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

Update Friday May 27th at 10:30 a.m.:

The death toll from the monster tornado that tore through Joplin on Sunday has climbed to 132. City spokeswoman Lynn Onstot confirmed the new number in to the Associated Press Friday morning.

The state of Missouri says the number of people missing or unaccounted for since that tornado is now at 156.

Missouri Department of Public Safety deputy director Andrea Spillars said Friday that officials are working 24 hours a day to trim the list.

Spillars says at least 90 people on the original list have been located alive, but some new names also have been added and at least six have been identified as among the dead.

Update Friday May 27th at 8:30 a.m.:

The Missouri Department of Safety plans to release an updated and shorter list of those who are still unaccounted for following Sunday's deadly tornado in Joplin.

Officials said as cell phone service increases, people are able to get in touch with family and let them know where they are.

The department will update the media on progress determining the status of individuals on the initial list, released Thursday.

Original Story:

State officials say 231 people are still unaccounted following Sunday's EF-5 tornado in Joplin.

The department of public safety released the list of names today, indicating some of them could be among the 125 confirmed dead.

Officials say people who are unaccounted for are not necessarily dead or trapped in debris.

Many could be safe, but have but failed to tell friends and family where they are.

"If there is a name on that list that someone believes that they can account for that person, or if that is that person, we would ask that they call the 'Found Persons Number,' said Andrea Spillars, Public Safety Deputy Director. “And that number is 417-895-6868.”

Cell phone service in Joplin remains spotty.

The city was hit by the deadliest single tornado in the U.S. since the National Weather Service started keeping records.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)