Neal Boyd to run for Mo. House

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Sikeson native Neal Boyd has sung for Presidents, governors and congresspeople. Now the opera-singing winner of the reality TV show “America’s Got Talent” wants to enter the political arena himself. 

Boyd announced his plans to run for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 160th district, which includes parts of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties.

Politics is not foreign to Boyd. He graduated with a degree in political science from Southeast Missouri State University, where he also served as student president.

"You know I had two idols in my life: Luciano Pavarotti and Ronald Reagan. And I wanted to be like both of them. And now here I am. I’ve hopefully made one proud posthumously. I want to make the other one proud posthumously. I never got to meet these men. But I studied them my whole life."

Boyd will run as a Republican to replace Ellen Brandom, who will be term-limited next year. The only other candidate in the race is Republican businesswoman Holly Rahder. No Democrat has entered the race.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo kicks off tonight

SIKESTON, MO (KRCU) - The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo kicks off Wednesday night with a full night of rodeo action and entertainment by country music performers Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson with Cowboy Troy.

The Rodeo is now in its 59th year and is organized as a volunteer effort by the Jaycees. All proceeds are donated to community organizations.

Cal Crader is the Jaycees Rodeo Chairman. He says the cooler temperatures and pleasant weather conditions will help attract visitors to Sikeston.

"Within 120 miles of us this summer there’s not a whole lot going on other than our event," Crader says. "We’ve got the best names in country names. And by being a member of the Wrangler Rodeo Tour, we continue to draw the best cowboys in the world."

The rodeo is the largest annual even in Sikeston.

Sikeston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Missy Marshall says the rodeo provides a valuable economic boost to the region, even if it turns life a little upside down.

"The horse trailers started pulling in over the weekend. The livestock is coming in, the equipment is coming in, the cowboys are coming in, the tourists are coming in," Marshall says. "And that is a great thing to have happen every August. And it’s something that the community can count on and benefit from. We’re very happy and proud of our Jaycees for doing it."

The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will begins Wednesday night and run through this Saturday. There will be live entertainment each evening.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Sikeston entrepreneur enters race for Mo. House

SIKESTON, MO (KRCU) - A Sikeston entrepreneur entered the ring to take Ellen Brandom’s place in the Missouri House of Representatives. Holly Rehder will seek the Republican nomination in Missouri’s 160th District, which covers New Madrid, Scott and parts of Cape Girardeau County.

Rehder owns and runs Integrity Communication with her husband in Sikeston. She thinks her business experience will be an asset in the General Assembly.

"We all know that small business is the engine of our economy and right now the economy is what needs to be focused on," Rehder said. "And when we have, you know, certain lawmakers who don’t mind putting more regulation and more regulation on the back of small businesses, it’s just crushing us. And I think we need more people who have more skin in the game who don’t mind to stand there and fight and hold the line."

Rehder has also served as a staffer for Jo Ann Emerson. She says that she holds Emerson and Ellen Brandom as political models and mentors.

Brandom is seeking to replace Jason Crowell in Missouri Senate. Crowell cannot run again due to term limits, though he is considering a run for state-wide office.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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