The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

2 hours, 26 minutes ago  Gov. Jay Nixon says federal help is being offered to residents and businesses in several eastern Missouri counties affected by severe weather in April.

Yesterday at 9:59 PM  Red Cross relief efforts are underway, and Joplin residents react to seeing catastrophic damage for the second time in two years.

Yesterday at 9:06 PM  People from State Farm Insurance in Columbia went to Oklahoma City Tuesday to help with mass insurance claims that come with a disaster like the one in Moore, Okla.

Yesterday at 5:47 PM  One tornado damaged areas of Johnson and Pettis counties, and the other briefly touched down near Gravois Mills.

Yesterday at 3:28 PM  The National Weather Service says that the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., topped the scale as an EF5.

Yesterday at 11:50 AM  Death toll was corrected and lowered to 24 people, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 11:50 AM  The storm's death toll was corrected and lowered to 24, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 7:33 AM  Associated Press photographer's first-person account of efforts to rescue chidlren and staff in a collapsed school.

Monday, May 20, 2013  Updated with new photos (Caution, graphic images), new video added; death toll now at 51.

Monday, May 20, 2013  Swarm of tornadoes slam Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Oklahoma mobile home park ravaged by twister

Thursday, May 16, 2013  At least 6 dead, dozens left homeless as tornadoes leave trail of destruction in North Texas

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  Low-income families and individuals are getting a break from the heat in Boone County.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013  Cole County added two new tornado sirens Wednesday morning as part of a program to build more in the city and county.

Monday, May 06, 2013  The rising Mississippi River is raising concerns in some southeast Missouri communities.

Thursday, April 25, 2013  More tough choices ahead for farmers, cities as New Mexico grapples with third year of drought