Real Talk with Riggin

Mother/son game night with Cape Parks and Rec Coordinator Dylan Koyer

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is inviting families to a fun and memorable evening during its upcoming Mother/Son Game Night. Coordinator Dylan Koyer joins us to talk about this special event designed to give moms and their sons a chance to spend quality time together enjoying a variety of games, activities, and friendly competition in a relaxed setting. From classic board games to interactive challenges, the night is all about building connections, sharing laughs, and creating lasting memories for families in the community. Dylan will share details on what participants can expect, how to register, and why events like this are a great way for families to unplug and enjoy time together

March events at the MDC Nature Center with Manager Laci Prucinsky

March brings a variety of family-friendly and educational programs to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, and Manager Laci Prucinsky says it’s a perfect time to reconnect with nature as spring begins to arrive. The Missouri Department of Conservation facility will host hands-on programs focused on early spring wildlife activity, hiking opportunities, and educational workshops designed for all ages. Visitors can learn about migrating birds, emerging plants, and the changing ecosystems of southeast Missouri while enjoying the center’s trails and exhibits. Prucinsky encourages families, students, and outdoor enthusiasts to check the March schedule and take advantage of the free programs that highlight the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. 🌿🐦🌼

US-Israel Military Action Against Iran with Executive Director at the SPME Asaf Romirowsky

In early **2026, the United States and Israel launched a major coordinated military campaign against Iran—dubbed Operation Lion’s Roar by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the U.S.—targeting Iranian nuclear, missile, and military infrastructure and resulting in the deaths of key Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and significant retaliation across the region. Against the backdrop of this sharp escalation, Asaf Romirowsky, Executive Director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) and a historian of Middle Eastern affairs, has emphasized the broader ideological and geopolitical stakes shaping American and allied policy, framing the conflict as part of a long-standing confrontation with Islamist forces that extend beyond conventional battlefields into academic, cultural, and political arenas—a perspective consistent with his scholarship on Middle East policy and the narratives that influence Western perceptions of regional threats.

Democrats are making energy unaffordable with CEO at American Energy Institute Jason Isaac

Democrats are making energy increasingly unaffordable for working families through aggressive regulations, restrictions on domestic production, and subsidies that distort the market, according to Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute. Isaac argues that policies limiting oil and natural gas development, fast-tracking costly renewable mandates, and expanding federal oversight have driven up electricity and fuel prices, placing the heaviest burden on low-income households and small businesses. He contends that restoring American energy dominance through expanded production, streamlined permitting, and consumer choice would lower costs, strengthen grid reliability, and enhance national security.

A majority of Illinoisans support the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit with Communications Manager Dylan Sharkey

A new statewide survey shows a majority of Illinoisans support the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, a proposal supporters say would expand educational opportunity and empower parents with more choices for their children. Dylan Sharkey, Communications Manager for the Illinois Policy Institute, says the data reflects growing frustration among families who feel trapped in underperforming schools and are looking for flexible, student-centered solutions. Sharkey notes that the tax credit would incentivize private donations to scholarship-granting organizations, helping low- and middle-income students access schools that best meet their needs, while easing financial pressure on working families across the state.

No real estate property taxes for seniors on ballot - with Cape County resident as spokesperson Phyllis Diebold

A Cape Girardeau County ballot initiative is underway that would allow voters to decide whether to implement a freeze on real estate property taxes for seniors age 62 and older, effectively preventing further increases in county property taxes for qualifying older homeowners. The effort follows new Missouri legislation enabling counties to adopt a Homestead Property Tax Credit for seniors, but only if local voters opt-in, and Cape County residents have been gathering signatures to get the measure placed on the ballot. One of the local organizers and spokespersons for the initiative is Cape County resident Phyllis Diebold, who has emphasized how rising costs for utilities and everyday essentials are straining seniors on fixed incomes and making it harder for them to stay in their homes

Indiana 18th State to Ban Ranked-Choice Voting with Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action Jason Snead

Indiana has become the 18th state to ban ranked-choice voting after Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Bill 12 on February 24, 2026, prohibiting any local government from using ranked-choice voting for its own elections — even though no jurisdiction in the state currently uses the system. The move aligns Indiana with a growing national trend of states moving to restrict alternative election methods, with supporters saying it preserves simplicity and clarity at the ballot box. Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action and co-chair of the national Stop RCV coalition, has been a vocal advocate for the ban, urging lawmakers to act on concerns that ranked-choice voting complicates vote counting and undermines election integrity.

Iranian People Lead the Overthrow while External Forces Accelerate the Collapse with U.S. Senator and Non-Nuclear Proliferation Ambassador Dr. Kazem Kazerounian

Iranian People Lead the Overthrow while External Forces Accelerate the Collapse with U.S. Senator and Non-Nuclear Proliferation Ambassador Dr. Kazem Kazerounian explores the growing unrest inside Iran and the mounting pressure from abroad that could hasten a dramatic political shift. Dr. Kazerounian examines how widespread dissatisfaction among the Iranian people—driven by economic hardship, political repression, and demands for greater freedom—has fueled grassroots resistance movements determined to chart a new future. At the same time, he analyzes how international sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and strategic actions by global powers are compounding internal instability and accelerating the regime’s vulnerability. Drawing on his expertise in nuclear non-proliferation and U.S. foreign policy, Dr. Kazerounian offers insight into what a potential transition could mean for regional security, global energy markets, and the broader balance of power in the Middle East.

24 Hours of Unbroken Prayer with Midwestl Director of International Advancement for Missouri for the FCA Todd Cramer

24 Hours of Unbroken Prayer brings together students, coaches, and community members in a powerful display of faith and unity, as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes continues its mission of impacting lives for Christ. Joining us to share the vision and spiritual significance of this special event is Regional Director of International Advancement for the Missouri Region at Fellowship of Christian Athletes Todd Cramer, who explains how this around-the-clock prayer initiative strengthens athletes on and off the field. Cramer highlights how dedicating an entire day to continuous prayer not only deepens personal faith, but also builds stronger teams, schools, and communities grounded in purpose, encouragement, and hope.

The Coming Food Crisis with Author, Attorney turned Homesteader John Klar

On this episode we discuss The Coming Food Crisis with author and attorney-turned-homesteader John Klar, who warns that America’s centralized food system is far more fragile than most consumers realize. Klar explains how consolidation in agriculture, regulatory pressures on small farmers, supply chain disruptions, and global instability are creating the perfect storm for shortages and higher prices. Drawing from his own experience transitioning from law to homesteading, he outlines practical steps families can take to build resilience through local sourcing, food independence, and community-based agriculture. Klar makes the case that restoring small farms and food freedom isn’t just about sustainability — it’s about national security and personal survival.