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On August 8, 2023, United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited St. Louis to tout the Biden administration’s clean energy plan. As part of her visit, she attended a groundbreaking event for ICL, a specialty minerals company that received a $197 million grant from the DOE to build a battery materials plant on its existing campus in South St. Louis. The plant is expected to create 150 new jobs and hundreds of construction jobs.

In her remarks at the groundbreaking event, Granholm said that the plant is a “critical step” in the Biden administration’s plan to make the United States a leader in the clean energy economy. She also said that the plant will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create good-paying jobs in St. Louis.

Granholm also visited the Weldon Spring Interpretive Center, which is located near the site of a former uranium processing plant. The plant was used to produce uranium for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War. Granholm said that the Biden administration is committed to cleaning up the site and providing compensation to the residents who were affected by the plant’s operations.

In addition to her visit to St. Louis, Granholm also visited the Quad Cities in Iowa on August 8. In the Quad Cities, she announced a $1.3 billion investment in clean energy projects, including a new wind farm and a solar panel manufacturing plant.

Granholm’s visit to St. Louis and the Quad Cities was part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to promote clean energy and create jobs in the Midwest. The administration is hoping to make the Midwest a leader in the clean energy economy, and it is investing billions of dollars in clean energy projects in the region.

Here are some additional details about the ICL battery materials plant:

• The plant is expected to be operational by 2025.
• It will produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are a type of lithium-ion battery that is used in electric vehicles.
• The plant is expected to create 150 new jobs and hundreds of construction jobs.
• The plant is receiving a $197 million grant from the DOE.

The plant is a significant investment in the clean energy economy and it is expected to create good-paying jobs in St. Louis. The Biden administration is committed to making the United States a leader in the clean energy economy, and this plant is a step in the right direction.

According to the St. Louis Continuum of Care (CoC), St. Louis City and County donated a total of $28.2 million for 1,300 homeless in 2023 which makes it around $23,000 a year for each homeless person. But the homeless never really see any of this money, because if they did, they would be living better than most of us. But where is the money going? Who’s getting it and what are they doing with it?

Here are some organizations in St. Louis receiving the funds worth $28.2 million:

• The St. Patrick Center: This organization provides a variety of services to people experiencing homelessness, including food, shelter, and job training.
• The Salvation Army: This organization provides a variety of services to people in need, including food, shelter, and clothing.
• The United Way of Greater St. Louis: This organization supports a variety of programs that help people in need, including homelessness prevention and re-housing services.
• The Hopewell Housing Development Corporation: This organization provides affordable housing to people who have experienced homelessness.
• The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association: This organization provides resources and support to businesses in the St. Louis area, and also supports programs that help people who are experiencing homelessness.

Black algae can weaken a train bridge. Black algae is a type of bacteria that can grow on wet surfaces, such as the underside of a train bridge. As the algae grows, it can form a thick, slimy layer that can trap water and debris. This can increase the weight on the bridge and weaken the structure. In severe cases, the algae can even cause the bridge to collapse.

In 2009, a train bridge in Minnesota collapsed due to black algae. The bridge was carrying a trainload of grain when it gave way, sending the train into the river below. There were no injuries, but the collapse caused millions of dollars in damage.

To prevent black algae from weakening a train bridge, it is important to regularly inspect the bridge for signs of algae growth. If algae is found, it should be removed immediately. There are a number of methods that can be used to remove black algae, including physical removal, chemical treatment, and biological treatment.

Here are some of the dangers of black algae:

• It can weaken structures, such as train bridges.
• It can harbor harmful bacteria, such as E. coli.
• It can produce toxins that can make people sick.
• It can be unsightly and make water bodies unfit for swimming or fishing.

If you see black algae growing on a train bridge or other structure, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities.

Jazz legend Marvin F. Cockrell and Focus is having their 17th Annual Smooth Jazz Concert with special guest Giulia Lorezoni 4tet from Rome. They will be playing at The Sheldon on August 12, in St. Louis, MO. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Music Focus LLC scholarship fund to award local instrumental and vocal music students. Tickets at marvinfcockrell.com.

Recently Marvin played in Rome, Italy, where he met and performed with Giulia Lorezoni, a multifaceted artist, jazz singer/songwriter who is active in the European jazz scene. The two found a jazz connection and developed a universal friendship. Giulia Lorezoni 4tet (Vocals – Giulia Lorenzoni Piano -Tobias Nicoletti; Double Bass – Giuseppe Civiletti; and Drums – Gianluca Costa) will be featured live on stage at this year’s smooth jazz concert.

Marvin is a musical architect, composer, and gifted keyboard artist who has reached the pinnacle of the smooth jazz genre. His music is hot, powerful, full of energy, yet smooth, and truly epitomizes what original smooth jazz should be.

Marvin has showcased his compositional prowess on each of his four CDs: Stepping Stones, HEAT, I’m Cool, Red Hot Smooth Jazz and on two hit video music productions: “St. Louis Bounce” and “Our World”. True to his beliefs that music is a universal language that transcends all cultural and lingual barriers connecting generations and touching the hearts and emotions of people worldwide, Marvin began performing abroad.

VIP tickets are $75 (reserved seating) and include pre-show reception: artist meet and greet, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and gift bag. General Admission tickets are $50. Tickets at marvinfcockrell.com.

MUSIC FOCUS BAND NAMES
Marvin F. Cockrell – Keyboards, Pianist, Composer
Dr. Maurya Cockrell – Keyboards & Vocals
Carl Watkins – Guitar
Steve Johnston – Guitar
Andrew Bethany – Drummer
Richard Wade – Keyboards
John King – Bass
Art Pollard – Saxophone
Kaden Thomas – Trombone
Kasimu Taylor – Trumpet
Patrice LaVon – Vocals
Darryl Gerdine – Vocals
Tobie Taylor-Hudson – Vocals

Unsheltered homelessness in St. Louis increased by 38%, from 877 in 2014 to 1,214 in 2018 according to a study done by the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

The increase in homelessness in St. Louis is likely due to a number of factors, including the rising cost of housing, the lack of affordable housing, and the shortage of mental health and addiction treatment services.

The study also found that there is a significant racial disparity in homelessness in St. Louis, with Black people being much more likely to experience homelessness than white people.

The increase in homelessness in St. Louis is a serious problem, and it is important to address the factors that are contributing to this trend. This includes providing more affordable housing, expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment services, and addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty and unemployment.

If St. Louis County approves the incentives, Boeing would save an estimated $10.8 million per year in real and personal property taxes over 10 years. This amounts to a total tax savings of $108 million over the 10-year period.

The incentives would be in the form of a tax abatement, which means that Boeing would not have to pay taxes on half of the project’s value. The county would still collect taxes on the other half of the project.

The incentives are being offered in an effort to attract Boeing to St. Louis County. Boeing is considering building a new plant in the county, which would create thousands of jobs. The county estimates that the plant would generate $10 billion in economic activity over 20 years.

The incentives have been met with some criticism, with some people arguing that they are too generous. However, the county argues that the incentives are necessary to compete with other states that are also offering incentives to attract Boeing.

There are a variety of people and entities who pay taxes in St. Louis County. These include:

• Property owners: Property owners pay property taxes on the value of their homes, businesses, and other real estate.
• Residents: Residents pay sales taxes on most goods and services they purchase.
• Businesses: Businesses pay sales taxes on the goods and services they sell, as well as a variety of other taxes, such as income taxes, payroll taxes, and franchise taxes.
• Employers: Employers pay unemployment insurance taxes, workers’ compensation taxes, and other taxes on behalf of their employees.
• Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations may be exempt from some taxes, but they may also be required to pay others, such as sales taxes and property taxes.