O Heavenly Father, thank you for your great and unending love. Amen.
-
Trump, Biden debate: Not as crucial as portrayedThe Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to two presidential debates last week. Who among us can contain our excitement? Well, it depends on what you mean by "us." In my corner of the professional world — pundits, commentators, political junkies — there was much rejoicing. Watching the Sunday shows, you could be forgiven for thinking church bells must have rung out to celebrate the news across the nation, as if some medieval queen had given birth to a male heir. The debates are happening! The debates are happening! Huzzah! ...
-
The Biden reelection strategy (5/22/24)2Victor Davis HansonPresident Joe Biden polls at or below 40% approval. Historically, such unpopularity has made it almost impossible for a president to be reelected. Biden is not so much an octogenarian as an unhealthy and prematurely aging 80-year-old. It is America’s irony that he is fit for almost no other job in the country other than the presidency, which apparently allows for a three-day-a-week ceremonial role while others in the shadows run the country.
-
Advice to the graduate (5/22/24)Kathryn Lopez"We don’t just need leaders, we need followers." A friend who’s worked in Washington politics for decades was thinking aloud about a commencement speech she was scheduled to give at her law school alma mater. She didn’t want to give the students fluff. She wanted to be congratulatory while not patronizing them. She wanted to make a point about gratitude, stewardship and humility.
-
Cape mayor speaks out after shooting at Cape Central commencement (5/21/24)15Stacy KinderI am sitting in my empty house as my extended family takes my son, a 2024 Cape Central High School graduate, out to dinner to try to salvage a celebration of his graduation and all he has achieved. I’m not able to go to that dinner, because I am, in gut-wrenching honesty, trying to process what happened a few hours ago at the CHS graduation, where gun violence marred a beautiful family and community event. I am one of thousands of people here in Cape who have had this day turned on its head in a traumatic fashion.
-
Harrison Butker is right about men and women (5/21/24)1To judge by the internet reaction, Kansas City Chiefs place-kicker Harrison Butker is guilty of a dreaded double-doink — a missed field-goal attempt that embarrassingly hits both uprights — with his commencement address the other day. ...
-
Why no politician can ‘fix’ prices (and why that’s OK) (5/20/24)Prices are threads stitching together the fabric of our economy. They guide countless producers, here and abroad, to meet the most urgent demands of countless consumers. Prices enable the economic coordination of millions of individuals — each with his or her own unique preferences, skills and resources — with no need for a central planner. They direct entrepreneurs and innovators, signaling where opportunities lie and where resources are most needed. ...
-
Honoring our law enforcement (5/21/24)I cannot thank you enough for your coverage of Law Enforcement Week! You and your staff did a magnificent job helping to remind us of their deserved recognition. Cape can be very proud of Wes Blair and his leadership with our Police Department. For all you do I have two words: Thank you! ...
-
Political influence and development (5/14/24)The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge turned 20 years old in December of 2023. The estimated cost of the bridge was $100 million. The shared investment was $10 million by Missouri, $10 million by Illinois and $80 million by the federal government.
In case you missed it
-
Editorial: Public safety is paramount to a thriving community (5/21/24)We lift up prayers for all involved with graduation at Cape Central High School: students, families, teachers, administrators and friends. A shooting with details still to be understood devastated what should have been one of the happiest, proudest community events of the year. Special appreciation goes to the school resource officer who detained the person who shot two others in the concourse of the Show Me Center, where the ceremony took place, and to the first responders who provided medical care and order, and who began the investigation into the crime. ...
-
Editorial: How Mental Health Awareness Month is shattering stigma (5/20/24)May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a critical time to bring attention to the pressing issues surrounding mental health. Despite growing awareness, mental health remains a topic shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. Breaking down these barriers and fostering a more supportive environment for those struggling with mental health issues is vital. ...
-
Column: Graduates need to know that life is bigger than their GPA (5/20/24)"Your success in high school does not determine your success in life." My high school English teacher Chuck Keller told me this, and it was exactly what teenage me needed to hear. Chuck was right, and I’m here to pass on this little nugget to young adults today. ...
-
Column: It’s all about Nov. 5, America (5/20/24)What’s happening on CNN and MSNBC is disgusting, but not surprising. Some of their so-called pundits and reporters have been downright giddy while watching Donald Trump on trial in New York City. They think that the New York DA’s office is doing God’s work, not Joe Biden’s. ...
-
Column: Fix Social Security with ownership, not more government (5/18/24)4Star ParkerThe trustees for Social Security have just issued their annual report. And, as we have learned annually over recent years, the system cannot meet its obligations. According to this latest report, the Social Security system will not be able to meet its obligations to retirees by 2035. In 2035, the system will be adequate to meet just 83% of its obligations.
-
Column: Biden has disastrously misplayed the politics of Gaza (5/18/24)2Rich LowryIt’s bad enough that President Joe Biden is playing politics with the war in Gaza, but even worse — at least for his purposes — that he is doing it so poorly. Biden may imagine that he is maneuvering with incredible skill — subtly balancing geopolitics, alliance management and domestic imperatives — when he is really upsetting all sides in the course of further undermining his already-rickety presidency.
-
Column: Shafik, other college presidents have mission confusion (5/17/24)Betsy McCaugheyColumbia University President Minouche Shafik is urging university leaders across the country to do some "serious soul searching." Good advice. She should start with her own soul. Shafik has the wrong idea about the purpose of a university. She and likeminded college presidents are turning preeminent universities into factories, churning out social activists who are adept at shouting down their opponents, squaring off against cops and vandalizing buildings but who acquire little knowledge and few reasoning skills during college.
-
Editorial: Developments renew, reimagine Downtown Cape (5/17/24)Forward-thinking developers are revitalizing historic spaces and reimagining new ones in Downtown Cape Girardeau, creating exciting, dynamic venues. Hotels Century Casino Cape Girardeau recently opened The Riverview, which takes its name from a historic hotel in the city that dated to the 1800s.
-
Speak Out: Speak Out 5-16-24 (5/16/24)Visit Cape decision Visit Cape, in its current form, operates autonomously, allowing it to craft tailored strategies and initiatives that cater specifically to the needs and demands of the tourism sector. However, integration into the city bureaucracy will strip Visit Cape of this autonomy, subjecting its operations to broader municipal agendas that may not prioritize tourism. As a result, the tourism industry risks becoming just one of many competing priorities within the city government structure. Resources and attention dedicated to tourism promotion and development will most certainly dwindle, leading to stagnation or decline in visitor numbers and economic impact. This was a poor decision by all involved and set this community back even further than it already was in tourism. Hotel/motel tax numbers being up consistently is an excellent metric, but it is not all there is to tourism. If those in charge had even taken a moment to consult educated individuals in the industry, they would have known and realized this was not the solution.
-
Column: Biden still trails Trump; It’s more than inflation, Gaza, age (5/16/24)6Jonah GoldbergA batch of new polls from the New York Times, Siena College and the Philadelphia Inquirer has very bad news for President Biden: He’s losing. Among registered voters, he’s significantly behind in five of the six battleground states that are most likely to decide the election. He does slightly better among likely voters but remains behind in five key states.
-
Column: Rooting out antisemitism on campus (5/16/24)Jason SmithLike so many Americans, I have been absolutely appalled by the rampant antisemitism we’re seeing on college campuses. It’s unacceptable that in America in 2024, vicious mobs are harassing, chasing down, and blocking students from entering buildings on college campuses because of their Jewish faith. And let me be clear: these mobs aren’t anti-war protestors; they are terrorist-supporting hate groups.
-
Column: A presidency in its dotage (5/15/24)3Rich LowryIs anyone surprised that Joe Biden is caving? It’s what he does. In a disgracefully craven move, President Biden has paused weapons shipments to Israel to try to prevent the Jewish state from launching a full-scale offensive against the remaining Hamas military stronghold in Rafah.
-
Column: The long haul of love (5/15/24)Kathryn LopezWe cannot live without mothers. That seems like it should be an obvious point. But we have examples in recent culture and politics that suggest otherwise. The vice president of the United States recently visited an abortion clinic. As much as the issue of abortion has been important to the Democratic Party, no president or vice president had previously made such a visit. At his own abortion-rights rally, our Catholic president made the sign of the cross, as if to call upon God’s blessings for more abortions.
-
Editorial: Enjoy all the free band concerts available in the area (5/15/24)One of the more relaxing ways to spend a few hours is sitting outside on a late spring evening listening to a big band play. Cape Girardeau and Jackson area residents are fortunate to have three weekly opportunities to do just that.
-
Column: Try a little honesty about Israel (5/14/24)4Victor Davis HansonScan news accounts of anti-Israel campus and street protestors. Read their demands and manifestos. Collate the confusion after October 7 from the Biden administration. Here are 10 of their most common untruths about Oct. 7 and the war that followed.
-
Column: From teacher raises to opioid prevention: What Missouri’s new budget means for you (5/14/24)Holly Thompson RehderHi y’all! What a week it has been in Jefferson City! There were certainly some highs and lows, but in the end, several bills were passed in the Senate and the fiscal year 2025 state operating budget was sent back to the Missouri House of Representatives with the Senate’s changes. It should pass smoothly and make it to the governor’s desk before the 6 p.m. deadline Friday evening. Granted, we cut it closer than almost any other session in history.
-
Editorial: Celebrating Southeast Missouri’s top students, dedicated educators (5/13/24)As we celebrate the close of another academic year, it’s a time of recognition for the exceptional achievements of our local students and the educators who have guided them. We have much to be proud of in Southeast Missouri. Not only have three of our students been named to the prestigious Missouri Scholars 100 list, but two others have earned spots on the Mizzou 39 list...
-
Column: Campus protests are just pale imitations of the 1960s (5/13/24)4By Christine FlowersIt seems silly to write a column about the recent college protests. It’s not really news when privileged students who have never been in the line of fire and whose most pressing concern is what pronoun they’ll use on any given day decide to rise up against the establishment...
-
Column: Is the union resurgence real? Does it matter for workers? (5/13/24)By Veronique de RugyUnions are said to be having a moment. The story goes something like this: Helped by a presidential administration that touts itself as the "most pro-union in history," labor unions — after decades of decline — are winning big victories against anti-union corporations and extracting impressive concessions for their workers. But is it all true?...
-
Column: It takes courage to write in the digital age (5/13/24)By Bonnie Jean FeldkampErma Bombeck was right when she said, "It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else." I thought of this quote when my friend Gina Barreca recently asked on social media, "Writers: Why is it hard to hit 'send' even after all these years?"...
-
Column: Why I’m grateful my mom didn’t let me quit piano (5/11/24)5Lucas PressonGrowing up, I didn’t experience a major rebellious phase. I’m sure I had my moments, but frankly, between my parents’ guidance and church involvement, I stayed out of trouble for the most part. Looking back, I’m grateful for the direction they provided. However, one memory stands out—a conversation with my mom when I was 12.
-
Column: Guest commentary: A mother’s role in advancing shared parenting in Missouri (5/11/24)1Linda Reutzeln this Mother’s Day, Missouri has much for which to be thankful. We became the fifth state to pass Shared Parenting legislation in 2023. Shared parenting advocates are pro-mom and dad! But they are especially pro-children! Motherhood is a blessing to me, and I will readily admit that the challenges of working and nurturing children at home are hard to handle all the time. Of course, that’s the beauty of shared parenting, sharing those responsibilities. I have met so many women in the movement who are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers and aunts. This movement couldn’t have had the success it’s had without women stepping up to the plate.
-
Column: Add Sen. Tom Cotton to VP Shortlist (5/11/24)Star ParkerHeadlines are now filled with names reported to be on Donald Trump’s "shortlist" of possible VP candidates. These individuals, some of whom I know, indeed have serious qualifications and experience and are appropriate to be considered for the No. 2 position in the executive branch of the nation’s government.
-
Column: Colleges side with radicals to detriment of students (5/10/24)2Betsy McCaugheyThe Left and their media allies want you to believe the protests roiling college campuses are spontaneous uprisings of morally fervent students worried about Gaza war victims. Don’t fall for that claim. It’s a scam. These protesters don’t represent most students or the American public. Yet Monday, Columbia University canceled graduation ceremonies, kowtowing to the radical fringe, with whom they largely agree. Students and their families be damned.
-
Column: House Republicans challenge Biden’s economic policies amid rising living costs (5/10/24)5Jason SmithLast week, President Biden called for the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, President Trump’s signature legislation that jump started the best economy of my lifetime and that continues to provide needed tax relief to working families today. In one statement, the president promised American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses that they would see their taxes go up – breaking his promise that families making less than $400,000 would not receive a tax increase...
-
Editorial: Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms for all you do (5/10/24)Suppose we were to put together a recipe to make a Mom. What would that look like? -- Big dollop of support that extends from the cradle to adulthood. -- More than a little accountability. -- As much understanding as possible.
-
Column: What we should have learned from the war on woke (5/9/24)1Jonah GoldbergThis isn’t going to be more musing about whether America has reached "peak woke." But that is part of the story. So let’s start there. About a decade ago, many on the left embraced the word "woke," a term with roots in African American culture and activism. It originally meant staying awake — that is, "woke" — to the dangers facing the Black community. But in the hands of the broader, and whiter, academic and journalistic left, it soon became a kind of cool catchall for progressive politics, alongside other buzzwords like "intersectionality."
-
Column: The Columbia University push to elect Donald Trump (5/9/24)1Rich Lowry"Let’s finish what they did in 1968," a Columbia protester said the other day. In political terms, that would mean electing Donald Trump. The disorder of 1968 — when LBJ declined to run again and Hubert Humphrey, Richard Nixon and George Wallace faced off — played right into the hands of Nixon, who rode his opposition to the riots and campus unrest into the White House.
-
Letter to the Editor: Legislation could prevent big crop loss (5/9/24)With rising prices and global instability, our country’s food security has never been more important. The recent passage of HB 2763 in the Missouri House is a significant milestone in protecting access to American-made glyphosate, an essential product used to control harmful weeds on farms, which is critical to maintaining strong crop yields and ultimately keeping prices low for families around the world.
-
Letter to the Editor: How gun violence shatters lives (5/9/24)As a survivor of domestic and firearms violence, it is very important to me that I use my voice to advocate for those who have been impacted by senseless gun violence that continues to happen every single day and tears apart families, friends and communities in which we live.
Prayer of the Day
-
BBB's Tips on Avoiding Toll Scams and Phishing
BBB Marketplace Survival Guide by Sydney Waters (5/22/24)
-
A family connection to the 1949 tornado
From the Morgue by Sharon Sanders (5/21/24)
-
What is an Earn-out?
Be Advised by Jennifer Smith Broeckling (5/20/24)
-
BBB's Tips on Recovering From a Scam
BBB Marketplace Survival Guide by Sydney Waters (5/15/24)
-
Piasa or Bald Eagle?
From the Morgue by Sharon Sanders (5/14/24)
-
BBB's Tips for Finding a Lawncare Professional
BBB Marketplace Survival Guide by Sydney Waters (5/8/24)
-
Ever wonder what became of science fair winners?
From the Morgue by Sharon Sanders (5/7/24)
-
BBB's Tips for Avoiding Financial Aid Scams
BBB Marketplace Survival Guide by Sydney Waters (5/1/24)
-
St. Louis architect named to design new Missourian building
From the Morgue by Sharon Sanders (4/30/24)
-
How and When to Tell Employees About the Sale of the Business
Be Advised by Jennifer Smith Broeckling (4/29/24)