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The Rundown: Challenges Facing Candidates And Voters

St. Louis Public Radio aired the first public debate between two candidates for St. Louis County executive, Democrat Steve Stenger, left and Republican Rick Stream (right).
Rebecca Smith | St. Louis Public Radio

We know that you listen to us on air and check our website for news and information about our region. We hope that you look at our website every day, but we know that's not always possible. So, once a week, on Friday, we will highlight some of the website's top stories of the week.

Election 2014

Next St. Louis County Executive Faces Big Challenge Turning North County Around

North St. Louis County is home to some of the state’s biggest companies, such as Express Scripts, Boeing and Emerson. It’s also where St. Louis’ working class – black and white – settled down, creating desirable and diverse communities. But north county also has poverty and visible signs of economic decline.  With the national focus on Ferguson, that may be why the two major competitors for county executive have made rejuvenating north St. Louis County a priority.

Why Missourians Keep On Amending State Constitution

In the past 10 years, 24 amendments have been proposed to Missouri's constitution. Not all of those propositions passed, but the state’s constitution has been changed more often than the federal one. This year’s election cycle featured more constitutional amendments on the ballot – nine – than any time in last decade. Three of them passed in August, and four more will be decided Tuesday.

Jefferson County Becomes New Battleground For Missouri House Contests

Arguably the most competitive legislative arena is in Jefferson County, for years a Democratic stronghold. Republicans are trying to knock off three Democratic incumbents – state Reps. Michael Frame, T.J. McKenna and Ben Harris. They’re also trying to win the open House seat that state Rep. Jeff Roorda is vacating to run for the state Senate.

Ferguson October

What We Know -- And Don't Know -- About Michael Brown's Shooting

Clergy guard a memorial at the Ferguson police department as part of Ferguson October.
Credit Rachel Lippmann I St. Louis Public Radio
Clergy guard a memorial at the Ferguson police department as part of Ferguson October.

Amid conflicting witness statements and autopsy analyses, dueling videotapes and a loud outcry for justice, there is substantial agreement about many of the facts surrounding the killing of Michael Brown. We sort out what is known and unknown about the details of the shooting.

As Protests Continue, Police Families Feel The Strain

As protests have continued in the St. Louis area following August's police shooting of Michael Brown, it's not just responding officers who are feeling the strain. It's also affecting their families. One St. Louis organization that specifically provides support for police and their families is now reporting that it has doubled in size in recent weeks. And other members of police families are becoming more vocal and public with their support for law enforcement.

New kid on the block

Fox Sports Midwest Bar at Ballpark Village
Credit Jason Rosenbaum St. Louis Public Radio
Fox Sports Midwest Bar at Ballpark Village

The Ins and Outs Of Ballpark Village's Rookie Season

Millions of people visited Ballpark Village during its rookie season, packing the venue's bars and restaurants before and after Cardinals games. It was nearly a decade in the making, as the multi-level complex went through numerous delays and revisions before materializing next to Busch Stadium. But was Ballpark Village a success? And did it help downtown St. Louis? That depends on whom you ask.

Blasts from the past

Louisiana Purchase Treaty Makes Rare Appearance At History Museum Exhibit

The Louisiana Purchase is much more complicated than most history textbooks portray. It's a story of many doubts and tough decisions, and the exhibition at the Missouri History Museum is devoted to the moments of political complication and indecision. The exhibition’s core, the Treaty of Cession, known as The Louisiana Purchase Treaty, was provided by the National Archives.

Ron Reed was an exuberant Strawberry Shortcake this weekend in the Central West End.
Credit Emanuele Berry | St. Louis Public Radio
Ron Reed was an exuberant Strawberry Shortcake this weekend in the Central West End.

Halloween Arrests In The 1960s Sparked St. Louis' LGBT Movement

St. Louis adopted an ordinance prohibiting cross-dressing in 1864. The so-called masquerading ordinance made it illegal for any person to appear in any public place in dress not belonging to his or her sex. The ordinance stayed on the books until 1986, when two St. Louisans filed motions to have charges of cross-dressing and indecent and lewd conduct dismissed. As a result, a revised law no longer prohibits cross dressing and redefined indecent and lewd acts.

Susan Hegger comes to St. Louis Public Radio and the Beacon as the politics and issues editor, a position she has held at the Beacon since it started in 2008.