The book chosen for this year's One Read program follows three sets of mysteriously connected characters as their lives unveil several intertwined themes: individual identity, personal reinvention, connection to others, mental illness, sudden disappearance, and how the Internet is reshaping a lot of these ideas. On today's Intersection, we talk about how the themes in the book play out in real life. We also hear how the mid-Missouri community has responded to the book. Whether or not you read "Await Your Reply," today's conversation provides a thought-provoking look at how we all turn into the characters we are.

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Panelists:
Dan Chaon, author of "Await Your Reply" (joining us by phone)
Elaine Larson, psychologist at the Fulton State Hospital
Doyne McKenzie, One Read co-chair and collections manager at Daniel Boone Regional Library
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After weeks of discussion, the Columbia City Council approved an amended budget for the coming year. On this episode of Intersection, recorded hours before the final Council vote, we discuss some specifics of the budget and learn how city services will be affected.

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Panelists:
Laura Nauser, Columbia Fifth Ward Councilwoman
Bill Watkins, Columbia City Manager
Related links:
Council passes proposed budget with smaller than proposed electricity rate increase (Missourian, 9/20)
The proposed City of Columbia budget for FY2011.
Difficult budget forces cuts in city travel and training (Missourian, 9/19)
City’s growing pension fund liability gap widens (Tribune, 9/19)
Council reduces proposed electric rate hike (Tribune, 9/8)
GEORGE KENNEDY: Budget 'bloat' not quite what has been reported (Missourian, 09/02/2010)
City budget has no room for employee raises (Tribune, 8/31)
Council pares expenditures (Tribune, 8/31)
City Council works on tight budget at second work session (Missourian, 8/30)
City calls for utility rate hike (Tribune, 8/29)
City budget relies on reserves (Tribune, 8/29)
Council aims to add cops, firefighters (Tribune, 8/29)
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Over the summer, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill requiring insurance companies to pay up to $40,000 per year per child to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism. The law will go into effect in January. Today's discussion brings you up to speed about the latest developments related to Autism and the resources available in mid-Missouri for children with autism.

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Panelists:
Stephen Kanne, associate director of the Thompson Center in Columbia
Hope McPheeters, director of Ella’s Hope for Autism and parent of a 5-year-old with autism
Related links:
Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative -- Mentioned during the Intersection discussion, this link leads to a set of guidelines for autism identification, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Autism Fact Sheet -- From the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Autism Insurance Bill FAQ -- From the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration
Missouri Autism Insurance Bill -- The text of the actual bill which passed in June 2010
Ella’s Hope website -- Explains the inspiration behind Ella’s Hope; Hope McPheeter’s goal is to give back to the resources that have helped her daughter and to provide scholarships to families to help pay for therapy/treatments
Columbia Missourian article -- Explains Hope McPheeter’s Ella’s Hope foundation; gives background on Ella and the Pepsi Refresh Everything grant that’s she’s trying to get
Ella's Hope entry into the Pepsi Good idea grant project -- Where you can vote for the project to receive grant funding
NPR story from late August -- Explains one woman with autism’s perspective.
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