Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

On Friday, Street Level Cape Girardeau extended its cooling support when Mark Koehler and volunteer Kathy Kraemer opened the office from 5:00 to 6:30, set up a canopy, and handed out cold drinks and cooling towels after two unsheltered individuals were hospitalized with heat-related illness this summer — the move aims to protect those facing extreme heat.

Organizers of the SEMO District Fair have released the full grandstand entertainment lineup for 2025 — including Demo Derby on Sept.

6 and 13, Garden Tractor/Antique Tractor Pull on Sept. 7, Heartland Idol Finals on Sept. 8, and Truck & Tractor Pull on Sept. 11-12. They also announced performances by Chayce Beckham on Sept. 9 and Bryan Martin on Sept. 10 — with tickets available starting July 24 and the fair set to run from Sept. 6-13.

More than 200 community members gathered for July’s First Friday Coffee in Cape Girardeau—one of the largest turnouts for the event—and Dr. Brad Hodson, the new president of Southeast Missouri State University, spoke as BOLD Marketing and Saint Francis Healthcare System sponsored the event.

Firefighters from the Gordonville Fire Protection District and Jackson Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire on the 300 block of Blue Willow Lane on Thursday morning — a neighbor alerted residents and two occupants evacuated safely as crews worked to contain an electrical fire.

Breweries in Missouri are set to benefit from the American Beer Act that lowers the state fee on locally brewed beer from $1.86 to $0.62 per barrel starting January 1st.

The law aims to cut production costs and boost local manufacturing—supporting industry farmers and suppliers.

Cape Girardeau first responders took a man to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a group argument turned into a stabbing on the 200 block of N.

Lorimer Street just before 7 p.m. and police are now searching for the suspect + further updates are pending.

Mae Willingham, a spring 2025 graduate from SEMO, was awarded the Gus T.

Ridgel Fellowship from the University of Missouri — a competitive award that will support her pursuit of a graduate degree in political science at the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs.

Clinical therapist Erin Randol will lead an interactive presentation called Parenting with Purpose on Friday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

The session will help mothers of young children manage issues like sleep loss and overthinking (participants are welcome even if they missed earlier sessions).

The Cape Girardeau fire department thanked Sam’s Club for donating bottled water to help firefighters stay hydrated in hot and humid weather — the donation will support efforts to keep them safe while on duty.

Craft Activity for All Ages

2-3 p.m. — Riverside Regional Library — Free entry — Be creative with craft activities suitable for everyone at the Benton Branch.