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“The one thing about a bullet it doesn’t see black or white,” Alton Mayor David Goins said. “A bullet is just a bullet. It doesn’t care what it hits.”

Alto saxophonist and composer Lakecia Benjamin brings her spellbinding blend of funk, R&B, and jazz to the Jazz St. Louis stage. A five-time GRAMMY nominee, Lakecia has shared the stage […]

The post Lakecia Benjamin appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

About Morgan Jay A musician and comedian based in Los Angeles, Morgan has made appearances on MTV’s Wild’N’Out, NBC, and Comedy Central. Morgan has carved out his own genre of […]

The post Morgan Jay appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Donald Trump signed an executive order today making English the official language of the US. But it was surprisingly diffident: Nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide ...continue reading "English is now our official language"

Buddy has been a regular fixture on the Focal Point calendar for many years. His latest album, Filament, finds him exploring some new territory, both sonically and rhythmically. Produced by […]

The post Buddy Mondlock appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Eddie Lee seeks companionship with his friends at the local McDonald’s, swapping stories for advice over coffee and games of chess. But what happens when a mysterious woman comes to […]

The post Coconut Cake appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Plant of the Week: Kohlrabi Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.-> Start Indoors This Week: Basil, Peppers-> Transplant This Week: Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Onions, Leeks-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Bok Choy, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois … Continue reading This Week in Gardening & Nature →

As President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, thousands of federal employees across the country have been laid off or offered buyouts, posing a growing challenge for Missouri and Illinois.

The St. Louis SLAM Women’s Football Team invites you to celebrate their 2024 national championship victory! This event will honor the incredible journey and accomplishments of the St. Louis SLAM […]

The post The Grind & Shine Gala: A Celebration of Women’s Football in St. Louis appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

A pair of DOGE bros want access to IRS data to check for benefit cheating: Kliger and Corcos, according to records obtained by The Post, specifically mentioned investigating eligibility and fraud within student loan and grant programs and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps, which serves nearly 42 million Americans. ...continue reading "DOGE wants to check if you’re really eligible for the vast riches of SNAP"

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market: 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays,  April 5th, April 12th, April 19th, April 26th, May 24th, May 31st. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day. Now thru April 15th On Line Ordering for Missouri Conservation Department annual Tree & Shrub … Continue reading St. Louis Area Seed and Plant Swaps and Sales →

by Heather Vogell

ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.

A high-ranking NASA official warned his employees Friday to “use discretion” in public when displaying badges or emblems that identify them as federal workers — part of an effort, the agency says, to protect its employees amid “stories of possible harassment” outside of work.

“We are all very proud to work for the space program,” wrote Dr. James Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer. “But in the current environment, with a lot of negative rhetoric coming in our direction, I want you all to please use caution.”

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump and his administration and allies have used strong language to disparage federal workers, whom they have been firing en masse. “We’re bloated. We’re sloppy. We have a lot of people that aren’t doing their job,” the president said on Feb. 26 during his first Cabinet meeting.

Polk’s warning to employees came two days later, after receiving a report about an employee who was “assaulted” at a Starbucks. “This is probably one of the saddest emails I have had to write of late,” he said in the email, which was obtained by ProPublica.

Polk wrote that Nicola Fox, an associate administrator at NASA, said at a meeting that an employee was confronted at a Starbucks by someone “because she was a federal employee.” The worker was working on her computer and was identified by her badge and a logo, he wrote.

Reached Saturday, Polk said the email was not intended for anyone outside NASA. He said he did not have additional details about the incident and declined to comment on it or on his email to staff, which did not name the employee. Fox declined to comment.

NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner said the agency was “hearing stories of possible harassment toward employees, but not assault,” the term used in the email.

“Our managers are hearing information thirdhand and using this as an opportunity to remind our teams to be mindful of their surroundings and to report any incidences to the Office of Protective Services,” she said.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

It was not clear where the incident took place.

The email was circulating among NASA employees, some of whom said they are concerned by the Trump administration’s rhetoric regarding government workers. The president, his advisers and his congressional allies have all sharpened their attacks on federal employees over the past week as the administration undertakes expansive efforts to reduce the size of the federal government

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who Trump named the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has been leading the way.

A week ago, he demanded federal employees respond to an email asking them to list five things they’d accomplished in the previous week — or be fired. “What he’s doing is saying ‘Are you actually working’?” Trump said.

On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said during a committee meeting that “federal employees do not deserve their jobs. Federal employees do not deserve their paychecks.”

And senior Trump officials on Wednesday sent out a memo on reducing the federal workforce that said, “The American people registered their verdict on the bloated, corrupt federal bureaucracy on November 5, 2024, by voting for President Trump and his promises to sweepingly reform the federal government.”

NASA sidestepped expected layoffs in February, but it is still losing personnel due to a buyout plan.

Polk urged his staff to stay vigilant.

“Be aware of your surroundings and keep good situational awareness and operational security,” he wrote. “Use caution when on the phone in public places, and ensure you are aware of those around you.”

If you’re a federal worker and you think you were harassed outside work as a result of your status as a government employee, ProPublica wants to hear from you. Contact our tips number on Signal at ‪917-512-0201‬. Here’s more detail on how to send us information securely.

There's bipartisan support for Missouri Senate Bill 822, it serves as an answer to the aggressive approach Kansas legislators are using.