Cape Girardeau prepares for water cap vote on August 5

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Voters in Cape Girardeau will soon decide whether to allow the city to increase its water utility rate cap, a move Cape Girardeau mayor Stacy Kinder says is necessary for the future of the city’s water system. The ballot language on August 5 asks residents if the city can raise the cap on annual utility…

Orange Barrel Report July 29

(KBSI) Northbound I-57 in Mississippi County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. This section of roadway is located from mile marker 10.8 to mile marker 12 near Charleston, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 4 from 6 a.m. to…

Hot Wednesday ahead before cooler air arrives

Wednesday will be our last HOT day for a bit! Temperatures will reach the mid to upper 90s with feel like temperatures above 110+ degrees. There will be a cold front moving in late Wednesday, which will bring storms north of the viewing area. We just have to get through Wednesday before we can get a bit of relief from…

Mt. Vernon holds vigil after mass shooting kills two, injures five

MT. VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) — The Mt. Vernon community gathered for a prayer vigil following a mass shooting that left two young men dead and five others injured. Pastor Timothy Brinson of Antioch International Assembly helped lead the vigil, calling on the community to unite and pray for peace throughout the community. “We just felt the need to come together,…

Hottest days ahead- Cold front Wednesday night

Our hottest days have begun! Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures will reach the mid to upper 90s with feel like temperatures above 110+ degrees. There will be a cold front moving in late Wednesday, which will bring storms likely across the region into Thursday. We just have to get through Wednesday before we can get a bit of relief from the…

Mt. Vernon resident calls for change after deadly shooting

MT. VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) — A Mt. Vernon resident is calling for stronger safety measures following a weekend shooting that left two people dead and five others injured. Police responded to gunfire around 12:49 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of South 15th Street. Two men, Zomarrius Williams, 20, of Mt. Vernon, and Demonta Woodward, 26, of Mounds IL, are…

VERY HOT through Tuesday, cold front Wednesday night

Here is what to know for this weekend and next week: Saturday and Sunday: Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, with heat index values nearing 110°. A few isolated afternoon showers will be possible. Monday and Tuesday: These will be our hottest days of the stretch, with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values…

Dunklin County deputies dive into community pool party

KENNETT, Mo., (KBSI) — Members of the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office participated in a community pool party at the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center, interacting with local youth and attendees. Sheriff Darter and Deputies Bryce Tinsley, Taylor Tinsley and Joseph Philpot also competed in a watermelon eating contest, taking home first place. Categories: News Tags: Kennett, Missouri

Water main break repaired, Bloomfield Rd open

BLOOMFIELD, Mo., (KBSI) — UPDATE: The main break has been repaired, and the road is open and clear. A 6-inch water main break at the intersection of Bloomfield and Spring roads has forced crews to shut down the road. Workers are attempting to repair the line while it is still under pressure to avoid issuing a boil water advisory. Categories:…

Paducah selected as one of four national AI data center sites

PADUCAH, Ky.(KBSI) — The U.S. Department of Energy has selected four sites across the country to develop artificial intelligence data centers and energy generation projects. Paducah, Kentucky, is one of them. The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant has been chosen for the project, a partnership between the Department of Energy and the Trump administration looking to boost the United States position…

Saint Francis Healthcare System celebrates 150 years with Discovery Playhouse

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Discovery Playhouse hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate its new exhibit sponsor, Saint Francis Healthcare System, and the health system’s 150-year anniversary. The ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. and will be followed by activities, treats and meet-and-greets with Saint Francis Medical Center providers. To mark the occasion, parents will receive half-off admission to…

How Cape Girardeau public workers are beating the heat

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)– As heat continues throughout the region, city workers and local organizations are taking extra steps to stay safe and support those in need. City crews in Cape Girardeau are adjusting their work schedules to avoid as much of the summer heat as possible. Assistant Public Works Director Brock Davis said the department changed their hours to…

Cape Girardeau renews Contract with SEMO REDI

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The city of Cape Girardeau has renewed its partnership with SEMO REDI, agreeing to provide $68,000 through the end of the calendar year to support economic growth in southeast Missouri. Shad Burner, the CEO of SEMO REDI, says the organization’s mission is focused on creating business success throughout southeast Missouri. “Economic growth happens when private…

Excessive heat persisting, with rain chances this weekend

Wednesday afternoon, temperatures will feel like 105 – 115 degrees across the region. These extreme conditions will continue through Thursday afternoon. Make sure to take the proper precautions if you are working or being outside this week. By 11:00 AM Wednesday morning, temperatures will already feel like the middle triple digits. Peak extreme heat will occur from 11am- 6pm for…

SEMPO hosts open house to gather public input

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO) held a public open house today in Cape Girardeau. This in an effort of seeking community feedback to help shape its long term transportation plan through the year 2050. This meeting marked the first step in updating SEMPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the 2050 project. “Everybody has a consistent…

TRACTION Conference empowers youth to take an active role in promoting safe driving habits in Missouri communities

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Young adults and teen attended the TRACTION(Teens Taking Action To Prevent Traffic Crashes) Conference on Monday July 21, 2025 held at the Drury Hotel and Conference Center in Cape Girardeau. In a powerful demonstration aimed at educating young drivers on the harsh consequences of driving under the influence high school students gathered here at the Drury…

Extreme heat through this week with rain chances soon

Tuesday afternoon, temperatures will feel like 105 – 115 degrees across the region. These conditions will continue through Thursday afternoon. Make sure to take the proper precautions if you are working or being outside this week. By 11:00 AM Tuesday morning, temperatures will already feel like the triple digits. Peak extreme heat will occur from 1pm- 6pm for the next…

Local teen donates $3,000 in toys to EPIC in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A Jackson High School student is making a big impact on local foster families through a personal high school project. VanQuez Hill, a student participating in the Jackson High school’s passion project worked up the funds to donate around $3,000 worth of toys, games, books and puzzles to EPIC, a nonprofit in Cape Girardeau that…

Cape County to repair County Road 401 Bridge

CAPE COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI)– A bridge replacement project on County Road 401 is set to move forward in a partnership with Perry County. The current bridge has a 5 ton load limit, making it impossible for the heavy agricultural traffic in the area, including grain trucks and farm equipment to pass through the back roads. Stephen Daume, Associate Commissioner of…

Missouri lawmakers do a deep dive into rising property taxes as Missouri residents struggle to keep up

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Does Missouri have a problem with increasing property tax rates? This is what Missouri lawmakers are trying to figure out and they want to hear from you on the issue. On Wednesday July 16, 2025, Missouri lawmakers gathered for a meeting over property tax hikes after they received numerous complaints from voters. Lawmakers say they…

Perry County School District prepares for new school year after tornado damage

PERRY COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) -As the first day of school approaches, the Perry County School District #32 is racing to ensure students have a safe, in-person learning environment following significant tornado damage earlier this year. Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones said the district’s top priority is welcoming students back on Aug. 20 with minimal disruption. That includes setting up temporary classrooms…

All students eat free at Chaffee R-2 schools through USDA food program

CHAFFEE, Mo. (KBSI) – The Chaffee School District has announced that they have joined a program that will support academic nutrition and success. The district will now provide free breakfast and lunch to students all year round.  The Community Eligibility Provision is a non-pricing meal service option for schools in low-income areas administered through the USDA. According to Chaffee R-2…

Perry County School District #32 updates community on tornado recovery

PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) —The Perry County School District #32 held a public meeting Tuesday to update the community on tornado recovery efforts and gather feedback on the future of Perryville High School. Architect Steven Telscher provided an overview of ongoing and completed recovery projects, including temporary classrooms being installed for the upcoming school year. The district is seeking community input…