Special Reports

Good News 4 A Change: Companies Reporting Growth
Many St. Louis companies are now reporting growth -- at least in their stock prices. That doesn't meant the recession is over, but it's good news for a change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Donations to Teachers Pour In
It's no secret that money is tight for school districts. Many teachers are being asked to do more with less. For some St. Louis teachers, donations are pouring in from across the country, and that's good news for a change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Starting a Business During the Recession
We continue to bring you good news stories on individuals taking a larger than usual risk -- like starting a business during a recession. Another bold business owner is overcoming much more than just a weak economy. It's good news for a change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Dental Care for Veterans
Veterans are eligible for a wide range of health care services through the VA, but coverage for dental care is limited. Now, a local dentist wants to help out, and that's "Good News for a Change!" Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Park Pond
The recession is devastating state and city budgets. That can make it hard to find money for something like a park pond, unless the neighborhood pitches in. News 4’s Larry Conners reports that is exactly what is happening with a local landmark... and that's "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Mortgage Help
Some credit counselors are seeing a new wave of homeowners facing foreclosure. That's bad news, but a federal program designed to help those homeowners is beginning to work. That's "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Salvation Army
We've been telling you how the federal government is spending $800 billion for its stimulus program. Next to that $300 may not seem like much, unless you're one of the participants in a new local "stimulus plan." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Online giving
The United Way is one of the oldest and largest charitable organizations in America. The St. Louis chapter was formed 87 years ago, back in 1922. This week, they're doing something they've never done before to help raise funds. And in this economy, that's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Green giving
The recession is hitting food pantries hard. Demand is up. Donations are down. Now some local pantries are getting some help from a surprising source. And that's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Windows tax credit
We can argue whether the massive $700 billion stimulus plan is helping out. But I can show you how some $1,500 chunks of the plan are making a big difference for local homeowners and businesses. It's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Empire jobs back
In Belleville, a manufacturing plant is calling back laid off workers. That's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Mortgage Tax Credit
The new $8,000 dollar tax credit for first time home buyers is creating quite a buzz, but is it creating any business? For one St. Louis mortgage company, the answer is a resounding "yes.: And that's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Foreclosure Angel
Tens of thousands of Americans are in danger of losing their homes and they're looking for help. A St. Louis County woman found that help, from an angel, and that's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Saving a building
The slumping economy and tight credit is making it unusually difficult to get big commercial projects off the ground, but developers aren't giving up. Some are getting creative, and that's "good news for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Free studio
One effect of the slumping economy is that it can be harder to find money for a college education. That makes scholarships all the more attractive. This weekend, a local business is reaching out to help students and as Larry Conners found, that's "good news, for a change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: $1,000 Down Payment
Realtors say there's never been a better time to buy a house. Rates are low, prices are down, and there's that big tax credit. What if you can't scrape together a down-payment? In St. Charles County that just got easier, and that's good news for a change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Convention Trickle
There’s another big event planned for St. Louis. The city will host the Church of God in Christ Convention. The 9 day convention is expected to draw 50,000 visitors and bring in 35-million dollars for the city. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Help from Ebove
A whole new world is about to open up for a St. Louis woman, all thanks to some surprising help from California. A woman in Los Angeles heard about my Good News for a Change reports. She wanted us to help spread the news about her special project to help those in need. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Helping the Hungry
The recession is putting even more pressure on food pantries. There are so many Americans in need and donations to pantries are way down. News 4 shows you a new way you can help. It's Good News For a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Unemployed Author
Losing your job at anytime can be devastating, even more so in an economy like this. For one St. Peters man, being unemployed turned into a real-life "monster story." But don't worry, this is actually "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Free Landscaping
It's no surprise that when the economy tanks and Americans earn less, that they donate less. News 4 has proof that the spirit of giving is alive and well. For one St. Peters family that's Good News for a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: House flipping
Many economists believe the housing market has to get healthy, before the economy can stabilize. A St. Louis company is trying to inject life into home sales with a new spin on "home flipping." That company is proving to be Good News for a Change for some home owners. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Medical Equipment
The economic crisis is sparking new debate about problems with America’s health care system. One thing almost everyone seems to agree on: health care is getting too expensive. News 4 wants to show you how a local woman is moving beyond the debate to make some Good News for a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Ranken Technical College
This year's graduates are out looking for jobs. Many are saying they can't find open jobs, at least not the jobs they want. That's not the case at one college and that's Good News for a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: American made shades
Supporters of the "Made in America" push say more American production means more American jobs. We have an example right in the heart of St. Louis and it's "Good News 4 a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Supporting the troops
Check this out. This is one of the first Camaros to hit the show room floor in St. Louis. Interested? Wednesday, you can buy it and help America’s service men and women at the same time. And that's Good News 4 a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Hair cuts
Millions of Americans are already out of work, as governments, companies, just about everyone is cutting back. News 4 wants to share the story of a St. Louis business owner who is offering support by doing some cutting, in this case it's "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Made in U.S. mirrors
Made in America is a common refrain for those who want to see jobs return to the U.S. News 4 met a St. Louis business-owner who is answering that call. His bold action means success for his company and good news for a change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Mortgage deferral
When a homeowner loses his or her job, one of their biggest worries is the mortgage. Now, a local bank is announcing a bold plan to ease that worry and that's "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Ashby’s Bonecones
You might have heard reports the economy is prompting some pet owners to surrender their dogs to shelters or worse. News 4 wants to introduce you to a 9-year-old girl who has cooked up a plan to help. She has the recipe for "Good News for a Change." Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Bracelet girl
There's a lot of fear that our recession will lead to a drop in charitable donations. It's a real concern. Meet one local student filled with charity. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Foreclosures
The high numbers of foreclosures has certainly been one of the hallmarks of the economic slump. But in Madison County, Illinois, there's something dramatic happening with foreclosures and this time it's Good News for a Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: north St. Louis
Over the years, there have been many plans to revitalize parts of north St. Louis. Now, civic boosters are confident one effort is really taking hold. News 4 looks at how "new" economic change is coming to "old" north St. Louis. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Cola Plant Apartments
With the credit crisis, you know it is difficult to get commercial loans for large developments. But as you're about to see, that doesn't mean entrepreneurs are giving up. It just means they're getting more creative. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Krupp Florist
In our Good News 4 a Change project, Larry Conners has shown you many stories of business owners thriving despite the recession. Well one local business is surviving a one-two punch and succeeding. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Creve Coeur dentist
One local dentist knows that some of his patients are hurting, not because of their teeth but because of the economy. So he has decided to do something that has amazed and inspired some of his clients. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Alton pawn business
President Obama is hoping his economic stimulus plan will help create jobs and business growth. News 4 headed to Alton where we found a local business owner who's doing a little of that himself. In fact, you might call him a one man stimulus program. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: McKendree University
The recession is also taking a toll on colleges and universities. Some schools are making headlines for announcing lower-than-expected tuition increases. An area university does even more. It's Good News for A Change. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Sauget fiber plant
The recession continues to force many companies to shut down or cut way back. Thousands are out of work just in the St. Louis area. There is some Good News for A Change about a Metro East factory that closed last summer, but is back in business. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Chesterfield business
If the credit crisis is blamed for forcing the owners of the Galleria into bankruptcy, you know it's tough for small businesses. So, it's even tougher for someone trying to start a new business. No credit means, no business, which in turn, means no jobs. There is some Good News for A Change about a local community where businesses are thriving. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Helping out Veterans
Our troops returning from war are coming home to our recession. Many might need economic help, but too often, our returning servicemen and women are ignored and forgotten. Good News for a Change focuses on one man's effort to make sure that doesn't happen. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Downtown living
Bad mortgages, foreclosures, low home sales, they're taking a lot of the blame for the recessions. But there are some bright spots. News 4 found some Good News for a Change in the housing market. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Made in USA vacuums
The recession is breathing new life into an old slogan, "Buy American." With more products made in China and Mexico, that's getting harder to do. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Health insurance
Insurance is getting more expensive and it's getting harder to find jobs that provide health insurance at no cost. Meet one small business owner who makes sure her employee are covered. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Innovative program
People have heard it countless times, a great way to get Americans back to work is to encourage and help small business. News 4 wants to tell you about an innovative program in St. Louis that is doing just that. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Re-sale boom
Good news for a change. Larry Conners found a business that could help shoppers save some money. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Jobless and bored
So far in our "Good News 4 A Change" reports we've introduced you to News 4 viewers starting businesses, succeeding in spite of layoffs and job loss and reaching out to help others. News 4’s Larry Conners introduces you to a young St. Louis County couple, both out of work and unable to find jobs. Now, they're trying to help others in the same boat. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Al Gonzalez
So many of you are praising our special project “Good News 4 A Change” and you are giving us a wealth of stories. Your e-mails are demonstrating what we already knew, that everywhere Americans are finding a way to fight their way through this recession and turn the negatives into positives. This is the story of Al Gonzalez. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Greenfield doctor
There is a great story about a doctor in Greenfield, Illinois, about 60-miles north of St. Louis. He's doing his best to help those who are hurting. Watch this story

Good News 4 A Change: Starting your own business
We know that for many months now the news about your homes, your jobs, your savings has been bad, a constant drum-beat of bad news. News 4 wants to change things up a bit. News 4 knows many of you are doing good things, enjoying success, supporting your family, in these tough times. News 4 has one of those stories. But Scott Hampshire is proving that even in time of recession, you can still start your own business. Watch this story