There's something special about a warm meal at Christmas shared with friends and family. It's one of the things I cherish about the season as we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Sitting at the table with family and remembering childhood traditions with loved ones. It's meaningful. It's also probably something too many of us take for granted...

Several years ago, I sat down with former House Speaker Ron Richards to discuss right to work legislation for Missouri. Richards knew I had been a longtime supporter of right to work having seen surrounding states attract industry away from our region based solely on right to work...

On Dec. 4, two historic events took place in Washington D.C. First, Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor of Trump, pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI, and Mueller recommended no prison time for him in return for his full cooperation in the investigation of Trump Team's alleged 'Collusion with Russians.' To his credit, Trump did not directly condemn Flynn for fully cooperating with Mueller Team, perhaps because he was an ex-Army General...

On Dec. 3, the Southeast Missourian reprinted an op-ed piece from the Investor's Business Daily which advocates the continued use of fossil fuels. It takes the position that the reporting of global warming is so politicized that it doesn't qualify as science. The report says that past climate change is no evidence about future climate change, and it calls the recent Fourth National Climate Assessment fake science...

The new SportsPlex facility near North County Park would be convenient to I-55 for out-of-town swim teams traveling for swim meets. Parking is already available. It might also attract the Jackson School District and Notre Dame High School to participate with some funding. Another location with convenient access to I-55 would be next to Cape Central High School...

Six-hundred and fifty students will receive diplomas Saturday during the fall Southeast Missouri State University commencement at the Show Me Center. There will be two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. for candidates in the College of Education, Health and Human Studies and Harrison College of Business and Computing and another at 2 p.m. for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and Holland College of Arts and Media...

One thing you can count on from Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Brian Gerau -- besides the fact he will be sharply dressed -- is that somewhere along the line at a chamber event, he's going to make a funny quip. Few ever seem planned. ...

Former President George H.W. Bush was laid to rest last week. The nation mourned his loss, particularly those closest to him: his family and friends, who regarded him as more than the 41st President of the United States; they saw him as a model husband, father, and grandfather. However, the rest of us were privileged to see him on Wednesday as a unifier...

On Dec. 3, the Jackson Board of Aldermen received a recommendation from the design-build selection committee to enter into a contractual agreement with Penzel Construction Company, Inc. to design and build a new Jackson Police Station Building. The artist rendering was provided to and recently published in the newspaper...

The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks just completed one of the most memorable seasons in school history. The Redhawks lost 48-23 to powerhouse Weber State, the second seed, which essentially means Southeast's opponent was the second-ranked team in the country at this level. Southeast, which had dominated the turnover battle throughout the season, lost the turnover margin to Weber State, and couldn't overcome it. Still, the Redhawks fought to the end and completed a memorable season...

I appreciate the updated information on the NFL scores and schedule you have been printing. Your paper is my only source of information on these. I do not do computers. I do not own a cellphone with all its apps! My only source with others is a land line phone. Thanks...

Drawing from experience learned in Scott City, the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Missouri wants to set up a trial program in Cape Girardeau’s south side, organizers said recently. The Boys and Girls Club will partner with Cape First Church’s House of Hope ministry to launch the program. The church already has Wednesday services attended by about 70 or so children...

Jay Knudtson has been a park board member, mayor, Southeast Missouri State regent, professional hockey referee and successful businessman. Next weekend he'll add college graduate to the list. The man, who has many political and professionall accomplishments, dropped out of college during his sophomore year...

America lost a hero Friday night when former President George H.W. Bush died at the age of 94. His son and former President George W. Bush wrote a touching book several years ago titled "41: A Portrait of My Father," and I'm listening to the audio book Bush Sr. ...

We often see build up around pop-culture and commercial events that lead to buzz, viral posts and long lines. Popular movies create a frenzy and will sell out theaters. Black Friday deals will lure shoppers to show up in the wee hours of the morning to capture big savings...

Why was the stretch of Highway 61 between Cape Rock Drive and Victoria not completely resurfaced? On both sides of the highway only two-thirds of the right lanes were resurfaced causing a bumpy drive. The rest of the highway through Cape is really smooth...

Boardings at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport are way up for the first 11 months of this year, but the ultimate milestone -- 10,000 boardings -- remains elusive. Boardings have increased by more than 50 percent over a year ago, from 5,300 to 8,000 for the first 11 months as SkyWest Airlines makes adjustments. With a strong December, Cape Girardeau could see close to 9,000...

In the spirit of Christmas, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the gift that keeps on giving for the Republican party. The never-shy, soon-to-be youngest female Congresswoman, is the new darling of the Socialist left. The 29-year-old New Yorker caught national headlines with her primary election victory over a 10-term Democratic incumbent and, in a flash, became the new face of the Democratic party's emerging left wing...

Somebody cue former President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren: The words we speak and the words we embrace have huge implications, and being responsible with both is essential. Hiding behind freedom of speech doesn't change that, either. Former President Barack Obama used his First Amendment last week at Rice University in Houston, Texas, to suggest that a shift has occurred in which "you start getting politics that's based on, 'That person's not like me, and it must be their fault,' and you start getting a politics based on a nationalism that's not pride in country, but hatred for somebody on the other side of the border.". ...

Old Town Cape is bringing the North Pole to downtown Cape Girardeau this weekend as downtown merchants roll out the red carpet for Santa and all his shoppers. The 16th Annual Downtown Christmas Open House begins at 5 p.m. Friday night with pictures with Santa, children's activities in Santa's workshop, shopping spree tickets and horse and buggy rides. The open house will wind down at 9 p.m...

As expected, I awoke this morning to news that Mississippi elected its first female senator, and that the GOP candidate won by nearly 9 points. Sadly, and also as expected, the campaign advertising arm of the Democratic Party — also known as the mainstream media — was in full spin mode trying to claim some form of victory from their loss. Democrats love second place....

If the people at the Hallmark Channel wanted a place to set the scene for one of those sentimental Hallmark Christmas movies, this area might be a place to consider. We’ve already had a few local parades. Our city has hosted a Christmas concert to benefit cancer patients. ...

I have vivid memories of Christmastime from my childhood. There was church and plenty of Christmas music. Live Nativity scenes. Going to West Park Mall to see Santa and the enormous mechanical bear that would talk to you. And there was the ringing of Salvation Army bells...

Do not tear down Lorimier School! So now the Jackson aldermen are considering shutting down on-street parking on Georgia Street because the roundabout has forced traffic to go around the mess it created. These are the same people who want to put another roundabout at East Main and Shawnee within 200 feet of a daycare and several apartments...

Cape Girardeau organizations have been collecting toys for children in need for more than four decades. Over time, two major donating programs emerged: Toybox, which served children in the Cape Girardeau city limits and Toys for Tots, which served children in the county outside the city limits...

I knew Frog Penny when we were kids. Frog has come a long way. He is a good person and has done a lot of good things for others. I think that we all should be thankful for Frog. Have not seen him for a couple of years. Thank you, Frog. My brothers, sisters, and I are home for Thanksgiving, and most of us graduated from SEMO. We talked about this name change thing for a long time, and in the end, we all agreed it's a good idea. It should have been done when Truman and Missouri State did it...

Why didn't the gasoline tax pass? The state sponsored initiative to raise gasoline tax failed, and I've heard many politicians and other state officials wonder why. I'm sure there are many reasons, but for me the proposal was disingenuous. Proposition D sought to channel needed funds for road maintenance through the Highway Patrol. ...

Cape Girardeau officially offered its support to combat-wounded veterans when the city council signed a proclamation earlier this month to become an official Purple Heart City. According to reporting by Tyler Graef, the proclamation establishes an agreement between the city and the Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart, a veterans advocacy organization based in Springfield, Missouri...

Climate change is real. Most of the negative impact on our climate is manmade. And mankind can and should make changes to reduce the potential harm that climate change brings. We can all agree on these points. The Fourth National Climate Assessment was released last week and indeed painted a dismal forecast for the doomsday prediction if something is not done to address this critical issue...

The jubilation at Houck Stadium on Saturday after the 20th-ranked Redhawks upended the 15th-ranked Stony Brook Seawolves was pure delight. Eight years since their last winning season -- and eight years since their only other trip to the Football Championship Series playoffs -- the Redhawks overcame their largest deficit of the year to score a historic win, 28-14: Southeast Missouri State's first-ever playoff victory. ...

Most find it easy to be thankful on Thanksgiving, and I hope you found that to be so last Thursday. Surrounded by family, friends, and food, we feel the warmth of the day, the kindness of strangers, the joy of the fast-approaching Christmas season. Something about the day puts a smile on our faces and makes it effortless when it's our turn at the table to cite reasons for being thankful...

One of the many joys of the Christmas holiday in Southeast Missouri is the annual "Sounds of the Season" concert featuring local musical and vocal talent. It's presented by the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation, and takes place Sunday at Cape First Church at 254 South Silver Springs Road...

The Hope Children’s Home is reopening its doors to children Jan. 7, with a refreshed mission, according to a recent story by Kassi Jackson in the Southeast Missourian. Paul and Patricia Aydelott are the new “house parents,” who will be helping children for short periods of time until they’re ready to find a more permanent place, whether with their biological parents or until suitable foster parents can be found...

California fires What is it? "People don't like a smart president." California has had forest fires for the last how many years? Poor forest management. The state needs to do managed burns in these forests, especially next to towns. They have not been doing them. ...

By now you've had your fill of Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing and pie and moved on to Christmas preparations. Truth be told, I've been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks already. Too often we fly through the fourth Thursday in November without pausing much to truly reflect on being thankful...