Politics

Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the city of Cape Girardeau from enforcing an ordinance that bans people from placing handbills on unoccupied cars. Now, judge John Ross is making that injunction permanent.

The decision comes after the Ku Klux Klan filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming the leafleting ban infringes free speech rights. 

Tony Rothert is the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, who represented the KKK. He says it’s a victory for free speech.

The Cape Girardeau City Council sealed the deal on one long-simmering ordinance and put another on next April’s ballot. In addition, the council will now look at new scooter safety laws and underage drinking.

The council unanimously approved the new rental inspection ordinance that establishes minimum property standards for rental units. The ordinance was cruising towards passage last month until realtors voiced objections, saying the language was too vague. By Monday night, realtors and council had smoothed over their concerns and reached a compromise.