Register Now   |   Login
listen facebook twitter email rss
iphone android blackberry on the go

Joplin Habitat Raises Walls on New Joplin Home
A Joplin family that lost their home in the May 22nd tornado got to see walls go up on their new house today courtesy of the Habitat for Humanity. Jennifer Nelson tells News Talk KZRG she and her family have seen their lives changed in more than one way since the storm.

"It's the greatest experience we've ever been through. It's truly humbling, for everyone to have donated

Firefighters Investigating Early Morning Blaze
A Joplin home went up in flames early this morning. The Joplin Fire Department tells News Talk KZRG the east side of the home at 1630 East 3rd street was engulfed when they arrived at 2:07am... nobody was hurt but the carport and kitchen areas of the home were extensively damaged. Firefighters are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.

McCaskill's Campaign Fund Grows
Missouri U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill raised about $1.4 million during the last quarter of 2011 and has nearly $5 million in the bank for her re-election campaign. McCaskill, a Democrat, is seeking her second, six-year term in the Senate. Candidates have until Tuesday to file their quarterly campaign finance reports.

Joplin Businesses Reopening
It's going to be a busy day for shoppers in Joplin, as two stores destroyed by the May 22nd tornado reopen today. Academy Sports and Outdoors held a ribbon cutting and private shopping spree for about forty students from Irving Elementary School yesterday... today's their first official day open to the general public. Also, Payless ShoeSource will be holding a grand opening ceremony
Joplin Businesses
Reopening

St. John's Demolition Begins Sunday

A Joplin hospital that became a landmark and lasting image of the May 22nd tornado will start coming down Sunday. Demolition on Mercy St. John's Hospital will begin with a ceremony open to the public at 2:30pm that will include a retrospective on the building plus a celebration of plans for its replacement, which will see a groundbreaking of its own two hours later. Of the 161 people
St. John's
Demolition

Target & "Ellen" Give To Joplin Schools
The Joplin School District has another $100,000 for rebuilding tornado-damaged schools, thanks to Target and the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen's viewers were asked to nominate schools that need help and Joplin was nominated. The gift is a pleasant surprise to Superintendent Doctor CJ Huff.

 "When those kind of surprise donations come along, we sure are appreciative.  And we appreciate people thinking of us as those opportunities come up and it was nice of whoever that was to nominate us for that opportunity."

 

Genandt Death Accidental Drowning
Authorities have a better idea how Ronnie James Genandt of Joplin died. The 33-year-old man was found Tuesday night in a pond near the 4000 block of East 7th Street. A preliminary autopsy says his death was an accidental drowning. Captain Derek Walrod of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tells News Talk KZRG they're still trying to piece together Genandt's last days.

"We've narrowed it down and we have people that have seen or talked to him in early January, but nobody has seen or talked to him since approximately January 4th to the time we found the body."

Genandt's body had been in the water for at least 48 hours by the time he was found Tuesday night.

Miami's Snowball Classic Saturday
You'll get a chance to spend some time with a Major Leaguer and maybe pick up a souvenir this weekend. Matt Carnes says the second annual "Snowball Classic" will be in Miami on Saturday night.

"Brett Gardner with the New York Yankees is coming to hang out with us.  We'll be having a VIP dinner. Tons of sports memorabilia, a Heisman Trophy football signed by 27 of the guys, some Derek Jeter items, Mariano Rivera, Albert Pujols, just to name a few."

It all starts Saturday at 5pm at the Coleman Theater. Tickets are $10 per person; call 918-542-4472 to find out more.

World Series Trophy Coming To Joplin
How'd you like to see the Cardinals' World Series trophy? It's going to be in Joplin next week.

"US Cellular is excited to team up with the St. Louis Cardinals to give the best fans in baseball, really, a rare opportunity to see and take a photo with the 2011 World Series trophy."

Adam Crawford of US Cellular tells News Talk KZRG the trophy will be at their Joplin store next Thursday, February 2nd from 3 to 7pm. The store's located at 2609 East 7th Street. The Cardinals are taking the trophy on a 50 city tour of Missouri, Illinois and Oklahoma. 

MO Supreme Court Staying Out of Redistricting
The Missouri Supreme Court is declining to weigh in on the constitutionality of new state House districts at least for now.

The high court had been asked in a lawsuit to block a new map for the 163-member House from being used in this year's elections. The plaintiffs contend the new maps violate requirements that districts have similar populations and be contiguous and compact.

They asked the Supreme Court to consider the case without having it argued first in a trial court.

The Supreme Court declined Thursday, saying the case involved disputed issues of fact. The order allows the legal challenge to be filed in a state trial court and if that occurs instructs a judge to decide quickly.

Candidates start filing for office Feb. 28.

 

Martin Now Running For AG
St. Louis attorney Ed Martin is dropping his congressional campaign to instead seek the Republican nomination for attorney general.

Martin announced the switch Thursday while attempting to link Democratic incumbent Chris Koster to the policies of President Barack Obama.

This is not the first time Martin has changed course for the 2012 election. He originally set out to run for U.S. Senate but switched last year to the Second Congressional District race in suburban St. Louis.

Martin also ran for Congress in 2010, narrowly losing to Democrat Russ Carnahan. He served as chief of staff to former Republican Gov. Matt Blunt and has worked for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis and as an attorney for anti-abortion and school-choice groups

Martin is the only announced Republican challenger to Koster.

 

Jackson: "Timing Is Right" For Commission Run
He's been a part of the local news scene in Joplin since 1980, but Jim Jackson has a new position in mind: a seat on the Newton County Commission. He tells News Talk KZRG deciding to potentially leave news for politics was a tough choice to make.

"I enjoy current events, and with broadcasting, you never know what to expect from day to day. It's always exciting, and you're

Freeman Doc: Night of Tornado Was Like A War Zone
If you don't work in a hospital, you might imagine the emergency room in Joplin's Freeman Hospital after the May 22nd tornado was like something out of "MASH." Emergency Room Doctor Frank Veer says Freeman's staff saw high-velocity injuries similar to what you'd see in war.

"In the military they'll get one, two, a dozen of those patients at once. We got
Freeman Hospital
Tornado Response

Lawmaker Pushing To "Limit" Animal Rights
A Missouri state lawmaker wants to make sure humans have more legal rights than animals. House Republican Ward Franz, of West Plains, has introduced legislation that would prevent animals from having rights or privileges equal to or greater than those of humans. The bill grew out of last year's contentious debate on rules for Missouri dog breeders. Franz says it appears some organizations

Sexual Predator Committed After A Second Jail Term

An area man called a sexually violent predator by a Dade County jury will be committed to a rehab and treatment center. A judge has committed 40 year old Jessie Parnell to a center in Farmington; Attorney General Chris Koster says he was asking for Pernell to be committed after he spent 13 years in prison for sodomy of a 15-year-old boy in Marionville, and previously spending
Sexual Predator
Committed

Body Found in Duquesne Pond ID
Part of the mystery surrounding a man whose body was found Tuesday night in Duquesne has been solved. Captain Derek Walrod of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tells News Talk KZRG who the victim was.

"The deceased person was identified as Ronnie James Genandt, 33 years old of Joplin."

What remains a mystery is how Genandt died. He was found face down in a pond near the 4000 block of East 7th Street. An autopsy is underway. Walrod says until they know the cause of death, they're treating Genandt's death as suspicious. 

Nixon Thanks Freeman Physicians
Wednesday night, Freeman Health System paid tribute to the physicians who treated those injured in the May 22nd tornado. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was there to give his thanks, as well.

"Your renewed dedication to your work and this community has not gone unnoticed or underappreciated.  And I thank you for that....each and every one of you."

More than 1700 people injured by the tornado were treated at Freeman. Following Nixon's speech, Freeman CEO Paula Baker unveiled a plaque that will be displayed in all the hospital's campuses thanking everyone for their life-saving work on May 22nd. 

Crowder College Growing
Crowder College isn't just in Neosho anymore. President Doctor Alan Marble tells News Talk KZRG they've opened several locations in their nine county service area.

"Mount Vernon, Greenfield, Monett, Lamar, due to requests from the community.  As a community college we try to serve the community in the best way possible."

Crowder also has branch campuses in Webb City, Nevada and Cassvile and Marble says one is in the works for McDonald County that should be open in the next year. 

Body Found In Duquesne Pond

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is dealing with a mystery involving a man's body found in a Duquesne pond. Sheriff Archie Dunn tells News Talk KZRG the body was found yesterday, but had been in the pond for at least 48 hours, and how he died is currently unknown.

"We don't know if it's an accident. There aren't any visible signs of injuries, but of course
Death
Investigation

"Voices of Joplin" Seeks To Tell Tale of Tornado And Aftermath

The May 22nd tornado, told in your own words. That's what a new group calling themselves "Voices of Joplin" is looking for. Director Carole Liston tells News Talk KZRG if you were impacted by the tornado, she'd like to hear from you.

"One of our real burdens is that we get stories from the people, and that they're credible, done right, not tainted. We've
Voices of
Joplin

Tyson Shift Changes Wednesday
Due to road construction, Tyson Foods in Noel has some changes for its day shift Wednesday.  Evisceration will start at 10am and cut-up and filet begins at noon.

Stickers At MO Capitol Investigated
Missouri Capitol Police are investigating the discovery of orange gun-target stickers found outside the offices of several state lawmakers.

The stickers were discovered Tuesday near the doorways of at least five Democratic state senators and at least one Republican state House member.

It wasn't immediately clear if the stickers were a prank or a threat. But some senators are taking them seriously, vowing to seek punishment for the act.

The stickers were found as senators were debating a bill related to President Barack Obama's health care law. Democratic senators have opposed the Republican-backed bill. It would require legislative or voter approval before the state could take steps to implement a health-insurance exchange.

 

CertainTeed To Close Joplin Plant
A Joplin business will close in March, taking 90 jobs. Pennsylvania-based CertainTeed is shutting down its Joplin vinyl siding plant. Company spokesman Mike Loughery tells News Talk KZRG a rough housing market led to the decision.

"The severe decline in housing, where the outlook really is not any brighter for the next few years.  And we got to a point where it was really difficult to sustain the operation in Joplin based on those numbers."

Loughery adds the majority of CertainTeed's customers for vinyl siding are in the northeastern US and there's little demand for it in the midwest. 

 

Joplin Family Y Creates Center At Taylor Park
The Joplin Family YMCA will partner with several local groups to build what's called a human services campus at the Officer Jeff Taylor Memorial Park in Joplin, where the FEMA trailers are set up. Kim Gray with the Y tells News Talk KZRG what services the center will have.

"Mental health, recreation, also some health care, as well, I think we'll have dental services out there, legal services, domestic violence.  It'll really be driven by the need of that community."

Gray says the center should be open by mid-February. A $181,000 gift from the Heart of Missouri United Way of Columbia is paying for the center.

KS Unemployment Improves
The Kansas unemployment rate edged lower in December to a seasonally adjusted 6.3 percent,. That's down two tenths of a point from November. While Kansas lost about 5,600 seasonal jobs in December, the state Labor Department also says Kansas added 12,400 nonfarm jobs in the 12 months ending in December, including 12,000 in the private sector.

Joplin Businessman Sentenced
Three years in prison and six and a quarter million dollars in restitution. That's the sentence given to former Joplin business owner Robert Landis Tuesday in federal court. Last August, he pleaded guilty to not paying employee payroll taxes to the government. Landis owned temporary employment firms Priority Personnel of Missouri and Kansas, as well Loma Landis, which managed villas and golf courses. 

Joplin "Volunteer House" To Be Moved, Preserved
What's left of a home on South Joplin Avenue that was hit by the May 22nd tornado will be preserved to tell the story of the volunteers that came to help Joplin recover. Tim Bartow tells News Talk KZRG volunteers started leaving messages of hope on his walls.

"It all started with me just spray-painting an inspirational message to try and inspire people passing by. The volunteers took

Ex-Officer Gets Probation For Fatal Shooting
A former Southwest City police officer has been sentenced to three years probation for killing a fleeing suspect. Back in December, 35-year-old Brian Massa was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for shooting 26-year-old Bobby Stacy of Gravette, Arkansas in the head in March 2010. Massa claimed it was self-defense.
Shooting
Sentence

Carthage PD Accidentally Posts Explicit Image to Facebook
The Carthage Police Department's new facebook page got some attention yesterday, but not the kind they wanted, after a picture of a man's genitals briefly appeared in their news feed. Apparently the photo was from an investigation file, and not the one that was supposed to be put up; it was quickly removed, and now police are apologizing for the goof.
Carthage Police
Facebook

Schools Demolition Still On Track
Demolition of Joplin school buildings seems to have hit a snag. There have been reports of bickering between the contractor hired to do the job and sub-contractors. Superintendent Doctor CJ Huff tells News Talk KZRG he'd like the arguing to stop.

"When you have multiple contractors working together on a project, sometimes you have conflict. And right now there seems to be some conflict between the contractor and some of the subs, so hopefully they get all those issues worked out so we can get back on track."

Huff says the contractors are working on removing asbestos from Joplin High School and the old South Middle School.  He says demolition should resume in seven to ten days with the demolition completed in two to four weeks.  
Mizzou?s Franklin the new best dual threat? SEC Quick Hits for 1/27
Mizzou QB James Franklin, the new best dual threat in the SEC? Dorial Green-Beckham visiting Mizzou this weekend. Where Missouri baseball ranks against SEC schools.  Preseason Top 25 poll. Future of the SEC. Four divisions made up of four teams. Immigration rule forces player to quit Georgia football team.
More ››
Cruise disaster lawsuits face choppy seas in US

While the parent company of the owner of the stricken Costa Concordia is based in Miami, passengers who want to file a lawsuit in U.S. courts over the cruise ship disaster will likely face chopp...
More ››
Missouri football to play at Central Florida
The Missouri football team filled one of their non-conference holes for next season by adding Central Florida to the schedule, according to the Knights' official website. Mizzou will play the Knights on September 29th in Orlando. The Tigers may see a familiar face. According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, quarterback Tyler Gabbert has [...]
More ››
Kentucky bridge collapses after being struck by cargo ship

State officials are inspecting what's left of a southwestern Kentucky bridge that partially collapsed when it was struck by a cargo ship that was too tall to pass under the structure. Two spans of the Eggner Ferry Bridge at US 68 and Kentucky 80 were destroyed Thursday night by the Delta Mariner. No injuries were reported on the bridge or in the boat.
More ››
Big 12 Commish sticks it again to Missouri
In an article that ran on Wednesday in the Charleston (West Virginia) Gazette, interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas laid into the University of Missouri and blamed them for the headaches caused with conference realignment. Neinas called Missouri "disruptive" and "selfish" in their move to the SEC. In the article, Neinas said, "The one thing [...]
More ››
APNewsBreak: Dougherty sibling planned escape

One of three siblings who were part of a multistate crime spree and nationwide manhunt planned to escape from a Colorado jail, authorities said.


More ››
House map challenger sympathizes with candidates (AUDIO)
One of the people who says the new districts for state representatives have been so poorly drawn that they're illegal sympathizes with people who are waiting to find out who they'll represent and even where they might have to live. The supreme court says it will expedite hearing the lawsuit—after it has been re-filed in [...]
More ››
Kentucky bridge collapses after being struck by cargo ship

State officials are inspecting what's left of a southwestern Kentucky bridge that partially collapsed when it was struck by a cargo ship that was too tall to pass under the structure.
More ››
?Chloe?s Law? would mandate additional newborn screening
A person's oxygen saturation are at certain levels that fluctuate depending on whether the heart is functioning normally. A Cass County legislator says there's an easy way to prevent infant deaths if those levels are checked before they're released from the hospital. If his bill passes, Chloe's Law would be named for a little girl in Cass [...]
More ››
Calif. park supervisor slaying suspect arraigned

A California man accused of shooting his former boss, the city's parks superintendent, faces charges that could make him eligible for the death penalty.


More ››
Governor-backed auto industry incentives introduced
The automotive industry incentive component of the Governor's job creation strategy has found its backers in the House and Senate, and they come from both sides of the political aisle.   In his State of the State Address and stops around the state, Governor Jay Nixon has promoted his Missouri Works plan. It would expand [...]
More ››
Park Service warns Occupy DC to end camps Monday

U.S. Park Police are warning occupy protesters that they must stop camping at two Washington parks on Monday or risk arrest.
More ››
Court says ?not yet? to House district challenge
The state supreme court has refused to hear a challenge to the way new districts have been drawn for the Missouri House. The court says the challenge has been filed in the wrong court and until it goes through a circuit court proceeding, the court cannot take up the case. The ruling means the 12 [...]
More ››
WWII vet gets long-delayed Purple Heart

Nearly 70 years after he earned it, Aaron Narvol has his Purple Heart. Wounded in the Battle of Okinawa, Narvol had long deserved the honor but only received it on Thursday, on his 93rd birthday.
More ››
Bills to clean up, reform adoption laws hit both chambers
The House is considering three bills that would help prevent adoption cases from being contested and held up in court. Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) says his legislation comes from the Lentz case, in which a biological father took a case against a baby's adoptive parents to the Missouri Supreme Court on the grounds that he [...]
More ››

Joplin Schools Superintendent CJ Huff on KZRG Morning News Watch




Huff talks with Chad and Josh about the state of Joplin Schools' rebuilding efforts, plus a controversial proposed bond issue.

State Rep. Charlie Davis on the KZRG Morning News Watch




Davis gives Chad and Josh the MO Legislative Update for the week of 1/23 /12.

Dr. Frank Veer, Freeman Hospital




Dr. Veer tells News Talk KZRG what it was like to deal with the thousands of injured people the night of the May 22nd, 2011 tornado.

"Voices of Joplin" on the KZRG Morning News Watch




Jeff Pi0trowski and Carole Liston talk about their new initiative.

US Congressman Billy Long on the KZRG Morning News Watch




Congressman Long talks with Josh Marsh about the 2012 State of the Union address.

One on One: w/ GOP MO Gov. Candidate Dave Spence




Spence goes one-on-one with KZRG's Darrin Wright on his campaign and the questions surrounding his degree.

SATURDAY


Mid-6am Coast to Coast AM
6am-9am In The Garden
9am-Noon Kim Kommando
Noon-3pm The Weekend
3pm-6pm Sean Hannity Weekend
6pm-8pm Dave Ramsey Show
8pm-Mid Route 66 Radio Show

SUNDAY


Mid-6am Coast to Coast Weekend
6am-7am Wall Street Journal Weekend
7am-9am The Money Pit
9am-11am Real Estate Today
11am-Noon Fox News Sunday
Noon-3pm Rush Limbaugh Week In Review
3pm-6pm Handel On The Law
6pm-9pm Ben Ferguson
9pm-Mid Bill Cunningham