Best of the Beacon for week of Aug. 6
Election
Clay's win over Carnahan swept other candidates along
Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. won big Tuesday in his spirited Democratic primary against Russ Carnahan. But the real news arguably was Clay's powerful get-out-the vote operation, which also helped many other African-American candidates win.
No rest for the winners of Missouri primaries
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and her Republican rival – U.S. Rep. Todd Akin – will both be hitting the rural roads next week to begin, in earnest, their battle to win the hearts, minds – and votes – of Missourians.
Akin shocks rivals with Senate primary win, Wagner and Clay cruise to congressional nominations
U.S. Rep. Todd Akin on Tuesday duplicated his first congressional victory as he defied pre-election polls and edged out two rivals to win the state’s hotly contested GOP primary for the U.S. Senate.
Kinder and Schoeller squeak by in the statewide contests; Spence, Martin, Montee and Kander roll
Republicans Dave Spence and Ed Martin won their primaries for governor and attorney general, while Peter Kinder won the combative primary for lieutenant governor. Former state Auditor Susan Montee won a crowded Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, while state Rep. Jason Kander, D-Kansas City, won his primary for secretary of state.
Jones takes city treasurer; in legislative races, Nasheed wins, Newman ekes out one-vote victory
Democratic incumbents Susan Carlson and Stacey Newman were running in the newly redrawn 87th House district, which encompasses parts of Clayton, Ladue, Richmond Heights and University City. Newman beat Carlson 1,823 to 1,822.
Other news
SLU law dean resigns, blasts administration's tactics and commitment
Annette Clark, who led the law school for just one year, questioned the integrity and honesty of the school's president, the Rev. Lawrence Biondi. Biondi said that he planned to fire Clark at a meeting today, but instead she emailed her resignation.
Group wants elderly to talk about end-of-life medical care while still healthy
Many people say a living will guarantees that their wishes about medical treatment as they are near death will be honored. Not so, according to some experts. They urge people to make their wishes known in what's called a POLST form.
Drought
In rare good news, drought has Missouri winemakers anticipating best vintage in decades
With unusually warm spring temperatures and a drought-ridden summer, Missouri wine producers are looking at the earliest — and perhaps best — harvest in recent memory. It is a rare piece of good news in a summer of record-breaking heat and drought
Features
Take Five: Grace Guggenheim on a 'facelift' for her father's classic Arch documentary
The National Park Service has commissioned the digitization of "Monument to the Dream," Guggenheim's 1967 film tribute to the builders of the Arch. The film has been shown to park visitors since 1972.
The Ring cycle starts; UAO presents 'Das Rheingold'
Richard Wagner called “Das Rheingold” a prelude because it introduces most characters and the relevant themes of power and its abuse that are developed in later works. The opera, produced by Union Avenue later this month, starts the first full cycle presented in St. Louis since 1930.
The Muny has a long history of inclusion
From its inception, The Muny -- America's oldest and largest outdoor theater -- has been dedicated to bringing together St. Louisans of all backgrounds. We look at the inclusive philosophy held by some of the Muny's founding members.
Voices
The sum of our fears
Love ’em or hate ’em, guns are as American as apple pie. A gun bequeaths its holder with a sense of empowerment. He wields deadly force and thus feels capable of taking care of business when hazard looms. But is that belief a delusion?
Oscar Pistorious, Gabby Douglas and beach volleyball
The Olympics mark a time when our global society comes together. And the International Olympic Committee make clear statements condemning discrimination and encouraging inclusion. But such declarations should not keep us from seeing that we need to continue to improve our treatment and perceptions of each other.
Healing art from a sinister soul?
We now have evidence that music has healing properties. But some of the best music ever written or performed has been done so by very sick persons. The question of how we approach music created by a "vile" person is raised with the production of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle by Union Avenue Opera.
And as some of our interns head back to school: Meet the interns
Every summer the Beacon is lucky to have a class of interns who are invariably bright, curious and talented. This year's crop looks to be equally promising. They are Neel Thakkar, Nick Fandos, Abby Abrams, Josie Butler, Molly Duffy and Lauren Leone.
