The Insider: 10.14.15

Washington University has done it again! The school will host one of the four general-election debates scheduled for next year, earning the distinction of hosting more debates than any other institution in history. The Oct. 9, 2016, debate will be held in the Athletics Complex, and the Commission on Presidential Debates will assign all tickets.

Former Globe-Democrat reporter Karen Dodson of the Central West End recently self-published her first book, Set: A Love Story. A Hollywood producer is writing a screenplay based on the novel, and Dodson hopes to sell the film rights soon.

This month, the Gateway Arch turns 50. To celebrate, a Golden Gala will be held Oct. 28 at the Old Courthouse with special guest Susan Saarinen, daughter of the famous Arch designer Eero Saarinen, pictured here with Susan and his son, Eric. The event is sponsored by Saint Louis Ambassadors, an all-volunteer group of civic leaders founded the same year as the Arch’s completion by then mayor A.J. Cervantes. Proceeds from the gala will benefit CityArchRiver2015, Forest Park and the zoo.

St. Louis continues to be a hub for innovation with the big announcement that Square has opened an office here. The mobile payments company was founded in 2009 by St. Louis natives Jim McKelvey (pictured, top) and Jack Dorsey (pictured, bottom). “St. Louis is an important part of Square’s history,” Dorsey says. “It’s an incredible city and my hometown, and we’re excited to further invest in the community.” Located in the CWE’s St. Louis Cortex Innovation Community, the new office will house 40 full-time employees immediately and grow to more than 200 in the next five years. Photos courtesy of Square