Updated 4:15 p.m., Sept. 26: As the financial bailout talks continue in Washington, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin wants to make sure that Congress doesn't feel a false sense of urgency and do anything rash with taxpayers' money. Akin, a Republican from Town and Country, is part of the GOP study committee whose members have balked at the federal bailout plan. The group is proposing a federally backed insurance program instead.

When the National Park Service staff reviewed public comments about improving the area around the Gateway Arch, they discovered right away that folks didn't agree on things. Still, after sorting through it all, the Park Service has analyzed the results. "Overall," said the Park Service, people support " 'invigorating' the (Jefferson National Expansion) Memorial, improving connections between the park and the surrounding areas, and for improving site accessibility."

In advance of the public television documentary "Critical Condition," KETC Channel 9 assembled a panel of area health-care experts who agreed that the American health-care system needs reconstructive surgery.

The collapse of some of the nation's oldest financial institutions started on Main Street America with hundreds and thousands of homeowners such as 56-year-old Maureen McKenzie of Kirkwood who in May lost to foreclosure the small ranch house that had been in her family since it was built after World War II. How could this happen? The answer is ... complicated. Over the next three days, the Beacon will unravel the story of how Maureen McKenzie of Kirkwood, Mo., lost her 900 square feet of the American Dream. Part 1 of 3 parts.

Many political polls only call telephone land lines. So what about the 14 percent of the voting-age population that uses cell phones only? That's a huge -- and young -- chunk. Polling expert Terry Jones explains how pollsters adjust to achieve accurate results. Update Sept. 24: New study shows bigger variation among young cell-phone-only voters.

Maybe it IS the economy, stupid. But it's also the environment, the war, education, abortion, immigration, fuel prices, taxes, retirement and a seemingly endless list of other issues - both large and small - that could prove crucial in deciding how St. Louisans will vote in the upcoming presidential election. Leading to Friday's first debate between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, many voters describe it as historic, must-see TV.

What's the prospect, or wisdom, of a giant, lumbering bank holding company merging with a giant, staggering investment banking company? When it comes to Wachovia Corp. and Morgan Stanley, the answer is "no one knows," because the economic landscape continues to shift dramatically and often.  "There's a lot of unknowns out there," says one expert.