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Health & Fitness

Political Rewind: Nixon optimistic on Medicaid, new book on the Arch reveals politics behind building of an icon

Here are the top political and policy stories from Beyond November, a collaboration of the St. Louis Beacon, Nine Network and St. Louis Public Radio.

Politically Speaking: Songs, shenanigans and the governor's Medicaid tour 

On this week's podcast, Chris McDaniel of St. Louis Public Radio, and Beacon reporters Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies discuss mayoral songs and shenanigans, Lincoln Days speeches, Nixon's Medicaid tour and legislative trolling. Listen to the podcast.

Nixon is optimistic that GOP may come around on Medicaid expansion

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says that Republican efforts to draft an alternative to his Medicaid expansion proposal is a sign of a possible shift in sentiment.

Read Jo Mannies' report in the St. Louis Beacon.

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Read Chris McDaniel's report for St. Louis Public radio.

New Arch history delves into the wheeling and dealing behind the building of an icon

Historian Tracy Campbell provides a thorough and often unflattering story of the city politics and private-interest ambitions that played heavily in the Arch’s formative years. Still, Campbell says he can’t help but admire the 630-foot architectural marvel that is recognized by people all over the world. "You could go there right now and just see people quietly standing under it and staring at it and wanting to touch it. And feeling somehow happy that they’re there,’’ Campbell said.

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Read Mary Leonard's interview with Campbell in the St. Louis Beacon.

McCaskill moved left, Blunt to the right; Durbin among the most liberal, National Journal reports

A National Journal analysis shows that Sen. Claire McCaskill  -- although still in the "moderate" range - was somewhat more liberal in her voting last year than in 2011. Sen. Roy Blunt (left in photo array) moved a bit rightward; Sen. Dick Durbin ranked as the third most liberal senator.

Read Rob Koenig's report at the St. Louis Beacon.

Teaching of evolution would be regulated under Missouri House bill

State and local-level school officials would be required to develop guidelines for teaching evolution under legislation making its way through the Missouri House.

Read Marshall Griffin's report at St. Louis Public Radio.

Tit-for-tat: Roorda introduces bill criminalizing anti-union bills

It appears Missouri Democrats are also adept at filing legislation to criminalize legislators for offering legislation. State Rep. Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart, proposed a bill Wednesday making it a felony to propose a bill “that further restricts an individual's right to bargain collectively.”

Read Jason Rosenbaum's report at the St. Louis Beacon. 

Probe finds no proof of shredded documents at History Museum

An interim report released to the museum's trustees Wednesday said there was no evidence to support claims that had been reported by two Zoo-Museum District commissioners.

Read Dale Singer's report at the St. Louis Beacon.

Read Adam Allington's report for St. Louis Public Radio.

Both reports include a PowerPoint presentation with details from the investigation.

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