The Joplin Toad

06/04/2026

05/28/2026

03/03/2026

Meet the facilitators!

Artist Inc Express is led by a team of experienced, working artists—this ten-hour, hands-on workshop taking place on March 21st and 22nd helps artists like you address specific needs and challenges that you’ll face throughout your career. There is no cost to attend!

Brandon Pittman - https://artistinc.art/facilitator/brandon-pittman/
Kim Brook - https://artistinc.art/facilitator/kim-brook/
Kholoud Sawaf - https://artistinc.art/facilitator/kholoud-sawaf/

Join Spiva Center for the Arts, Connect2Culture, and the Missouri Arts Council to learn the business of art with Artist INC Express!

Register now → https://www.maaa.org/event/artist-inc-express-joplin-mo-se-kansas-in-person

02/18/2026

🗳️IT’S TIME TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!

Last night, the Joplin City Council voted to approve the Wildwood Ranch annexation and rezoning to heavy industrial. We heard your concerns that that the current zoning requirements aren’t enough to protect us from the intense strain of projects like hyperscale data centers. While we respect the process, we believe a decision of this magnitude—affecting our water, our power grid, and the very character of our community—belongs to YOU, the voters.

We are officially launching our referendum petitions to challenge BOTH of last night's votes.

We have a 20-day window to gather the 8000 signatures needed to put this on the ballot. If you want a say in the future of Wildwood Ranch, we need your help NOW.

Stop by Blackthorn Pizza & Pub this weekend to sign! We will have both new referendum petitions, as well as the initiative petition for a moratorium (pause on data centers). Interested in gathering signatures? We will be training Joplin voters to circulate on Friday and going door-to-door Saturday and Sunday with all three petitions! Sign up for a shift here: https://tinyurl.com/weekendwave

📍WHERE: Blackthorn Pizza & Pub (510 s. Joplin)

⏰WHEN:

Friday (2/20): 6 PM - 8 PM

Saturday (2/21) & Sunday (2/22): 12 PM - 4 PM

Note: You must be a registered Joplin voter to sign all JSTA petitions.

02/05/2026

JOPLIN TOAD NEWS

Area man earns ‘top fan’ badge for Doug Heady’s page

—Joplin, MO, Thursday, February 06: Joplin resident Cameron Troy was treated to an unexpected sight this Thursday when he signed into his social media account- a notification that he’d long hoped for, but nearly given up on receiving.

After faithfully watching and commenting on local meterologist Doug Heady’s official page, Cameron logged in on his lunch break to “show Doug some love.”

“Even though there’s no major weather right now, I feel like Doug still deserves some support, you know? He’s out there doing his job even when the weather is boring and he knows not as many are watching,” said Troy.

At around 12:48, according to mr Troy, he left his usual ‘care’ emoji and then opened his notifications. “There it was. Couldn’t believe it. Finally... I can show everyone I’m a real fan, not just one of those bad weather friends.”

Mr Troy made sure to screenshot the badge to show his co-workers. “It’s not the same as a real badge, but man, it’s still pretty damn cool.” Added Troy. “wow. Wouldn’t that be cool if it WERE a real badge?”

Mr Heady could not be reached for comment. That’s probably because we didn’t reach out for comment.

02/05/2026

My friend Jerry… 🤣🤣🤣

02/04/2026

Let’s hop on this cartoon me trend by hiring an in person live artist to draw your guests better than that weird AI prompt is trying to do. Plus you can feel good about hiring a local artist in your community.