Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

Covenant Life Church will hold a Giving Closet event on Aug.2 to give free clothing and school supplies for families getting ready for school — donations of these items are being accepted and individuals in need are encouraged to attend.

Motorists are advised to plan for extra travel time on I-24 today because bridge construction is causing traffic delays.

Some GPS systems are directing drivers to the Brookport Bridge—where semi-trucks are not allowed to cross.

Cape Girardeau firefighters responded early Wednesday, July 16 to reports of a possible fire at Tipton Linen on Independence Street—crews spent about 15 minutes inside the building before leaving.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded around 6 a.m. to Tipton Linen at the intersection of Independence and West End Boulevard after the fire alarm was triggered by smoking towels in a dryer—employees had already put them out and no injuries were reported.

A motor vehicle crash forced the closure of northbound I-55 at the 104 mile marker, and all traffic has been diverted to the LaSalle exit with motorists advised to drive carefully + allow extra travel time.

Chaffee School District said it is now giving every student free breakfast and lunch all school year through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision—parents do not need to fill out any forms.

Southeast Missouri middle schoolers learn about journalism's roots at the Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield using original editions of the military newspaper—organizers say the camp teaches press freedom and ends with a student-produced edition on Friday.

The state law bans the sale of six invasive plant species — including Callery Pear and Japanese Honeysuckle — to protect Missouri’s native habitats and will take effect on August 28, with four species on sale until Jan 1, 2027 and two until Jan 1, 2029.

Cassie Holcomb of Juneberry Plant Shop in Jackson said the invasive plants have long damaged local natural spaces.

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.

Toddler Hour

2-3 p.m. — Oran Branch Library — Free entry — Come get colorful with stories and crafts for ages 0-5.