Mariah Monsour

3 days ago | koamnewsnow.com | Mariah Monsour

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the results of its 2025 Annual School Bus Inspection Program, and local school districts in southwest Missouri are being recognized for their strong performance—especially the Joplin School District, which achieved a perfect score. Joplin had 100% of its 71 buses approved upon initial inspection, placing it among the top-performing districts in the state.

3 days ago | koamnewsnow.com | Mariah Monsour

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - The Joplin Police Department is warning residents of a sharp increase in motor vehicle thefts throughout 2025, with Kia and Hyundai models manufactured between 2011 and 2022 being the primary targets. According to police, thieves are specifically targeting vehicles with traditional “twist to start” ignitions, rather than push-to-start systems. In most cases, suspects are bypassing the ignition system without needing to force entry, making these vehicles especially vulnerable.

3 days ago | koamnewsnow.com | Mariah Monsour

NEVADA, Mo. (KOAM) - Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are in Nevada today, June 5, for a key disaster recovery meeting following the April 2 tornado that caused widespread damage across the city. The meeting is being held at the community center and includes local city and county representatives. Discussions will center around the process for submitting documentation required for FEMA disaster reimbursement.

3 days ago | koamnewsnow.com | Mariah Monsour

On June 4, 2025, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, along with the Joplin Police Department SWAT team and Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team executed a narcotics search warrant at 6619 Spurgeon Road in Newton County. The warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation conducted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team.

3 days ago | koamnewsnow.com | Mariah Monsour

MISSOURI (KOAM) - Missouri drivers are seeing a modest drop in fuel prices heading into the weekend, according to AAA Missouri’s latest Weekend Gas Watch. The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel is now $2.84—two cents less than last week and 29 cents cheaper than this time last year. Among Missouri’s major metropolitan areas, Columbia drivers are paying the most at the pump with an average price of $2.96 per gallon, while Springfield motorists enjoy the lowest average at $2.69.