Five Ideas

Tasers, budget woes for Columbia Public Schools and the UM System, a football team that didn't live up to the hype and fights at Hickman High School were some of the most talked about stories this year.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the slow negotiations concerning red-light cameras, a Taser settlement offer given to the city, academic and athletic funding at MU, funding problems at the Humane Society and the cost-effectiveness of going green.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the University of Missouri System's substantial budget cuts, the state's budget deficit, the city of Columbia's decision to do away with its drop-off trash bag program, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell Obama's Senate seat and MU's passage of a new smoking ban.

This week, we ask you to weigh in Pinkel's extension in the time of a hiring freeze, the clearing of Hickman Resource Officer Mark Brotemarkle, the Tigers' performance, restricting alcohol on Missouri rivers and the state's budgetary shortfall.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on how the economy is effecting your plans for travel and gifts, whether you'll be saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" and if you think charitable giving will be down this year.

This week, we also ask readers to weigh in traffic plans for West Broadway, delays on traffic lights, improvements at the airport and a new Catholic high school for Columbia.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the MU soccer team's Big 12 Championship, the youth vote that propelled Barack Obama to the presidency, election changes and a new music festival for Columbia.

This week, we ask readers to weigh in on Missouri's status as a bellwether state, whether Missouri Republicans and Democrats can work together, and your thoughts on the Missourian's story about Chase Daniel and his girlfriend, Blaire Vandiver.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the races for president, governor, attorney general, Congress and the state House of Representatives.

This week, we also ask readers to weigh in on what kind of tone is appropriate for media coverage of the presidential election, the return of one of the resource police officers at Hickman High School, tailgating at Reactor Field and the lack of funding for public defenders.

Columbia discusses the debate, falling gas prices, MU's nuclear research program, helping KCOU and the changing math curriculum.

This week, we ask you to share your thoughts on selling ad space on city buses, Fair Trade, Columbia's ranking as a sports city, efforts to prevent child abuse, and who is responsible for maintenance on an earthen dam at Welch Lake.

This week, we ask for your input on the vice presidential debate, how to fund education, whether the Columbia Police Department should release Taser data and the future of the Roots 'N' Blues 'N' BBQ Festival.

This week we ask you to weigh in on math curriculum, First Ward cottages, a bike overpass, MOHELA and the end of the Twilight Festival.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the hike in bus fares, red-light cameras, AIG and the economic crisis, development around the new high school and street fighting downtown.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on the Obama/Biden economic plan, higher education plans for Missouri, the prospect of alternative fuel sources, the future of the Missourian and the student curator bill.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on Hulshof's education plan, the Nazi's request to stage another march in Columbia, the vetting process of Sarah Palin, the added bicycle parking on game days and the government's reaction to Hurricane Gustav.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on Mesaba Airlines, MU football security, the end of deer butchering at Jennings Premium Meats, a new school year and the increase of city recreational fees.

This week, we ask you to weigh in on Jim Ritter's appointment as interim schools superintendent, Olympic moments, Columbia's tie to the Russia-Georgia conflict, a potential program that will give students statistics on their energy use and students' return to school.