The Associated Press recently surveyed a group of Missouri print and broadcast news editors and named the top news story of 2010: The November defeat of longtime 4th District Congressman, Ike Skelton. But since the end of December is nothing if not a time for thoughtful chin stroking and list-making, we decided to gather a panel of experts and come up with a list of the year’s biggest news—St. Louis on the Air style.
Margie Frievogel , a founder and editor of the St. Louis Beacon, Dave Robertson, Professor of Political Science here at The University of Missouri- St. Louis, and Eddie Roth, editorial writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch gathered in our studio yesterday to help us identify the stories from 2010 that will have the most impact on the future of the region.
Margie and Dave agreed that the ongoing economic crisis and state budget woes overshadowed all the other news from 2010, a year with an overriding theme: What can we do with reduced resources?
Eddie, on the other hand, looked beyond 2010 to call the passage of the half cent sales tax back in April, “the most significant political development” of his adult life. According to Eddie, the tax, which will raise more than $75 million a year, “resurrected Metro,” and “showed the capacity of this community to do big things in tough times.”
Other stories that will have lasting impact:
- Progress on development of the Arch grounds
- Retirement of Senator Kit Bond
- The impeachment and trial of former Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich
- Spending on political campaigns (Rex Sinquefield and the passage of Prop A) and (Citizens United v. The Federal Election Commission)
- The passage of Proposition C in August, called the first major test of the health care overhaul
Download the entire discussion for the nitty gritty, and let us know: What will you remember from 2010? Tweet us @stlonair or email us at talk@stlpublicradio.org.
