The pandemic has changed the way we all do things and forced the cancellation of many longstanding events – including Homecoming at Southeast Missouri State University. A task force of university leaders will assess the viability of virtual events to engage the community going forward. I sat down with Dr. Trudy Lee, Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation and George Gasser, Director of Alumni Relations at Southeast Missouri State University to learn more

With schools starting back up, classes potentially may be relying more heavily on online teaching. And in the era of COVID-19, internet can be especially crucial for distance learning. Loyd Rice, manager of fiber services at Semo Electric Cooperative, sees expanding local broadband access as a mission. In this episode of Going Public, Rice talks about plans and progress on expanding broadband. He talks about what expanding broadband has looked like with the added needs of the pandemic, and the

In early August, the Associated Press reported that COVID-19 had resulted in the deaths of 502 people living in nursing home facilities. KRCU’s Clayton Hester speaks to Dr. Randall Williams, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services about what this level of deaths means for the state, what can be done about it, and what’s been done. Later in the interview, Dr. Williams speaks about student safety as colleges head into a new semester.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is open to visitors in downtown Cape Girardeau and is following CDC guidelines. They a re also seeking entries for a billboard competition for local artists and for a juried traveling exhibition celebrating Missouri’s Bicentennial. Dan Woods spoke with Executive Director Sara Steffens.

Amid the effort of managing flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport has been developing an idea of how they can use funds from the CARES Act to assist with their renovation projects. In addition to that work in progress, they’re facing other situations. Last week they were also notified of an emergency travel order, with new quarantine requirements for passengers flying to Chicago. KRCU’s Clayton Hester talks with airport manager Katrina Amos about how they’re

What will athletic events look like this fall at Southeast Missouri State University and what plans are being developed to keep players and fans safe? To get a sense of how the planning is going and what fall sports at SEMO may look like, we spoke with SEMO Athletic Director Brady Barke on Thursday morning, August 6.

The pandemic has caused problems of housing insecurity, with factors such as financial strain and the end of a moratorium on evictions . The Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri assists with issues such as housing. Executive Director Melissa Stickel and Housing Coordinator Calvin Garner told KRCU about what they’re seeing while assisting those in need. “There’s not any needs that I see much different than they were before,” Garner says, “they’re just happening with greater regularity.”

Tuesday is an election day, and with 2020 both being a year of elections and pandemic, adjustments have been made to how voters will cast their ballot. But significant issues on the ballot aren’t all that makes the election stand out. With COVID-19 infection rates on the rise, what does that mean about how the election will be run? Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers says her staff has made efforts leading up to the election, helping with mail-in and absentee ballots. In addition,

“Bring it On! The Musical” melds cheerleading, dance and showtunes and is coming to Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus both live and live-streamed. Dan Woods spoke with Rhonda Weller-Stilson, Dean of the Holland College of Arts and Media at Southeast Missouri State University. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6-8 and Aug. 12-15, and at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 and 16 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. The River Campus will offer — for the first time — live-streamed

Dan Woods spoke with SEMO Provost Dr. Mike Godard on July 10, 2020. Among the topics discussed by Dr. Godard: - His goals for Academic Affairs in the near-term - The challenges and opportunities with an increase in online learning - Program Review - HyFlex Courses for Flexible Learning - A new learning management system called Canvas