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Hello Joplin! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Star Wars night, cardboard boat races, and monster popsicle covers + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Joplin help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New firefighters ready to serve: Joplin Fire Department will graduate its newest academy class July 23 after months of EMT and hazmat training, marking a 100 percent pass rate as recruits join city fire crews -- read the full story.
Early pickup schedule change: Due to the heat, Republic Services is collecting curbside trash and recycling at 5 a.m. through Saturday, July 25. Expect earlier trucks and set bins out the night before -- see the full details.
Forest stewardship guidance: Free Oaks and Wildlife webinar runs today from noon to 1 p.m. for Missouri landowners, covering prescribed fire, timber sales and forest thinning, with support from the Missouri NWTF -- get the full details.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Make your weekend easy: Give yourself a low-effort win and swing by Schifferdecker Park, a roomy local hang where the aquatic center cools everyone off, the museums and sports courts keep options open, and the skate ramp and playgrounds burn kid energy so you can actually finish that iced coffee.
Instant comfort upgrade: Sofa City keeps a deep, in-stock lineup of sofas, sectionals and recliners, so you can pick something you actually love and take it home today. If your Joplin living room needs a quick refresh this week, skip the wait and get back to lounging.
Brunch, but better: The Bruncheonette does the kind of weekend fuel you pretend is “just a light bite,” from a Garden Benny with beet hollandaise to poutine built on local chorizo, sausage and bacon. Treat yourself to pancakes with Mother’s Brewing Co. Lil' Helper beer syrup and call it balance.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐴 Carthage Saddle Club 90% PB Jackpot @ Carthage Saddle Club Arena | Wednesday (7/22) at 5:30 PM – Wednesday nights at the Carthage Saddle Club mean one thing, barrel racing with a 90% payback that beats most retirement accounts. Peewees, Junior 4D, and Open chase progressive half-second glory. Cash or Venmo at the office, dust, and bragging rights included.
🎶 JOMO Jammin' Music Festival @ Connect2Culture | Friday (7/24) at 6:00 PM – Whether you voted or just nod like you did, this two-night outdoor fest at the Cornell Complex brings six crowd-picked bands, local flavor, and easy summer vibes. Bring a lawn chair or rent one, enjoy regional talent, and feel smug about a $15 weekend.
🍧 Monster Popsicle Covers @ Cunningham Park | Friday (7/24) at 6:00 PM – Swap sweating over yard work for an outdoor crochet class making monster popsicle holders, the dignified way to keep drips off your shirt and grandkid. Beginners welcome, experts encouraged. Five bucks covers the pattern, yarn, needle, googly eyes, and a Popsicle.
🌟 Star Wars Night @ Joe Becker Stadium | Friday (7/24) at 6:30 PM – Ballpark night in Joplin means one thing, lightsabers with your peanuts and Cracker Jack. The Jailbirds take on the Mudcats while costumed fans turn the stands into a budget cantina. We cheer, support the Alzheimer's Association, and pretend the Force counts as home-field advantage.
🚣 Cardboard Boat Races @ Wildcat Park Joplin Missouri | Saturday (7/25) at 9:00 AM – Cardboard boats race down Shoal Creek, powered by paddles, stubborn optimism, and a heroic amount of duct tape. Solo, Tandem, and Team crews chase glory while supporting Wildcat Glades Park, earning unique trophies, big laughs, and the kind of bragging rights that warm winters.
🌙 Artemis Celebration @ Schroeder Family Exploreum | Saturday (7/25) at 12:00 PM – Bring the crew for an Artemis celebration with mission inspired activities for every age. Think hands on tinkering, kid friendly experiments, and just enough moon talk to make you feel nine again, only with better coffee, fewer worksheets, and no bus ride.
🧵 Block-Printed Tea Towels @ Spiva Center for the Arts | Saturday (7/25) at 12:30 PM – Trade the souvenir dish towel for one you actually made. In this block printing class with Autumn Neuenschwander, carve a reusable stamp, play with leaves and seed pods, and print two flour-sack beauties to take home, no experience needed. Small class, kid-friendly, zero glitter.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Joplin report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 0% Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 11% Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 7 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildSet on more than 3 park-like acres, this one-of-a-kind property delivers over 7,000 square feet under roof with wedding-venue charm to spare. Flower gardens, rock-feature landscaping, and a wedding arch set the scene, while the main house offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2 flex rooms. A separate 1-bedroom apartment adds income potential.
Take a peek inside → | | |