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Best of the Beacon, for week of April 23

In Issues & Politics

3:15 pm on Fri, 04.27.12

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 23.

Mixed reaction

Big or small, questions about nuclear reactors remain

Ameren is backing an effort by Westinghouse to win a federal grant for development of small modular reactors -- a product that could help the Missouri economy. But opponents of nuclear energy say the smaller reactors pose some of the same problems that large ones do.

Campaign 2012

Obama, Akin tangle over congressman's use of 'stage-three socialism' in student loan debate

Todd Akin
Todd Akin

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin’s penchant for comparing federal programs to “stage-three socialism’’ has caught the attention of President Barack Obama, who told college students Wednesday in Iowa that the congressman’s remarks — in reference to student loans — were “a new way to go off the deep end.”

Latest attacks in Missouri's U.S. Senate contest may later show up in TV attack ads

Missouri’s major candidates for the U.S. Senate have been sparring the last couple days on a number of different issues, big and small, that may not attract much public attention at the moment – but likely will be featured in TV ads a few months from now. The chief issue: the candidates' judgment.

Court fights may keep most initiative-petition proposals off the November ballot

Although more than 140 initiative-petition proposals were approved for circulation to collect the needed signatures, few — if any — are in a position to make it on the November ballot because of a flurry of lawsuits.

Stamp of approval

Senate approves postal service reform, passes amendments from McCaskill and Blunt

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed sweeping changes to the U.S. Postal Service by 62 to 37, including an amendment from U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., to provide for a citizens' advocate to represent the public in postal closures. Tuesday, the Senate passed an amendment from U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., to make it harder to close rural post offices.

Savings accounts at your local post office? Princeton professor suggests return to America's past

Americans could mail a letter, buy stamps and make a savings deposit if the United States re-established postal savings accounts — financial tools popular around the world. The suggestion comes from a Princeton professor who will speak Thursday.

People are talking

Lindsey Swanick
Lindsey Swanick

St. Louis County Parks Director Lindsey Swanick reflects on career, looks to future

Lindsey Swanick announced earlier this year that she would retire from the St. Louis County Parks Department April 30. She spoke with the Beacon earlier this week to discuss her career and the challenges that face the parks system.

Delia Ephron
Delia Ephron

Take Five: Delia Ephron is dreaming of a lion

Her latest novel is about three women on the lam in North Carolina and the lion that changes their lives. Though she's best known as a screenwriter, Ephron said she knew from the dream that started it all that this story would be a book.

Bruce Longworth
Bruce Longworth

Take Five: Director Bruce Longworth on love gone wrong in easily digestible 'Othello'

If you’re intimidated by Shakespeare’s language, twisted plots and numerous characters, “Othello” offers the ideal opportunity to bond with the Bard.

Healthy debate

Report says state can save money and improve health care

Missouri’s annual medical costs are projected to double in a decade. But the state can contain this expense and improve quality by changing the way health care is delivered, says a study commissioned by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Women in black

Sisters of Loretto at 200: Celebrating frontier past, mission of peace and justice

Two hundred years ago, three Catholic women from Maryland teaching on the Kentucky frontier lamented the lack of education for girls. They wound up founding the Sisters of Loretto, who founded Nerinx Hall and Webster College.

Musical odyssey

Second Set: Something ventured, Judge Nothing gained

Call it a mini-odyssey following Judge Nothing that wound up encompassing six events, at five venues across four counties. Along the way are detours through St. Charles, pizza and drinks in Alton, and any number of musical misadventures.

Judge Nothing
Judge Nothing

 

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Conference of American nuns will mull response to Vatican charges

In Nation

7:55 am on Fri, 08.03.12

Meeting in St. Louis next week, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious will have its first opportunity as an assembled group to consider what to do after the Vatican issued a mandate for change this spring. It calls on the conference to reorganize and more strictly observe church teachings.

The 'free' Zoo

In Commentary

7:51 am on Tue, 05.22.12

When a family of four goes to the St. Louis Zoo, they can be forgiven for not knowing it will cost them $60, $72 if they park. If they can't pay, the alternative is to tell the kids they can't do what kids do at the zoo.

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Barbecue joins the blues at this year's festival

In Out & About

2:13 am on Thu, 05.23.13

Organizers aren't trying to replace the rib fest, but music lovers will be able to find tangy sustenance as they listen to such greats as Mavis Staples (pictured), Big George Brock, Trombone Shorty, Kim Massie and Marquise Knox take the stage.

Featured Articles

Save that dirt, Howard Buffett says

In Science

11:09 am on Wed, 05.15.13

Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.

Arch Grants winners set for debut

In InnovationSTL

11:32 am on Tue, 05.14.13

Twenty winners will split a million dollars and a wide array of professional services after this year's Arch Grants competition. Victors will also see one-on-one business mentoring in their prize package. The diverse group includes everything from biotech concerns to fashion enterprises.

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Innovation and entrepreneurial activity are on the rise in St. Louis, especially in bioscience, technology and alternative energy. The Beacon's InnovationSTL section focuses on the people who are part of this wave, what they're doing and how this is shaping our future. To many St. Louisans, this wave is not yet visible. InnovationSTL aims to change that. We welcome you to share your knowledge, learn more about this vibrant trend and discuss its impact.

Featured Articles

Save that dirt, Howard Buffett says

In Science

11:09 am on Wed, 05.15.13

Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.

Supreme Court rules unanimously for Monsanto in Roundup case

In Law Scoop

10:42 pm on Mon, 05.13.13

Vernon Bowman's challenge to Monsanto Co.'s patent on its Roundup Ready soybean seeds was billed as a David vs. Goliath contest. Goliath won and won big. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an Indiana soybean farmer had violated Monsanto's patent on its genetically engineered soybean seeds.

Featured Articles

The hidden link among burgers, drop-outs and tax reform

In Commentary

2:10 am on Thu, 05.23.13

You have to know your audience: McDonald's regulars don't need free-range chicken or a certain breed of beef; a second-chance high school needs personally motivated students as opposed to people ordered to attend and low-income Democrats by and large don't want a cigarette tax.

The lambs of sacrifice in chess

In On Chess

6:13 am on Wed, 05.22.13

Last week, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura sacrificed his crown as the King of America. He faced an individual decision to play against the best in the nation or the best on the planet. Find out what happened at that world-level tournament.

Letting perfect stand in the way of the good

In Commentary

6:12 am on Wed, 05.22.13

Our world sees rapid change in many ways -- how we view women, races, sexual minorities and other populations, for instance. While a daily delivery of new and different can be exhausting, it can force us to reflect and consider how to move forward, often incrementally, toward what is good and what bring value to our lives.

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