Posted 5:20 p.m. Tues., 02.09.10 --Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft (left) -- a Springfield, Mo. native who served Missouri as a United States senator, governor, state attorney general, and state auditor -- will be the headline speaker at this year's state Republican Lincoln Days, held for the first time in St. Charles. The Feb. 27th banquet also will honor retiring U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo. Other speakers include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a possible presidential contender in 2012.
Posted 9:08 p.m. Sun., 02.07.10 - Perception often collides with facts when it comes to race. That is especially true in the intertwined story of Kirkwood's redevelopment of Meacham Park and Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton's deadly assault on City Hall Feb. 7, 2008. The Beacon has tried to separate myth from reality by finding the facts that relate to the claims that Kirkwood officials cheated Thornton and Meacham Park in the redevelopment. Second of a series.
Posted 8:57 p.m. Sun., 02.07.10 - Soon-to-be released data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are expected to show that Missouri ranks highest among the 16 states surveyed in the use of antipsychotics for kids under age 18 and also for those under age 6. To address this issue, Missouri is putting together a panel to guide the Missouri Legislature on a way to impose restraints on the extent to which these drugs are prescribed to children under Medicaid.
Posted 9:45 a.m. Mon., 02.08.10 - In a Harvard School of Public Health poll, nearly half of Americans say they believe the so-called swine flu outbreak is over. A minority of young adults have already gotten their H1N1 vaccine or plan to do so before the end of the month. In all, about 6 in 10 respondents report having yet to get vaccinated and say they don't intend to do so. Another report shows that a mandatory seasonal flu vaccine policy had its intended effect at BJC HealthCare.
Posted 9 p.m. Sun., 02.07.10 - This is the time of year when many people who received a gift card over the holidays redeem their present. But over the coming months, many recipients will lose their cards, throw them away with value still attached or be charged to redeem gifts that sat idle for too long. By one industry estimate, the lost card values in 2009 totaled near $5 billion. Local retailers report varying levels of redemption rates among customers. (Photo by buba69 )
Posted 12:15 p.m., Tue. 02.09.10 - In Tuesday's HealthDay TV segment, Cindy Haines suggests the best gift a parent can give their child for Valentine's Day, gifts that are even better than candy! Watch.
Become a fan of Dr. Cindy Haines on Facebook or follow her on Twitter .
Posted 3:30 p.m. Sat., 02.06.10 -The founder of North County for Obama was lauded by the president as an inspiration, and her friends say their efforts in support of health-care reform will be redoubled with her death. She was co-owner of a small business and active in several causes, including clean energy, organic farming, the environment, sustainable mass transit and economic reform
Posted 3:00 p.m. Fri., 02.05.10 - What's the story behind the new book "New Madrid to Claverach: How an Earthquake Spawned a St. Louis Suburb"? Learn how a research project for an application to be on the National Register of History Places led from one discovery to another.
Earthquake shakes Illinois west of Chicago: There were no immediate reports of damage from the 4.3-magnitude quake at 3:59:34 a.m., which was centered about 5.5 miles east of Sycamore and 3.1 miles underground. | Chicago Tribune
After sex-related allegations, former vice principal at Granite City High School resigns: Brian Harshany will be paid what he would have earned as a teacher for the rest of the school year. | Belleville News-Democrat
East Coast braces for second round of big snow: After a couple of feet over the weekend, another blizzard bringing a foot or more plus blustery winds is making life miserable. | Associated Press
Blagojevich due in court on revised corruption charges: The impeached Illinois governor is charged with trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and swap official favors for campaign money. | Associated Press
Tammy Duckworth mentioned as possible candidate for lt. gov. in Illinois: The Iraq War veteran was named an assistant secretary of veterans affairs after losing a race for Congress from suburban Chicago. | Chicago Tribune
Joyce Meyer won't have to give deposition in Coleman murder case: Suspect Chris Coleman once worked as a security chief for her ministries. | Belleville News-Democrat
Former Ballwin prosecutor admits having child porn: George Fox, who also had been a prosecuting attorney in Clarkson Valley and a municipal judge in Eureka, was indicted in August. | STLtoday
Rams quarterback Boller engaged to former Miss California Carrie Prejean: She gained notoriety for comments against same-sex marriage. | E! Online
Sebelius asks Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to answer for California rate hike: The insurer will increase individual premiums as much as 39% beginning next month. l NPR
Antidepressant reduces effectiveness of cancer-fighting drug: Women with breast cancer should not take Paxil because it lowers the benefits of tamoxifen, according to a recent study. l HealthDay
Republican leadership may not attend health care summit: Representatives John Boehner (Ohio) and Eric Cantor (Va.) say they see no point in attending if the platform for discussion is the Democratic plan. l Washington Post
New federal office will collect data on climate change: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is preparing for planetary changes. l New York Times
Philadanco, an innovative dance company from Philadelphia, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 at the Edison Theatre , 6445 Forsyth Blvd. $20-$32. 314-935-6543
Super Bowl sets record as most-watched TV show ever: Its 106 million viewers bypassed the M*A*S*H finale in 1983. | AP/USA Today
Jazz musician John Dankworth dies at age 82: The husband of singer Cleo Laine was knighted in his native England in 2006. | Los Angeles Times
The Arianna String Quartet will present "Revolution!," a Beethoven concert, at 6 p.m., Feb. 20 in the Lee Theater in the Touhill, 1 University Blvd. $37 to $42.
Should gay judge preside over California's same-sex marriage trial? The problem is that where there may not be a conflict of interest, there may be the appearance of conflict -- and that matters, too. | Debra J. Saunders/Rasmussen Reports
Obama needs to shake up his top staff: He must replace the admittedly brilliant advisers who helped elect him with others more capable of helping him govern. | Douglas Wilder/Politico
Redevelopment bond numbers don't add up : The plan to help a Glen Carbon development looks like a windfall for the Legoland-plus development and a loss for the state and surrounding municipalities. | Belleville News Democrat, editorial
Obama's fiscal Armageddon: Only according to the president's arithmetic do spending explosions and entitlement expansions equate to future savings. | Howard Rich/Rasmussen Reports
Posted 12:12 p.m. Tues., 01.26.10 - In a Beacon series, illustrator Sam Washburn takes a look at a St. Louis neighborhood or activity. This month, the focus is on The Hill. To see a larger, complete image, click here .
Posted 6 a.m. Tues., 02.09.10 - Part of the appeal of Charlie Brown is that he keeps trying to kick that football that Lucy always yanks away at the last minute. Bevis Schock says President Obama is like Lucy and equates raising taxes to pulling back the football. If taxes go too high, he says, entrepreneurs will stop trying.
Posted 9:16 a.m. Mon., 02.08.10 - With a smoking rate of 40 percent, Turkey has created a political and social firestorm is its seven-month old ban on public indoor smoking. Ekrem Mehmet Morali says that the country should have done more to mitigate how the ban affects coffeeshops and to help smokers quit.
Posted 6 a.m. Sun., 02.07.10 - How do you compare crime rates in cities that have different socio-economic conditions? Richard Rosenfeld joined in ranking of cities according to their homicide rates, after adjusting for poverty and other conditions strongly associated with city homicide rates but over which the police exert little control. The news for St. Louis isn't good.
Posted 2:45 p.m. Thu., 02.04.10 - In this week's Beacon Roundtable, Dale Singer, Jo Mannies and Robert Joiner sit down to talk about Missouri's budget, Illinois' primary, abstinence's effectiveness…
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Posted 9:05 p.m. Mon., 02.08.10 - The case against Garry Marshall and his not-so-“Pretty Woman”: The promos for the new Marshall movie "Valentine's Day" make Cinema St. Louis' director rethink his critique of the earlier Julie Roberts vehicle.
Updated 9:37 p.m. Thurs., 01.21.10 - In a major decision rejecting its precedents and a century of history, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to corporate…
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St. Louis native Gerald Boyd went from the slums of Mill Creek to become managing editor of The New York Times. His memoir was finished after his death by his wife, Robin D. Stone. Join Robin and the Beacon for a special event at 6 p.m. Fri., Feb. 19, at Left Bank Books' downtown location. Click here to read excerpts .
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In St. Louis, race affects virtually every important aspect of community life. Yet it’s difficult to talk productively about race. Race, Frankly invites you to look at race with fresh eyes.
The Missouri History Museum, the Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 have partnered to create a yearlong series of events, in-depth articles and video pieces. This month, the focus is on health care.
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