Talking about death isn't easy. But this update is really more about friendship, and the bonds that are created working together, caring together...

Humanity has struggled through challenges before and prevailed, and we will do so again, because we are not alone. Faith, hope and love are instilled in each one of us. And from them grows courage.

ALTOONA, Pa. As the scent of fresh-cut grass delicately fills the air, so do the aromas of hot dogs and hamburgers coming from the grill on the lower deck. Just past right field, there is an amusement park where you can hear the slow clink, clink, clink of the roller coaster as the carriage climbs its ancient wood scaffoldings. The kitschy music found at any ballpark in America echoes throughout...

It's time to vote. I'm not talking about the upcoming presidential election. I'm talking about voting taking place in various states across the country. Today's the big day here in Missouri. Maybe you, too, are in a location where people go to the polls today, or maybe that takes place in the days ahead. Either way, my message is a simple one: exercise your right...

"John Lewis believed in the Lord, he believed in humanity and he believed in America. He's been called an American saint, a believer willing to give up everything, even life itself, to bear witness to the truth that drove him all his life. That we could build a world of peace and justice, harmony and dignity and love. And the first crucial step on that journey was the recognition that all people are born in the image of God, and carry a spark of the divine in them."...

"Burn it down" is rarely a wise or prudent sentiment. A cadre of Republican opponents of President Donald Trump is nonetheless calling for a purifying fire to sweep through the GOP in the fall, taking down as many Republican officeholders as possible...

The HEROES Act, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, has been sitting in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's lap for more than two and a half months. Yet, as the virus spread and the economic situation got worse, McConnell opted to do nothing for working people in Missouri...

Why, when the rich people, corps. and financial groups need help, the bail-out is shared by the 98% outside that group. But if the overwhelming majority need help, it's wealth redistribution and socialism? A fair and decent society takes care of their own...

I am proud to support Kathy Swan for state Senate. Kathy is a lifelong resident of the district, and she has always been there for Cape Girardeau County. She has focused on issues that are important to this community, including working to get more funding for Southeast Missouri State University, sponsoring legislation to increase workforce training opportunities, and voting for tax cuts that have helped families and small businesses throughout the region...

I am proud to endorse Wayne Wallingford for the Missouri House, and I hope that readers will vote for him on Aug. 4. Wayne has a strong record of standing up for issues that are important to our community, including the following: n Simon's Law, which prohibits healthcare facilities or physicians from instituting do-not-resuscitate orders for minors without the permission of a parent or legal guardian...

Drew Juden for sheriff Strong but fair law enforcement is the cornerstone of any community. While current Cape Girardeau County law enforcement is comprised of good people, it is my belief that strong, fair and united leadership has never been more important. These are challenging times for law enforcement and while all law enforcement personnel should be held to the highest standards, they should also be supported 100% to properly protect our citizens and maintain law and order...

The TBY column where the writer didn't like the "I love Lucy" show, well, my goodness. What harmless and fun humor Lucy gave us each week for years! She was funny, beautiful, with a slapstick, physical humor that was never vulgar. I'm glad the columnist finished his piece by encouraging everyone to laugh. ...

So why no mention of the Cardinals' visit to a casino (as reported by ESPN) that may have contributed to their current situation? Why are they being so tight lipped about it? One would think these adults might be smarter. As a longtime adjunct at SEMO, I have worked with many international students. ...

One good thing about election day is that all the ridiculous and wasteful political mailers will stop. Who even reads these things? Mine go directly into the trash. You're delusional if you believe student-athletes can social distance during sports. ...

An event that normally draws thousands for free food and a demolition derby is taking on a new look this year. Cape First Church hosts its Family Day in Arena Park each summer. This year, however, with a pandemic and its related challenges, the church is reshaping the event to be more service focused...

I keep reading a few, silly comments comparing the Spanish Flu and Covid. It's apples and oranges. Look, we realize today that kids should be in car seats. We realize that workers deserve safety protections. We realize that we need current building codes. You cannot rationally compare a 100-year-old flu on a populace of whom less than 5% could travel and this current virus because we're a more developed, better educated society today...

Today is Election Day in Missouri with primaries for state and local positions on the ballot along with a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would expand Medicaid eligibility in the state. This is a different kind of election. Because of COVID-19, there's a spike in mail-in and absentee ballots. ...

How do we make sense of the nonstop craziness going on in our society? Is there a common denominator, or is it all happening randomly? Well, it's unlikely that multiple sectors of society just happen to be imploding at the same time without some causal forces behind them. And you don't have to be a garden-variety conspiracy theorist to realize that some kind of intelligent design is at work here...

Earlier this year, the U.S. government passed the largest piece of stimulus legislation in our nation's history. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act included a very generous expansion of unemployment insurance benefits. The idea was to help people to keep paying their bills during the forced COVID-19 shutdowns. These benefits are expiring, and Congress is now fighting over whether to extend them as they are or to modify them...

Cultural suicide used to be a popular diagnosis of why things suddenly just quit. Historians such as Oswald Spengler and Arnold Toynbee cited social cannibalism to explain why once-successful states, institutions and cultures simply died off. Their common explanation was that the arrogance of success ensures lethal consequences. Once elites became pampered and arrogant, they feel exempt from their ancestors' respect for moral and spiritual laws like thrift, moderation and transcendence...

A couple of erstwhile Republican operatives who notably failed to elect Republican presidents are now trying to elect a Democratic one. They call their super PAC, self-importantly, The Lincoln Project. The operation is devoted to churning out harsh and often ridiculously over-the-top ads attacking President Donald Trump that are invariably praised by the media and progressives on Twitter, who are The Lincoln Project's political base...

Every generation of Americans have come to a crossroad. In the past we have always chosen the right path. It may have not been a smooth road but it made us stronger. Today we are facing many crossroads. There are some that want to tear this great country down. ...

Expanding access to Medicaid will appear on Tuesday's ballot as Constitutional Amendment 2. Medicaid is the federal health program that covers those who meet certain income, age or disability requirements. Missouri adults with dependent children are only eligible currently if their household income doesn't exceed 22% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,792 annually for a two-person household. ...

Several potential vaccines have moved into the next stage of trials with two in the United States now in 30,000-person studies. Early results are promising, leading health officials to start discussing who will receive vaccines first.

With elections mere days away, I feel compelled to take a stand on Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion. As a young mother of two, I was once in the position of having no insurance coverage for myself. My husband and I made just enough combined income to be over the line of coverage for Medicaid, and neither of our jobs offered insurance. We were lucky to have our children covered, but God forbid something happen to one of us. We feared illness then, as we fear Covid-19 now...

On Aug. 4, Missourians will have the opportunity to vote for the expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid is the health insurance program that covers qualifying individuals with low income or disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly. To date, 38 states (including Washington, D.C.) have already expanded or have voted to expand Medicaid. ...

Cape Girardeau police have made two arrests in connection to the recent homicide of Anthony Miller. Miller, 21, was killed July 20 in a Cape Girardeau apartment. Video surveillance showed five people entered the apartment through the kitchen door. Cape police reported that Brandon M. Pratt, 32, of Cape Girardeau was apprehended Friday and Robert E. Simmons Jr., 40, of Cape Girardeau was peacefully taken into custody Monday...

"We're asking everybody when you're not able to socially distance to wear a mask," President Trump said. He added: "Whether you like masks or not, wear a mask." Now the few of you remaining hold outs have no excuse. Wear a mask! I'm watching the city equipment referred to as the street sweeper and wondering what service this actually does. I can't see how the street looks any cleaner after it's finished. Just another useless expenditure for taxpayers' money?...

"Out of sight, out of mind," we flippantly say in reference to things on the back burner of our lives, but when a person begins to get along in years and both sight and mind begin to challenge them, what has not been at the forefront may come back to haunt both them and those who love them...

I have long believed the best indicator for future performance is past behavior. Wayne Wallingford's past performance is a lifetime of service to our country, a distinguished military career flying 300 combat missions, awarded more than 47 medals. A recipient of the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration given by U.S. military. A true conservative: a safeguard for innocent life, defender of our Second Amendment, and dedicated to the preservation of religious freedom...

Among the Black Lives Matter protesters, there were criminals who looted, committed arson and vandalized Confederate monuments. However, most protesters across America were peaceful. They were patriotic citizens demanding equal justice for all, not anarchists, as Trump and Trumpists brand them. That begs the question, "Who are the real anarchists in America?"...

After reading articles/letters from Missouri Catholic Conference of Bishops regarding Ballot Initiative (2020-63) to Expand Medicaid, I feel I must respond. I do understand to a degree where they are coming from on encouraging "Yes" votes on this ballot issue in looking out for the poor, underinsured, etc. I get that! BUT we must look deeper!...

BLM, absolutely, BLUE LIVES MATTER. The absurdity of defunding the police is about the dumbest thing to come out of left field. If anything, the police should be given a raise for keeping us safe. Are there bad police? Yes, but you don't do away with all because of a few. ...

A day on the water nearly turned deadly for Jody Owens. While at Whippoorwill Lake Family Campground recently, Owens tried to stand up in his kayak to look at some of the fish in the water. In doing so, the boat flipped and Owens submerged under water. He was not wearing a life jacket...

In the 1960s and early '70s, the U.S. was convulsed by massive protests calling for radical changes in the country's attitudes on race, class, gender and sexual orientation. The Vietnam War and widespread college deferments were likely the fuel that ignited prior peaceful civil disobedience...

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump directly appealed to African American voters for their vote, asking them, "What do you have to lose?" Trump should have received more credit for this, as Republicans have often been criticized for not wooing African Americans from Democrats, who crucially depend on their overwhelming support yet take their votes for granted...

One of the top races in Missouri politics -- certainly in Southeast Missouri -- is the primary between Holly Rehder and Kathy Swan, two Republican state representatives vying for the 27th District Senate seat. Both women own small businesses and profess some of the same basic views on top issues for GOP voters, ranging from pro-life views on abortion, to support for the Second Amendment and a general philosophy of limited government. ...

I am 13 years old and a Boy Scout with Troop 2 in Cape Girardeau. I am currently working on my Community Merit Badge. I would like to express my opinion about the back to school plan that our district has made. I think it's great that we have a choice to attend school in person or stay at home and are not forced to go back to school when conditions are still not safe. I will be doing the online Tigers@Home and am really excited to start my new experience...

Democrats did the country a big favor the last five months. They very clearly showed us exactly how it will be if Democrats win in November. Far left protesters' riots are OK, but church going is not OK. Defund police so criminals can go wild. Government takeover of everything (in Democrat-controlled cities nationwide if Democrats win) for as long as it is "politically good" for Democrats. (AOCs recent tweet proves this.)...

It's the four words so many of us have been waiting to hear: Cardinals. Baseball. Is. Back. This will be a different kind of Opening Day for baseball, with precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Still, the Redbirds return to action today as they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 1 of a 60-game regular season...

You people complaining about a mask being a personal choice are missing the point. If you don't want to wear a mask, then you have a personal choice to stay at home. But just like every other local order and ordinance, you don't get to pick and choose...

Here we are, in a worldwide pandemic, with incendiary and destructive comments volleying back and forth between grudge-driven politicians. Power is their game; and no charge against an opponent is out of bounds.