Meeting in St. Louis next week, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious will have its first opportunity as an assembled group to consider what to do after the Vatican issued a mandate for change this spring. It calls on the conference to reorganize and more strictly observe church teachings.

When a family of four goes to the St. Louis Zoo, they can be forgiven for not knowing it will cost them $60, $72 if they park. If they can't pay, the alternative is to tell the kids they can't do what kids do at the zoo.

Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley gave reporters less than a half-hour’s notice today when he announced that conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh’s sculptured bust will be formally installed in the Capitol at 1 p.m.

Backers of Amendment 3, the Nov. 6 ballot proposal to make some changes in how some Missouri judges are selected, have announced that they’re dropping plans to mount a campaign because of what a spokesman called “deliberately deceptive ballot wording’’ by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and her Republican rival -- U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Wildwood -- agree on one point: They hold opposing views on almost every issue. Both hope to see more focus on their stands, and less on the politics, in the final weeks of their contest.

The iconic 170-foot water tower in Collinsville gets a nod from Landmarks Illinois, which honors innovative preservation projects in the state.

As a theatrical producer for many years, Kathleen Sitzer has seen her share of tough audiences. But in Tel Aviv, where Igal Ezraty and Natalie Hissian oversee productions at the Jaffa Theatre, she learned about a higher level of tension.

The iconic 170-foot water tower in Collinsville gets a nod from Landmarks Illinois, which honors innovative preservation projects in the state.

His iconic radio proclamation may be gone from the airwaves, but the St. Louis jazz master can still be heard via internet. He reflects on his love of what he proudly called America's only original art form and his long run on St. Louis radio.

Investors are giving large-scale funding to a blood test product, a cardiac treatment and a device to help stroke victims recover from paralysis. More than $400,000 will flow into three area companies as the Arch Angels continue to expand their presence in the life sciences.

Robert Klein believes that stem cell research and in vitro fertilization are threatened by both political opposition and budget deficits. Klein, who will be speaking at UMSL on Friday, said Missouri has a significant opportunity to become a hub for research.

Backers, such as David Sandel (pictured), hope a proposed media hub would bring new development and spur high tech growth. The idea, a fiber optic, cable-based pathway to the Web would allow users to connect at speeds dozens of times faster than standard residential links.

The Affordable Care Act, one of the most controversial laws enacted during the Obama administration, continues to stir debate. The adminstration praises the legislation, but GOP presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, wants to repeal it.

Robert Klein believes that stem cell research and in vitro fertilization are threatened by both political opposition and budget deficits. Klein, who will be speaking at UMSL on Friday, said Missouri has a significant opportunity to become a hub for research.

The Missouri Department of Insurance has announced its largest fine in state history -- $1.5 million – against an insurer who failed to comply with state law regarding coverage, or lack of, for autism treatment, contraception and elective abortions.

Questions are being raised on all levels of education. The focus in St. Louis may be on the recent controversy at Saint Louis University, but change is more likely to happen on the elementary and secondary level.

A coming typhoon may be the immediate worry, but Pat Raven (in Taipei with her husband, Peter. at a conference on biodiversity) sees a worse long-term threat in climate change. Scientists in Taiwan say they could lose 10 percent of their productive land.

The symphony's European tour as well as recent visits to St. Louis by two authors, Sally Bixby Defty and Marjorie Cohn, bring to life the vitality of the arts. We at the Beacon believe their coverage is important as the work we do with such things as politics, health and education.