New in the Lou: We're back!

Welcome back to New in the Lou! Big shoutout to all the new folks who signed up – appreciate you jumping on board. Thought we might be a one-hit wonder? Think again. And to our first subscribers, you’re officially the OGs of this thing. Extra points to those who shared! Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get into what’s happening this week!

WEATHER AND SPORTS

AROUND TOWN
Hazy Days: Wildfire smoke makes its way to STL

If you’ve noticed the hazy sky over St. Louis lately, rest assured it’s not due to last year’s cannabis legalization. The smoke tinging our skies is actually drifting in from wildfires raging in Canada and the northwestern United States, particularly in Oregon.

These wildfires are fueled by record-breaking dry conditions and a lack of rain. Many have been ignited by lightning from thunderstorms, while others are unfortunately man-made. According to meteorologist Stephen Parker with the National Weather Service, some fires are so intense that they create their own weather. “That can happen when a fire becomes plume-dominated,” Parker explained. “It’s like a thunderstorm on top of the fire, generated by the heat of the fire.” These pyrocumulus clouds allow smoke and ash to travel much higher into the atmosphere than usual. If there’s enough moisture, these clouds can even produce rain and lightning, potentially sparking new fires.

How does this smoke reach St. Louis? The jet stream, flowing from west to east, carries the smoke across the continent, bringing the effects of distant fires right to our doorstep. While we’re not directly in the line of fire, we’re certainly feeling its effects.

The wildfire smoke, combined with higher-than-normal low-level ozone and stagnant air trapping pollution, may cause your air purifiers to work overtime (if you don’t have one, it might be a good time to invest—they’re also great for when you accidentally burn your salmon fillets on the stovetop). Those sensitive to poor air quality, as well as young children, might want to spend more time indoors this weekend.

Remember that Rams settlement cash?

Is there a record for the longest time it takes to spend $250M? St. Louis city leaders might be thinking, “Hold my beer…”

In November 2022, St. Louis County ($169M), St. Louis City ($280M), and the Regional Convention and Sports Authority ($70M) agreed to split a historic $519M settlement from the NFL and Rams’ owner Stan Kroenke (FSK) for relocating the Rams from St. Louis to LA in 2016, violating the league’s own relocation policy.

And the survey says?! And since no elected official in the city wants to be on the hook for blowing the money, it was put to a vote via a survey of STL residents back in February of this year. The top 6 ideas identified by STL residents and to be heard in public hearings were:

1. Replace water mains

2. Increase wages and salaries for city employees

3. Establish a revolving loan fund

4. Free or subsidized childcare for residents

5. Traffic calming and pedestrian friendly street design

6. Improve downtown sidewalks and street infrastructure

The 6th most voted, but the idea with the biggest spotlight on it currently? Investing in downtown infrastructure. Greater St. Louis Inc., guided by a cast of local presidents and CEOs from companies including Ameren, Enterprise, Nestle, and Schnucks, sent a letter to the city calling them out for holding public hearings on all of the ideas except for investments in downtown infrastructure. And while there aren’t as many city residents living downtown compared to other parts of the city, maybe downtown is being left out? The letter from Greater St. Louis Inc. goes on to say,

The criticism worked: a public hearing on downtown infrastructure is scheduled for October 8th. Adding to the urgency, Stifel CEO Ron Kruszewski warned in an interview:

Time will tell how the money is ultimately spent. But, hopefully not… too much time. It won’t be long before you’ll need an off-road vehicle to drive down Kingshighway.

WEEKEND WONDERS
What to do this week

Thursday

🐶 Puppies Night Out at Bar K: Got a new puppy? Or not? Either way, Puppies’ Night Out at the Small Dog Park every Thursday is a blast, with lots of pups to play with and adult drink specials. Plus, puppies aged 3-9 months get half off entry! 

🌻 Sunflowers at Sunset at Eckerts: Looking for the perfect date night this weekend? Head to the farm for an evening session where you can explore a 2-acre sunflower field, pick a bloom, and enjoy a flight of hard ciders with live music. Your reservation includes a cocktail, cider flight, and a snack. Must be 21+ to attend.

Friday

🚜 Tractor Pulls at the St. Charles County Fair: Got those cowboy boots from the Taylor Swift concert still itching for a second outing? Dust them off and head to the St. Charles County Fair this Friday for the annual tractor pulls. It’s a boot-stompin’ good time with plenty of horsepower to keep you entertained!

🥇 Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party at 9 Mile Garden: Got a half-day Friday? Swing by 9 Mile Garden at 12:30 PM for the Olympic opening ceremony on their big screen. Grab a cold brew and food truck fare—because while the athletes train for gold, you’re training for this summer’s beer olympics hosted in your neighbors garage.

Saturday

🤓 GeekCraft Expo at WebsterU: Dive into GeekCraft Expo, where geeky artisans showcase their handmade creations in cities across the U.S. It’s the perfect place to find nerdy treasures—because, as any Jedi knows, the Force of creativity flows strongest in nerds!

⚾️ Vintage Baseball at Forest Park: Step back in time this Saturday with vintage baseball games in Forest Park, where teams play by 1860s rules. Watch players in period-accurate uniforms and witness the charm of baseball as it was played over a century ago. Come cheer on your St. Louis Brown Stockings as they take the field at 9am in Forest Park.

Sunday

🤠 Luke Bryan at Riverport: Head to the Luke Bryan concert for a night of country hits and unforgettable tunes. It’s your chance to “kick the dust up” and “drink a beer” with a crowd ready to sing along to every line—don’t miss out on the fun!

ARCHWAY ARCADE
Poll question of the week

Winner of last week’s poll question:

Most readers agree— South County starts at River Des Peres and Watson.

Did you know?

Ste. Genevieve uses “Ste.” instead of “St.” as an abbreviation for “Saint” because the town is named after a female saint, Sainte Geneviève. This French practice includes the “e” on the end of “Saint” to distinguish female saints, reflecting the town’s historical and linguistic heritage.

Trivia

Which Native American chief is buried under the Stadium East Parking Garage next to Busch Stadium? answer below

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Trivia Answer: Chief Pontiac was killed near Cahokia in 1769 and buried in St. Louis. His burial there is likely due to the region being under French control at the time, as the Ottawas had strong ties with the French. This relationship probably influenced the choice of his final resting place.