Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Roses and Thorns: 3-23-24
A rose to the community group New Hope Strong, for organizing and staging this weekend’s inaugural New Hope Festival. The event kicked off Friday with
Our View: Of the two school funding bills, INSPIRE Act may do it better
Each year, some of the most closely-watched legislation presented in the Mississippi Legislature involves funding for K-12 public education. For supporters of public schools, these
Our View: Now is not the time for apathy
The old phrase, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” is often used to describe a something-for-nothing attitude. But when applied to the health of a community, it is used as a reminder that the benefits we derive from being a part of a community carries with it obligations, and the quality of our community often relies on how well we meet those obligations.
Roses and Thorns: 3-16-24
A rose to the New Hope robotics program, which claimed state championships in both the high school and middle school division while all six of
Our View: CMSD facilities plan needed clearer vision, better sell job
It’s been 13 years since Del Phillips left his role as Columbus Municipal School District superintendent for a job in Tennessee. Time can sometimes be a harsh judge, and while some of the luster of Phillips’ tenure has faded — the location of the “new” middle school did not achieve what he predicted in growing attendance — there remains no question of his ability to form a plan and sell it.
Roses and Thorns: 3-9-24
A rose to the University of Southern Mississippi, which offered this week full-tuition scholarships to each of the 106 seniors at the Mississippi School for
Our View: Reckless lawmaking
Imagine sitting in your home one day, and there’s a knock at the door. You answer, and the person on your front steps shows you a legal contract stating you now own your neighbor’s house.
Roses and Thorns: 3-2-24
A rose to the Starkville Partnership as it begins its Starkville Stride program. The six-week event encourages citizens to walk by participating in a fun
Our View: MUW needs stakeholders to rally
There are 172 members of the Mississippi Legislature, including 52 senators.
Roses and thorns: 2-24-24
A rose to organizers and filmmakers of the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, which concludes Saturday at UEC Starkville Hollywood Premiere Cinemas. This year’s edition of
Our View: A monumental injustice
It would be hard to find a better example of why Black History Month still matters than the story of the World War I monument on the grounds of the Lowndes County Courthouse.
Our View: Good plans and good communication lead to taxes for schools
The Columbus Municipal School District will seek voter approval for a bond that would provide the district with roughly $30 million for repairs and renovations to its aging school infrastructure.
Roses and Thorns: 2-17-24
A rose to all of the stakeholders of what we expect will soon be known as Wynbridge State University of Mississippi after the conclusion of
Our View: Request for proposals marks important milestone for Burns Bottom redevelopment
Wednesday marked another important step in the Columbus Redevelopment Authority’s Burns Bottom project, with the board approving plans to advertise the property to developers.
Roses and thorns: 1-13-24
A rose to the leadership at Mississippi University for Women, as it navigates through an emotionally-charged, but we believe, necessary name-change for the university. That
Roses and Thorns: 2-10-24
A rose to all who participated in Thursday’s public hearing on Columbus annexation. The city has initiated plans to annex two areas south and east
Our View: More carrot, less stick needed in Starkville camera issue
The safest communities are those in which everyone plays their part. By contrast, communities that are less safe are inclined to place all of the burden for safety on city government, particularly its police department.
Our View: Doing away with restaurant tips would solve a lot of problems
This weekend, The Dispatch reported how wait staff at restaurants often face sexual harassment. It’s hard to imagine any other work environment where that sort of treatment would be tolerated.
Our View: Fifth Street enhancements will be important link between Downtown, retail corridor
For years, the area between downtown Columbus and the city’s largest retail corridor has been a neglected, but important part of the city’s landscape. That portion of Fifth Street North, between 5th Avenue and the Highway 82 interchange or, if you prefer, between the Magnolia Bowl and the old Leigh Mall, has always seemed to be neither fish nor fowl. It lacks the historical context of Downtown and doesn’t feature the bustling aspects of retail north of Highway 82.
Roses and thorns: 2-3-24
A rose for programs that help inform and celebrate Black contributions to our nation during Black History Month. Black educators and Black United Students at
Blake Shapen embracing leadership under center and in the QB room
July 18, 2025
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