David Schaper http://news.stlpublicradio.org en Hockey's Hottest Teams Hit The Ice In Stanley Cup Final http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/hockeys-hottest-teams-hit-ice-stanley-cup-final The National Hockey League's Stanley Cup championship gets underway in Chicago Wednesday night, with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins facing off in the first game of the best-of-seven series. It's a classic matchup between two of the NHL's original six teams.<p>Both teams are recent champs, which is helping passionate hockey fans and players put the bitter labor dispute that almost iced the season behind them.<p>Chicago is crazy about the Blackhawks right now. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:33:00 +0000 David Schaper 27321 at http://news.stlpublicradio.org Hockey's Hottest Teams Hit The Ice In Stanley Cup Final Ill. Assembly Called Back To Work On Pension Fund Shortfall http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/ill-assembly-called-back-work-pension-fund-shortfall Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>NPR's business news starts with pension problems for Illinois.<p>(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)<p>MONTAGNE: The credit rating for the state of Illinois has taken another step closer to junk bond status. Illinois already had the lowest credit rating in the nation before it was downgraded again this week by Moody's and Fitch. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:34:00 +0000 David Schaper 27158 at http://news.stlpublicradio.org Gay Marriage Supporters Face Tough Fight In Blue Illinois http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/gay-marriage-supporters-face-tough-fight-blue-illinois The clock is ticking for those who hope Illinois will become the 13th state to legalize same-sex marriage.<p>The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring session Friday night, and the marriage equality bill still has not been called for a vote in the state House, where supporters are struggling to round up the 60 votes necessary to pass it.<p>Advocates of LGBT rights had hoped to make Illinois the first Midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriage legislatively (in Iowa, the state Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2009), but Minnesota beat the Land of Lincoln t Thu, 30 May 2013 21:47:00 +0000 David Schaper 26910 at http://news.stlpublicradio.org Gay Marriage Supporters Face Tough Fight In Blue Illinois After The Storm: Students Gather For One More School Day http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/after-storm-students-gather-one-more-school-day Under cloudy skies and through intermittent showers, 4-year-old Kamrin Ramirez holds in her little hands two cards, one addressed to Ms. Patterson, the other for Ms. Johnson, her two preschool teachers at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla.<p>"I write thank you so much," she says.<p>Plaza Towers was obliterated by <a href="http://www.npr.org/series/185643689/2013-tornadoes-in-oklahoma" target="_blank">Monday's powerful twister</a>, and seven children died beneath the rubble there. Thu, 23 May 2013 22:05:00 +0000 David Schaper 26682 at http://news.stlpublicradio.org After The Storm: Students Gather For One More School Day Chicago Commuters Brace For Delays During Bridge Repair http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/chicago-commuters-brace-delays-during-bridge-repair <p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBK-v4LSco</p> Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:00 +0000 David Schaper 9927 at http://news.stlpublicradio.org Chicago Commuters Brace For Delays During Bridge Repair