Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Welker said in a June 17 letter that no criminal charges will be filed against the officers involved in a police pursuit that ended in a deadly crash on March 13—when a 38-year-old man lost control of his dirt bike during the chase.

Southeast Missouri State University approved a $158.4 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes a 3.1% rise in undergraduate tuition + a 3.3% increase in room and board and sets student worker wages at $10.50 per hour; the budget takes effect on July 1.

Dr. Carlos Vargas ends a 10-year presidency at Southeast Missouri State University this month and said he learned a lot from leading a changing field.

In an interview held under the iconic dome, he thanked the community for their support—he remains open to new ideas that will let him keep contributing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation partnered with Mineral Area College to remove about 80 invasive Callery pear trees from the campus—grinding the stumps and planting between 20 and 40 noninvasive trees and shrubs as part of a conservation program.

Cost-share funds will be available in July on a first-come, first-served basis.

Advocates Robert Spurlock and Earl Norman presented a plan for Future I-66 at the city council meeting on Monday.

The proposal would rename Highway 74 to Future 66 and create a corridor connecting Paducah, Cape Girardeau and Van Buren that supporters say will boost the local economy and population.

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors approved a $158.4M balanced operating budget for FY2026 that will begin July 1.

The budget includes a 3.1% rise in undergraduate tuition and a 3.3% increase in room and board rates — it also gives a 3% merit raise for employees, raises the minimum wage for student workers to $10.50 and full-time workers to $15, and adds $1.6M in state funding.

The ACLU of Missouri is asking Gov. Kehoe to cancel Executive Order 25-25 and apologize for preemptively activating the National Guard before last weekend's peaceful protests — the order will remain in effect until the end of June while officials defend it as a support for local law enforcement.

Rick Faris Band Live at Port Cape

8 p.m. — Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge — $20 at the door — Enjoy a lively performance from the Rick Faris Band in a great new venue.

Summer Slam 2025

8 a.m. - 8 p.m. — A C Brase Arena — Skater registration starts at $45 — Participate in scrimmages with individual skill levels and a chance to join the Main Event mixer!

Star Spangled Brunch

Brunch Buffet — 11 a.m. — Beacon 53 — $0.00 - $53.00 — Indulge in a special brunch buffet featuring fresh summer ingredients while enjoying picturesque views of the Mississippi River.

Capaha Classic 5K

8 AM – 12 PM — Capaha Park — Registration required — Compete in the City's longest-running 5K road race featuring a Children's One Mile Run.