The Gateway

The Dutchtown neighborhood, in southeast St. Louis, has seen anti-violence initiatives come and go over the years. Now, it is one of three neighborhoods selected for a nationally-known program called Cure Violence. The effort is being met with cautious optimism.

New gaming machines are all over Missouri in places like bars, gas stations, and lodges. Now opponents, backed by the casino industry, are fighting to get them removed. Some advocates want to keep them for tax revenue.

Sukanya Mani earned a degree in chemistry in her native India before resettling in St. Louis 21 years ago. She puts her fascination with the sciences to work in her art, cutting and shaping paper into sculptures that reflect scientific concepts. Her new pieces are being shown at the Kranzberg Arts Center through the end of the year.

With Missouri set to begin medicinal cannabis sales in the spring and recreational marijuana coming to Illinois on Jan. 1, what do we know about research into the drug? A scientist at the forefront of the issue talks about the myths and misconceptions of cannabis.

Missouri lawmakers were motivated in the spring of 1989 to figure out how climate change would affect the state. A commission was formed to study the issue and come up with solutions. The result was more than 100 policy suggestions, covering everything from the use of solar and wind energy to transportation and teaching about climate change.

A recent presentation to the Crestwood Board of Alderman is leaving questions about the redevelopment plan for the old Crestwood Mall site. Developer Kent Evans discusses the project and when he hopes work on the property can begin.

It's been roughly 18 months since Mike Parson became Missouri Governor. The Republican is assessing accomplishments over that time and responding to critics. Parson spoke with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about what he expects during the upcoming legislative session and whether big goals can be accomplished during an election year.

Missouri has combined its higher education and workforce development departments. But some liberal arts students and professors question whether public universities should steer students toward high-demand professions.

Many community college workforce development programs are supposed to prepare residents to fill vacancies in the local job market. There are questions about whether they are helping close the skills gap noted by employers. St. Louis Community College is expanding some programs in the hopes of filling that gap.

When St. Louis resident Elsie McGrath became an ordained female priest in 2007, her defiance angered local Catholic officials. Though she was later excommunicated by a St. Louis archbishop, McGrath has continued to lead a small Roman Catholic congregation. She's now feeling hopeful that the church may eventually allow women to join the ministry.