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.
Our town
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that St. Louis is marking its 250th birthday this year. Throughout the year, we'll be looking at our history and the various ways St. Louis is celebrating this milestone.
STL250 Cakes Are Popping Up All Over
Got cake? If your area is slated to get one of the celebratory STL250 cakes, but you haven’t seen it yet, never fear. The sweetness is on its way. Local artists talk about what inspired them to decorate their cakes.
Efforts Underway To Enhance National Designation Of Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds near Collinsville, Ill., contains mounds constructed by an ancient Mississippian people. Recent archeological discoveries made as a result of construction of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge have highlighted the people who used to inhabit the area. A group is now trying to bolster recognition of Cahokia and themounds by gaining a national designation through the National Park Service.
This La Rue Bonhomme Predates U City's Old Bonhomme
The first street of St. Louis wasn’t a street at all, just a towpath, according to the St. Louis-French association Les Amis, which provided the information for the duplicate street signs that are appearing downtown.
Live from Jefferson City
The legislature is heading off on spring break now. But in this half of the session, it has begun to tackle some big, and frequently controversial issue -- and sometimes with a look ahead to November's general election.
Under The Microscope: Questioning Low-Income Housing Tax Credit's Impact And Future
There’s little question that the low-income housing tax credit spurred both for-profit and non-profit entities to develop housing for the poor, elderly and disabled. It’s been credited with creating 46,700 housing units throughout Missouri since 1998. But for the last few years, the incentive has been under intense scrutiny – primarily from conservative legislators in the Missouri General Assembly. They say the credit is inefficient and wasteful, especially when lawmakers have had to cut spending elsewhere.
Missouri House Committee Passes State Budget For FY2015
House budget writers have passed Missouri's state budget for Fiscal Year 2015, which begins July 1. The roughly $28 billion spending plan still includes a so-called "bifurcated" funding increase for the state's K-12 schools, but Medicaid expansion was blocked again.
Missouri Democrats Solidly Against 'Right To Work,' Less So Regarding 'Right To Farm'
HANNIBAL, Mo. --The banners, the stickers and the rhetoric at this weekend’s Democrat Days made one thing clear: When it comes to “right to work,’’ Missouri Democratic activists and politicians are solidly against it.
Hot time, summer in the city
After Bluesweek and Taste of St. Louis announced they were moving to Chesterfield this year, organizers acknowledged that they made their decision in part because of two new downtown music festivals being considered by the city. Since then, some local musicians and promoters have protested the changes.
St. Louis Tourism Panel Approves Downtown Music Festival
After more than two days of debate, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen tourism committee approved plans for Lollapalooza-like festivals to be held in downtown St. Louis on Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends. The proposal now goes to the full board.
Schoolhouse rock
It has been a tumultuous school year for several area school districts, but a couple of recent events may indicate that a path to some sort of resolution is being paved.
McCoy Resigns As Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent
Art McCoy, who was placed on paid leave from his post as superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District in November, has resigned from his job, effective this Saturday. The announcement came just hours before a hearing on his suspension.
Panel On Normandy's Future Begins Meeting In Private
A state-appointed task force charged with mapping the future of the Normandy School District has begun meeting in private to come up with recommendations for state school officials by the time the legislative session ends in May.
Adams Presents School Improvement Plan, Could Bring In Nonprofit Operators
St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams has outlined his blueprint for building academic achievement and meeting new standards. The “St. Louis Public Schools Transformation Plan” would construct a four-tiered system to hone in on schools that struggle the most academically. It would also give greater flexibility to those schools with the greatest academic success.
Going to the chapel?
Because of a particular provision in Illinois law, Missouri same-sex couples wanting to marry in that state may find themselves in a legal limbo. Some couples are willing to test it, while others are looking for a state where they won't face such uncertainties.
STL Same-Sex Couples Consider Legal Implications As They Prepare To Marry
Last week, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan gave counties the green light to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Missouri couples should have no more problems than in-state pairs when they apply. But issues may emerge later on. Illinois prohibits any marriage that would be void in a couple’s home state. It's a situation that could eventually lead to legal challenges for Missouri couples. Same-sex couples may want to seek legal advice before marrying anywhere in Illinois.
