Joplin tornado

Nolan Huggins, of Wentzville, uses a chainsaw to chop up a downed tree on Monday at the Callaway Crest Farm in Defiance, Missouri. “After the storm we came through our church, Element Church, and rallied resources to help with the cleanup and help our neighbors."

Missouri and Illinois rely on patchwork of local laws to guard against dozens of tornadoes a year

Shahla Farzan

Missouri and Illinois have few state regulations directly related to tornado safety. Some elected officials are now questioning whether current building requirements are enough to protect residents from powerful storms.

Health, Science & Environment

7 years after Joplin tornado, Mercy builds hospitals with disaster in mind

Sarah Fentem

A visitor to the new wing of the Mercy hospital in Festus can likely tell immediately where the old building ends and the new part begins. The atrium…

This collage includes pictures of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon from every year of his tenure.

Government, Politics & Issues

On the Trail: After 8 years, Nixon's governorship leaves important lessons

Jason Rosenbaum

As Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s tenure in the executive branch ends, he's leaving something of a paradoxical legacy.The Democratic statewide official…

Some of the aftermath following the devastating tornado in Joplin, Mo. in May 2011. The tornado killed 161 people and destroyed more than 7,000 residences.

FEMA Trailers In Joplin Nearly Empty

The nearly 600 federal trailers that housed Joplin residents since the May 2011 tornado are slowly emptying, with only about 80 of the trailers still…

Arts

New Films Document Devastation, Hope In Aftermath Of Joplin Tornado

Alex Heuer

The EF-5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri in May 2011 killed 161 people and a left city and its residents devastated.Two filmmakers - Beth Pike and Erica…

An aerial view shows the destruction of the Home Depot in Joplin, Mo. on May 24, 2011. The tornado that hit Joplin on May 22 claimed 161 lives. The Home Depot has since been rebuilt.

Mo. National Guard releases records on soldiers who looted in Joplin

The Missouri National Guard reports four of its soldiers stole electronics from a Wal-Mart store while helping recovery efforts after last year's tornado…

Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. pictured here on May 23, 2011, following a devastating tornado that ripped through the town.

Mo. National Guard members disciplined for Joplin looting, exempt from Sunshine Law

Missouri National Guard members have been disciplined for looting in Joplin after the massive tornado.But the guard has refused to release information…

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon talk with police outside Saint John's Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. on May 23, 2011. The governor is speaking at a remembrance ceremony this morning at another hospital in town, Freeman Hospital.

Joplin service begins day of remembrance

Will be updated.Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has opened a day of remembrance in Joplin by honoring tornado survivors, medical workers and volunteers who've…

President Barack Obama gives the commencement address for Joplin High School in Joplin, Mo. on May 21, 2012.

In Joplin, President Obama urges students to 'pay it forward'

KSMU's Missy Shelton contributed reporting for this story.A commencement address from President Barack Obama capped a difficult year for the Joplin High…

Morning headlines - Friday, May 18, 2012

Rachel Lippmann

Federal court sides with Quinn in pay disputeA federal appeals court has sided with Illinois governor Pat Quinn over canceled pay raises due to thousands…