Pocahontas mayoral race headed to run-off election

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - The Pocahontas mayoral race is headed to a run-off. According to unofficial results from the Randolph County Clerk’s Office, incumbent Keith Futrell received 545 votes to Danny Swann’s 298 votes, Aaron Winebaugh’s 243, and Justin Jones’ 78 votes. Under Arkansas law, if...

Couple files lawsuit against Jonesboro and city council

A Jonesboro couple is suing the city after it denied an alcohol permit for the couple's proposed steakhouse. The issue was voted for by the city council at a meeting on October 20th.

Camping ordinance passes in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A new city ordinance aims to prevent unauthorized camping in the city of Jonesboro. The city of Jonesboro passed Ordinance 26-038 during the city council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5. The ordinance will not allow people to camp in any city park or parking lot unless...

Bridge replacement project complete ahead of schedule

CLAY COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A bridge replacement project is complete almost a month ahead of schedule. The U.S. Route 62 bridge over the St. Francis River is now open to traffic. The bridge is located at the state line between Clay County, Arkansas, and Dunklin County, Missouri. The project...

Route 153 to close for culvert replacement

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. (KAIT) - Route 153 in Dunklin County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway. This section of roadway is located from Route M to Route HH, southeast of Holcomb. Work will take place Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6 a.m....

Ballot mixup appears to stem from state database; investigation underway

POPLAR BLUFF — A state database appears to have caused ballot mix-ups in one Poplar Bluff polling precinct. It will take time to figure out why. Butler County Clerk Donna Hillis explained on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that some voters at Living Word Baptist Church received ballots for the wrong Missouri House of Representatives race — District 150 instead of 152, and vice versa. The precinct is in the Poplar Bluff Township, which straddles both districts.

Army Corps of Engineers to Hold Public Workshops on Wappapello Lake Water Control Plan

Wappapello, Mo. (KFMO) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, will host three public workshops December 15-16, 2026 to discuss proposed revisions to the Wappapello Lake Water Control Manual and gather additional public feedback. The manual is being updated to comply with current U.S. Army Corps of...

Poplar Bluff student wins statewide school bus safety poster contest

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — A Poplar Bluff High School freshman has won $500 after being named the overall winner of a statewide school bus safety poster contest. Aubree Bennett received the award Monday, Oct. 26, from the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation (MOAPT). Bennett earned first place among...

Downtown Cape Girardeau announces holiday events, 34th annual Parade of Lights

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Old Town Cape Inc. is preparing for the holiday season with several events planned in downtown Cape Girardeau, including a Christmas tree lighting, Small Business Saturday and the 34th annual Parade of Lights. The holiday festivities will begin Friday, Nov. 27, with the downtown...

Hotel, restaurant owners offer to pay for Cape Girardeau tourism study

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Local hotel and restaurant owners are prepared to pay a Chicago-based firm about $100,000 to assess Cape Girardeau’s tourism potential beyond sports tourism, according to a plan presented to the city council on Monday. Jeff Maurer of Mayson Capital Partners pitched the plan...

Cape Girardeau’s Spaghetti Day set for Nov. 5

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation will host Spaghetti Day on Thursday, Nov. 5. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau. Meals will include...

Williamson County social worker pleads not guilty

Cape Girardeau prepares for more road work and street improvements

The City of Cape Girardeau boasts plenty of fun activities, a lively downtown and multiple subdivisions, but all of that traffic can cause more stress on the roadways. While it might cause more delays and longer travel times, the City of Cape Girardeau is planning more construction projects and improvements to the roads around town.

Missouri to pay $150,000 to settle lawsuit over prisoner’s death by suicide

Missouri must pay $150,000 to the mother of a man who committed suicide in a Southeast Missouri prison, a Mississippi County judge ruled Friday. Jahi Hynes was 27 when died April 4, 2021, at the Southeast Missouri Correctional Center in Charleston. His mother, Willa Hynes, sued the Department of Corrections, three of the agency’s corporate […]

Cape Public Library to host 2nd Fall Fair for families

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Cape Girardeau Public Library will host a Fall Fair with games, crafts and a petting zoo. The free Fall Fair is scheduled for November 14 from noon until 3 p.m. in the back yard at the library at 711 N. Clark Street. Attendees...

Jackson Veterans Day parade set for Nov. 11

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — The city of Jackson will honor military veterans with a Veterans Day parade Wednesday, Nov. 11. According to the Jackson Police Department, the parade will begin at 4 p.m. and travel through uptown Jackson. The parade will start at the Frozen Food Locker on South...

Federal Opportunity Zone expansion to drive housing, business growth in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - A major federal designation is expected to bring new investment, housing and business growth to Cape Girardeau starting in 2027. Southeast Missouri Regional Economic Development, Inc. announced on Thursday, November 5 that all six eligible census tracts, or community districts, nominated in Cape Girardeau have been approved for Opportunity Zone 2.0 status.

New weather radar coming to southeast Missouri

Missouri officials have approved funding for a new weather radar intended to strengthen severe weather monitoring across parts of southeast Missouri, according to an announcement from State Rep. Keith Elliott, a Republican from Doniphan.

MoDOT Awards Bridge Painting Contract in Ste. Genevieve County

Ste. Genevieve Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded a contract totaling more than $850,000 for bridge painting work on four bridges over Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve County. During its regular meeting on November 5, 2026, the Commission awarded an $852,987 contract to International...

Heartland Votes: Voters elect Steve Kuykendall as next Mississippi County sheriff

Voters have elected Steve Kuykendall as Mississippi County's next sheriff.