Special Education Oversight: Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has begun a performance audit of the Special School District of St. Louis County, citing concerns about care for students with disabilities and major financial strain, including a possible $83 million deficit and a district-wide salary freeze. Local Government & Infrastructure: Sedalia’s Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant is drawing scrutiny after officials warned that much of the aging equipment is beyond its intended service life, driving costly breakdowns and repairs. Public Safety & Courts: A Missouri appeals court upheld denial of a Grandview officer’s knee-replacement costs tied to a 2016 on-duty injury, narrowing disability findings. State Politics & Economy: Sen. Josh Hawley is pushing a federal tax bill aimed at limiting Opportunity Zone benefits for data centers, arguing big tech is using tax breaks to build projects on farmland. Business & Community Development: Belton is reviewing a major “Uptown” plan that could bring a large B&B Theatres entertainment hub, hundreds of apartments, and up to $250 million in private investment. Workplace & Culture: St. Louis-based PEG Staffing & Recruiting is expanding its focus on AI transformation talent, while BugBros Pest Control was named #1 small employer in its industry workplace ranking.