VERNON M. HINKEBEIN

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Editorial (4/29/24)

Semoball Awards winter sports finalists announced

Finalists for several winter sports categories were recently announced for this year�s Semoball Awards. The event, which is set to take place Friday, July 12, at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau, continues a tradition of recognizing the best in...
Column (4/29/24)

Stop the �emergency spending� charade already

Last week, Congress moved closer to passing four separate bills with $95 billion in funding for Ukraine, Israel, Indo-Pacific allies and the domestic submarine industrial base. This funding has been debated for months, with much of it intended for...
Column (4/29/24)

Ultraprocessed foods are everywhere

In my quest to eat healthier as an adult, I�ve encountered a lot of meat and dairy alternatives along with low-fat and sugar-free treat options that claim to be better choices. Many of these products are also marketed as organic. Like the almond...
Column (4/27/24)

House Speaker Mike Johnson is a hero

Star Parker
Author Herman Wouk captured well how to understand heroism. "Heroes are not supermen; they are good men who embody � by the cast of destiny � the virtue of their whole people in a great hour," observed Wouk.
Column (4/27/24)

There should be no right to sleep in all public places

Betsy McCaughey
In a Supreme Court showdown Monday over whether the homeless have a "right" to camp in public, almost no one mentioned the actual victims of that crazy idea. Homeless advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, told the court that...
Column (4/27/24)

Republicans are doomed if they don�t get it together

MIchaelReagan
Another week, another round of Republicans attacking each other. This time it was over the Ukraine funding bill that was passed by the House and ultimately became part of the big military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that Congress...
Column (4/26/24)

The Republican Party can still do what�s rational and right. Here�s the proof

Jonah Goldberg
There�s no record of Edmund Burke � the great Irish-born British statesman and father of modern conservatism � actually saying what is often attributed to him: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." But it...
Editorial (4/26/24)

Take advantage of prescription drug take back day

Any of these scenarios sound familiar? A doctor prescribed a three-week medication regimen, but the problem went away in 10 days. So, there was no need to take the remaining pills.
Column (4/25/24)

Legislation would help safeguard Missouri water against unregulated export

Tom Rafferty
As past president of the Southeast Missouri Regional Water District and a local farmer, I will not stand idly as our precious water resources are attacked. This is why I fully support State. Rep. Jamie Burger and State. Sen. Jason Bean as they...
Column (4/25/24)

Nothing good comes from Columbia University's radicalism

Rich Lowry
Columbia University is once again the center of the radical universe. More than 50 years after anti-Vietnam War demonstrators roiled the Columbia campus in 1968, anti-Israel agitators are disrupting the school�s operations, and inspiring similar...
Column (4/24/24)

Alvin Bragg makes history -- preposterously

Rich Lowry
Alvin Bragg is to be commended for getting to trial on the Trump hush-payments case. Lesser prosecutors would have been daunted by the prospect of creating a national melodrama and a norm-breaking prosecution of a former president over what is,...
Editorial (4/24/24)

Southeast Missouri shined brightly during solar eclipse

For months, Southeast Missourians had been planning for the April 8 solar eclipse. In the coveted path of "totality", the region was set to receive visitors from near and far. And, wow, did they show up!
Column (4/23/24)

Are Iran�s nine lives nearing an end?

Victor Davis Hanson
The theocracy of Iran has been the world�s arch-embassy attacker over the last half century. So it has zero credibility in crying foul over Israel�s April 1 attacks on its "consulate" in Damascus and the killing of Iran�s kingpin terrorists of...
Editorial (4/22/24)

Cape County mourns the loss of Public Administrator Lisa Reitzel

Lisa Reitzel, the dedicated Cape Girardeau County public administrator, died unexpectedly from a heart attack April 13 at the age of 55. Serving in her role for over a decade, Reitzel�s sudden departure marks a significant loss for the community she...
Letter (4/20/24)

Access to crop protection

For more than 50 years, glyphosate, the world�s most widely used herbicide, has enabled American farmers to implement smart farming practices that use fewer resources, saving farmers time and money. Glyphosate is essential to keeping crop yields...
Editorial (4/19/24)

LifeHouse will fill needs in Southeast Missouri

Needs come in all shapes and sizes, and when a need comes in the form of a baby, it is Priority 1. LifeHouse Crisis Maternity House in Cape Girardeau will soon satisfy various needs of pregnant women and new mothers experiencing or at risk of...
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? ...
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...
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...
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...
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...