The Record
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Top stories
WashU poll: St. Louisans largely unaware of deadly opioids in school wastewater
Nearly 70% of Missouri schools tested showed traces of potent synthetic opioids, as a new iHeard poll finds most St. Louis residents are unaware of the threat.
A welcome instance of hope
Evidence from a small island in Indonesia points to the successful elimination of a parasitic worm that causes a devastating tropical disease.
Board grants faculty promotions, tenure
At the WashU Board of Trustees meeting March 6, dozens of faculty members were promoted or granted tenure, with most taking effect July 1.
Events
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APR 8 |
WashU Giving Day9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 Our fourth annual WashU Giving Day is April 8, 2026. During this 24-hour fundraising blitz, we’ll celebrate the countless reasons to love and support WashU! Contributions of all sizes will count toward our goal of 2,500 donors. Visit the information tables across the Danforth and Medical campuses to learn more and participate. |
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APR 9 |
Public Tour: “Exploring Narratives of Self and Other”4–6 p.m. Thursday, April 9 Join the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education for a tour of the Kemper Art Museum that will consider stories told or imagined through artworks on view, and how they intersect with visitors’ own stories. |
WashU in the News
America Has a Helium Problem
Newsweek
Kansas City audited The Star’s coverage for bias. Mayor denies ordering it
Kansas City Star
FBI warns of rise in ATM jackpotting, costing banks $20 million last year
KMOV-TV
Campus and community news
Robots learn by imitating other robots
A multi-institutional team, including Chongjie Zhang at WashU McKelvey Engineering, developed a new method that enables robots to achieve intentions shown by their peers.
Perspectives
Opinion: St. Louis County jail’s success is challenged by new issues
Despite major improvements and strong leadership at the St. Louis County Justice Services Department since 2019, writes Timothy McBride, the Bernard Becker Professor in the School of Public Health, rising jail populations, staffing shortages, court system bottlenecks and an aging facility now threaten to undermine its progress without greater county support and investment.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch