Best of the Beacon for week of April 9
We at the Beacon hope that you take a look at us every day, but we also know that that's not always possible. So, once a week, on Friday, we'll be highlighting some of the top stories of the week. Here are Beacon must-reads from the week of April 9.
Play ball
Cardinal Nation is ready to party with the champs on opening day
Longtime Cardinals fans aren’t letting a few high-profile departures from last year’s championship team get them down. They’re buying jerseys with new names and getting ready to celebrate last season’s wild postseason ride at Friday’s home opener. They’ve already coined a slogan for the new season: “Twelve in ’12.”
After the fall
Lawmakers could study Missouri Employers Mutual to determine next steps
Former Gov. Roger Wilson’s crime isn’t likely to spark a push to privatize Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Co., a provider of workers’ compensation insurance. But it may give a push to legislation to set up a committee to evaluate MEM.
Federal crime blights career of once popular politician
Legally, the federal crime committed by former Gov. Roger Wilson may mean little. But in terms of his political career and image, it changes everything. He pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon.
Budget blues
'Trojan horse' or 'bold and exciting'? Ryan budget is a lightning rod
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama called it “a Trojan horse” hiding “social Darwinism.” GOP contender Mitt Romney praised it as “bold and exciting.” The House-passed budget of Rep. Paul Ryan has emerged as a lightning rod in political debate.
With clock ticking, Missouri General Assembly eyes unfinished priorities
With a month to go, the Missouri legislature is gearing up for the home stretch of the session. With plenty of work unresolved, the next few weeks could prove critical for moving major bills across the finish line.
Russia House
Two decades after Cold War, crosscurrents complicate U.S.-Russia relations
WASHINGTON – Hollywood clichés, Cold War relics, social unrest and geopolitical posturing are spinning in the cross-currents as once-and-future Russian president Vladimir Putin prepares to return to power in Moscow next month.
Coming of Age
'Senior-friendly' emergency rooms for an aging population
The elderly are among the biggest users of emergency rooms. Some doctors say too little has been done to make their visits comfortable. One physician says the answer is to set aside space inside ERs to accommodate the growing number of seniors.
Pomp and circumstance
Remembrance of commencements past can be hazy at best
If you remember who spoke at your college graduation, you probably have a better memory than most. Choosing a speaker for graduation can be a tricky business, and you definitely cannot please all of the people all of the time.
Start me up
Growing a biotech hub: a tale of three cities
San Diego, Boston and San Francisco are leaders in the biotech industry. What can our region learn from the coastal giants?
Read all about it
Take Five: Author with Asperger's finds niche in 'Finding Kansas' book tour
St. Louisan Aaron Likens, who has struggled with Asperger’s all his life, is now touring the country raising autism awareness and promoting his book, “Finding Kansas: Living and Decoding Asperger’s Syndrome.”
On the road
Weekending: Spring comes to the Shawnee National Forest
The Shawnee National Forest is a treasure for all nature lovers. The Garden of the Gods may be the best-known feature of the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois, but it's just one of the many special treats in the vast region that displays the best that nature has to offer.
Voices
Commentary: Controlling the Loop may make it less appealing
The recent violence in the Loop is regrettable but not surprising. But there is no perfect solution to the problem of controlling large numbers of young people without destroying the Loop’s reputation for openness and acceptance.
