Junction
Junction, IL · Arts & Culture
KFVS12
Bernie, Mo. native wins Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist
The 2026 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist was named Tuesday night--and the winner is from right here in the Heartland.
republicmonitor.com
Truck Show kicks off Friday
Mark your calendars for the return of the Laid Back on I-55 Truck Show. The annual event’s 9th iteration will take over downtown Perryville August 14 and 15. Friday begins with trucker registration from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 108 Progress drive. Food trucks will open at 4 p.m. Friday, live music will be provided by Drawl STL from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Big Rig Light show will begin at dusk.
lutheranmuseum.com
Agnes Johnson – One of the St. Louis Wachter Sisters
The birthday girl for today would be celebrating a special one. Agnes Sarah Wachter was born on August 13, 1876, thus making today her 150th birthday. Agnes was the 8th of 11 children born to Gottfried and Sarah (Jahn) Wachter. Below are photos of Agnes’s parents. Agnes was baptized...
KFVS12
Bernie, Mo. native wins Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist
graceland.com
Finley Watkins Crowned 2026 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Champion
Finley Watkins of Bernie, Missouri, was named the winner of the 2026 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, capturing the title during the competition's final round at the Graceland Soundstage. At 18, Finley becomes the youngest champion in the contest's history, which dates back to its founding in 2007. Louis Brown...
everafterinthewoods.com
This Illinois Amphitheater Tucked In The Bluffs Belongs On Your Bucket List
Somewhere in the rolling hills south of Carbondale, a concert stage sits beneath a natural rock bluff while the audience watches from an open-air clearing surrounded by rock formations, a waterfall, and trees. That place is Shawnee Cave Amphitheater near Murphysboro, and it offers something most concert venues simply cannot replicate.
KFVS12
Country music legends, The Oak Ridge Boys, to perform in Marion, Ill.
MARION, Ill. (Heartland News) - Country and gospel music legends, The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at the venue on October 23 as part of their Celebrating Route 66 tour. The Oak Ridge Boys have recorded acclaimed...
KFVS12
Third annual Rock the Heartland wraps up, winners announced
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Young musicians took part in Rock the Heartland, a battle of the bands for local artists aged 21 and younger. Party Hat Club from St. Louis took first place, and King Pink! from Cape Girardeau came in second place. Selected bands performed live at...
realrock993.com
Fire Up the Weekend at Main Street Smokin’ on the Rails!
Smokin Brothers is shutting down Main Street on Friday, August 21st and Saturday, August 22nd for Main Street Smokin’ on the Rails — a weekend of barbecue, music, family fun and plenty of reasons to come hungry!. The event features championship barbecue, the Kids Q Burger Showdown, a...
democratnewsonline.com
Mystery Fundraiser to Benefit Ozark Regional Library Foundation
The Ozark Regional Library Foundation is inviting readers of all ages to test their literary knowledge during a Book Character Mystery Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Fredericktown Branch Library. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the library, 115 S. Main St., and will...
KFVS12
Jour de Fete returns to Ste. Genevieve for 58th year
SAINTE GENEVIEVE, Mo. (Heartland News) - A two-day festival celebrating French and German heritage is marking its 58th year. Jour de Fete is August 8-9 in historic downtown Ste. Genevieve. Times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. There will be...
Longreads Blog
Secrets of the Atomic City
Holbrook Mohr and Mitch Weiss | The Atavist Magazine | July 2026 | 2,284 words (8 minutes) This is an excerpt from issue no. 178, “Toxic Lies.”. In the isolation ward of a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, a nurse approaches Ron Fowler’s bed, cell phone extended in her hand.
kbsi23.com
Tunes at Twilight concert moved indoors due to weather
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Friday night’s Tunes at Twilight concert has been moved indoors because of the potential for rain. Old Town Cape announced the Aug. 7 concert will now be held at Old City Hall, 401 Independence St., instead of Ivers Square. Tonight’s performance will feature...
KFVS12
Tunes at Twilight moved to rain-out location on Aug. 7
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The first Tunes at Twilight of the 2026 fall series has been moved to the rain location on Friday, August 7. There is a chance for rain and thunderstorms Friday night. The rain-out location for the fall series is the old city hall building...
semoball.com
Dexter resident shines in competitive cornhole world
Many Dexter residents might not realize there is a world-caliber cornhole player living in their midst. In just his third season of competition, Richard Jones has become one of the best in the world at cornhole, earning professional status and taking second in doubles — and 25th in singles — in the senior division at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole in Owensboro, Kentucky in July.
kbsi23.com
Pickle Fest coming to downtown Marion
MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — Glaciers End will host Pickle Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at 104 N. Print Ave. in downtown Marion. The free event will feature pickle-themed food and drinks, including pickle platters, pickle popsicles and pickles on a stick. Guest vendors and local makers also will participate.
KFVS12
Tunes at Twilight returns for fall series Aug. 7
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Tunes at Twilight is bringing families more chances to get outdoors for free live music with the start of the fall series. According to Old Town Cape, the six-week lineup includes the following:. August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Kasey Lee Rogers. August 14 at...
capechamber.com
KFVS-TV and WSIL-TV Announce Mike Skelton as Director of Sales
Cape Girardeau, MO and Harrisburg, IL — July 29, 2026 — Gray Media stations KFVS12 (CBS/CW/MeTV) and WSIL-TV (ABC) are proud to announce the promotion of Mike Skelton to Director of Sales. In his new role, Skelton will oversee the comprehensive sales strategies, local and national advertising relationships, and digital revenue growth across both dominant broadcast television operations and their associated digital platforms.