Commission to release Miss. PERS recommendations

JACKSON — A report being released today could recommend a three-year elimination of cost-of-living increases for Mississippi government retirees and a long-term change in the pension rules for new hires, according to a nonvoting member of the group that produced the document.

State man gets six years for bondage sex death

BAY ST. LOUIS — A truck driver claims his prostitute fiancee suffocated as they celebrated their engagement with a meth and bondage sex party. Then he drove from California to Mississippi with the corpse in the cab of his 18-wheeler and set fire to the truck — with himself and the body inside.

Analysis: Where does the money go?

JACKSON — Where does the money go?

That’s the most recent question from the Mississippi Supreme Court in the legal dispute over fees paid to private attorneys hired by the attorney general to handle lawsuits for the state.

Vets to guide tours at Hattiesburg museum

HATTIESBURG — The Hattiesburg African American Military History Museum is offering a holiday open house and tours on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Albert King gets marker on Mississippi Blues Trail

INDIANOLA — The late guitarist and singer Albert King is being honored on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

A marker commemorating King’s career is being dedicated today.

Laurel bank employee pleads guilty to embezzlement

LAUREL — A Mississippi woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling thousands of dollars from the bank where she worked.

Report: Corporal punishment on decline at state schools

JACKSON — The use of corporal punishment appears to be declining at Mississippi public schools, according to a newspaper.

Carbon plant marks 20 years in Mississippi

PEARLINGTON — Granulated activated carbon used to purify water, air, food and medicines has been processed in south Mississippi and shipped around the world for two decades.

EMCC GED graduate: My mother was right

MAYHEW — A former “dummy” wised up this year.

Lloyd Watts, 27, of Starkville was one of 23 students to receive GED diplomas Dec. 6 at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus, and one of three recipients to address the crowd of family and friends.

Columbus professor on a mission of service

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Details sparse in rape case

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White impresses in first game, leads Ole Miss to win

OXFORD — University of Mississippi guard LaDarius White spent eight games watching from the sidelines while he finished academic requirements and waited for NCAA clearance to make his debut.

When the debut finally arrived Saturday, White was ready, scoring 16 points to help Ole Miss beat Mississippi Valley State 80-56 at Tad Smith Coliseum.

Charlie Mitchell: Feds have kept Mississippi afloat

OXFORD — A problem for Gov.-elect Phil Bryant is this: If the federal government adopts his self-professed “tight-fisted” fiscal style, Mississippi will go belly up.

In an instant.

Town and Tower Club presents service awards

The Town and Tower Club presented awards for outstanding service at its annual holiday luncheon at Mississippi University for Women, Tuesday.

This year’s recipients were MUW interim President Allegra Brigham, who received the Campus Award, and the 2011 Heritage Academy senior class, which received the Community Award for the Patriot Park project.

Volunteer Starkville hosts Party with a Purpose

Volunteerism gets a boost Dec. 16 with the inaugural Party With a Purpose.

Wesson man faces charges in alleged hay scam

CRYSTAL SPRINGS — A Wesson man has been charged with selling hay over the Internet. Authorities say the problem is James Darin Hoffman had no hay.

Bryant organizes inauguration

JACKSON — Republican Gov.-elect Phil Bryant has chosen “Rising Together” as the theme for his Jan. 10 inauguration.

State health advocates say education could cut teen pregnancy

JACKSON — Health advocates are urging school districts to adopt enhanced sex education classes, saying it would cut teen pregnancy rates and infections with sexually-transmitted diseases.

Freeze brings four assistants to Ole Miss

OXFORD — New University of Mississippi football coach Hugh Freeze has brought four of his Arkansas State assistants with him to Oxford.

Wake Forest has something to prove vs. MSU

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Wake Forest University football team has something to prove to the Southeastern Conference.

Wake Forest is eager for another chance at the SEC in the Music City Bowl against Mississippi State. Vanderbilt routed Wake Forest by 34 points in the regular-season finale.