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.
The way forward in Ferguson
Events In Ferguson Spur Political Action, Search For New Voters
In Ferguson, the disconnect between residents and local officials has boiled over at public meetings. Many are frustrated that nearly 70 percent of Ferguson residents are black, but five of the six city council members and the mayor are white. But to change leadership, the community might have to change its voting habits. In the 2013 municipal election just over 12 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.
Born To Run? In St. Louis County's Municipalities, Competition For Office Can Be Sparse
Considering all the mayorships, city council seats and other offices in St. Louis County’s 90 municipalities, it's not uncommon for people to run unopposed in municipal elections. Many have noted Ferguson's dismal turnout in its last election. It’s not just Ferguson, though. Local elected offices offer little pay and heavy scrutiny. Still they’re often the elected positions that affect ordinary people the most.
Ferguson Mayor Says He Overcame Obstacles To Become Mayor
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles won his most recent election without opposition. But Knowles said that his unopposed re-election doesn't mean that he walked into the job without working for it.
If Officer Wilson Is Not Indicted, McCulloch Plans To Release Grand Jury Transcripts, Recordings
If the St. Louis County grand jury fails to indict Officer Darren Wilson, Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch will immediately release full transcripts and audio recordings of the grand jury proceedings.
North County Officials Form New Democratic Coalition, Call For More Respect
In a warning to area Democratic leaders, several north county mayors and other African-American elected officials have formed a political coalition to increase the clout of minority voters.
What Is The Status Of The Five Basic Demands Ferguson Protesters Are Making?
In the nearly six weeks since 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed, demands for justice have been on the lips of thousands of protesters. Every group has defined justice a bit differently, but there have been five common themes. Here’s a look at how protesters are doing in getting their demands met.
Civil Rights Advocate Says It’s Time For A New Brown Strategy
Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, had planned to discuss the 60th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision during her trip to St. Louis. That changed after Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson.
Keeping St. Louis legacies alive
Cassilly Kids Help Keep Bob’s Spirit Alive At City Museum, Three Years After His Death
When your childhood’s spent roller blading, building forts and doing your homework among the rubble that would become St. Louis’ iconic City Museum, where else are you going to work when you grow up? Max and Daisy Cassilly were in their early elementary-school years when their parents, Bob and Gail, began transforming the dilapidated 11-story building in 1995. Now they have both found their places in jobs there.
Hot Air Helps The Great Forest Park Balloon Race Stay Afloat
On the third weekend of September, St. Louisans turn their gaze skyward in the hopes of glimpsing a charming sight: dozens of multi-colored hot air balloons floating across a clear blue sky. It’s the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, a 42-year-old tradition in St. Louis that has been kept alive thanks to the friendship and generosity of four men.
After 100 Years, Webster U. Continues To Change With The Times
As Webster University kicks off a year-long centennial, the school is looking backward and forward, seeing the threads that have remained constant even as so much else has changed. Even with its satellite campuses all over the world, from Asia to Europe to Africa, and its U.S. locations in urban areas and military outposts, Webster remains dedicated to serving the same unmet needs that sparked its founding. Beth Stroble, who has been the school’s 11th president since 2009, says the goals of diversity and inclusion will continue to drive the university’s growth, physically and academically.
Collaboration Expands LGBT Collection At The Missouri History Museum
Steven Brawley started the St. Louis LGBT History Project in 2007 as a blog to document the history of St. Louis’ gay community. It expanded to collecting documents and artifacts though donations -- and now includes hundreds of objects and thousands of documents. Brawley is now working with the History Museum to assess the collection and to establish the next steps for collaboration.