U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, will make a round of appearances Friday in Southeast Missouri.

Akin plans to stop in Poplar Bluff, Dexter and Sikeston before ending with two appearances in Cape Girardeau on Friday afternoon, according to Ron McCormick, a supporter of Akin who is helping coordinate his schedule.

Akin's visit to Southeast Missouri will be the first for the congressman since he gained national attention for comments he made about rape on a St. Louis TV show in late August. Akin told "The Jaco Report" host Charles Jaco that pregnancy in the case of "legitimate rape" is rare because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Akin has since apologized for the comments while refusing to heed calls of many Republican office holders and party leaders to drop out of the race against Democrat incumbent Claire McCaskill.

Akin's tentative schedule is as follows:

• 9 a.m. meet-and-greet event, Gamma Healthcare, 1717 West Maud St., Poplar Bluff, Mo.
• 11 a.m. luncheon, Hickory Log, 314 Highway 60, Dexter, Mo.
• 1:30 p.m. meet-and-greet event, Republican Headquarters, 900 S. Main St., Sikeston, Mo.
• 3:30 p.m. meet-and-greet event, Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 S. Broadview St., Cape Girardeau
• 5 p.m. meet-and-greet event, SEMO District Fair, Arena Park, Cape Girardeau.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO

Dexter, MO

Sikeston, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO