5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado should be available next week, first signing set for Sept. 24

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, our book, 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado, will be available next week.

The first official signing has been scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Hastings in Joplin.

John Hacker and I have been putting the final touches on the book, this week, including some modifications to the cover, one of John's photos, which are featured prominently in the book.

The book should be available from its online store by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week and hopefully, we will have copies at Joplin and area retail outlets by the end of the week.

The book features original reporting by John and me, as well as first person accounts of the tornado, the final National Weather Service report, the complete text of the Joplin Tornado Memorial Service, and the obituaries of those who died during the tornado and in the days following.

More information about the book will be featured in The Turner Report over the next few days.