Good morning, St. Louis. Today's newsletter brings updates on the Boeing machinists strike in St. Louis County, ongoing contract negotiations, and how the labor action is affecting local aerospace production lines.

MAIN STORY

Boeing Machinists Strike Enters Second Week

Boeing aerospace workers continued their strike for a second week, rallying outside the company’s offices in St. Louis County on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 picketed north of the airport over stalled contract negotiations.

Dozens of machinists participated, citing disputes about wages and benefits as the primary reasons for their walkout. Some workers said the aerospace firm is not offering what they consider a fair agreement, while Boeing has stated efforts are underway to resolve the labor action. The strike’s impact has included delays on certain production lines, but Boeing has not disclosed specific numbers.

Union representatives said talks with the company are ongoing but have not reached a resolution. For historical perspective, Boeing workers previously staged a major walkout in 1996. Read more on the Boeing machinists strike.

AROUND TOWN

Comptroller Donna Baringer has called for an investigation after paychecks were issued to her predecessor, Darlene Green, post-tenure. City emails show a St. Louis employee warned against Green returning to the municipal payroll following her departure in early 2023. The mayor’s office has not publicly commented, while past oversight has sparked similar concerns regarding payroll practices. An official review could lead to broader scrutiny over financial controls in the comptroller’s office. For more, see the full report on city payroll questions.

Missouri farmers are capitalizing on wagyu beef’s rising popularity and high prices by expanding local production. A prime Japanese wagyu rib roast can fetch $1,215 online, while American-raised wagyu averages $14 to $120 per pound, still far above standard beef. While only a fraction of Missouri’s 51 wagyu farms have full-blooded Japanese cattle, most crossbreed with Angus to meet growing U.S. demand. Farms like Douglas Wagyu Cattle Co. and Hiroshi Ranch emphasize meticulous feeding and humane practices to achieve premium quality, mirroring Japanese standards. Learn more about Missouri’s wagyu operations in this local agriculture feature.

Comptroller Donna Baringer is demanding an investigation after emails showed St. Louis nearly rehired ex-comptroller Darlene Green. Internal city emails reveal a warning by staff against Green’s return to the payroll following her departure. Baringer called these payments improper, raising questions about internal oversight and the city’s management of public salaries. Green, previously in office since 1995, has not commented. City officials have yet to announce any formal probe, but further review appears likely; see details.

ALSO READ

Foodies Eat First Fest Debuts

Downtown St. Louis will host its inaugural Foodies Eat First Fest on August 16-17 at Trust, 401 Pine Street. Braden Tewolde (@BradenSTL) organized the event to showcase area favorites and bring NYC’s Katz’s Deli to the Midwest.

The festival coincides with the Yankees-Cardinals series, giving baseball fans a new dining option before or after games. DoorDash will partner with the event for convenient ordering. For more details about the festival and to see what’s planned, visit the event announcement.

QUICK HITS

Washington University School of Medicine researchers developed an AI software, Prognosia Breast, that analyzes mammograms for five-year breast cancer risk and recently earned a breakthrough device designation from the Food and Drug Administration, moving toward full market approval.

St. Louis commuters can expect Kingshighway construction to last until mid-October as the city uses $46 million in pandemic relief funds to repave, add medians, upgrade bike lanes, and improve safety along the nine-mile corridor.

Heavy rains in St. Louis caused flash flooding Sunday, closing eastbound I-70 in North City and damaging homes near Tucker Avenue, which the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District called a 500-year storm event.

St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is selling public tickets for the “Hate Ends Now” cattle car exhibit, running Sept. 10–14, with limited capacity and no walk-up sales available.