Former National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency leader Robert Cardillo stepped down in February after playing a major role in selecting St. Louis as the site for a new headquarters. On June 1, he started at St. Louis University as a distinguished geospatial fellow, where he will serve as a liaison for the N-G-A, industry leaders and the university.

In the aftermath of Ferguson, the municipal court system came under scrutiny for a variety of unfair practices. Some reforms have been implemented over the last five years, but we examine whether real change has occurred.

Jonathan Tremaine Thomas moved to Ferguson from Indianapolis five years ago to be part of the healing process after the death of Michael Brown. The pastor is planning to reopen the Corner Coffee House to help downtown Ferguson thrive again, which will benefit the entire community.

Two vacant St. Louis County Council seats will be filled in a special election August 6. We review the election, which will decide what party controls the council going forward. Both seats are expected to stay Democratic although one of the races could be competitive.

What has changed in the region politically five years after Ferguson? The past 12 months have showcased big policy gains in St. Louis County government, and some modest advances in Jefferson City.

Science Fiction writers have long warned us about the dangers of modifying organisms. But new technologies are becoming a reality and researchers are trying to figure out how to present gene-editing technology to a skeptical public.

The cannabis industry is predominantly white, and Missouri has said it won’t consider racial equity in its selection process for medical marijuana licenses. A St. Louis minority-owned business is focusing on community impact in its application. REAL Cannabis Co. wants to counteract the negative effects of marijuana in communities of color.

After homes in flood-prone areas have been bought through the FEMA buyout program, the federal agency allows local governments to use the land as long as they don’t build any developments on the properties. Some have been turned into parks and others have been leased very inexpensively to residents who have gardened or allowed people to use them for camping.

St. Louisan Alana Marie is exploring local history and her family’s roots in a film project about the city of Kinloch, where her father grew up. Missouri’s oldest incorporated African-American community now has fewer than 300 residents but was once a vibrant and flourishing place.

Doctors often don’t want to treat pregnant women with substance use disorder. Many times those women are left without access to medications to control their addictions. Washington University’s medical school has started a clinic for pregnant and postpartum women addicted to opioids.