SUMMARY: Two people were killed Thursday morning when a Hughes 369D helicopter struck transmission lines and crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River near Maple Island, east of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The barge caught fire, but no injuries were reported aboard. The victims were contractors working on tower lighting and marker balls for Ameren. Witness Adam Briggs said the helicopter was ferrying gear when it hit the lines. The river was closed after the lines fell into the water. Multiple Missouri and Illinois agencies responded. The NTSB will lead the investigation, which may take one to two years.

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The post 2 dead after helicopter crashes into Mississippi River barge north of St. Louis appeared first on www.ozarksfirst.com

SUMMARY: Today starts mild with no early storms despite expectations. Increasing summer-like heat and humidity will bring highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s through Saturday, with heat indices reaching 100-105°F. South winds will rise to 20-30 mph, keeping mornings warmer. Storm chances return Sunday into early next week due to a weak front possibly bringing 1-3 inches of rain. If no rain occurs today, temperatures may peak near 96°F, potentially one of the cooler summer highs. The tropics are becoming more active but currently pose no US coastal threat. Enjoy the warm weekend ahead.

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The post Joe's Blog: Heat builds with Sunday rain chances (THU-8/7) appeared first on fox4kc.com

SUMMARY: St. Louis County is experiencing a significant surge in whooping cough cases, with the CDC reporting double the number compared to last year. Public health officials attribute this rise to post-pandemic behaviors, as mask-wearing and staying home when sick declined, allowing respiratory illnesses to spread more easily. Whooping cough symptoms include severe coughing, especially worsening at night, which should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. Parents are urged to vaccinate their children and emphasize good hygiene practices, like frequent handwashing and using hand sanitizer, to help prevent the spread as students return to school.

With the school year starting, parents are working to protect their children from viral infections through vaccination.

One of the viruses going around is pertussis—better known as whooping cough.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported double the number of cases this time last year, showing a surge in cases as early as the beginning of summer. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health also reported cases surging through the last few months.

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