Samantha Walker - KOAM News Now

07/31/2025

In July, Miami, Ok, has had a week-plus stretch of heat advisories. For the tenants of one apartment building in the city, it's been a difficult summer as they battle the heat without working air conditioning.

KOAM has spoken with tenants at the 218 Apartments in Miami who tell us the air conditioning has been broken since at least early June. Some have taken to social media to show as a result, some units have gotten upwards of 90 degrees.

But the building's landlord says he's doing the best he can to help the situation.

In July, Miami, Ok. has had a week plus stretch of heat advisories. For the tenants of one apartment building in the city, it's been a difficult summer as they battle the heat without working air conditioning. KOAM has spoken with tenants at the 218 Apartments in Miami who tell us the air conditioni...

07/30/2025

Activities are officially underway at the Crawford County Fair. But as a new generation of attendees heads to the fairground, one group has spent years working to preserve and honor the past.

A cut of a ribbon marks the completion of the preservation of four historic buildings at the Crawford County Fairground. These buildings were originally built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration.

Activities are officially underway at the Crawford County Fair. But as a new generation of attendees head to the fairground, one group has spent years working to preserve and honor the past. A cut of a ribbon marks the completion of the preservation of four historic buildings at the Crawford County....

07/30/2025

New signs coming to Fort Scott are helping showcase some of the town's lesser-known history.

The Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Commemorative Park is the site of the installation of a series of informational signs.

The historic site was once home to the oldest Black church in Fort Scott, and was regularly attended by filmmaker and composer Gordon Parks and his family.

The Gordon Parks Museum

New signs coming to Fort Scott are helping showcase some of the town's lesser known history. The Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Commemorative Park is the site of the installation of a series of informational signs. The historic site was once home to the oldest black church in Fort....

07/29/2025

A Joplin bookstore is hoping to encourage the next generation of readers by supporting teachers.

Always Buying Books holds an annual Back to School Sale on three weekends in August, offering a 50% off sale on children's and teen books.

This year, the store is holding an Adopt-A-Teacher program with hopes to raise at least $2,000 to help reduce prices even more for teachers.

A Joplin bookstore is hoping to encourage the next generation of readers by supporting teachers. Always Buying Books holds an annual Back to School Sale on three weekends in August, offering a 50% off sale on children and teen books. This year, the store is holding an Adopt-A-Teacher program with ho...

07/25/2025

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Don’t forget, today is the day for the Boots, Badges and Bandages blood drive at the Joplin Public Safety Training Facility!

It was my first time donating blood, and it was way easier than I thought! Also excited to give the first vote to Joplin EMS Metro Emergency Transport System, though all our our first responders are incredible and deserve the win.

It’s not too late to donate! You can walk in until 4pm to donate even if you don’t have an appointment.

🩸🚒🚔🚑🩸KOAM News Now

07/24/2025

EaglePicher Technologies held a groundbreaking for its newest facility coming to Pittsburg.

The 20,000 square foot building is expected to offer an economic boom to the city, creating at least 50 new jobs. The expansion is continuation of a decades-long partnership between EaglePicher and the City of Pittsburg, Kansas.

EaglePicher held a groundbreaking for its newest facility coming to Pittsburg. The 20,000 square foot building is expected to offer an economic boom to the city, creating at least 50 new jobs. The expansion is continuation of a decades-long partnership between EaglePicher and the City of Pittsburg.

07/23/2025

There's still plenty of spots open for the KOAM-sponsored Boots, Badges and Bandages blood drive with Joplin first responders happening this Friday.

It's your chance to help support those in need during a critical time of the year, when the need for blood rises and donations decrease.

”That hour of your time will give someone else a lifetime,” says Belinda Belk, Blood Drive Consultant for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.

Donors can choose who they want to represent, whether it be Joplin Police Department, Joplin Fire Department or Joplin Metro Emergency Transport System.

There's still plenty of spots open for the KOAM sponsored Boots, Badges and Bandages blood drive with Joplin first responders happening this Friday. It's your chance to help support those in need during a critical time of the year, when the need for blood rises and donations decrease. ”That hour o...

07/22/2025

I am so excited and honored to say that I have been awarded 2nd place by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for my feature on an incredible local athlete!

It’s my first year to compete, and I was excited just to enter. I never thought I’d actually manage to place. I’m so happy that I was able to do Elijah’s story justice, as well as bring a little recognition back to an incredible team here at KOAM News Now. And truly, this story is only possible because of people from all across the station. From our sales team who told us about Elijah to our producers who helped read over my scripts.

Here’s to next year and the hope I can continue to do my best to tell the stories of the 4-States!

If you’d like to watch the story here’s the link: https://youtu.be/Lwif_MKltt8?si=f_WYIsjnb8JbLbgQ

07/22/2025

Doctors say patients need extra support after heart surgery, and a donation from the Arvest Foundation to Mercy Hospital Joplin will help provide that.

Arvest Bank's donation will be used to help purchase cardiac recovery pillows for patients healing from open heart surgery.

These heart-shaped pillows can provide comfort, reduce pain, and protect a patient's incision site.

Doctors say patients need extra support after heart surgery, and a donation from the Arvest Foundation to Mercy Hospital - Joplin will help provide that. Arvest's donation will be used to help purchase cardiac recovery pillows for patients healing from open heart surgery. These heart-shaped pillows....

07/22/2025

Demolition officially underway at the old Freeman Hospital in Joplin. KOAM News Now.

07/21/2025

First responders are emphasizing the importance of water safety after two people lost their lives this weekend in Southwest Missouri.

On Saturday a 16-year-old drowned at Grand Falls in Joplin.

On Sunday a good samaritan lost his life while attempting to save a kayaker at the Elk River in Noel.

These tragedies emphasize just how dangerous waterways can be, even for those who are very experienced.

First responders are emphasizing the importance of water safety after two people lost their lives this weekend in Southwest Missouri. On Saturday a 16-year-old drowned at Grand Falls in Joplin. On Sunday a good samaritan lost his life while attempting to save a kayaker at the Elk River in Noel. Thes...

07/17/2025

The Newton County Assessor is at odds with the Missouri State Tax Commission over the state's request to raise property assessment values.

80 counties in Missouri were informed by the commission that they were out of compliance with state law, and were told to raise property assessment values. But the Newton County Assessor is refusing to raise them by the amount requested, even as the state tax commission takes action against her.

The Newton County Assessor is at odds with the Missouri State Tax Commission over the state's request to raise property assessment values. 80 counties in Mo were informed by the commission they were out of compliance with state law, and were told to raise property assessment values. But the Newton C...