Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Roses and Thorns: 6-7-25
A rose to our local elected officials who will be leaving office after the latest municipal election cycle. In Columbus, the list includes Keith Gaskin,
Our View: ‘Between the Headlines’ podcast sheds light, not heat
During the 1970s, one of the most popular features of the CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes, was “Point/Counterpoint,” a segment during which a liberal (Shana Alexander) and a conservative (James Kilpatrick) debated an issue.
Our View:Some takeaways from Tuesday’s election
Every four years, cities devote six months to form a local government to serve for the next four years. A process that began this January with candidate qualifying and continued with primary elections in April ended Tuesday. Like all previous municipal elections, there were a number of things that grabbed our attention
Roses and Thorns: 5-31-25
A rose to all those who participated in Tuesday’s Columbus Mayoral Forum, not only the three candidates – Stephen Jones, Darren Leach and Bill Strauss
Sid Salter: Like good moonshine, Bragg’s trilogy of Southern white poverty memoirs ages smoothly
As a journalist, writer Rick Bragg has covered most of man’s inhumanities to man – war, poverty, mass-casualty terrorist attacks, drug crime, riots, school shootings, outrageous politicians, overt and often violent acts of racism, hurricanes, tornadoes, graft and corruption and garden-variety injurious behavior.
Roses and Thorns: 5-24-25
A rose of remembrance on this Memorial Day weekend to all those who died in military service to our nation. For that reason, of the
Our View: If city is going to help fund small events, a policy is needed
In the course of a year, there are all sorts of events, programs, festivals and competitions people enjoy. The diversity of these offerings enriches the lives of citizens and deserves the support of the community and city leaders.
Our View: Summer feeding programs fill crucial need
Every summer is a hungry summer for Mississippi children
Our View: Strong weather is another reminder to be prepared
As the end of May approaches in Mississippi, we may be tempted to let our guard down about the prospects of dangerous weather. Typically, March, April and May are peak months for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, but the possibility of severe weather is a year-round reality.
Roses and Thorns: 5-17-25
A rose to the Keep Columbus Beautiful (KCB) organization, which is launching a new campaign to encourage residents throughout the city to play a role
Our View: When online, caveat emptor
The old saying, “A fool and his money are soon parted,” has always seemed harsh, though unquestionably accurate. As long as humans have lived in groups, some people have been trying to pull a fast one on others.
Roses and Thorns: 5-10-25
A rose to all of our dear mothers as we approach Mother’s Day on Sunday. Down through the ages, people have tried to define the
Our View: ‘Show Me the Money’ Mickens pushes for one more trip on the taxpayers’ dime
Ordinarily, when a long-time elected official nears the end of his tenure it is a time to reflect on the achievements made on behalf of the citizens.
Our View: Oktibbeha residents deserve more details on hospital sale
In free societies, governments own nothing, but are entrusted with much.
Our View: This graduation season, let’s celebrate dreams
High schools will soon be holding their graduation ceremonies, and we’ve noticed one trend we hope will be a passing phase.
Roses and Thorns: 5-3-25
A rose to the carpentry students at the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District’s Millsaps Career and Technology Center, who are using their skills on a project that
Our View: Cuts in VISTA will have terrible consequences for area nonprofits
Waste in government is largely in the eye of the beholder. One person’s essential service may be another’s frivolous use of taxpayer dollars.
Our View: MSU’s E-Center is an asset on the state’s business support balance sheet
One of the biggest developments in education is that the best education isn’t linear. It used to be that in almost every field of study, formal education began and ended with theory, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to pursue a profession with little exposure to the actual job for which they had trained.
Roses and Thorns: 4-26-25
A rose to Main Street Columbus and its volunteers as the final preparations are made for Market Street Festival, which will be held on May
Letter: SCOTUS to lower courts: Solve less, exempt more
July 17, 2025
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