With all the interest in anything green, thanks in large part to rising fuel costs, venture capitalists are  looking more closely at companies specializing in "clean tech" -- technology aimed at developing alternative energy, reducing pollution or promoting conservation. It's an area in which some St. Louis companies are getting more involved.

St. Louis-based A.G. Edwards, now part of Wachovia, is a bright spot in the company's otherwise bleak financial picture. Despite speculation that the brokerage business might be sold to raise money, most analysts say Wachovia would be smarter to keep it.

Updated at 3:27 p.m., July 23 - The new Ballpark Village plan will have to go back to the city and state for approval. The residential component is close to being gone. But also disappearing is the hole in the ground that is the future village. Some details were made public in a press release Wednesday. (Photo by Rachel Heidenry | The Beacon)

Posted Tuesday, Updated 1:30 p.m.: The beleaguered banking giant Wachovia Corp. cut its dividend to near invisibility Tuesday as it posted a record second-quarter loss and said it would fire 6,350 workers. It also will eliminate 4,400 open positions and contractors. However, thanks in part to its acquisition of St. Louis brokerage A.G. Edwards last year, one bright spot in Wachovia's financial picture was its brokerage business.

Next month, Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters start negotiations on a new contract to replace the one that expires in Februrary. With the looming merger of InBev plus the overall weak economy, management and labor are both asking themselves: Is it in our best interest to play ball -- or to delay?

Are there any changes to the Arch grounds that would have improved your visit to the Arch today?

We posed that question to visitors at the Gateway Arch on the St. Louis riverfront Friday. And their responses flowed faster than the now receding Mississippi flood waters. Suggestions ranged from better parking and concessions to improved accessibility for the disabled and parents pushing strollers.

On the other hand, several visitors said to leave the grounds just as they are.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says the giant bank and investment firm "had not fully complied" requests for data about its handling of a type of securities that has caused some people's assets to be frozen, so she sends a team of inspectors into the headquarters of the securities brokerage unit.

Documents filed Wednesday reveal some details of InBev's agreement to buy Anheuser-Busch. 360 key A-B employees could get retention bonuses if the company meets cost-cutting targets. Busch Stadium's name and the Clydesdales will remain. Philanthropic support will continue. Some wiggle room appeared in the promise to keep all 12 breweries open.

Three former Ford workers took different paths to reworking their lives after the Hazelwood plant closed. They tell their stories and advise the Chrysler workers to stay positive and move on. (Photo from Chrysler of the Town & Country minivan)