"What the heck is wrong with people?" I asked myself aloud after learning of the hateful words spoken to conservative commentator Eric Bolling last week. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does -- something so inhuman, it shakes you to your core as I was shaken when I learned what occurred at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday...

Layton Lipke is probably one of the more well mannered teenagers around. Ask any question and he will give you an answer followed by "sir" or "ma'am" -- refreshing and not something you hear often. The Jackson High School freshman, son of Scott and Ashley Lipke, has made his mark locally through music and drama, including as an actor in "All Night Skate" which was partially filmed in Jackson. ...

This is an open letter to the good folks of the Scott City area who have been so supportive of my last 50 years of St. Jude fundraisers with the Scott City schools and the businesses who have contributed to our efforts for many years also: Amick-Burnett, Interior Plus, Simpson Excavating, Dakota Heating and Plumbing, Medicap Pharmacy, InterRail Services, Monty Keesee Construction, Sally Noon State Farm Insurance, Bohannon Cleaners, Trax Edge Motors, Bank of Missouri in Scott City, Scott City Fitness.. ...

As Robert Mueller is winding down his investigation of alleged collusion between Russians and (President Donald) Trump’s presidential campaign staff, Democratic Congress has launched several investigations against Trump. In addition, New York State Southern District has started investigating his business dealings in New York...

The sign says “Take what you need, leave what you can.” It’s God’s Little Pantry out at The Church of God in Cape Girardeau. The small, 20-member congregation took a page from the little library concept and created a box for people to donate food, and for people to help themselves to it...

Recently, a comment in Speak Out stated that there was no emergency at the U.S. border. This is just a Democrat talking point to shut down debate on border security. The truth, there are emergencies at the borders. Sixty-seven illegal immigrants were found crammed into a 20-by-20-foot shed with a sign in Spanish advising them not to use the bathroom. ...

Cheryl and I wanted to share our appreciation for the wonderful coverage the Southeast Missourian has provided for our new Fresh Healthy Cafe at Saint Francis. We always wanted to bring a healthy lifestyle restaurant to Cape Girardeau, but we knew it was a risk. As we talked with people in our community and learned of the interest and support, we decided to take the plunge...

Bob Miller's column about changing the mascot in Jackson makes sense to me. I have always been against using a person as a mascot, but it really hit home when Jackson hung a tiger high up on a crane and I realized that Cape could not do that to Jackson because they cannot hang an Indian. I even hated seeing the tiger hanging. Tasteless!...

Every single civic organization in the city of Cape Girardeau has done good work over the years. But Rotary is the granddaddy of them all. The Cape Girardeau Rotary Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a gala event April 5 at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. At the event, president elect of Rotary International Mark Daniel Maloney will address the Rotarians and the public, which is invited to attend...

In your March 16 article, "Trump vetoes rebuke of border order," we read that our president continues to focus on building a U.S.-Mexico border wall rather than addressing the reasons why migrants come in the first place. Violence from gangs and family members, entrenched poverty and rampant hunger are forcing many -- mostly families -- to flee Central America. This includes many women and girls forced to leave their homes in search of what we all seek: safety and a chance at a meaningful life...

You have done a great job of promoting Prop Y in your paper with letters from mayors, pastors and general bias support overall. I would like to offer a glimpse of concern from the other side, aka the "pool people." My husband and I have managed the Scott City Dolphins swim team for approximately ten years now. ...

The Cape Girardeau School District is riding momentum. In just a few years, the graduation rate has elevated from the high 60s to the high 80 percentile. School attendance averages are climbing, particularly at schools with the most at-risk populations...

Today’s world is fraught with new stresses and addictions, often revolving around technology. Think about internet gaming, online porn, social media, even technology such as vaping and JUULs (which can deliver more nicotine in one “pod” than a pack of cigarettes) or relatively new synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and other opioids. ...

There is a perception — though it may be inaccurate — that many relying on welfare benefits are part of generational poverty where taxpayer-funded assistance has become a “family tradition.” When generation after generation after generation rely solely on government assistance, it’s worth asking how the program can be improved to end generational dependency...

Roy Blunt sided with 11 other Republicans in a Senate resolution denying President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to secure the border. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch quoted Blunt as saying: “There are several existing authorities that could be used to support what President Trump wants to do at the border without creating a court case or declaring an emergency. I have encouraged him to use those authorities.”...

Selfies prove you don’t have friends. Staged family photos prove your family doesn’t do things together. Using a random “thank you” post to lead into a post about your kid proves you’re humble bragging. That completes your lesson in how the rest of the world views Facebook posts ...

I would like to give the Saxony Lutheran High school girls basketball team a big shout out for making it to the state quarter finals and for winning their district for the seventh straight year. You have made your school and fans proud. Also, congratulations to coach Sam Sides for winning your 500th coached basketball game this past season. Go Crusaders!...

Tragedy rocked the world as dozens were killed and many wounded when a gunman attacked mosque attendees in New Zealand last week. These acts of violence are all too common, certainly not surprising anymore, but nonetheless jarring. This isn't a column about the sadness of this situation, although it obviously is. ...

On Dec. 22, 2017 President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Although it has only been in effect for a little over a year, it is now possible to ascertain the direction of its impact. One of the major provisions in this law was reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. ...

Jim Dufek, a longtime professor at Southeast Missouri State University was recently presented with the Silver Medal Award by the Cape Girardeau Chapter of the American Advertising Federation for his lifetime of work and commitment to marketing. Dufek has been with the university for 36 years, teaching and influencing thousands of students over that time, while also engaging in a number of public projects...

We love our city! As senior pastors of La Croix United Methodist Church and Cape First we have served a combined 59 years in Cape Girardeau. We are not only fellow pastors but friends who have together and put down deep roots in this city. We love ALL of our city!...

More than 500 students will gather Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University to present history projects at the 2019 History Day Regional Contest exhibition, like a science fair for history. As reported by Joshua Hartwig, students from sixth through 12th grades will participate...

The Cape Chamber kicked off its annual Leadership Cape program Wednesday evening with a new class reception for this year's participants and Leadership Cape alums. This year marks the 30th class to go through the program, a seven-month excursion that combines leadership curriculum, group activities and visits to some of the leading businesses, government entities and schools in Cape Girardeau. You not only learn what's happening, but why it's happening...

Biden and Bernie are starting to stump but no one should worry, neither one can beat Trump. I think the Republicans should investigate Adam Schiff for impersonating Edwin E. Newman of Mad Magazine; Maxine Waters for impersonating Aunt Esther of the Redd Foxx Show; and Dick Durbin for impersonating Mr. Roper on Three's Company. These investigations would be more fruitful than the Mueller probe...

Grant Roseman, a 15-year-old from Jackson, won the regional science fair by turning misery into motivation. As reported by Jacob Wiegand, Roseman developed a meat allergy after a rare reaction following a tick bite when he was 8 years old. Seven years later, the teenager decided to study ticks. He wanted to see how different kinds of ticks reacted or were attracted to carbon dioxide...

Hillsdale College's Imprimus published Alex Berenson's article "Marijuana, Mental Illness and Violence." In it he tells how he discovers that all of the 300 patients in the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Institute, a New York state hospital for the criminally mentally ill (defendants judged not guilty by reason of insanity) smoked marijuana. ...

As the cost of a college education rises, and along with it the debt to attain a degree, different levels of society will have to find various ways to make education accessible and affordable. To that end, Cape Girardeau School District launched The Accelerated College Experience, or ACE, this year, testing the approach with five students...

So many problems in today's world sadly emerge because folks on opposite sides of an argument try to eliminate opposition through character destruction. Disagreement, it is stated (or implied), results because of one side's moral failure, not because of legitimate differences of opinion...

If the absence of the heartbeat is going to be the point we pronounce that life has ended, then why is the presence of a heartbeat not the point that we declare that life has begun? If you're going to hold to the belief that life does not begin until you're born, then why not hold to the belief that it doesn't end until you're buried...

When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first debuted on the national stage, she was an oddity winning an upset victory over a longtime Democratic incumbent in one of the smallest turnout elections in House history. She quickly became the face of a new breed of Democrats with an array of radical ideas that, not too long ago, would have made her a laughingstock...

Women's History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of women and the gains they have made. Are you looking for women to honor this month? You don't have to look far. No doubt, some are thinking the same thing they think during Black History Month. ...

In response to the recent article, "Loss of grant closes door on housing assistance program," I would like to share additional information and clarification, providing important context to the issue. For nearly two decades, Community Caring Council (CCC) has successfully facilitated its Permanent Supportive Housing program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a highly competitive application process, and part of a collaborative application with the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) which serves as the Collaborative Applicant for the Missouri Balance of State CoC representing 101 counties.. ...

The red-herring argument offered by Gary Gaines ("Beyond pro-life" on March 7) is another example of the mental gymnastics required to rationalize the killing of unwanted children. You can't solve a problem until you can correctly define the problem...

The high school basketball season has come to an end, but what a season it was. Cape Girardeau Central climbed the ranks and made its presence known, while Oran's boys continued a mini-dynasty with another trip to the Final Four, and a second place finish. What a week it was last week...