Rain makes the world smell better—and that scent can change your mood in minutes. The “fresh” smell after a shower isn’t just clean air. It’s a mix of plant oils, ozone, and a compound from soil bacteria called geosmin. Your nose is unusually good at detecting it, even in tiny amounts. That one sensory detail hints at a bigger truth: rain doesn’t just fall on us. It pushes buttons in the brain that link safety, memory, comfort, and attention. More than water:
On March 13, 1996, a mass shooting at Dunblane Primary School in Scotland killed 16 children and a teacher and injured others. It was one of the deadliest attacks on a school in modern British history. At the time, the event shocked communities far beyond the United Kingdom because it struck a place widely seen as safe and ordinary: an elementary school gym. It still matters today because it reshaped public debate about firearm access, prompted major changes to gun laws in Great Britain, and
Missouri lawmakers signed off on proposed cannabis rules Thursday meant to curb abuse in the state’s microbusiness licensing program, but not before stripping out a ban on people tied to denied or revoked licenses from holding interests in future microbusinesses. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, made up of lawmakers from both the House and […]
Last election season, you might recall how the Trump campaign lied to everyone repeatedly about how his second administration would “rein in big tech,” and be a natural extension of the Lina Khan antitrust movement. As we noted at the time, that was always an obvious fake populist lie, but it was propped up anyway […]
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police are warning residents and businesses about fraudulent letters being emailed in the community that claim to come from a city planning commission and seek payments for various fees. The Fairview Heights Police Department said it “has been made aware of fraudulent letters being emailed to residents and businesses claiming to be from the ‘City of Fairview Heights Planning Commission.’” Fairview Heights Police said th
The Missouri House gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would change the classifications of and punishments for juvenile offenders and mandate more time served before any felon is eligible for parole. Sponsored by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, the bill would classify older juveniles who commit crimes as adults and […]
The Missouri House approved legislation Thursday aimed at cracking down on sex trafficking and sexual exploitation while shifting punishment away from survivors and giving first responders more training to identify and prevent the crimes. The bill would increase penalties for distributing sexual images without consent, clarify that predatory conduct toward minors can be prosecuted even […]
Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting marks Laumeier’s 50th anniversary by celebrating five decades of artist commissions and exhibitions. Featuring hundreds of artists and rarely seen works from Laumeier’s collection, […]
The 57th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, with an expected attendance of 250,000 spectators and a 48th annual St. Patrick's Day Run taking place beforehand.
The Illinois State Police conducted approximately 1,000 firearm enforcement details last year, resulting in over 4,900 individuals complying with state gun laws and the removal of over 3,200 firearms from individuals legally prohibited from possessing them.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hosting a Community Alliance Program in Weldon Spring on Saturday, offering the public an exclusive look into the training and operations of their elite units, including criminal investigations, SWAT operations, and the K-Nine unit.
Diving in to the (latest) pitch to merge St. Louis to dig out of a financial pit, to eliminate the income tax in Missouri, and the big game for St. Louis University Basketball. Plus, a conversation with comedian Samantha Bee ahead of her local show.
For the second time this year, the Trump administration is trying to at least delay another legal attempt to curb access to medication abortion. The U.S. Department of Justice late Friday afternoon asked a federal court in Missouri to either pause or dismiss a lawsuit over the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision last year to approve […]
In 2024, I competed with Dr. George Hruza for a seat in Missouri’s House of Representatives. It was a spirited race and the closest this West St. Louis County district has seen. He and I mutually agreed not to sink to the level of personal attacks and, while I was not the winner, I feel […]
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - As residents prepare to travel for spring break, the St. Louis County Police Department is offering to check on homes while residents are away. The department offers the "Vacation Inspection Program," which features officers making daily checks on homes while residents are on vacation. To sign up for the program, [...]
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