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: Cape Regional Airport Expects Federal Grant in Coming Weeks to Assist During COVID-19

By Clayton Hester • Jun 5, 2020

On April 15th, the US Department of Transportation announced it was awarding the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport a grant, as part of relief efforts from COVID-19.

General Manager Katrina Amos told KRCU that business was slowed under lockdown as would-be flyers were told to stay home.

“We have seen a drastic reduction in the amount of people that are flying out,” she said. “For the month of April, we had a 94% reduction in people leaving the airport.”

June 2 Election Results in Cape County Sales Tax Passage, Other Changes in Southeast Missouri

By Clayton Hester • Jun 3, 2020

In Cape Girardeau County a sales tax of one-half of one percent was approved by voters for public safety services and law enforcement.

Seats on the Cape Girardeau City Council were decided. Nathan Thomas was chosen for Ward 3. Robbie Guard was chosen for Ward 4.Shannon Truxel was elected to Ward 5.

Trustees were also elected across Cape Girardeau county, including Jon Friedrich voted in as Gordonville Trustee. Jamie Buchheit was elected as Old Appleton Trustee.

In Delta, Rocky King was elected mayor.

Going Public: Cape County Clerk Talks Election Day Health and Safety Precautions During COVID-19

By Clayton Hester • May 28, 2020

In March, Governor Mike Parson postponed the April 7 municipal elections in Missouri until June 2.

To get the sense of how people will be able to exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, KRCU spoke with Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers about the municipal election and the county’s efforts to help with safety next week.

In addition to putting barriers between voters and poll workers, Summers says that each voting booth will be cleaned after it’s used by a voter.

Southeast Board of Regents Approves No Trespass Policy, Rate Increase, and Piloting Program

By Clayton Hester • May 20, 2020

Following the wrap up of finals week at Southeast, and the completion of academic year that saw a number of limitations as students the COVID-19 pandemic forced off campus, a number of changes came out of the Board of Regents meeting on Friday, May 15th.

A news release from the university stated Southeast has instituted a no trespassing policy, which, in Missouri state statutes, forbids people to enter or remain in buildings, inhabitable structures, or other property.

Going Public: Member of Islamic Center Speaks About Destructive Fire, Interfaith Group Shows Support

By Clayton Hester • May 4, 2020

Last Monday, a man was arrested in connection to the fire that destroyed the Islamic Center on North West End Boulevard.

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, 42-year-old Nicholas Proffitt of Cape Girardeau was motivated by reasons of religion.

He’s been charged with three felonies, including burglary, arson, and property damage.