Clayton Hester

Host - Morning Edition, Reporter

Clayton is a Multimedia Journalism major at Southeast Missouri State University, with minors in creative writing and religious studies. In addition to news - including stories for the Southeast Arrow - Clayton writes a little bit of everything: short stories, painstaking novels, the occasional lyric, screenplays, satirical blog posts, and sometimes funny tweets. He loves music and listens to everything from Frank Sinatra to Faron Young, and Phil Collins to Avicii. His dream job is to either anchor network news or to host Jeopardy, either one is fine. He’s a cat person and nerd.

His favorite public radio programs are 1A, the TED Radio Hour, and Ask Me Another.

Going Public: Veterans Plaza dedicated at Southeast after 50 years in the making

By Clayton Hester • Sep 29, 2020

Veterans joined together with the Southeast community on Friday, September 25, to dedicate the Veterans Plaza that’s been under construction this summer.

Thomas Meyer, United States Navy Seabee Veteran, is responsible for spearheading the effort. Meyer began the process during his time on the Board of Regents. I spoke to him after the ceremony about the length of the process and the effort to place it at Southeast.

Going Public: United Way of Southeast Missouri's Executive Director Talks Virtual Kickoff

By Clayton Hester • Sep 23, 2020

COVID has forced many organizations to adapt, and that includes charitable organizations. KRCU’s Clayton Hester spoke to Elizabeth Shelton, Executive director, of the United Way of Southeast Missouri.

This week was the virtual kickoff for their organization, for the sake of raising funds and assisting their partner organizations. Shelton adds that those who want to support United Way can do so via their golf tournament on Oct 2. You can learn more about that unitedwayofsemo.org/

Going Public: Cape City Planner Ryan Shrimplin Talks About Progress on Cape Vision 2040

By Clayton Hester • Sep 23, 2020

Where will Cape Girardeau be in 2040 and what will it look like? Answers to those questions have been offered after the Cape Vision 2040 project was approved over the summer. City Planner Ryan Shrimplin came on the program to talk about the progress that has been made on the project.

Going Public: Missouri Farm Bureau Board Member Barry Bean Talks Strain On Agricultural Industry

By Clayton Hester • Sep 6, 2020

Farmers have faced challenges the past couple of years, from the trade war to the current pandemic putting a strain on the industry.

Barry Bean is a board member of the Missouri Farm Bureau and a cotton farmer. He’s president of Bean and Bean Cotton Company. KRCU’s Clayton Hester spoke with Bean about the economic pressures facing the industry today.

Going Public: Codefi Announces Four Winners In Startup-Supporting Competition

By Clayton Hester • Aug 30, 2020

Codefi has announced winners for its 1ST50K competition, breaking precedent in the competition. The competition is aimed at new startups and awards $50,000 to its winners.

In addition to startup money, the winners receive access to venture capital and angel investment networks, professional and high-level business coaching and mentorship and personal introductions to strategic business leaders.

KRCU’s Clayton Hester spoke to Codefi’s director of public relations Stacy Dohogne Lane about this year’s results.