This afternoon on seMissourian.com

Read about 'Sweet Charity' here first

For its latest production, the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance is taking on the immortal Neil Simon's Tony Award-winning musical "Sweet Charity."And in keeping with our commitment to coverage of the local art community, seMissourian.com is your best source to read all about the university production before opening night on Wednesday.Look for a story on "Sweet Charity" later today on seMissourian.com.

Why is the graduation rate so low?

A group of 45 community leaders in government, business and other areas met this morning for the first time as the Education Solutions Team, organized by the United Way of Southeast Missouri.The conclusion they reached was that poverty was causing the decrease seen in graduation rates at Cape Girardeau Public Schools.Click here to read our first report from the group meeting.

What recession? It's Fat Tuesday!

Today is Fat Tuesday, and from the scene in New Orleans today, you'd never know the city was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina or that we're in a major recession.But many of the revelers along the Mardi Gras parade route in New Orleans used the economic hard times to create clever costumes.Click here to read more about today's festivities.

Later today and Wednesday on seMissourian.com

Check back later today to read about "Sweet Charity" and to read more about local businesses who are "going green".Come back Wednesday morning for more on those stories plus a report from tonight's Jackson School Board meeting and information on a Monday night shooting incident in Sikeston.

Contact me

Contact me, Matt Sanders, if you have questions or comments about seMissourian.com. Email: msanders@semissourian.comPhone: 388-3652