We know that you listen to us on air and check our website for news and information about our region. We hope that you look at our website every day, but we know that's not always possible. So, once a week, on Friday, we will highlight some of the website's top stories of the week.
Black, white and gray
For Some, Dooley's Comments On Race, Corruption Hit A Nerve
When St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley’s political adversaries used a subcontract for the county’s police lab as campaign fodder, the Democratic official saw it as more than just a run-of-the-mill attack. Dooley said the attacks were part of a racially motivated effort to make him look corrupt – a tactic he said is an effective way to discredit black politicians.
Faith and charity
Religious Groups Share Common Goal: Assisting Immigrants
St. Louis is a city built on immigration – from the early French settlers, to the Germans and Irish in the 1800s, to the more modern immigration of Bosnians and Southeast Asians. While St. Louis has experienced numerous waves of immigration, the welcome extended by existing religious groups to new immigrants has remained fairly consistent throughout St. Louis' 250 year history.
American Nuns Get Christmas Card From The Vatican; Cautious Optimism Here
In its long-awaited report, the Vatican gave U.S. Catholic sisters a benediction. The Vatican is “committed to collaborate in the realization of Pope Francis’ resolve that the ‘feminine genius’ find expression where important church decisions are made.” Although many local leaders were cautious, their responses were a long way from the apprehension expressed when the investigation began six years ago.
Change agents
Challenges Face Project Documenting Protests in Ferguson
A blend of technological, circumstantial and social issues face archivists and documentarians who are trying to preserve the events of the past five months in Ferguson. How to handle social media is one of the major issues: Social media sources are great for creating content but function poorly as trustworthy vaults for preserved documentation. Moreover, there are still debates about who owns digital imagery or video.
Ferguson Commission Eyes Overhaul Of Region's Municipal Courts
Since the unrest in Ferguson began in early August, curbing the power of municipal courts has become a focal point for policymakers from across the political spectrum. But at Monday’s meeting of the Ferguson Commission at St. Louis University’s Il Monastero, Maryland Heights resident Dan Hyatt brought the issue home. The IT professional told commissioners how he was put in jail in Breckenridge Hills for three hours after a disagreement over whether he stopped at a stop sign. He said it was a galvanizing experience.
Looking ahead
Vandeven Chosen As Missouri's Next Education Commissioner
Margie Vandeven may be Missouri’s new commissioner for elementary and secondary education, but she’ll enter the job at the first of the year concentrating on some old problems. One of them is working for changes in Missouri’s student transfer law, to help protect the budgets of districts whose students are eligible to leave.
Looking back
Alderwoman Reflects On Ward Changes, Challenges
Phyllis Young, the city’s longest-serving alderman, resigned on Dec. 12. Young, a Democrat, represented the 7th Ward, which includes parts of downtown and Soulard, for 29 years. Looking back on her tenure, Young said she’s most proud of the renovation of the St. Louis Public Library.
Arch rivals
How Would You Re-Draw The Arch? STL Arts Professionals Reimagine The Riverfront
As St. Louis celebrates its 250th birthday, we asked visual artists and others who work in the arts how they would reimagine the Arch. Many began by praising St. Louis’ iconic sculpture, calling it a fitting and beautiful representation of the city. Then the wheels began to turn as they pictured something different. Maybe an actual gate? What about a giant canvas? Or a statue of a famous St. Louis-born musician? Listen to the story's audio clips where thy talk about their ideas for a new kind of symbol on the riverfront.
