Category: Stories
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Missouri’s 2026 Primary Election Shows a Breakage of the Partisan Lens
Editorial by Gwyneth Pearson The 2026 Missouri Primary Election shows that when voters make decisions on policy instead of party – unity can be found. Missourians cast their votes on four ballot measures August 4, 2026. Graphic – New York Times Amendments 4 and 5 were the most controversial and contested measures. Amendment 4 looked…
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Police Investigations and Administrative Leave
Opinion Written by Nichole Ray I attended the Sikeston City Council meeting July 27th, and I left feeling that there are larger conversations our community needs to be willing to have—openly, honestly, and respectfully. This is not a statement about one individual case, nor am I claiming to know every fact surrounding any ongoing investigation.…
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Stormwater Drainage Project Public Hearing
July 27, 2026 There was a public hearing at the Sikeston City Council Meeting July 27 over the current stormwater drainage project funded by the Missouri Department of Development — discussing progress, accomplishments, or problems residents have dealt with. Fronabarger Concreters is the contractor working on new drainage infrastructure and their work is almost complete.…
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Stop the Violence in Sikeston
July 11, 2026 Sikeston held its annual Stop the Violence event today! There were speakers, music, food, snowcones, and fun for the kids too. Lynda Stewart with Moms Demand Action spoke on gun violence, and what folks can do to prevent it. “10 years ago, I decided I was sick and tired of reading about…
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Packed City Council Meeting after Death of Lloyd Gilmore
The second Sikeston City Council Meeting since the in-custody death of Lloyd Gilmore happened yesterday — and at one point, the room was nearly packed. The meeting lasted just short of 2 hours. This is a huge difference from last week, which saw a low turnout. The official business was quite similar to the week…
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Empty City Council Meeting Following the Death of Lloyd Gilmore
June 29, 2026 Today was the first regular Sikeston City Council Meeting since the death of Lloyd Gilmore in police custody on June 10th. I counted 14 heads in attendance (excluding council members). Sikeston is a town of approximately 16,000 people. This means less than 0.000875% of the population attended the meeting. This is less…
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Lloyd Gilmore’s Funeral
Lloyd Gilmore was laid to rest today. He died in the custody of the Sikeston Police Department on June 10th. Cornerstone Baptist Church in Sikeston was packed. Around the room, you saw folks of different walks of life, all affected by or moved by Lloyd at some point in their life. A few, likely, moved…
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Living in a Heavily Policed Community While Grieving
I spoke with Lania Gilmore as she prepared to lay her father to rest. I learned as much as I could about what it was like to be her situation. On June 10th, Lloyd Gilmore died in the custody of the Sikeston Police Department. Lania says that officers described her father in a state of…