Over 500 students and community members assembled early Monday morning outside of Clayton High School to convey a message of acceptance in response to Westboro Baptist Church’s protest at the local school.

A new high-speed train connecting St. Louis and Chicago will provide students with an alternative way to travel. The railroad, which is currently under construction, should be complete sometime in 2014, according to officials involved in the project.

A domestic partnership registry approved in Clayton last week has been greeted with tepid response from the local community. The legislation passed by the city’s board of aldermen on Wednesday entitles monogamous partners, regardless of sexual orientation, to the same rights as married couples at all city-owned facilities.

With a population of just over 2,000 residents, Labadie, Mo. is a small, rural town located about 35 miles west of St. Louis­—but decisions taking place in the community could have a big impact for people living throughout the St. Louis area. Ameren Missouri has spent years pursuing plans to construct a coal ash landfill on the floodplain of the Missouri River.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, D-Mo., announced she would not seek re-election on Sept. 30, leaving her seat open for the 2012 election. Carnahan, sister of Rep. Russ Carnahan, and daughter of former senators Mel and Jean Carnahan, was elected to the post in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.

Despite concerns last spring about students’ disorderly conduct on the Delmar Loop, behavioral issues have subsided considerably in recent months, officials say. According to University City Manager Lehman Walker, an increase in law enforcement officials on the Loop beginning last spring has yielded positive results.

University City is considering changing its policies to stop bouts of disorderly conduct on the Delmar Loop. According to University City Manager Lehman Walker, the city is considering these changes due to an increased amount of disorderly conduct that has been taking place on the Loop recently.

Jeremiah McMillon, the man accused of robbing two Washington University students last fall, will be put on trial in February 2012. KSDK reported Tuesday that McMillon is being charged with 10 felonies, including forcible rape, attempted rape and kidnapping. He is also a potential suspect for a separate sexual assault, among other crimes.

The man behind the Delmar Loop revitalization is stepping down from his job as chairman of the board of the Loop Special Business District. Joe Edwards, the owner of Blueberry Hill, the Pin-Up Bowl, the Tivoli Theatre, the Pageant and the Moonrise Hotel publicly announced his resignation last week.

The Washington University community has taken a leading role in opposition to the creation of a coal ash landfill in Labadie, Mo.