Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

United Way of Southeast Missouri launched the Heartland Recovery Fund to help storm victims in Bollinger, Perry, Cape Girardeau and northern Scott counties by gathering donations and advising uninsured residents to call 211—trained representatives will connect callers to emergency child and pet care, food pantries and temporary housing.

The Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club will hold its 87th Annual Pancake Day today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the A.C.

Brase Arena building with dine-in, carry-out and drive-thru options, and tickets cost $10 or entry is free with a pair of used glasses donation.

Volunteers and the Three Rivers basketball team helped at a distribution event for tornado victims in Butler County after tornadoes struck Friday night into Saturday morning.

The community — including local officials — is working to clear debris and support recovery as Three Rivers College and Poplar Bluff schools remain closed.

Cape Girardeau is trying to win the title of Best Small College Town and needs your vote (the town is one of 20 nominees chosen for its youthful vibe, dining, shopping and beautiful campus).

Voting remains open through March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 9.

Mercy Health System warned patients about scammers impersonating its representatives to steal personal and financial details and urged anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up and contact their provider immediately for verification.

Southeast Missouri State University will hold its annual Giving Day on March 20 to raise $360,000 for student success and campus programs.

The University Foundation and Alumni Association will host events including a breakfast at Kem Statuary Hall and lunch bites in Sikeston (with SEMO Night in St. Louis set to follow) while donors can join matching gift challenges (and track progress online).

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the state requested FEMA join joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) in 23 counties hit by March 14-15 tornadoes that caused widespread damage, including nearly 368 homes destroyed.

Six assessment teams will begin surveys on March 20 to verify damage and determine eligibility for federal aid for housing repairs and temporary shelter.

The city of Cape Girardeau announced changes at the Cape Rock/Lexington intersection today, shifting work from the north half to the southwest quarter.

Eastbound Lexington drivers will detour via Perryville Road and Cape Rock Drive — while westbound Lexington and northbound Cape Rock remain open.

Breakfast with the Bunny

9 AM – 12 PM — Discovery Playhouse — $15 non-members, $10 members, $5 Museums for All — Enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt for all ages.

Men of Courage

BECOME AN INFORMED ROLE MODEL TO OTHERS. Join us for Men of Courage on April 9 at 7:30 AM at the Arena Building. This empowering event, hosted by the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau, features renowned speaker Obbie West and is designed to inspire men to become informed role models in the fight to end sexual assault. Free and open to all men—RSVP required.

Men of Courage

BECOME AN INFORMED ROLE MODEL TO OTHERS. Join us for Men of Courage on April 9 at 7:30 AM at the Arena Building. This empowering event, hosted by the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau, features renowned speaker Obbie West and is designed to inspire men to become informed role models in the fight to end sexual assault. Free and open to all men—RSVP required.