On this episode of 'Going Public', Ginny Smith, Executive Director of Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA), discussed CTA's partnership with Southeast Missouri State University to provide expanded transportation for students, replacing the SEMO shuttle program with CTA buses. CTA's ridership increased by over 100% from July 2022 to May 2023 due to efficiency and community partnerships. The new service will offer more frequent access to local businesses and amenities. Additionally, CTA collaborated with FlixBus to establish a bus stop in Cape Girardeau, offering affordable routes to cities like Chicago and Memphis. Smith emphasized safety measures, including live camera footage and driver training, and encouraged the use of CTA's new transit app for better service planning.

On this episode of 'Going Public', Ginny Smith, Executive Director of Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA), discussed CTA's partnership with Southeast Missouri State University to provide expanded transportation for students, replacing the SEMO shuttle program with CTA buses. CTA's ridership increased by over 100% from July 2022 to May 2023 due to efficiency and community partnerships. The new service will offer more frequent access to local businesses and amenities. Additionally, CTA collaborated with FlixBus to establish a bus stop in Cape Girardeau, offering affordable routes to cities like Chicago and Memphis. Smith emphasized safety measures, including live camera footage and driver training, and encouraged the use of CTA's new transit app for better service planning.

Jake Gerard, City Engineer of Cape Girardeau, discussed road maintenance projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The TTF, approved by voters last April, focuses on maintaining existing roads rather than new construction. Current projects include an 18-month overhaul of Lexington Street, a 12-month repair on Perryville, and a design-in-house project on South Sprigg Street.

Jake Gerard, City Engineer of Cape Girardeau, discussed road maintenance projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The TTF, approved by voters last April, focuses on maintaining existing roads rather than new construction. Current projects include an 18-month overhaul of Lexington Street, a 12-month repair on Perryville, and a design-in-house project on South Sprigg Street.

On July 1st, Gov. Mike Kehoe provided an update on the State of Missouri's continued disaster response and recovery efforts.

SEMO Anthropology students and faculty helped identify remains found in 2022 near Portageville, Missouri, solving a cold case and bringing closure to the family of missing Indiana man Robert J. Eaton.

A federal decision to cut millions in gun-violence prevention grants is drawing criticism in Missouri and beyond. The U.S. Department of Justice recently terminated more than 370 public safety grants - a move that’s already impacting efforts in cities such as St. Louis. Comments from Chris Sullivan, E. Desmond Lee professor of youth crime and violence, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the department chair for criminology and criminal justice.

On Tuesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced that President Donald Trump has approved two more federal disaster declarations for Missouri, clearing the way for aid to residents and communities recovering from powerful storms and flooding that struck the state in late April and mid-May.

Late Thursday evening, Uptown Jackson, Missouri, was the scene of a major blaze, which overtook at least one major business, damaging another, and injuring three firefighters.

Arrow reporter Ariangelis Ortiz discusses the leading story on SEMO public transportation. Southeast Missouri State University’s shuttle system will shift to Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority on July 1, promising expanded routes, improved safety, and a new real-time tracking app for students.