Missouri law prohibits an employer from "knowingly" employing an unauthorized immigrant to perform work within the state.
This issue is gaining attention after 14 undocumented workers were arrested in February in Farmington, a small town in Southeast Missouri. The men had been hired to help build a new hotel. The local sheriff said he hoped the arrests would help restore jobs to legal citizens in St. Francois County, where the unemployment rate is more than 11 percent. The Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, however, told the Sheriff that the case was not a priority and he had no authority to hold the men in jail.Attorney General Chris Koster announced that he is launching an investigation into the situation and will report back to the General Assembly and the state at large.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn what you know about undocumented workers. Please click on this link to share: What's your take on undocumented workers in Missouri?

For high school students, jobs may be scarce this summer as communities tighten their parks and recreation budgets. College students, however, may fair better when seeking internships as business begin to see a glimmer of economic recovery. Some businesses are hoping to hire young people, while others are going to try to make due with their current staff.
Meanwhile, parents are beginning to ponder ways to keep the kids happy without breaking the family budget. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, or grownup, please click on this link and tell us: What are you doing this summert?

On April 6, St. Louis County voters will have the chance to decide whether they want to approve a sales tax increase to support the Metro transit system. Voters rejected a similar request in November 2008. Metro responded by cutting service in March 2009; the agency restored about half of those cuts after it received a one-time, $12 million boost from the state of Missouri plus about $6 million in federal grants. Some areas remain without service, and many routes are reported to be overcrowded.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/ Channel 9 want to learn what you know about Metro. Have you had find new ways to get to work? Have your workers had problems reaching their jobs? What are your experiences and observations about how Metro spends taxpayer money? Please tell us: What is Metro worth to you?

Reports in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that struck Chile indicates that the temblor is one of the most powerful on record, unleashing about 500 times the energy of the quake the struck Haiti in January. Hundreds are dead and the damage is widespread.
We at the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn about your connection with Chile. Do you have family or friends from there? Are you planning to go there and lend a hand? Do you work with a relief or faith-based organization that is planning to help? Please share your insights on Chile.

KETC/Channel 9 is planning to add a new Web site as part of an upcoming special project. The station will be exploring the people of different cultures that call Missouri home. In order to share information with the community, KETC will be designing a Web site that will explore the unique traditions of a diverse population. KETC and the Beacon want to learn from you about how to make this site engaging and useful. Please tell us: What do you want from a Web site?

The debate over health care reform rages on in Congress. President Obama has said that Republican and Democratic leaders agree that the rising cost of health care is a serious problem for families, small businesses, and the federal budget. But the agreements stop there.
We at the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn from you about your experience with health-care coverage and what you want your political leaders to do about it. Please click on this link and tell us: What's the cure for ailing health-care coverage?

If you like to eat at a restaurant or sample an adult beverage in a bar in the lovely city of Kirkwood, you may have noticed something different in the air -- or maybe what's not in the air. That's because as of Jan. 2, Kirkwood has gone smoke free in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Some people have objected that the ban went into effect too quickly after voters approved it in November 2009. They would have preferred a gradual transition, like in the city of St. Louis or St. Louis County, where voters also approved bans, but have allowed proprietors and business owners until 2011 to comply. Meanwhile, in Illinois, where smoking was outlawed in almost all public places, including the prisons, since 2008, life goes on.
Please tell us what smoking bans mean to you.

We are a nation of immigrants. In Missouri and Illinois, in recent years immigrants are arriving from such countries as Mexico, Ethopia, Bosnia, India, China and many others. Some have faced tough challenges when moving to our area but they also have experienced joy and success.
If you are not an immigrant but have experiences with immigrants in our region, help KETC and the St. Louis Beacon learn about your story.

We are a nation of immigrants. In Missouri and Illinois, in recent years immigrants are arriving from such countries as Mexico, Ethopia, Bosnia, India, China and many others. Some have faced tough challenges when moving to our area but they also have experienced joy and success.
If you are an immigrant to our area, help KETC and the St. Louis Beacon learn about your story.

It's been nearly two years since gunfire erupted in what was supposed to be a routine council meeting in Kirkwood City Hall. But instead of business as usual, a deadly attack by a man known as "Cookie" Thornton, left a permanent scar on the mostly picturesque community.
Today, we invite you to help us continue to examine this important issue by telling us about your experiences where you live and where your children go to school -- and especially if you have experiences in Kirkwood. Please tell us your story.

St. Louis has long been a major hotbed of soccer. Five of the 11 players on the national soccer team that defeated England in the 1950 World Cup were from St. Louis. In addition, 20 St. Louis soccer personalities are enshrined in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
In 1959 soccer became a varsity sport at St. Louis University and a college dynasty was born; the school's team won national titles in 1959, '60, '62, '63, and '65. On a national level in 1967, St. Louis established the St. Louis Stars, which stole the spotlight from other sports such as the Cardinal baseball team. Two players of fame for the Stars were Pat McBride and Al Trost. Both men also played for St. Louis University.
Do you remember those days? Was there a particular game or player you just can't forget? Perhaps you have a memorable picture from those times. Share your story or picture.

The U.S. Labor Department calculates "underemployment" by adding to the unemployed those people who are "marginally attached" to the labor force and those who are employed part-time for economic reasons. The "marginally attached" are those who have been unemployed for the past 12 months but have recently stopped looking for work. In December 2009, the underemployment rate rose to 17.3 percent of the civilian labor force -- nearly 27 million people. In addition to those folks, an uncounted number are working at jobs outside their professional experience or training, and often for less money than they were hoping.
If you -- or someone you know -- are underemployed, we want to learn about your experience. Please tell us: Are you underemployed?

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have each reached agreements on legislation to change health care coverage in the United States. The proposals are similar but differ on such major issues as a new government-run insurance plan and abortion coverage.
Many questions remain, including how much will this cost and how will we pay for it? The St. Louis Beacon and KETC want to learn about your health-care coverage experiences. What can you afford to pay for health insurance?

Community Cinema, a free monthly screening at the Missouri History Museum of a PBS Independent Lens film, brings our community together to view films about important social issues. KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know what subjects you would like to see the Community Cinema series tackle and discuss in coming seasons.

Did you thrive, or just barely survive in this past year? Did you experience a major life transition? Did a certain event spark an epiphany for you?
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to hear what happened to you in 2009 that you'll be telling people about for a long time to come -- and why these particular events are so important to you. Please use the form below to tell us what are your Top 5 memories from 2009.

Every day, people in the Public Insight Network help us explore topics and issues by sharing knowledge and insight from their work, their education or their experience. Please share yours below.

We are built a certain way, with the ability to do most things. When something keeps us from doing those things, whether it is our eyes, legs, or mental ability, we are often challenged by everyday life. The simple act of climbing stairs, cooking a meal, or driving a car can be a major obstacle. Even though The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 aims to end discrimination and protect people with a disability, they still face many hurdles.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know the stories of people in our area who have a disability and have overcome obstacles. Please help us explore those stories.

The St. Louis Beacon is continuing to look at issues involving race and ethnicity in the special Race, Frankly series, which we started in July. In January 2010, the Beacon will report on how race affects relationships within individual groups. Through our Public Insight Network, we want learn about how people in the same kinds of groups treat each other, especially when they're different because of such things as their skin tone, the way they speak, or where they were born.
Please tell us: How do you look at race within your own group?

Distracted driving -- including cell phone use -- is a major contributor to automobile crashes, according to AAA. The group reports that between 4,000 and 8,000 crashes related to distracted driving occur daily in the United States. In a year, they contribute to as many as half of the 6 million U.S. crashes reported annually.
Many states, including Illinois and Missouri, have or will soon have new laws regarding cell phone use by drivers. Some of those laws specifically address sending text messages. Others set restrictions based on age.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn about your experiences of driving and cell phone use. Please tell us: Is it time to hang up and drive?

Economists tell us that conditions are improving and the recession is almost over. At the same time, as we approach the 2009 holiday season, the unemployment rate and the price of gasoline continue to rise, and retailers are hoping for the best, but bracing for the worst. How do these things look like to you?
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn about your holiday plans. Are you still planning to make that special trip to grandmother's house bearing loads of gifts, or go skiing once again in Aspen? Or will you be staying closer to home, giving fewer gifts, and perhaps volunteering to help someone who's never heard of Aspen? Please tell us: How is the economy affecting you this holiday season?

Going to school has never been easier since the advent of the TV, computer, iPod, and online learning courses. Online learning offers teachers and other professionals the chance to enhance their skills and develop new ones, all at affordable prices and in the comfort of their homes.
KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to get the inside story on online learning in Missouri. Please share your insights and stories with us.

As parents, educators, counselors and religious leaders, we are charged with helping children learn how to "do the right thing." This can be difficult for some of us, on the "sticky" subjects, especially when it comes to areas where we, ourselves, are still trying to figure it out.
How do we teach our children about such matters as sex and sexuality, or race and ethnicity? The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to hear what has worked for you. Please tell us: How do you talk to kids about tough topics?

All over the USA, seniors and boomers are using their years of experience and knowledge in leadership capacities in their communities because they are "waaay too young" to sit back in their rocking chairs! In the last 20 years, we have found that learning helps people live longer and better. Joining senior programs, helps people find old friends and make new ones. It enhances seniors' lives as well as gives them a chance to remain independent and to contribute to their communities.
Help KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon discover the St. Louis senior "young at heart" stories and the local resources available to seniors by sharing stories about learning later but living greater.

The St. Louis area is home to more than 50 hospitals, two world-class medical schools and a thriving biotechnology industry. Barnes-Jewish Hospital ranks among the nation's top hospitals, while Washington University Medical School is a major player in the Genome Sequencing Project and Saint Louis University Medical School is key in developing vaccines to protect against bio-terrorism attacks. Yet with all of these accomplishments, our region rank among the nation's highest with such problems as infant mortality, sexually transmitted diseases, obesity-related illnesses and lead poisoning. And in every case, these health problems disproportionately affect people from minority groups.
As lawmakers work on health-care legislation, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC would like to learn what all this means to you. What does it take for you to be healthy?

Every year the United States generates 246 million tons of solid waste. All this waste gets put into landfills, which are decreasing in number but increasing in size. In the spring, Channel 9 will be screening and discussing an Independent film, "A Village Called Versailles", which focuses on the opening of a government-imposed landfill near a small New Orleans community.
Share your experiences and insights on landfills with KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon to help us frame our screening and discussion. Where should your garbage go? Please respond through our Public Insight Network to tell us what American Airlines' flight cuts mean to you.

As part of a major restructuring of routes, American Airlines is eliminating direct service from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to 30 airports, including Philadelphia, Las Vegas and even Springfield/Branson. That's bad news for regular American travelers, and even worse for so American employees based in St. Louis.
Please respond through our Public Insight Network to tell us what American Airlines' flight cuts mean to you.

How are you preparing for a large-scale outbreak of the H1N1 virus? Do you have a plan for your business or your family? The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 seek your help as we cover this issue. Please share what you know.

How are you or someone you know coping with the recession and college tuition? What changes have you made in your education plans? KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know what you are doing to manage higher education expenses in these tough economic times. Please tell us what you know.

State Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, pleaded guilty Tuesday to obstructing justice in a federal investigation of Smith's unsuccessful run for Congress in 2004 and resigned from his Senate seat.
Smith, who represented the 4th District in the city of St. Louis, had an image as a fresh face, a reformer, and new way of doing business. The St. Louis Beacon wants to know what the downfall of this young politician means to you

Back in December 2008, construction crews closed five miles of Highway 40/Interstate 64 between Interstate 170 and Kingshighway. The closing, which is expected to remain through the rest of 2009, has forced thousands of drivers to find alternate routes around town.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know what you've found along the way, as you've ventured in new directions for work or play.
Please tell us about your commuting experience beyond Highway 40.

KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know about your relationship with science. Do you use science in your everyday life? Just how important is it? We'd like to find out why science matters to you, to our region and to the planet.
Your responses help us frame the work we do on-air, online and within the community to foster appreciation for science, technology, engineering and math.

If you take a look at a local school's list of extracurricular activities, you'll find things ranging from the Anime Appreciation Club to Youth in Government. In between, you can find the more typical offerings such as band, basketball and bowling. Away from school there's Scouts and music or dance lessons.
As schools throughout our area begin another term, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn what you (or your children) are doing outside of the classroom, and how you are fitting those things into your budget.

This year, KETC/Channel 9 produced three hour-long documentaries for a series titled "Missouri Life". The documentaries, airing later this year on KETC, focus on unique Missouri events such as Mardi Gras, the St. Louis Marathon and Circus Flora.
Now we're looking for ideas on what to spotlight for potential future installments of "Missouri Life". What do you know about life in Missouri? Is there a story that needs to be told about something quintessentially Missouri? Do you have a favorite event to share? It can be something well known, or something no one else has heard of. If it takes place in Missouri, we'd like to know about it.

The recent encounter between Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge police Sgt. James Crowley has turned the national spotlight on how law enforcement officers and the public interact. Crowley came to Gates' home after a neighbor called police and reported a possible break-in. The ensuing events ended with Crowley, who is white, arresting Gates, who is black, on a charge of disorderly conduct. The charge has since been dropped.
As part of our continuing coverage of Race, Frankly in cooperation with the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn about your experiences. If you are a police officer, have you ever felt wrongly accused to treating a suspect differently because of race? As a private citizen, have you ever had an encounter where you believe race was a factor in how you were treated? Tell us what you know.

Recently, two debt-forgiveness options were made available to students struggling to repay loans: the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which eliminates student loan debt after 10 years of service to certain non-profit organizations, and the Income Based Repayment Plan, which allows grads to repay loans according to their reported income.
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know your experience with these new options. Will you take advantage of either? Why or why not? Please help enrich our reporting by sharing your student loan experience.

We're looking for signs of the federal stimulus money working its way through the St. Louis area's economy. Is stimulus money making a difference in your job, home or community? Are you involved in a project that will happen or is happening because of the stimulus funds?
The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 welcome your help as we cover the federal economic recovery effort. Please use the link to tell us what you know.

Are you experiencing any signs of economic recovery? With stimulus money flowing to General Motors and throughout our states and communities, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn if you are seeing any signs that the recession is starting to ease.
Please share your insight with us and become a source for the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9.

The iconic pop star will be remembered for many things. Among them, he was: a child star with an incredible talent; the inventor of the "Moonwalk" dance move; a music innovator, a man obsessed with his physical appearance, an eccentric collector of odd items, including the "Elephant Man's" bones; an alleged child molester and a most unusual parent.

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want know what you remember most about Michael Jackson. Please tell us your Michael Jackson story.

President Barack Obama says that making sure every American has access to high-quality health care is one of the most important challenges of our time.

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want know about your experience with health care and health insurance, and what changes -- if any -- you would propose to our lawmakers. Please tell us your story.

Integration, desegregation, achievement gap. We hear these words repeatedly. In the 55 years since the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court decision, what have we accomplished?

The St. Louis Beacon, in partnership with KETC/Channel 9 and the Missouri History Museum, is studying race and how it influences us. Today we are asking questions about education, and what role race plays.

We want to know how your race or ethnicity has affected your own education and the education of others around you. Please tell us your story.

The St. Louis Beacon, in partnership with KETC/Channel 9 and the Missouri History Museum, is embarking on a year-long study of race and how it influences the lives of everyone throughout the St. Louis region. After starting with an examination of race from a biologic and genetic perspective, we will look more closely at areas such as education, health care, economics and the justice system, and what role race places.

We want to know how your race or ethnicity affects you. Please tell us your story.

Facebook. MySpace. Twitter. Once just a way to keep in touch with friends around the globe, social networking tools like these are becoming a part of nearly every business' marketing plan. But do these tools really work to bring in the business, or are they lost in the sea of information available on the Web?

KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know your take on social media. Whether you use Facebook to keep in touch with friends or Tweet about what your business is up to, we'd like to hear your story.

From the Chrysler plant in Fenton to the steel plant in Granite City, workers in the St. Louis metropolitan area are losing jobs by the thousands. Anheuser Busch/InBev, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the Metro transit agency are just few local operations that have cut jobs or may do so in the near future.

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know what you are experiencing as a result of jobs lost in our area. What does the ripple effect of layoffs look like to you?

From free community concerts to picnic suppers in the park, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know what you are doing for rest and recreation in these economically challenging times. Please tell us your story.

Do you have knowledge or experience with disaster preparedness or public health? The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 could use your help in covering the swine flu outbreak. Please share what you know.

If you're like the rest of America, you might be a little tired of the doom and gloom all over the news these days. KETC and the St. Louis Beacon are looking for an upside to the current situation by asking you where the fun still is for folks on a tight budget. Please tell us your tips and tricks on how to have have some frugal fun.

Greater St. Louis Book Fair is one of the nation's oldest and largest charity book sales, raising money to promote education and literacy for under-served individuals in the metro area. This year's Book Fair is scheduled for April 23-26 at West County Center. Whether its as a volunteer, a donor, a shopper or someone who has benefited from Book Fair support, The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know about your Book Fair experience.

President Obama has declared that addressing America's energy needs is a national priority. In Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon wants to boost the use of wind power, solar energy, nuclear power, hydro-electricity and bio-fuels. What's your experience with alternative energy sources and energy conservation?

Metro, the agency that runs the St. Louis-area's bus, light-rail and para-transit van service, has implemented the largest service changes in its history. Many people have scrambled to cope with less frequent MetroLink trains, reduced bus schedules and cuts to the Call-A-Ride program. How are these change affecting you?

President Barack Obama has declared that health care coverage is a national priority -- for the sake of individuals, families and businesses. In Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon is promoting an arrangement to provide health care to a new segment of previously uninsured adults. The plan still needs the Missouri General Assembly's approval. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want you to share your experience with health care and health insurance and tell us your story.

In early March, an opening for a $15/hr janitorial job in Massillon, OH received over 600 applications from all age ranges and professional backgrounds. With that kind of competition, how does an employer decide who gets the spot? And how do job seekers set themselves apart from hundreds of others?

KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know how the job hunt has changed for you in these tough economic times. Please take a moment to inform us on this topic.

Last month, President Obama signed into law a stimulus package that would provide economic relief to each state. It has been reported that Missouri will receive more than $4.3 billion in funds, and Illinois will receive close to $8 billion. Both states have broad plans for construction, education and healthcare. KETC and the St. Louis Beacon want to know more specifically about the areas of your community that could use this relief. Share your insights and let us know where in your community these funds are most needed.

President Barack Obama, in his first address to Congress, challenged the nation to "build a new foundation for lasting prosperity," calling for investments in energy, health care and education.

Over the next few weeks, the St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 will be considering the president's proposals. Starting with education, please share your public school experience, and tell us how those experiences shape your views on education reform.

This recession is a historic moment. And things change in historic times. But should the "American Dream" change? And what is it, anyway?

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how you're planning to get through the tax season this year.

Metro, the agency that runs the St. Louis-area's bus, light-rail and para-transit van service, is raising prices, eliminating some routes and changing schedules. Beginning March 30, Metro will offer less frequent MetroLink trains, reduced bus schedules in some areas and other changes. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how these changes will affect you.

The city of St. Louis is holding a primary election on March 3 to select candidates for mayor. Francis Slay is running for a third term. The St. Louis Beacon wants to learn how you have been affected by Mayor Slay's leadership.

February 10, 2009, marks the 50th anniversary of the tornado that ripped through St. Louis and into Illinois, killing 22 people and injured more than 350. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know about your St. Louis weather experiences. Do you remember the tornado of 1959 or have you braved another storm you'll never forget? Help us tell the story of our extreme weather history.

On Feb. 7, 2008, contractor Charles "Cookie" Thornton entered a Kirkwood, Mo., City Council committee meeting and began shooting. Thornton killed five people before he was fatally shot by police. Mayor Mike Swoboda was wounded; he never fully recovered and died several months later. The shootings raised many questions about race relations in Kirkwood and about how citizens are able to communicate with their government.

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know what you've learned in the past year about issues related to race and government. Please tell us your story.

As you most likely have heard by now, on Feb. 17, analog broadcasting will cease and digital will take its place, providing clearer pictures and better sound for viewers across the country. But for some viewers who made the switch early, frustrations like expired coupons and weak signals far outweigh the perks.

What are you doing to prepare for DTV? What has been your DTV experience so far? Share your story with KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon.

As the price for a college education continues rising -- even faster than the costs of medical care, food and housing -- increasing numbers of students, and their parents, are applying for loans or other forms of financial aid.

The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how this rising cost of higher education is affecting you. Please tell us about your experience with college loans or your other efforts to pay for education after high school.

Every day, people in the Public Insight Network help us explore topics and issues by sharing knowledge and insight from their work, their education or their experience. Please share yours below.

A recent poll by checkMD, an online social network and healthcare information resource, indicates that people are visiting their doctors less because co-pays and deductables are costing them more. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how those rising costs, or other economic concerns, are affecting your health.

This is the time of year when lots of people focus their attention on religious observances of Christians and Jews. But what about the Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus or others whose winter celebrations aren't tied to a specific faith?

Or maybe you do celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, but your family has a unique approach. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know what winter holidays mean to you -- however you choose to recognize them. Take a moment to tell with us what sets your holiday apart from the rest.

A five-mile stretch of Interstate 64/Highway has been closed for the past year from I-170 to Ballas Road. That's changing as the Missouri Department of Transportation reopens that part as it shuts down the next stretch, from I-170 to Kingshighway. What has it been like for you in this past year and what's going to be different for you in the year to come?

Are the changes going to make things better for your travels or worse? Please tell us about your experience with highway travel in and around St. Louis.

Americans are projected to spend less this year on Christmas gifts than we have in 10 years. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to learn if you're making changes in gift-giving or travel to adjust for changes in your personal economy.

We invite you to answer a few questions to help us write about what people throughout the St. Louis area are doing for this holiday season.

On Aug. 28, 1963, as many as 300,000 people of all races and ethnic groups attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On Jan. 20, 2009, millions are expected to turn out for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

Were you in Washington in 1963? Will you be there in January 2009? Please tell us what you know to help us write about this important moment in history.

Thanksgiving is a day when many of us take stock of our lives and count our blessings. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 would like to hear your story about a person or thing that's been a real blessing in your life. This is your chance to give a shout-out of gratitude for someone or something that you're thankful for this year.

The election of Barack Obama as the nation's 44th president is shining an intense spotlight on race. President-elect Obama has been hailed as the first black president. But is that really accurate, given that one of his parents was black and the other was white? And does it even matter? The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how you experience race in your life. How do you define yourself racially or ethnically? What impact do race and ethnicity have on you?

One of the driving concerns in the 2008 presidential election was the economy. The St. Louis Beacon and KETC/Channel 9 want to know how the nation's current economic situation is affecting you.

Use the link above to draw a picture for us of your place in the economy--and how it is affecting you personally.

Ask an out-of-towner what they know about St. Louis and they'll likely tell you about the Arch or Cardinals baseball.

KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know what you know about the St. Louis area. What are some activities or places in the metro area -- in Missouri or Illinois -- you treasure that others might not know about? Maybe it's a park, festival or corner store. Fill us in on what makes St. Louis special to you.

Please take a moment to share your knowledge and help us draw a treasure map of our community.

"Vote for change." "The change we need." John McCain and Barack Obama have told us what they would change. Now KETC and the St. Louis Beacon want to know what change you want to see. Please share with us the change that matters to you as we move forward after the elections. What did the candidates miss?

On Nov. 4, people in Missouri and Illinois joined millions across the United States in choosing our 44th president. KETC/Channel 9 and the St. Louis Beacon want to know how you voted, and about your voting experience. Please help inform our news coverage.