Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Where in the state are you located? Cape Girardeau County in Southeast Missouri.
Who owns the newspaper? Gina Raffety
In addition to publishing a newspaper, what other services do you/it provide? We also sell promotional products.
Circulation of newspaper: Around 7,000.
Number of issues per week/publication day: We are a weekly paper published on Wednesday.
Number of full- and part-time staff: 6 full time and 9 part time.
Population of the town and county: Jackson - 16,167 and Cape Girardeau County - 83,999.
Is the community growing, declining, or holding steady? Jackson is growing in population, business and industry.
Your greatest challenge: Learning to adapt from traditional print advertising to other revenue streams. This includes digital advertising, local events, partnerships with community publications and most recently offering promotional products to our advertisers.
Newspaper’s biggest strength: I feel the connection to our community strengthens our newspaper. The longevity of our full-time staff members is a strength. All of our full-time employees have been here for 10 years or more.
Also, on a personal note, with my connections through The Cash-Book Journal, I have been able to learn more about this community and the people and businesses in it even though I am not originally from here.
Newspaper’s biggest weakness or obstacle to overcome: A weakness for newspapers is competing with social media in the digital age. Newspapers are no longer the only way for businesses and community organizations to reach the public. Luckily, The Cash-Book Journal is able to stay relevant by offering local news that people are not able to get elsewhere.
Your family: I am married to Joe Letner. I am a proud boy mom to two sons, Tristen, age 12, and David, who passed away at the age of 23 in 2023. I have two granddaughters, Paisley and Violet.
Your hobbies/interests: I am a big sports fan. I love the Arkansas Razorbacks, St. Louis City Soccer, St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. I love going to games. I also love watching my son Tristen play sports.
List something that is interesting or unusual about you: I live and grew up in a mainly rural area but I love rock music. I have seen my favorite band, Godsmack, over 10 times. My favorite vacation spot is anywhere on the beach even though I can’t swim and I’m so fair skinned that I get sunburned just riding in a car.
What is your favorite journalism accomplishment? I am honored to have won the 2026 Dee Hamilton Sales Pro of the Year Award presented by the Missouri Press Advertising and Marketing Executives. Also, The Cash-Book Journal won Small Business of the Year from the Jackson Missouri Area Chamber of Commerce for 2025.
If you weren’t an advertising manager, what do you think you would be doing? If I wasn’t an advertising manager I would probably be a high school math teacher although secretly I would have loved to be a musician.
