Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area Foundation will honor seven women for leadership and service at its 22nd annual Women of Achievement luncheon on Nov.

21 at the Century Casino Event Center—an event featuring a local expo from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and awards in three categories to benefit scholarships and nonprofits for women and girls.

The Heartland Down Syndrome Community Group will host a dinosaur-themed SEMO Step Up for Down Syndrome event on Oct.

4 at Capaha Park to raise funds and honor loved ones with Down syndrome. Families can form teams—those that raise $100 by Aug. 16 will enter a drawing for the official T-shirt color.

Local businesses in Cape Girardeau expect increased foot traffic during SEMO Family Weekend and today’s War for the Wheel as families and students visit downtown for football and community fun.

Owners like Chris Marchi of Mary Jane Bourbon + Smokehouse say they are preparing for busy days with fans and visitors flocking near Houck Stadium.

Southeast Missouri State University students unearthed dinosaur fossils including a Tyrannosaurus rex bone during their summer field experience in the Montana Badlands—14 students and two faculty members learned proper field techniques.

The finds are now at SEMO where they will be used in geology classes and shown in public presentations.

Southeast Missouri State University released its fall enrollment report on Friday, September 19—with overall undergraduates down 3% but Cape Girardeau County high school students up 4%—and noted a 10% increase in regional enrollment while international students fell by 63%.

University leaders say the international drop reflects trends seen at other colleges nationwide.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department has relaunched its community podcast with new co-hosts Patrolman Newton and Patrolman Smelser—episodes began on Sept.

18 and will air every other Thursday—to give residents an inside look at department news and public safety efforts.

SEMO will host longtime rival Southern Illinois in the annual War for the Wheel game today — kickoff is at 6 p.m. as the rivalry, dating back to 1909, features first-year quarterback Jax Leatherwood leading SEMO and SIU entering with one of the top FCS defenses.

The MO Magic Special Olympics volleyball team was chosen to represent Missouri at the 2026 U.S. Special Olympic Games in Minneapolis and is now asking for community help—each athlete must raise about $3,000 to cover travel costs.

A fundraising event run by Encore Pizza will be held from September 19 to 21 in downtown Cape Girardeau to support the team.

Arkansauce Concert

12-3 AM — Scout Hall — Ticket prices not specified — Enjoy a night of genre-blending tunes from this dynamic four-piece string band.

City of Roses Half Marathon & 5K

7 a.m. — Osage Centre - City of Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Department — Registration required — Celebrate the 45th Annual City of Roses Half Marathon and 5K with a race in beautiful Cape Girardeau.

Color Dash 5K and Fun Walk

10 a.m. — Arena Park — Register by September 12 for discounted entry — Participate in a colorful 5K run supporting cancer screenings.

The Next Level Fundraiser

7-11 p.m. — Buckner-Ragsdale Event Center — Enjoy a night of music with local bands and DJs while supporting a vital community cause.