Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Roses and thorns: 9-2-23
A rose to Airbus Helicopters, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Lowndes County facility. When it opened as American Eurocopter in 2003, the
Our View: Highlighting our natural history
A story in Thursday’s Washington Post featured some interesting parallels that only serve to bolster the argument for another sort of historic preservation as a key feature of a “Propst Park of the Future.”
Our View: Though tempting, ARPA funds should remain devoted to infrastructure
When local governments across the country learned they would be getting millions of dollars under the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, it was a lot like winning the lottery.
Our View: Millions of reasons to look forward to college football season
In October 2014, the Mississippi State football team had reached the high-water mark in its long history: unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the college football standings.
Roses and thorns: 8-26-23
A rose to Columbus Police Chief Joseph Daughtry for his proposal that will streamline the promotions within the department. Daughtry will ask the Civil Service
Our View: An anxious start to the football season
One of the common errors in language is using one word when you mean another.
Roses and thorns: 8-19-23
A rose to Navistar Defense in West Point, which landed another major military contract, announced Wednesday. Navistar was chosen to manufacture 10,000 trailers for the
Our View: Private sponsorship of public projects is a vote of confidence
It is often said that small businesses are the life-blood of a community, not only for the jobs and tax revenue they provide, but in terms of building a community through supporting things residents value.
Our View: Themed festivals help establish a community’s identity
Festivals have been an important part of community life going back to the earliest known civilizations. The earliest festivals were mostly religious or tied to the seasons, but since then the scope of these events have grown beyond our ability to count them.
Roses and thorns: 8-12-23
A rose to all of the candidates who have either secured office or lost in that effort after Tuesday’s primary elections. Win or lose, your
Correction: Wrong ward
Due to an editing mistake by The Dispatch, Columbus Councilman Pierre Beard’s ward was incorrectly referenced in a Wednesday letter to the editor by Raymond
Our View: Quality board members are Columbus Redevelopment Authority’s biggest asset
Robert Rhett, the last of the five original members of the Columbus Redevelopment Authority, resigned from the position last month at a time when the CRA’s efforts to redevelop Burns Bottom were coming into focus.
Our View: Know of a great community story? Our new lifestyles editor wants to hear it.
It’s been three years since Jan Swoope, the much-loved and award-winning Lifestyles Editor of The Dispatch passed away after a determined fight with cancer. Her
Election day decision: Turn out or tune out?
Today is primary election day for county, district and state-wide offices in Mississippi. Contrary to what you often hear, 100% of eligible voters will participate in this election as well as the general election in November.
Roses and thorns: 8-5-23
A rose to all of those who we will be relying on to make sure Tuesday’s primary elections are conducted lawfully and efficiently. Circuit clerks
Our View: The pandemic’s impact on the state, in numbers
Early in 2020, as the first massive waves of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths were sweeping the globe, we were told that the pandemic would continue to impact lives well after the illnesses and deaths slowed to a trickle, if not disappeared altogether.
Our View: We’re all equipped to respond to violence constructively
Psychologists studying how a community responds to violence say that most reactions are expressed in one of four ways, and sometimes combinations of them: avoidance, apathy, anger and empathetic action.
Roses & thorns: 7-29-23
A rose to Golden Triangle Regional Airport which has secured the final funding required to begin its $12 million terminal expansion project. GTRA received 95%
Our View: State should have uniform standards for active shooter training
For the past five years, all Mississippi public schools have had active shooter drills. The drills were mandated by the School Safety Act of 2019, which dictates that the training is held within the first 60 days of the school year.
Our View: Heat death tragedy is reminder to check on neighbors, determine utility options
There has never been a heat wave such as the one we are seeing now, at least not since temperature records began being recorded in 1880.
Blake Shapen embracing leadership under center and in the QB room
July 18, 2025
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