This afternoon on seMissourian.com

Glass half full

Last week's ice storm was a big hassle. It still is for some people, especially the thousands still without power in areas south of Cape Girardeau.

But for others, like the many Cape Girardeau businesses that saw a large upswing in business due to people coming north looking for lodging and goods like generators and heating fuel, the ice storm had its benefits.

Click here to read more about the positive economic influence the storm had for some businesses here in Cape.

The effects of the ice storm are still being felt in other ways, as Southeast Missouri State University made the decision to extend the semester for a week at its regional campuses, and the state Humane Society has set up a temporary shelter in New Madrid for pets of people displaced by the storm.

Outcry after preacher's assault

An assault on a Poplar Bluff preacher a little over a week ago caused an outcry in one neighborhood — people from the area held an impromptu town hall meeting to discuss crime problems in the area and ways to prevent them.

Click here for more on this story from the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff.

State seeks federal money for jobless benefits

The State of Missouri is seeking major cash from the federal government to pay for jobless benefits, the Associated Press reported today.

Without the money, the state unemployment benefit system will fail within a week.

Click here to read more on this story.

Later today and Tuesday on seMissourian.com

Check back later today for updates on the restoration of power to Bootheel communities and a story on a rather violent shoplifting incident that happened in Cape Girardeau last week.

Come back Tuesday morning for information on a tax workshop for "qualifying individuals" and more on the business effects of last week's storm.

As always, if you have questions or comments about seMissourian.com, contact me at msanders@semissourian.com or call 388-3652.