Historical marker finds a new home

MERIDIAN — A historic marker that denotes the importance of Meridian as a railroad hub has been moved to the Union Station depot from Interstate 20.

Feds claim most of state’s $20M settlement

JACKSON — The federal government says Mississippi must turn over $17 million of a $20 million settlement with pharmaceutical companies accused of inflating wholesale prices.

Barbour defends proposed offshore drilling regs

JACKSON — Allowing oil and gas drilling 10 to 12 miles south of Mississippi’s coastline in the Gulf of Mexico is a good idea because it could generate state revenue, Gov. Haley Barbour said Tuesday.

The Mississippi Development Authority on Monday published proposed regulations to lease state waters in the Gulf for the drilling.

Tupelo runway extension costs rise

TUPELO — The Tupelo Airport Authority has agreed to a $267,000 increase requested by the company building a runway extension.

Barbour budget proposes education consolidation

JACKSON — Republican Gov. Haley Barbour calls for reducing the number of school districts and merging some universities, reviving many of his past recommendations in his final Mississippi budget proposal.

Christmas closings 2011

The Dispatch will print a four-section Christmas edition on Saturday. Circulation will take calls from 6-9 a.m. on Saturday. There will not be a Sunday paper printed.

Selvain McQueen sworn in as Columbus police chief (video)

Selvain McQueen officially became the new Columbus police chief Tuesday night, though he’s been doing the job since July.

Columbus appoints new school board member

Columbus Municipal School District has a new board member. The Columbus City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday in favor of appointing Aubra Arletta Turner to the school board of trustees.

Brewer leaves Ole Miss

OXFORD — Despite an offer to remain at the University of Mississippi, associate head coach Gunter Brewer has decided to leave the school and to try to get a job as coach at another school.

Winn-Dixie sold to Bi-Lo

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The supermarket chain Winn-Dixie is being sold in a deal valued at $560 million to Bi-Lo LLC, the companies said Monday, creating a huge grocery operator in the South.

Receipts: Southaven mayor a big tipper on city tab

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Barbour hits lecture circuit Jan. 11

JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour tells The Associated Press his first event as a professional speaker will be the day after he leaves office.

USM President: Colleges benefit in economic partnerships

JACKSON — One higher education leader says Mississippi’s universities could expect dividends from getting more involved in economic development and job training.

Former Ole Miss chancellor Khayat hospitalized

OXFORD — A University of Mississippi spokesman says retired chancellor Robert Khayat is hospitalized but improving.

Columbus man killed in West Point shooting

WEST POINT — West Point police are looking for the person responsible for the murder of a Columbus man. At 10:51 p.m. Friday, Clay County 911 received calls of gunshots fired and someone lying in the road on Brady Street.

Fed judges release plan for Miss redistricting; Oktibbeha County split between 1st and 3rd Districts

JACKSON — Federal judges on Monday released a plan to update Mississippi’s four congressional districts, which decreases the number of split counties from eight to four, the secretary of state said.

Freeze tackles reviving Ole Miss

OXFORD — Hugh Freeze has spent his first weeks as the University of Mississippi’s football coach playing catch-up, constantly on the road or on the phone trying to convince prospects to give the Rebels a chance.

He said it has been encouraging experience. It also has been a humbling one.

Biloxi Salvation Army not sure whether grinch took toys or workers misplaced them

BILOXI — At least 20 bags of toys collected as part of the Salvation Army toy drive are missing after a break-in at the school where they were stored, but officials hope they are just misplaced, not stolen.

DUI trial: Second hung jury in five months

JACKSON — Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said he doubts there’ll be a third trial for a woman accused of aggravated DUI in a 2009 accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist.

Vancleave man charged with DUI after six-vehicle pileup in Biloxi

D’IBERVILLE — A six-vehicle pileup in D’Iberville left one man hospitalized and another man in jail charged with three counts of felony driving under the influence with injuries.