Mississippi news

• FEMA cut staff without planning for future work, watchdog says

  05-08-2026 13:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  The Trump administration cut the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s workforce without a plan, Congress’ watchdog found.The disaster-response agency is at risk of being unprepared and without the necessary staff to respond to future emergencies, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Tuesday.As of May, FEMA has pushed out over 6,400 employees since President Donald Trump took office last year, according to data maintained by the Office of Personne
  
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• Scott Colom seeks to do the near impossible – defeat an incumbent Mississippi senator

  16-08-2026 13:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Democrat Scott Colom is trying to do what has not been done since 1942 – defeat an incumbent United States senator from Mississippi.Colom, the district attorney for the Columbus area in parts of northeast and east central Mississippi, is considered a longshot to defeat Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith for a number of reasons.First of all, Mississippi is considered a solid Republican state that has not elected a Democratic governor since 1999 and has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator s
  
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• Friday Fire in Western Attalla County

  16-08-2026 08:50 via breezynews.com
  
  KOSCIUSKO, Miss.–A structure burned Friday afternoon in the western part of Attala County.
  It was unclear whether the structure was a residence. It was described by firefighters on the scene only as a “wooden structure”.
  The call was dispatched just afrter 5 p.m. for a fire on Attala Rd. 4171, which is near Hwy. 12. Upon arrival, Attala County firefighters reported that the structure was already fully involved.
  After using a lot of water to try and get the fire out, refills wer
  
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• Friday Fire in Western Attala County

  16-08-2026 08:50 via breezynews.com
  
  KOSCIUSKO, Miss.–A structure burned Friday afternoon in the western part of Attala County.
  It was unclear whether the structure was a residence. It was described by firefighters on the scene only as a “wooden structure”.
  The call was dispatched just after 5 p.m. for a fire on Attala Rd. 4171, which is near Hwy. 12. Upon arrival, Attala County firefighters reported that the structure was already fully involved.
  After using a lot of water to try and get the fire out, refills were
  
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• Burglary, DUIs, and Disorderlies in Philadelphia and Neshoba County Arrests

  16-08-2026 07:00 via breezynews.com
  
  LAUREN N COGHLEN, 25, of Philadelphia, Hold for LCSO, Hold for Drug Court Contempt of Court – Philadelphia Municipal Court, PPD.  Bond N/A, N/A, N/A.
   RYE W HART, 20, of Union, DUI – 1st, NCSO.  Bond $1,500.
   JERMAINE ISOM, 34, of Philadelphia, Contempt of Court, Obstructing Traffic, Suspended Driver’s License, DUI – 1st, NCSO.  Bond $0, $400, $800, $1,500.
   TEVIN JOHNSON, 31, of Lena, Indictment, NCSO.  Bond $15,000.
   JASON KINARD,
  
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• How many bears are there in Connecticut? To find out, Mississippi researchers lend a hand

  15-08-2026 16:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  As it would for the typical U.S. Census taker, the work of counting bears in the woods starts with a clipboard and a blank piece of paper.Armed with this equipment — along with bear spray and, perhaps more importantly, tick repellent — a team of researchers has been fanning out to hundreds of survey stations set up across western Connecticut this summer to collect data on the area’s resident population of black bears. Their goal is to conduct the first scientific survey of the
  
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• How many bears are in Connecticut? To find out, Mississippi researchers lend a hand

  15-08-2026 16:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  As it would for the typical U.S. Census taker, the work of counting bears in the woods starts with a clipboard and a blank piece of paper.Armed with this equipment — along with bear spray and, perhaps more importantly, tick repellent — a team of researchers has been fanning out to hundreds of survey stations set up across western Connecticut this summer to collect data on the area’s resident population of black bears. Their goal is to conduct the first scientific survey of the
  
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• Photo essay: Horses and their humans compete in the Ultimate Bayou Gold Barrel Race

  15-08-2026 14:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Journee Herrington circled outside the arena at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds with her horse, Turbo, waiting for her turn to weave through the barrels and race against the clock. “I love barrel racing, and I love coming to Jackson,” said Journee, a 10-year-old from Natchez. “We’ve been doing barrel racing for a long time now.”For Journee, the competition is about more than racing around barrels. “My brother died a couple of years ago, and that&r
  
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• Record Temperatures Possible As Worst Heat Wave of the Season Sets In

  15-08-2026 07:59 via breezynews.com
  
  HEAT ADVISORY shown in orange on map above
  EXTREME HEAT WARNING shown in purple
   
  The National Weather Service says triple digit temperatures will be common across central Mississippi this weekend and early next week.  Some afternoon highs may break records.  And we could also see some record-warm low temperatures as we get little relief when the sun goes down.
  Highs near 100 are forecast today in Carthage, Philadelphia and Durant with upper 90s in Kosciusko.  Durant could re
  
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• Heat Warning Now Includes Holmes County

  15-08-2026 07:59 via breezynews.com
  
  HEAT ADVISORY shown in orange on map above
  EXTREME HEAT WARNING shown in purple
   
  An extreme heat warning has been expanded to cover western Mississippi including Holmes County.   Heat index readings in these areas could go as high as 115 degrees.
  Highs near 100 are forecast today in Carthage, Philadelphia and Durant with upper 90s in Kosciusko.  Durant could reach 101 on Monday with Kosciusko, Carthage and Philadelphia at 100.  On Tuesday, highs are expected to range fr
  
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• Many DUIs in Carthage and Leake County

  15-08-2026 07:00 via breezynews.com
  
  KHELSEA D BROWN, 33, of Lena, Hold for LCSO, LCSO.  Bond N/A.
   DEANTHONY O COLLINS, 20, of Carthage, Hold for Other County – Hinds County Circuit Court, LCSO.  Bond N/A.
   TYLER HAVARD, 28, of Forest, Bench Warrant – Leake County Justice Court, LCSO.  Bond N/A.
   JAIRO LOPEZ-SALVADOR, 25, of Carthage, No Insurance, DUI – 1st, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, No Driver’s License, Bench Warrant – Carthage Municipal Court, Hold for ICE, CPD
  
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• Mississippi faith leaders denounce Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson’s comments about Muslims, Sharia

  14-08-2026 22:28 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Mississippi faith leaders on Friday denounced recent comments about Muslims made by state Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, a gubernatorial candidate in next year’s elections.“This reckless and dangerous rhetoric by an elected official and a candidate for governor has no place in our public discourse,” said Rhoda Yoder of Open Door Mennonite Church, on behalf of Working Together Jackson and Working Together Mississippi, two groups that organized the event.
  The groups invit
  
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• Mississippi faith leaders denounce Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson’s comments about Muslims and Sharia law

  14-08-2026 22:28 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Mississippi faith leaders on Friday denounced recent comments about Muslims made by state Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, a gubernatorial candidate in next year’s elections.“This reckless and dangerous rhetoric by an elected official and a candidate for governor has no place in our public discourse,” said Rhoda Yoder of Open Door Mennonite Church, on behalf of Working Together Jackson and Working Together Mississippi, two groups that organized the news conference.The gro
  
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• Tasia Fortune’s troubled life leaves her family grieving, and waiting, as police investigate her death

  14-08-2026 21:11 via mississippitoday.org
  
  By her family’s account, Tasia Fortune was a loving, caring woman who led a troubled life. She ran away from foster care when she was 16, leaving western Kentucky and finding her way to Jackson, Mississippi. There was homelessness and addiction. Relationships that didn’t last produced four children.Then on an August day, the body of the 29-year-old was found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home on the 500 block of Road of Remembrance. The home is in a mostly Black neighborhood i
  
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• Advocates: Public defenders in Hinds County give everything. It’s time to return the favor

  14-08-2026 20:15 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Mississippi Today Ideas is a platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share their ideas about our state’s past, present and future. Opinions expressed in guest essays are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of Mississippi Today. You can read more about the section here.   Imagine falling into the hardest of times – caring for a disabled spouse in old age or struggling with a sudden mental health crisis – all while facing something you never
  
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• Mississippi opioid settlement grantees can seek monthly reimbursement

  14-08-2026 18:54 via mississippitoday.org
  
  The Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council approved monthly reimbursement for all 13 of the attorney general’s office funded grantees that requested the change during its August meeting. Under the original model, organizations reported costs and expected to be reimbursed every three months. However, some awardees worried that schedule could negatively impact their finances or require them to take out loans. Their concerns delayed the disbursement of roughly $50 million i
  
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• Three-Vehicle Crash Involving Semi-Truck on Hwy 35 at Hwy 19

  14-08-2026 17:16 via breezynews.com
  
  A three-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles was reported at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Hwy 19 in Attala just before 2 pm.
  Attala County Fire Department, Attala County Sheriff’s deputies, EMS, and MHP responded to the scene.
  One driver became trapped in their vehicle and was extricated by firefighters. The driver was transported by ambulance to a hospital, and their condition is currently unknown.
  Drivers should use caution in the area as crews work to clear
  
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• Defunding of student loan repayment program another hit to teachers amid state’s staffing shortage

  14-08-2026 13:01 via mississippitoday.org
  
  The email this summer came as a shock to Alanna Lawrence. For the past two years, Lawrence and her husband, Jeremy, had received $9,000 each toward their student loans, thanks to a state-funded program that helps teachers pay off their debt. They teach in the Vicksburg-Warren School District, which the State Board of Education has designated an area critically short of teachers. They were expecting $6,000 more each this year. But, they learned from the email, for the first time since
  
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• Sizzling Weekend Ahead With Hottest Temps of the Season

  14-08-2026 07:42 via breezynews.com
  
  HEAT ADVISORY shown in orange on map above
  EXTREME HEAT WARNING shown in purple
   
  Previous heat waves in central Mississippi this summer have been driven primarily by high humidity resulting in heat index readings well into the triple digits at times.  But the dangerous heat stress settling in this weekend will be mainly the result of actual temperatures climbing to their highest point of the season.
  While afternoon highs in the upper 90s are forecast for the local area today, Durant c
  
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• DUIs and Drug Arrests in Philadelphia and Neshoba County

  14-08-2026 07:00 via breezynews.com
  
  DALE L CHICKAWAY, 51, of Philadelphia, Contempt of Court, NCSO.  Bond $0.
   RAUL GONZALES JR, 32, of Los Indios, TX, Disorderly Conduct, No Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance, MHP.  Bond $600, $300, $800.
   MARQUETTE HUNTLEY, 20, DUI – Other Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, PPD.  Bond $1,500, $800, $800.
   TIANA SHAI JOHN, 21, of Choctaw, DUI – 1st, No Insurance, Speeding, MHP.  Bond $1,500, $800, $300.
   
  
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• Happening today: Blood drive at Attala County Library

  14-08-2026 06:00 via breezynews.com
  
  Mississippi Blood Services is bringing a lifesaving mobile blood drive to Kosciusko today Friday at  the Attala County Library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  Mississippi Blood Services notes that local hospital patients rely on volunteer donors, as a single donation can help save up to three lives.
  As part of the “Race to Save Lives” Back-to-School Giveaway, anyone who donates blood at a participating mobile drive between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31 will automatically be entered for a chance
  
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• Federal judge denies attempt to strike down DeSoto County’s majority-Black judicial districts

  13-08-2026 22:49 via mississippitoday.org
  
  A federal judge, at least for now, has denied a request to prevent a majority-Black section of voters from electing new county judges months before the election begins.The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by Robert Foster, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate and current DeSoto County Supervisor, and others who claim the Legislature’s creation of majority-Black subdistricts for the state judiciary violates the Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit came after the U.S. Supreme Cour
  
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• Lexington alderman guilty of harassing and stalking city clerk

  13-08-2026 21:01 via mississippitoday.org
  
  A Lexington alderman allegedly bullied and harassed Deputy Clerk Brenda Powell to the point that she required anti-anxiety medication. She also accused him of recording video of her and stalking. She said tint was applied to a teller window near her desk at City Hall to deter future video recording.Another city employee also accused Charles Earl Simmons, who was reelected last year, of simple assault. Yet another accused accused him of stalking. The incidents occurred earlier this year, court r
  
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• Calls grow for more transparency in Nolan Wells death investigation

  13-08-2026 20:39 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Requests by the family of Nolan Xavier Wells to preserve evidence is being mischaracterized, their attorney Ben Crump said Thursday. Crump, a national civil rights attorney, said preservation letters were sent out to various people involved in Wells’ death investigation. He clarified that the Wells family hasn’t filed a lawsuit and said “click bait” has presented that action as more of a legal threat. “We are on record that we want the truth, the whole tr
  
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• Wood Fire Thursday Afternoon in Attala

  13-08-2026 19:06 via breezynews.com
  
  At about 2:30 PM, the Attala County Fire Department was notified of a Wood Fire on 2101 “Stonewall Rd” near Ethel. An Entergy crew was reportedly on scene when the fire began, and it is believed that a downed power line was the cause.
  The fire covered roughly 2 acres in a thicket with limited access points for ground crews. A quick line was established around the perimeter in hopes that it would hold until Forestry arrived to handle further preventative measures.
  The post Wood Fire T
  
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• One Injured in Thursday Morning Crash Near Carmack

  13-08-2026 17:07 via breezynews.com
  
  Emergency crews responded to a one-vehicle crash with entrapment on Hwy 35 N Thursday morning.
  The wreck happened about three miles north of Carmack Fish House and was reported at around 8:20 a.m. Attala County Fire Department, Attala Deputies, MHP, and EMS were notified.
  A volunteer firefighter was first to arrive at the scene and reported that the driver had suffered multiple injuries. None of those were said to be life-threatening, and the driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
  
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• Photo gallery: Mississippi public health entomologist tests mosquitoes to monitor for West Nile virus

  13-08-2026 17:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  Seven human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed this year, but Mississippi State Department of Health officials suggest the actual number is likely higher. September and August are the the peak months for these cases. Wendy Varnado, the state public health entomologist, says it is critical to surveil and test mosquitoes for the virus because detecting infected insects can provide up to a two-week warning before human cases appear. Only 11 counties in the state routinely trap mosqu
  
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• Judge sides with Holly Springs in correcting electric grid issues, for now

  13-08-2026 13:00 via mississippitoday.org
  
  HOLLY SPRINGS — A chancery court judge has put his faith, at least for now, in the city of Holly Springs’ ongoing efforts to revitalize its long struggling power system.In a courtroom on the city square on Monday, Chancery Judge Lawrence Little told state and Holly Springs officials he would allow a consultant hired by the city, Michael Watson, to take charge of the department for the time being. Watson has spent the past nine months working with the city through a list of needed im
  
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• Blood drive planned for Friday at Attala County Library

  13-08-2026 10:00 via breezynews.com
  
  Mississippi Blood Services is bringing lifesaving mobile blood drives to East Mississippi this week, with a community blood drive scheduled in Kosciusko.
  A local drive will be held Friday, Aug. 14, at the Attala County Library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
  Mississippi Blood Services notes that local hospital patients rely on volunteer donors, as a single donation can help save up to three lives.
  As part of the “Race to Save Lives” Back-to-School Give
  
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• Careless Driving and Felony Drug Possession in Carthage and Leake

  13-08-2026 07:00 via breezynews.com
  
  SABIAN X BEN, 20, of Carthage, Failure to Use Child Restraint Device, No Driver’s License, No Insurance, CPD.  Bond $163, $438, $438.
   ELIZABETH D CHAMBLEE, 22, of Walnut Grove, Serving Days, LCSO.  Bond $0.
   TERRANCE L GRAY, 41, of Carthage, Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, LCSO.  Bond N/A, $500.
   CHRISTINA M KIMBLE, 39, of Carthage, Bench Warrant – Leake County Justice Court, Felony Indictment, LCSO.  Bond N/A,
  
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