Heartland Weekend

Ripley County FreedomFest set for June 26-27

FreedomFest ‘26 is happening in Ripley County, Missouri this summer.

By Olivia TockMarch 11, 2026 at 5:45 pm EDT

Things to Do

SIPA to celebrate Ostara at Gaia House on March 21

The Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance is inviting the community to celebrate Ostara later this month.

Things to Do

2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series begins May 8

The 2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series kicks off on Friday, May 8 at Ivers Square.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market to start season May 2

The Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market will start its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2.

Things to Do

Howard Aslinger Endurance Run set for March 13-14 in Cape Girardeau

It’s for runners of all experience levels, challenging them to test their limits by running for an hour, 12 hours or 24 hours.

March 10, 2026 at 4:47 pm EDT

Children can hunt for more than 6K eggs at Goreville’s annual Easter Egg Hunt

More than 6,000 eggs will be hidden for the annual Goreville, Ill. community Easter Egg Hunt.

By Amber Ruch

Russell Dickerson to play Du Quoin State Fair

Organizers announced country star Russell Dickerson will take the grandstand stage at the Du Quoin State Fair on Saturday, September 5.

By Amber Ruch

Freedom Sings USA retreat in southern Ill. to pair area veterans with Nashville songwriters

The Freedom Sings USA retreat in southern Illinois will pair songwriters with area veterans to share heroic stories through song.

By Amber Ruch

Legal

Community Chat: Olivia Miller & Jill Watkins

Legal

UPDATE: 1 person killed after car crashes into tree along I-68 in Preston County

Legal

UPDATE: 1 person killed in vehicle accident in Bridgeport

Legal

Tyler County woman charged with possession of over 2.5 pounds of meth

Legal

UPDATE: Harrison County man indicted for threatening ICE agents, Trump in videos

Legal

WATCH: CSPD shares body-camera video of the moment a child kidnapped in a stolen car was found

CSPD shared body-camera video of the moment a child kidnapped in a stolen car was found safe.

Things to Do

Ripley County FreedomFest set for June 26-27

FreedomFest ‘26 is happening in Ripley County, Missouri this summer.

Things to Do

SIPA to celebrate Ostara at Gaia House on March 21

The Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance is inviting the community to celebrate Ostara later this month.

Things to Do

Cape Anime Con 2026 set for April 18-19

Cape Anime Con 2026 is set for April 18-19 in Cape Girardeau.

Things to Do

2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series begins May 8

The 2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series kicks off on Friday, May 8 at Ivers Square.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market to start season May 2

The Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market will start its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2.

Things to Do

Spring ‘clean up day’ for Cairo, Ill. food donation garden

A food donation garden in southern Illinois will host a “clean up” day to prepare for spring.

Things to Do

Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival happening this weekend

The Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival is set to take place the first weekend of March.

Food

Three fall-inspired cocktails you can make this season

Fall is in the air and there’s so much to love about the season – including fall-inspired cocktails!

Things to Do

Chuck E. Cheese brings back ‘Sensory Sensitive Sundays’ for kids with autism, special needs

Chuck E. Cheese marks Autism Awareness Month with the return of its program for children with autism and other sensory sensitivity needs.

Food

Healthy Halloween snack recipe: Ghost Bananas

Halloween is the holiday where the candy calories and sugar don’t count, right? Right?? As much as we can wish that was the case, it is not true. There are healthy alternatives to serve at your Halloween party or gathering, though.

Food

Add a dash of TWIX® to your food

That’s right! You can now sprinkle a little chocolatey, caramel, cookie goodness on all your food.

Food

3 Chick-Fil-A hacks you need to know about

Check out these 3 Chick-fil-A hacks!

Latest Articles

Ripley County FreedomFest set for June 26-27

SIPA to celebrate Ostara at Gaia House on March 21

Cape Anime Con 2026 set for April 18-19

2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series begins May 8

Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market to start season May 2

Things to Do

Ripley County FreedomFest set for June 26-27

FreedomFest ‘26 is happening in Ripley County, Missouri this summer.

Things to Do

SIPA to celebrate Ostara at Gaia House on March 21

The Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance is inviting the community to celebrate Ostara later this month.

Things to Do

Cape Anime Con 2026 set for April 18-19

Cape Anime Con 2026 is set for April 18-19 in Cape Girardeau.

Things to Do

2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series begins May 8

The 2026 Tunes at Twilight spring series kicks off on Friday, May 8 at Ivers Square.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market to start season May 2

The Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market will start its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2.

Things to Do

Spring ‘clean up day’ for Cairo, Ill. food donation garden

A food donation garden in southern Illinois will host a “clean up” day to prepare for spring.

Things to Do

2026 Big Muddy Film Festival to feature 72 films

The Big Muddy Film Festival will return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale and features 72 films.

Things to Do

Rodney Carrington to return to southern Ill. in September.

Rodney Carrington will return to the Heartland in September.

Things to Do

Grateful Fest VI returns to southeast Mo. in April

Grateful Fest VI will return to southeast Missouri in April.

Things to Do

Southern Ill. orchard to host historical marker dedication

A southern Illinois orchard will officially unveil its historical marker in April.

Home

Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission announces nominations for 2026 Endangered Buildings List

The Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission is accepting nominations for its 2026 Endangered Buildings List.

Things to Do

Marion event welcomes dozens of artists and small businesses

Shopapalooza will allow dozens of artists, artisans, and small businesses to sell their wares directly to customers.

Things to Do

Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale to host 5K to raise money for Good Samaritan House

The Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale, Ill. will host the Feed Your Neighbor 5K Run/Walk in April to raise money for the Good Samaritan House.

Things to Do

Western Ky. nonprofit to host 5th annual Nehemiah Project for the community

The Merryman House will host its 5th annual Nehemiah Project for the community in late March.

Things to Do

Vienna Fall Festival, Fall Junque Jamboree to merge

Two popular annual events in Vienna, Illinois will be combined in the fall.

Things to Do

Alexander–Pulaski Counties NAACP to host 2026 Sneaker Ball for Women’s History Month

The Alexander–Pulaski Counties Branch of the NAACP will host its 2026 Sneaker Ball on Saturday, March 14 to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Home

Sting adds St. Louis stop to 2026 tour

Sting has added a St. Louis stop to his 2026 tour.

Home

1st grandstand performer announced for 2026 Du Quoin State Fair

The countdown to the 2026 Du Quoin State Fair is on!