry. Inslee signed into law the tax break expansion but vetoed the study.

Inslee’s office said last year that the study would have duplicated work underway by regional power planners, who have produced wide-ranging forecasts about data centers’ power use in the Pacific Northwest. Still, no agency or entity has assessed the industry’s growing energy demands in Washington specifically or the impact of the state’s tax break on its power grid.

As of July, Washington was home to at least 87 data centers, according to the industry-tracking website Baxtel.

Ferguson’s workgroup will be led by the Department of Revenue, the state agency responsible for determining the eligibility of data centers for tax breaks.

Ferguson’s team will include participants from state agencies responsible for tax incentives, clean energy goals, the environment and utility regulation, as well as private representatives from labor organizations and the data center industry.

In addition to examining energy use, Ferguson’s office said the workgroup will review data on job creation in the industry — a key measure for understanding the success of Washington’s tax incentive program, which has been shielded from transparency and accountability for years.

It’s unclear how many high-paying tech jobs the tax break has created at individual data centers because state revenue officials aren’t allowed to say.

The group is tasked with producing findings and recommendations by December, according to the governor’s office.

On February 4, District 6 officers responded to a Robbery in the 200 block of East Grand, around 3 p.m. A 53-year-old man told officers he was walking out of the BP Gas Station. A man approached him and pointed a gun at him. The 53-year-old ran and in the process was unsure if he […]

The post Man robbed at BP Gas Station, North Riverfront appeared first on St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Arboretum Tour – Winter Shrub Walk Join us for a specialized horticulture tour of the grounds of Missouri’s first ArbNet Level III Accredited Arboretum in winter, with one of our […]

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They might not be the quintessential flower for Valentine’s Day, but pink and red orchids symbolize femininity, grace and elegance, desire, passion and love. Walking arm in arm with your […]

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In this excerpt, Grist’s Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Joseph Winters explore how vegan diets are gaining a foothold in Japan — and the cultural barriers that still stand in the way.

Did you know that nearly 60% of Americans eat out at least once a week? While dining out can offer convenience, it often comes at the cost of health and budget. With the hustle and bustle of modern life, many find it challenging to maintain a nutritious diet. However, meal prepping can take the stress out of your week, streamline your cooking process, and save you both time and money. But how do you turn this concept into a seamless routine? Here’s how to meal prep like a pro for those busy weeks ahead. The Benefits of Meal Prepping Meal prepping is not just a trend; it’s a lifestyle choice that can enhance your well-being. Here are some compelling reasons to embrace meal prep: Time Efficiency : Prepping meals in advance means you spend less time cooking during the week. Instead of scrambling to whip up dinner after a long day, you can simply heat and eat. Healthier Choices : When you plan and prepare your meals, you have control over the ingredients. This allows

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Welcome to This Day in History, where we explore significant events that have shaped our world. Turning our attention to cultural milestones, February 5th is recognized for notable achievements in the arts. In 1967, the acclaimed musical “Hair” premiered on Broadway, introducing a new era of rock musicals that reflected the social changes of the 1960s. “Hair” not only showcased a groundbreaking score but also tackled themes of peace, love, and rebellion against societal norms. Its impact can still be felt today, influencing countless artists and theatrical productions. Sports enthusiasts would be remiss not to mention February 5th as the day in 1988 when the iconic figure skater Katarina Witt won her second Olympic gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Calgary. Witt's performances captivated audiences worldwide, and her success played a crucial role in elevating the profile of figure skating as a competitive sport. Her achievements continue to inspire aspiring

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After talking about it for ages, Black Sabbath has finally confirmed they'll be reuniting for one final show in their hometown of Birmingham, England.Original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer…

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