The Gateway

In this special edition of The Gateway, St. Louis Public Radio brings you an extended interview that profiles Michael Brown Sr. It's part of a larger project that explores what's changed and what hasn't since Michael Brown Jr. was killed five years ago. Find it at livingferguson.org

Five years after a white Ferguson police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, Jr., a black man, artists in the St. Louis region continue to explore the movement that emerged after his death. Some incorporated political concerns into their work for the first time. Others intensified their focus on social justice.

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.