a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

X And Canada Fight Over Takedowns And They’re Both Wrong

3 months 1 week ago
A Canadian tribunal’s $72,000 fine against X for refusing to globally remove non-consensual intimate images (NCII) exposes a fundamental tension that courts have been dodging for years: When can one country order worldwide content takedowns, and when should platforms comply regardless of legal compulsion? Unfortunately, almost all the commentary on the case is ignoring those […]
Mike Masnick

St. Louis mayor's luncheon to focus on economic rebuilding

3 months 1 week ago
ST. LOUIS -- Mayor Cara Spencer and St. Louis business leaders will gather October 3 for the annual Mayor’s Business Luncheon, an event focused on the city’s economic growth and future development. The luncheon, held at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel, will bring together entrepreneurs, civic partners, and community members under the theme “Rebuilding [...]
Joe Millitzer

Jefferson County Bitcoin ‘Mine’ is Built But Some Residents are Worried

3 months 1 week ago

From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Off a quiet gravel road in Jefferson County sits a new mining facility that will use massive amounts of electricity to operate. It awaits one final step of governmental approval before it can begin working to earn digital cryptocurrency. “It’s ready to have the key turned on. It’s just sitting there,” […]

The post Jefferson County Bitcoin ‘Mine’ is Built But Some Residents are Worried appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance

Former Bank Of O'Fallon Executive Sentenced To More Than Five Years In Prison

3 months 1 week ago
EAST ST. LOUIS — A former executive of the Bank of O’Fallon was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a $2 million check kiting fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Andrew P. Blassie, 70, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,461,887.67 in restitution following his admission to one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of funds obtained by fraud. The sentencing took place in federal court in East St. Louis. Blassie, who served as the Executive Vice President at the Bank of O’Fallon, engaged in a scheme from September 2023 through September 2024 to inflate his personal checking account balance by depositing checks he knew were backed by non-sufficient funds, the U.S. Attorney said. The checks originated from four personal accounts at three banks and one credit union, according to the indictment. Duri

Continue Reading

DNA Confirms Identity Of Man Found In Mississippi River

3 months 1 week ago
MADISON COUNTY — Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich has identified a 20-year-old man from St. Charles, Mo., whose body was found in the Mississippi River near the Interstate 270 and Chain of Rocks Bridge construction site. Brendon L. Krill was discovered Monday morning, Aug. 11, 2025, by construction workers. Positive identification was confirmed through DNA testing, the coroner’s office said on Sept. 17. Krill had been reported missing after last being seen on June 14, 2025, on Island 522 along the Mississippi River, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol missing person alert. He was described as 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The alert noted a tattoo of the word “Relentless” on his left arm and that he was last seen wearing pink and green flamingo swim trunks. The final cause of death has not yet been determined, pending the results of a forensic autopsy and toxicology testing. Authorities from the Madison

Continue Reading

Mississippi Earthtones Festival Promises Art, Music, Conservation

3 months 1 week ago
ALTON - The 19th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival invites community members to enjoy a day of conservation, art, music and more on the riverfront. From 12–10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater, the festival will celebrate the Mississippi River with artist booths, live music, vendors and additional fun. The event, hosted by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club and Jacoby Arts Center, encourages people to come out and show their appreciation for the river. “We’re very committed to keeping this a free, family-friendly event for our community to celebrate the river,” said Sara McGibany. “We have 121 booths and exhibits this year, and we are just really excited to bring everybody down to the riverfront on Saturday.” McGibany and Christine Favilla noted that the festival has family-friendly activities until 6 p.m. Kids can complete 23 activities and fill out a passport for the chance to win a gift card to Funky Planet

Continue Reading

Developer Plans $51M Apartment Project at Boy Scouts Site in CWE

3 months 1 week ago

From St. Louis Business Journal: There’s a new plan for the Boy Scouts headquarters in the Central West End, after another firm dropped its project at the site earlier this year. Garrison Cos., a Mission Woods, Kansas-based developer, is pursuing a $51 million, four-story development at 4568 W. Pine St. The building, named Pinehouse, is […]

The post Developer Plans $51M Apartment Project at Boy Scouts Site in CWE appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance

FEMA Approves Private Property Debris Removal Support for St. Louis

3 months 1 week ago
ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer is proud to join Gov. Mike Kehoe in announcing that FEMA has approved additional assistance to support clearing debris from private properties in St. Louis following the May 16 tornado. For this mission, FEMA will provide an initial lump sum, in addition to the $100 million that the Missouri General Assembly has provided to the City of St. Louis for disaster relief, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible debris removal costs. The State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis will lead the private property debris removal efforts, with the State procuring a contractor to complete the work and the City obtaining right of entry from property owners before debris can be removed from private property. FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will support with on-the-ground technical assistance, oversight and best practices. “This is a big win for St. Louis and will help us quickly and effectively help St. Louisans get uninhabitable buildings

Continue Reading

Mt. Sinai Aims to Transform East St. Louis With Homes and Hope

3 months 1 week ago

From KSDK: The development arm of a local church believes they’ve found the secret to bringing people back to blighted communities by centering their approach around faith. At Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, they love celebrating success in the City of Champions. “There are good things happening in East St. Louis,” Dennis Jackson Sr. said. […]

The post Mt. Sinai Aims to Transform East St. Louis With Homes and Hope appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance

Gov. Pritzker Provides Keynote Remarks at the Quantum World Congress

3 months 1 week ago
TYSONS, VA – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined policymakers, researchers, industry executives, investors, and academics for the 2025 Quantum World Congress, a global exposition bringing together the world’s quantum leaders to set the agenda for the newest era in technological exploration and experimentation. The Governor offered keynote remarks, speaking to the state’s unprecedented efforts to build out quantum infrastructure in Illinois—the future quantum capital of the world. “The Quantum World Congress is an opportunity for the brightest minds in the field to chart the course toward realizing an exciting vision for our quantum future,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Quantum has the potential to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges, create billions of dollars in economic value, and fundamentally change the future of society. Innovation at this pace and scale will require a truly global effort, and events like the Quantum World

Continue Reading

Madison County: Eastbound I-270 Lane Closures Begin Sept. 19  

3 months 1 week ago
GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. One lane will remain open. All lanes are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

Continue Reading

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Unveils State-of-the-Art Patient Care Tower

3 months 1 week ago
ST. LOUIS – Plaza West Tower, the new 16-story patient care tower at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, will welcome patients beginning in October. The tower will provide private rooms for heart and vascular patients, advanced imaging, and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery. Plaza West Tower is designed to enhance the experience for patients and their families under the expert care of WashU Medicine physicians and BJC HealthCare clinical teams. As a major referral center in the Midwest, and the fifth largest hospital in the country, Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides advanced care for patients with complex conditions, making facilities like the Plaza West Tower vital. Internationally recognized WashU Medicine physicians lead this effort, driving innovation through clinical expertise, pioneering new therapies and advancing research that shapes the future of care. Together BJH and WashU also play a significant role in training the next generation of health care professionals.

Continue Reading

JeffCo County Executive Reveals 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan

3 months 1 week ago

From Leader Publications: County Executive Dennis Gannon released his office’s list of priority capital improvement projects for the next five years, 2026-2030, including some big-ticket items like a new athletic center and, potentially, a new county courthouse. The Jefferson County Council narrowly approved the Jefferson County Capital Program and Strategic Plan by a 4-3 vote […]

The post JeffCo County Executive Reveals 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance

Engineering in Plain Sight: A Book That Makes You See Things Differently

3 months 1 week ago

From Bob Clark Beyond: Every once in a while, a book comes across your desk. It’s mentioned in a quiet conversation with someone you respect. And it makes you stop and look at the world a little differently. Engineering in Plain Sight by Grady Hillhouse is one of those books. Infrastructure, Made Simple This illustrated […]

The post Engineering in Plain Sight: A Book That Makes You See Things Differently appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance