Three Southern Illinois counties vote on proposal to form new state separate from Cook County

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) – Voters in three Southern Illinois counties are weighing in Tuesday on whether their county leaders should explore forming a new state separate from Cook County. Saline, Hamilton and Gallatin counties have advisory questions on their Nov. 3 general election ballots asking whether county officials should...

County election officials address ballot misinformation ahead of Tuesday’s vote, expect high turnout

Early voting as high as 5% has been reported in the region as county officials gear up for Tuesday’s election. Some local officials believe turnout could be as high as 45% in some areas for the midterms. Officials in Stoddard, Butler and Wayne counties say it is high for...

Village of Thebes awarded $364K sewer grant

THEBES, Ill. (Heartland News) - The Village of Thebes’ request for a large grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has been approved. The Mayor of Thebes said the Village Council received final approval from a DRA economic development assistance program for $364,000 to repair its sewage lift station.

Strong storm system to impact Heartland on Election Day

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Voters heading to the polls Tuesday should be prepared for unsettled weather. A line of storms will enter the area around 4 p.m. from the west and push through until approximately 10 p.m. in the east, making timing crucial for those planning to vote.

2026 Midterm Election Coverage from KRCU Public Radio: Tuesday, November 3rd

Tuesday night was the midterm general election, and many areas nationally turned Democratic, taking majorities away from Republicans in both the House and the Senate. Meanwhile, in Southeast Missouri, the Republicans maintained control of most seats. Live Turnout stated that 50% of voters participated in this election, which was marginally...

Historic Preservation Commission Favors Keeping City Hall Downtown

The future of Fredericktown City Hall remains uncertain, but members of the city’s Heritage and Landmarks Commission have made their position clear: Whether the existing building is renovated or replaced, city hall should remain in downtown Fredericktown. Ruth Ann Scaggs, representing the commission, presented a formal recommendation to the...

City of Carbondale announces new recreation offerings at Cedar Lake

CARBONDALE, Ill. (Heartland News) - In Jackson County, the City of Carbondale is announcing new recreation offerings at Cedar Lake. City leaders say that, thanks to grant funding, there are new improvements to the Cedar Lake trail system, and new primitive campsites are now available. A total of 10 campsites...

Precautionary boil water advisory issued for Jackson subdivision

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – The city of Jackson issued a precautionary boil water advisory Sept. 25 for residents in Annwood Estates subdivision and one property outside the subdivision. The advisory affects all properties in Annwood Estates and 2704 Dana Drive, located just outside the subdivision boundary. According to city...

Perry County School District 32 prepares for Missouri’s new A-F grading system

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KBSI) – The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is introducing a pilot grading system that will assign A-F letter grades to public schools and districts across the state. According to Perry County School District 32, the system was developed by the State Board of Education...

Local business donates temporary living quarters to Cape Girardeau firefighters

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A local business is helping Cape Girardeau firefighters continue emergency operations by providing temporary living quarters for crews stationed at Fire Station 1. McDowell South RV donated temporary accommodations for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department’s Engine 1 crew, allowing firefighters to remain at the...

Halloween events in Cape Girardeau

Marion High School staff member resigns amid Jackson County felony charges

MARION, Ill. (Heartland News) - A secretary in the Marion High School Athletic department resigned from her job amid a felony investigation in Jackson County. 45-year-old Leah Tinault has been charged with theft and computer fraud. According to court documents, Tinault altered her pay during her employment at a Jackson...

County sets permanently lowered speed limits on county roads

Several county roads will see a permanent lowered speed limit and prohibited parking following three public hearings held over the last two weeks. Cape Girardeau County Commissioners officially established a speed limit of 35 miles per hours on County Roads 222, 226, 227, 228, 324, 327, 330 and 332 following concerns of increased traffic with the closure of Route Z.

Voices of the Dead, All Hallows Eve event held at Historic Fort D

The community heard the stories of people who were active in Cape Girardeau during the Civil War in Voices of the Dead, All Hallows Eve.

Parkland Health Center Celebrates Completion of OB-GYN and Pediatric Clinic Renovation

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - Parkland Health Center in Farmington has officially opened its newly renovated OB-GYN and Pediatric Clinic, celebrating the completion of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Parkland Health Center President Annette Schnabel says the renovation represents an expansion of services available to patients throughout the Parkland. The...

Missouri Dept. of Conservation to enforce new permit policy at certain shooting ranges

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - If you enjoy going to shooting ranges in Missouri, you’ll want to be aware of a new restriction coming next year. On October 23, the Missouri Department of Conservation approved a regulation change for unstaffed shooting ranges. Starting in March of next year,...

Arts Council of Southeast Missouri executive director to leave after February festival

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has announced that Executive Director Kate Cooper will leave the organization in February 2027. According to a statement from the organization’s board of directors, Cooper will depart following the Children’s Arts Festival in February. The board...

This Dreamy Missouri Town Is So Ridiculously Affordable You Can Live On Social Security Alone

Farmington, Missouri is the kind of place that makes financial advisors nervous, because once people find it, they stop stressing about money altogether. Tucked into the gentle hills of St. Francois County about 70 miles south of St. Louis, this town has quietly built a reputation as one of the most genuinely affordable places to live in the entire state.