Real Talk with Riggin

The Old Town Cape Downtown Annual Dinner is set to bring together community leaders, business owners, and residents for an evening celebrating growth, partnership, and the continued revitalization of downtown Cape Girardeau. Marketing and Event Coordinator Savannah Edwards says the annual event highlights the organization’s accomplishments over the past year while recognizing the volunteers, sponsors, and businesses who help make downtown thrive. Guests can expect great food, fellowship, and a look ahead at exciting plans designed to strengthen Old Town Cape and keep the heart of the city vibrant and welcoming for everyone.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the advocacy organization Do No Harm, argues that many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in U.S. medical schools divert attention from core clinical training and may harm patient care and trust in the profession. Goldfarb, a board-certified nephrologist and former associate dean of curriculum at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has publicly criticized mandatory DEI workshops and implicit bias training as politically driven and unsupported by medical science, saying they propagate contested claims about physician bias and health disparities. He and his organization have also welcomed the removal of DEI mandates by the graduate medical training accreditor and have published critiques and testimony asserting that identity politics and ideological instruction have, in his view, “infected” parts of academic medicine.

In his latest work, Author and engineer Michael J. Menard argues that America’s leading cause of death has been hiding in plain sight for more than 50 years, masked by convention, bureaucracy, and unquestioned assumptions within the medical establishment. Drawing on his technical background and years of independent research, Menard challenges long-held narratives about chronic disease and mortality statistics, contending that preventable factors have been overlooked while billions are spent treating symptoms rather than root causes. He calls for greater transparency, open scientific debate, and a willingness to reexamine public health orthodoxy, urging Americans to take a more active role in understanding the forces that shape modern medicine and the policies that impact their lives.

The 2026 St. Louis Battlehawks theme nights are set to bring even more energy to The Dome as fans rally behind the city’s UFL franchise. Senior Director of Communications for the UFL United Football League, Brian Stull, says this season’s lineup of theme nights will celebrate everything from hometown heroes and military appreciation to fan-favorite traditions that have helped make the St. Louis Battlehawks one of the league’s most passionate fan bases. With special promotions, exclusive merchandise, and in-game entertainment designed to engage the entire family, the 2026 theme nights aim to make each home matchup more than just a game — but a full-scale St. Louis celebration.

A recent court decision is being hailed as a fatal blow to regulatory overreach, reinforcing constitutional limits on unelected bureaucrats and restoring accountability to the American people. With CoFounder of Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow Craig Rucker, we discuss how the ruling reins in expansive federal agency power, reasserts the role of Congress as the primary lawmaking body, and protects businesses and consumers from burdensome mandates imposed without proper legislative authority. Rucker explains why this moment marks a turning point in the fight for transparency, economic freedom, and the separation of powers envisioned by the Founders.

Unity for Jews, Christians, Israelis, and Iranians is at the heart of the mission of Root and Branch, a movement championed by author and religious freedom activist Marziyeh Amirizadeh. Having endured imprisonment in Iran for her Christian faith, Amirizadeh speaks with powerful firsthand insight about the urgent need for solidarity among people of faith who value freedom, human dignity, and peace. Through Root and Branch, she works to build bridges between Jews and Christians while amplifying the voices of the Iranian people who long for liberty and reconciliation rather than extremism. Her message emphasizes that unity grounded in shared biblical heritage and mutual respect can stand as a force against antisemitism, religious persecution, and division, fostering hope for a more peaceful future in the Middle East and beyond.

As Illinois faces a projected $21 billion in looming budget deficits, state leaders must adopt a responsible roadmap to restore fiscal stability and protect taxpayers. According to Illinois Policy Institute Communications Manager Dylan Sharkey**, that roadmap starts with structural spending reforms, not higher taxes. Sharkey argues Illinois should prioritize pension reform, eliminate wasteful spending, implement long-term budget caps, and grow the private sector through pro-growth economic policies. Without meaningful reforms, families and businesses will continue to shoulder the burden of chronic overspending. A disciplined approach focused on transparency, accountability, and sustainable budgeting can help Illinois avoid deeper deficits and put the state back on solid financial footing.

Fish sandwich lovers are invited out to the Sikeston American Legion Post 114 for their delicious Fish Sandwich Lunches, a local favorite that brings the community together for great food and fellowship. Commander Franky Adams says the lunches are a great way to support the Post while enjoying a freshly prepared fish sandwich with all the fixings in a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a longtime member or just looking for a tasty Friday meal, everyone is encouraged to stop by, enjoy the food, and connect with local veterans and friends. You can also get fries for an extra 3 dollars!

Activist judges are once again inserting themselves into state policy, forcing taxpayers to fund gender transition procedures for incarcerated child predators in what critics argue is a clear violation of the Constitution. Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom Hans von Spakovsky says these rulings override the will of state legislatures and citizens, compelling public funding for controversial medical treatments despite constitutional limits on judicial authority. Von Spakovsky contends that such decisions represent judicial overreach, raising serious concerns about separation of powers and whether courts are creating policy from the bench rather than interpreting the law as written.