Names Released of 31 Dead from Joplin Tornado

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Missouri authorities have released the names of 31 people confirmed dead from the tornado that ripped through Joplin earlier this week.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety made the list of names public Friday night after next of kin were notified. Gov. Jay Nixon has directed state troopers to help notify the kin of others killed in the storm. The Department of Public Safety plans to release daily updates on its website, www.dps.mo.gov .

City officials said Friday that the number of people confirmed dead now stands at 132 — six more than the day before.