CONSTITUENTS AS WELL AS CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS WISH THE BEST FOR MARY AND MEL KASTEN

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Letter (4/18/24)

Cape should prioritize funds

Gary Hill
In today�s economy, it�s understandable why the majority of voters were reluctant to support a tax increase to fund public safety wage increases. So, what�s next? ...
Column (4/18/24)

US support for Israel, Ukraine proving inadequate

Jonah Goldberg
After Iran�s massive drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday, President Joe Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "You got a win. Take the win." Most of the weapons, the first Iran had ever fired on Israel from its...
Column (4/17/24)

The human cost of IVF

Kathryn Lopez
The New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and her husband recently put some of their hard-earned resources into getting a movie based on one of her novels, "Someone Like You," into theaters. It was an act of courage and faith, and it...
Column (4/17/24)

No one cares about Joe Biden�s lawlessness

Rich Lowry
Here we go again. President Joe Biden has, once more, claimed to find astonishingly wide-ranging authority to forgive student loans hiding in minute places deep in the federal code. Biden has already been rebuked for this practice by the Supreme...
Editorial (4/17/24)

UWSEMO tours to showcase volunteer opportunities

Ever thought about volunteering with a local not-for-profit organization but don�t know how or where to start? United Way of Southeast Missouri can help. April is National Volunteer Month, and UWSEMO has scheduled two Get on the Bus tours that...
Column (4/16/24)

Repealing food stamp ban for felons would improve public safety

Helen Webster
People with drug felonies on their criminal record are uniquely excluded from receiving benefits in Missouri from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, after they are released from prison. This deprivation of...
Column (4/16/24)

DEI cronyism and woke grifters

Victor Davis Hanson
When ideology replaces meritocracy or provides immunity from the consequences of illegal behavior, systemic mediocrity follows. Under toxic National Socialism, Stalinism, and Maoism, millions of cronies and grifters mouthed party lines in hopes...
Editorial (4/15/24)

Cape Girardeau Heritage Museum unveils exhibits on old bridge, Truman and American quilting

The Cape Girardeau Heritage Museum is set to unveil three new exhibits this week that promise to enrich our understanding of both local and national heritage. These exhibits, focusing on the construction of the old Cape Girardeau bridge, President...
Column (4/15/24)

The erosion of fiscal responsibility

Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle recently wrote that the best argument made in favor of limiting the size of the stimulus during the Great Recession � part of a larger conversation about austerity � was one of ethos. "We weren�t spending the...
Column (4/15/24)

We all deserve space to pursue our dreams

The Erma Bombeck Writers� Workshop saved me from making a huge mistake recently. I emailed my editor before I left and told her that I didn�t think I�d have time to continue writing this weekly column. I told her I was too busy. I have a full-time...
Column (4/15/24)

Republicans need to unite, not fight

I don�t blame the public for not wanting to put the Republican Party back in power in Washington. As the GOP proved again in the House last week, it�s incapable of accomplishing anything of importance. ...
Column (4/13/24)

Americans are not seeking out middle ground

Star Parker
A Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Sen. Mitt Romney regarding the demise of the No Labels political party initiative tells us as much about Romney, and why he failed to ever become a national leader, as it does about the failure of the No Labels...
Column (4/13/24)

Biden Administration not ready for an H5N1 pandemic

Betsy McCaughey
The H5N1 virus, which for 30 years affected mostly birds, is rapidly evolving and spreading globally. The Biden administration is dangerously unready. Over the last two years, H5N1 has jumped from birds to mammals, infecting at least 26 species.
Editorial (4/12/24)

SE MO Redi preparing to hire leader

SE MO Redi is preparing to make an important hire. The economic development organization based in Cape Girardeau � formerly Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET � will be hiring a president/chief executive officer to guide its efforts.
Letter (4/11/24)

Overcoming Missouri�s opioid epidemic

T. Robin Cole III
Bad news: Missouri�s opioid epidemic emerged as our most serious public health problem with drug overdose Missouri�s no. 1 leading cause of death among adults aged 18-44. Overcoming this crisis will be difficult, yet not insurmountable. Accidental...
Editorial (4/10/24)

Nominations open for Difference Makers 2024

Many people who work to improve lives, communities and societies have one thing in common: They don�t do what they do for a pat on the back. Instead of looking for a congratulatory spotlight, they are heads-down, shoulder-to-the-wheel helping...
Letter (4/9/24)

From local meetings to DNC

Chuck Banks
The presidential primary went well. The next step will be the local county mass meetings. Each county will elect delegates to go to the congressional meetings. The eighth congressional meeting will be held in Wayne County this cycle. That�s the only...
Editorial (4/8/24)

Cape Chamber celebrates local innovators at annual dinner

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce�s annual dinner is always an inspiring evening recognizing the achievements of business innovators in our region who are leading industries, championing new ideas, and taking leadership roles that propel...
Editorial (4/4/24)

Solar eclipse 2024 is on the horizon

A solar eclipse will bring four minutes of midday darkness to Southeast Missouri on Monday, April 8. This celestial oddity is revisting the region only seven years after its last appearance, though another won�t reveal itself until Aug. 12, 2045....
Letter (4/4/24)

Stop voting roadblocks

On April 2, my son was denied his right to vote by the Missouri Legislature through Missouri Revised Statute 115.135. He had recently turned 18 and wanted to vote for a friend�s parent running for a school board position. My son drove to the correct...
Editorial (4/3/24)

Adult and Teen Challenge Mid-America banquet set this month

Have a good meal. Enjoy fellowship with friends and neighbors. Maybe go home with a football helmet signed by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. And help support a men�s substance abuse recovery program at the same time. Adult and...
Editorial (4/1/24)

Old Town Cape recognizes those making difference in downtown

The Old Town Cape annual dinner recently celebrated the remarkable individuals and organizations whose contributions have significantly impacted the revitalization and enrichment of Old Town. Their contributions have catalyzed remarkable...
Letter (3/30/24)

Don't increase property tax

Regarding April 2 ballot for Cape Girardeau tax increase: From 2010 to 2022 my property tax ranged from $1,756 to $1,773, same house. It increased just under 1% in those 13 years. Suddenly, it went to $1,922 for 2023 � an increase of 8.4%! Now they...
Letter (3/30/24)

I'm voting no on Cape tax

Most people I know favor robust police and fire departments with employees being well paid. They feel as well they deserve more pay. Raising taxes on the citizens of Cape seems to be the only remedy the council can come up with.
Letter (3/30/24)

Tough to support Jackson tax

The Jackson School Board needs a tax increase to fund salaries and other district needs. I would gladly vote for this if the county would freeze property tax rates like the Missouri legislature granted counties to do.
Editorial (3/29/24)

May this Easter bring you the hope and joy of Jesus' resurrection

May this Easter bring you the hope and joy of Jesus' resurrection "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when...
Editorial (3/27/24)

Tuesday is election day; important issues at stake

Tuesday, April 2, is election day for municipalities and school districts. Voters will select city council and school board members and decide a number of tax proposals. In Cape Girardeau, Scott and Perry counties, measures to provide funds for...
Letter (3/26/24)

Don't eliminate income tax

At the moment the three leading Republican Candidates for Missouri governor are Jay Ashcroft, Bill Engel and Mike Kehoe. All three indicate that they would be willing to repeal Missouri's income tax. This would reduce the state's revenue by about...
Letter (3/26/24)

Smith's vote on budget deal

To Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri's 8th Congressional District, Your vote in favor of the latest budget deal, of over $1.2 trillion, is disheartening. You have betrayed your district, you have betrayed those who have voted for you, and once again...
Letter (3/23/24)

Refuting Smith's claims

One of my favorite movies is "My Cousin Vinny". In one scene, Vinny responds to the prosecuting attorney's opening statement: "Everything that guy just said is B.S." In his newsletter dated March 15, 8th District U.S. Rep. Smith critiqued President...