Nature versus nurture is a timeless debate. Which more influences our behaviors, thoughts, actions, even looks? There have been ongoing questions on nature versus nurture when it comes to intelligence. Now, about fifteen years later, there’s another book based on a study around race and intelligence. Does effort play a major role in intellectual success?

John Stewart's bit about the importance of race in the Senate confirmation of Sonya Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court ignores an important and historic moment.

Many St. Louisans seem more concerned with what is happening only in their municipalities.  A change in thinking to consider the whole region can make our entire community stronger.

Taking action to change your community can be easier than you may think.

A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article claims the generation gap is bigger than ever.  Is it?  Are today's young people that much different than their grandparents or parents?  Take a second and tell us what you think.

Is the re-opening of a Granite City steel plant a sign that our economy is turning around?  Can we take the industries we have and use this slow down as an opportunity to change them into the industries of the future?

 Wednesday's forum on the role of the midwest in a global economy is generating a lot of buzz.  Two international experts give their ideas on what the midwest needs to do to move ahead in a global era.

Green energy bills in the House and Senate aren't living up to the President's promise, but statistics show green energy as an industry is poised to add new jobs to our economy.

Is the government's economic stimulus plan helping or is it just more of the same?

By Melanie Adams
Special to the FOCUS Blog

Friday’s Post Dispatch had a story about the best places to kiss in St. Louis.  While this is not hard hitting journalism, I thought I would take a look.  Instead of seeing comments about the actual story, I started reading racist comments about the picture of the couple dating.