Today: FBI expands its St. Louis presence to fight crime; the rare brain-eating amoeba fatality at Lake of the Ozarks; NASCAR brings a playoff race to Illinois in 2026; volunteers clean up Francis Howell School; Anchovy Book Co. spotlights cookbooks; mold closes Cold Water Elementary; and more local headlines.

MAIN STORY

Amoeba-Related Death at Ozarks

A man who contracted a rare brain-eating amoeba after waterskiing in Lake of the Ozarks during the first week of August has died, health officials confirmed this week.

The microscopic organism, Naegleria fowleri, is typically found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. An independent laboratory tested the lake water following the case and confirmed it is safe for recreational use. Infections from Naegleria fowleri are sporadic but are almost always fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials encourage residents and tourists to remain cautious when swimming in untreated freshwater during the hot summer months. For more details, read the full report.

AROUND TOWN

NASCAR will return to World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for the 2026 playoff race. Organizers confirmed Wednesday that the track, hosting for a fifth consecutive year, will feature the second Cup Series playoff race on Sept. 13, 2026, alongside the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular-season finale and the Confluence Music Festival. Ticket sale windows for returning and new fans open later this fall.

Anchovy Book Co. has quickly become the Midwest’s first cookbook-only bookshop, thriving in St. Louis since November. Founders Stephanie McKinney and Sara Johnson launched the 6-foot-wide Cherokee Street store after starting with a mobile “Vanchovy” van. Anchovy engages the local community with vintage and new cookbooks, monthly dinner clubs, and cooking events. Industry data shows cookbook sales grew 8% annually from 2010 to 2020, reflecting ongoing demand for print recipes and culinary connections. Anchovy’s offerings, including an online subscription and events, attract both novice and experienced cooks, with supporters citing its role in fostering community and supporting independent business.

Mold concerns have delayed the start of the school year at Cold Water Elementary in Hazelwood. Air quality tests on Aug. 11 detected elevated Aspergillus/Penicillium spores in multiple rooms, prompting ongoing remediation and retesting efforts. District officials announced the school will likely remain closed until Aug. 25 as they prioritize student and staff safety. According to experts, detected mold types pose a limited risk to healthy individuals, and no harmful black mold was found. Read more on Hazelwood School District’s closure.

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FBI to Expand in St. Louis

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday a significant boost in FBI staffing across the St. Louis area, calling it the largest per capita increase of agents and intelligence personnel nationwide.

Officials did not disclose specific figures, but said the added resources aim to combat violent crime and support local law enforcement. The FBI's permanent investment will include more joint agency operations. The announcement comes as Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey prepares to leave office to serve as co-deputy FBI director. Read more about the FBI expansion.

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Volunteers Clean Up Francis Howell School

Staff, parents, and community members gathered at Henderson Elementary to help clean up the school before classes resume Monday in the Francis Howell School District. Volunteers assisted teachers as they prepared classrooms for the upcoming school year.

This community effort follows broader concerns about changes in the district, including a state audit and ongoing adjustments in St. Louis area schools. For more on the cleanup and district updates, read additional coverage on Henderson Elementary and Francis Howell’s preparations. Readers can join the Chalk Talk Facebook group to discuss local education issues.

QUICK HITS

Climate scientists and local experts discuss whether climate change is affecting flooding frequency in the St. Louis region, highlighting complex data and multiple influences without definitive conclusions.

City of St. Louis Community Development Administration is soliciting bids by September 10, 2025, for contractors to rehabilitate 16 commercial facades citywide as part of a federal Community Development Block Grant program.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will launch its 146th season and commemorate the 57th anniversary of its Forest Park concert tradition with a free community event on September 17, 2025, featuring classical, American, and film music, plus fireworks.

Stefanina’s Restaurant in Wentzville is warning customers that inaccurate Google AI search results are promoting nonexistent specials, causing confusion and frustration for both patrons and staff.

Metropolitan Sewer District’s Project Clear offered a rare media tour of the historic, 10,000-mile underground sewer tunnels beneath Forest Park, which trace their origins to the River Des Peres project linked to the 1904 World’s Fair.