Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Epstein, calls meetings a ‘grave error in judgment’
Bill Gates said Wednesday that he made a “grave error in judgment” by meeting with Jeffrey Epstein but denied any wrongdoing as the Microsoft co-founder faced hours of questioning from lawmakers about his relationship with the disgraced financier.
Southern Baptists vote to advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors
Thousands of Southern Baptists overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to advance a formal ban on women pastors in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, sending a clear message that men alone should preach to these conservative evangelical congregations.
FDA OKs first new sunscreen ingredient in more than 25 years
Federal health regulators on Tuesday signed off on the first new sunscreen ingredient for the U.S. market in more than 25 years, giving Americans access to a skin-protecting chemical long used in Europe and other parts of the world.
Solar power hits new milestones in the US even as Trump boosts coal over clean energy
Even as President Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the U.S. and remains the leading source of new power.
US households, businesses stung by higher energy prices that have pushed inflation above 4%
Rising gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in three years last month, a headache for the Federal Reserve and a potential political challenge for the Trump administration as midterm elections near.
Trump threatens more strikes on Iran, as back-and-forth attacks threaten truce deal
The United States launched airstrikes Wednesday against Iran, and President Donald Trump said more were coming, as Tehran fired back at countries in the region.
Average US long-term mortgage rate falls to 6.48%, retreating from its highest level in 9 months
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate eased this week from its highest level in nine months, welcome relief for prospective homebuyers.
Trump signs bill giving nearly $70B to his immigration enforcement agenda through end of his term
President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Wednesday that gives his immigration and deportation agenda a nearly $70 billion boost for the rest of his time in the White House.
Southern Baptists elect new president who decried ‘drift’ in conservative denomination
Southern Baptists on Tuesday elected a new leader who has decried a “decline and drift” within the denomination and whose supporters include an outspoken faction seeking to move the solidly conservative body even further to the right.
Largest ICE detention facility wasted millions and put detainees at risk, report finds
Mismanagement at a massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas created unsafe conditions that contributed to detainee deaths and suffering even as millions of wasted tax dollars enriched contractors, according to a federal report released Tuesday.
Person of interest in Memorial Day shooting arrested on Texas warrant
A Crawford man identified as a person of interest in a Memorial Day shooting that left a mother and child hospitalized has been arrested on an unrelated Texas warrant, according to a Columbus Police Department press release.
‘Process error’ on film contract sparks council debate
A debate Wednesday on whether the city could pay for Carlos and Roberto Rosales’ meals next week in Denver revealed the documentarians have already received $18,750 in public funds for a contract the city council had not approved.
Ask The Dispatch: Where’s that banging sound coming from in Lowndes County?
If you’ve lived in Columbus or Lowndes County in roughly the last decade, you’ve potentially heard the recurring banging that seems to echo from the Island throughout the day.
Mary Means Business: Firearm training simulator open in Columbus
Golden Triangle Trigger Time is officially open in Columbus.
MDOT safety study to decrease crashes, pave way for federal dollars
Residents could see significant road safety improvements in the coming years as Oktibbeha County embarks on a federally funded road safety study aimed at preventing future crashes.
Pentagon labels tech giant Alibaba and electric car maker BYD as aiding Chinese military
The Pentagon has added several prominent Chinese businesses, including the tech giant Alibaba, electric car maker BYD and search engine Baidu, to its list of Chinese military companies, preventing them from getting U.S. defense contracts.
Female Navy officers say they fear a career cap after Hegseth cuts women from promotions list
After Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cut nine Navy officers, including all the women, from a promotion list, several female officers say they see the unusual intervention as a sign that their careers now have a ceiling and worry for the future generation of female military leaders.
Trump administration warns more than 500 hospitals to provide more price information or face fines
The Trump administration has warned more than 500 hospitals that they are failing to provide the public with basic pricing information — arguing that the lack of disclosure is keeping healthcare costs higher than they should be.
First came Congress. Now a national redistricting battle may turn to statehouses and city councils
After a blitz of congressional redistricting ahead of the midterm elections, a national battle for partisan control is about to enter a new phase that could affect representation on everything from tax rates to social safety net programs, teacher salaries, housing regulations and local road repairs.
Trump says US ‘must’ respond after Iran shot down US Army helicopter near Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump blamed Iran on Tuesday for shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter close to the Strait of Hormuz and said the United States must respond.
Lowndes County Building Permits, June 12, 2025
June 11, 2025
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