Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

Today at Lake Wappapello, Wappstock celebrates 15 years of sending local children to camp with a heartland music festival scheduled from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Headchange, Chas Watkins, Just Enough, Jess Emery, Backroad Drive, As-Is, Fallen Within) while ticket proceeds help cover rising camp costs.

Gray Media announced on August 8 that it reached an agreement to buy WSIL and nine other TV stations from Allen Media Group for $171 million, and it said the transaction will close in the fourth quarter pending regulatory approval + customary closing conditions.

Crumbl Cookies opened today in Cape Girardeau offering freshly baked treats with rotating flavors and the Cape Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting + chamber members may get a free chocolate chip cookie with the purchase of a 4- or 6-pack.

Blackberry Smoke will perform southern rock at Mtn Dew Park on Oct.

5 as part of their Rattle, Ramble and Roll Tour 2025—ticket presales start Aug. 11 while public sales begin Aug. 13 at 10 a.m.—with prices starting at $39.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools and the Missouri State Highway Patrol urged drivers to be cautious in school zones as construction continues in Cape County, noting that 800 school bus crashes in 2024 resulted in 345 injuries and 7 deaths statewide.

Officials encouraged parents to talk with students about safety and to check school websites for bus routes — a team effort to protect kids.

MoDOT crews will restripe Interstate 57 from Aug.

25 to 26, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Interstate 55 from Aug. 27 to Sept. 13, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to improve road visibility; motorists should slow down and keep a safe distance from the equipment + follow posted guidelines.

Bell City School District’s $11 million plans for a new elementary school, high school and storm shelter were put on hold after the Missouri State Auditor denied bond certification because the election notice was not sufficiently published — the district disputes the ruling and urges the community to contact state officials for a consistent application of the rules.

During August, the American Red Cross is urging Cape Girardeau residents to donate blood or platelets and get a $15 e-gift card with free A1C screening—donors, especially those with type O positive or B negative blood, are needed to keep supplies high.

Donation events are scheduled in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and donors must be at least 17 and be in good health.

Toddler Hour

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

Tunes at Twilight

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Ivers Square Gazebo — Free entry — Enjoy live music from Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones along with food trucks and fun activities.