Editorials

This weekend marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final Sunday of Lent otherwise known as Palm Sunday. It's an important week for Christians to honor the life of Christ, his sacrifice and resurrection, and the eternal hope provided through His gift of salvation...

This is not a presidential election year. It’s not even a mid-term year. But on Tuesday, April 4, voters in Missouri will head to the polls. And make no mistake, this election is important. While national media places much importance on our presidential and congressional elections, which we agree are important, it’s also critical voters provide the same attention to local races and ballot issues. ...

There's legislation making its way through the Missouri General Assembly that would reduce regulations for patients seeking vaccinations. Senate Bill 41, filed by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-District 27), would allow pharmacists to administer routine vaccinations, such as those for influenza, group A streptococcus and COVID-19. It also allows pharmacists to administer vaccines approved by the FDA to address a public health need during a public health emergency...

Longtime area basketball fans will remember the epic game between SEMO and powerhouse LSU in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Southeast nearly pulled off an upset in the first round. It's been quite the drought since that game on March 16, 2000 in Salt Lake City, Utah...

Southeast Missouri State University received a nice recognition recently. The university is one of the Top 10 Military Friendly school. A survey by the Military Friendly program listed SEMO at No. 4 on the list for Large Public schools. SEMO moved up on the list from the Gold level where it was listed the previous two years...

"That's the funny thing about birthdays, they're kind of an annual thing." That quote from the 2010 animated musical "Tangled" is often used in social media clips. It's humorous. And, of course, true. But there are some birthdays — and anniversaries — that stand out a bit more than the rest. One of those special days — make that, years — is coming up for Southeast Missouri State University...

There are a few local events each year where attendees get to dress up in their finest black tie and gown attire, enjoy wonderful food and first-class entertainment, and support a worthy cause. Two of those were held in recent months with the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Journey Gala and Saint Francis Foundation Friends Gala...

Downtown Cape Girardeau has much to celebrate. There is a growing list of fun events for people of all ages. New businesses are popping up. Developers are investing in some of the historic and, in some cases, blighted buildings and repurposing them for new ventures. There's certainly momentum. And part of that momentum can be attributed to the ongoing work of Old Town Cape...

Nearly every day you'll find stories in the Southeast Missourian about students doing big things. Everything from sports to science fair entries to the arts and, of course, classroom success. Public school students and private school students. It's really impressive and a testament to the work ethic of both the students along with their educators and parents who help them along this journey...

There are certain days of the year to mark on the calendar. One of those is coming up this week: Pancake Day, brought to you by Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club. The 85th annual event will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau...

Cape Girardeau Police Department's response in two recent incidents deserves recognition. When initial bystander video of a March 2 altercation between an officer and a theft suspect at a Rhodes station on North Sprigg Street blew up on social media, it didn't look good -- an officer on top of the suspect, striking him repeatedly...

Southeast Missouri State University punched its ticket for the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night. March Madness came early as the Redhawks' season nearly ended on a last second shot from Tennessee Tech. The game went from heartbreak to heroics in a matter of seconds...

Jackson homeowners may soon pay lower insurance premiums thanks to an adjustment of the city's firefighting infrastructure rating. Fire Chief Jason Mouser told the Jackson Board of Aldermen at a Feb. 20 meeting that the city's Public Protection Classification, which comes from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), will improve to Class 3/3X in May...

Everyone plays to win. But there are times when the final score is not the biggest storyline. That was the case last month when the SEMO men's basketball team won its final home game of the year over Southern Indiana. With 17.7 seconds left in the game, USI player Tyler Henry collapsed on the bench. The player was stretchered off the court but was talking with teammates as he was taken to the hospital...

There's some good news regarding Cape Girardeau's hotel-motel and restaurant tax receipts. A recent Southeast Missourian story by Nathan English reported the city's 2022 hotel-motel tax receipts exceeded $1 million, 13% more than the 2021 figure. While part of the increase is due to inflation, that's not the entire story. ...

Ask a young person what he or she wants to be when they grow up and you'll get a wide range of answers: doctor, lawyer, professional athlete — the latter which fades quickly for most of us. It is always nice to hear ambitious young people also add in another option to the mix: entrepreneur...

The Cape Girardeau Regional Airport received some good news recently. The airport registered 8,132 enplanements in 2022, which surpassed the 8,000 enplanements benchmark to receive $600,000 from the federal government. The Federal Aviation Administration then came back and said they would add an additional $400,000 to the total to reach $1 million, a marker traditionally reserved for 10,000 enplanements. ...

Strike while the iron is hot. Make hay while the sun shines. Early bird catches the worm. Truth in all of those axioms. This one, too: Take the time to do something correctly once, or make time to do it twice. Yet, again, it appears Cape Girardeau Public Schools Board of Education members are rushing an important process, one that could affect the district for years...

Show of hands: Who likes to eat? Who wears clothes? Who uses products ranging from fuel to power vehicles to materials to build our homes? (Checks hands.) Yes, in fact, all of us. Thank a farmer, a rancher, a logger. The men and women who work in our nation's agricultural industries are truly -- to use a phrase -- essential workers...

There was some potentially good news for Cape Girardeau homeowners recently. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department received an improved rating from the Insurance Services Offices in its September 2022 survey, which could lead to a decrease in insurance premiums for residents...

We understand each community has its own identity, its own opportunities and its own challenges. There is a certain amount of community pride. And some of that is good. However, working together in a collaborative way is almost always the best path...

On Tuesday we will celebrate Valentine's Day, a holiday dedicated to the celebration of love and marriage. The day is often marked by the giving of Valentines — cards, flowers, chocolates and nice dinners are all favorites. But there is a powerful story behind it all, one of deep conviction and, indeed, love...

There are times for swift, decisive governmental action. Other times, though, call for officials to be deliberate, thoughtful, cautious. Cape Girardeau Public Schools Board of Education appears to have mistaken the latter for the former in regard to funding an indoor athletic complex at the district's high school campus...

Sunday is the big day for professional football fans. This year's Super Bowl features the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs in what should be an excellent game. The Eagles breezed through the season with a 14-3 record and faced little resistance in their two playoff games, defeating the Giants 38-7 and the No. 2 seed 49ers 31-7...

There are community galas. High school proms. But you'd be hard pressed to find more joy on the faces of attendees than at Night to Shine, an annual prom-style event organized for individuals with special needs. Started in 2015 by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine is a first-class event complete with limo rides, red carpet entrances, paparazzi photography, food and music. ...

This area has many excellent schools -- both public and private. And each is made up of dedicated educators who consider their occupation as a calling and not simply a job. In nearly every edition of the Southeast Missourian you'll find stories and photos of educators and students doing impressive things, whether in academics, athletics or other extra-curricular activities. We celebrate these accomplishments for the students, schools and community...

One of the top priorities this legislative session in the Missouri General Assembly is to reevaluate how the state amends its Constitution. Missouri passed Amendment 3 with 53% of the vote in November, legalizing the use and sale of recreational marijuana. The state's Constitution is now 253 pages long, of which 39 pages are dedicated to marijuana. Whether you agreed with the main point of the amendment, it was poorly written, murky and full of problematic clauses...

The community will have its first opportunity to see the creative work of area students this week during the First Friday Art Walk when the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri hosts its 23rd annual Children's Arts Festival. Visual and literary art pieces from more than 20 area schools will be featured at the exhibit. ...