New Mississippi gun law quietly eases limits

JACKSON — People who want to carry a gun to the courthouse, on a college campus or in a bar in Mississippi may now be able to do that by taking an eight-hour course and getting a concealed carry permit.

Lucimarian Roberts receives Evers award

GULFPORT — A longtime community leader in south Mississippi has received the Gulfport Branch of the NAACP’s highest award — the Medgar W. Evers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Court Street cottages to be featured in West Point’s Tour of Homes

West Point’s Main Street Association is sponsoring its second Christmas Tour of Homes, Sunday, Dec. 11, from 3-5:30 p.m. Homes in the quaint, historic Court Street District are featured in this year’s tour, as well as the city’s oldest church building, the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, on Broad Street.

Ole Miss women win again; Ole Miss men play at Penn State

OXFORD — Led by Valencia McFarland and Nikki Byrd, the University of Mississippi women’s basketball team beat Grambling State 78-53 on Saturday at Tad Smith Coliseum.

Columbus soccer splits with Greenville Weston

GREENVILLE — The Columbus High School girls and boys soccer teams split matches Saturday against Greenville Weston.

Alabama off to best start in nine seasons

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The No. 12 University of Alabama men’s basketball team has learned its lesson.

The Crimson Tide (7-0) have ridden smothering defense and a blend of veteran players and impact freshmen to its best start in nine seasons. This time last year, Alabama was a struggling group that would get it together too late to salvage its NCAA tournament hopes.

Starkville sweeps Louisville

STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School boys basketball team used a ton of offense Tuesday night to beat Louisville 94-49.

In the first game, the Starkville High girls used defense as their weapon in a 62-46 victory.

Jacolby Mobley lead the Jackets with 26 points, while Mississippi State commitment Gavin Ware had 23 for the state’s top team. Starkville High coach Greg Carter was pleased with how his team worked to get high-percentage shots.

Offensive line play has fueled EMCC run to title

SCOOBA — Skill positions are crucial in a high-octane offense.

But there’s plenty of credit to go around when a team scores 41 or more points in its last nine games on the way to an undefeated 11-0 mark and a shot at a national championship.

USM’s Davis wins Conerly Trophy

JACKSON — Once a walk-on, Southern Mississippi quarterback Austin Davis has been recognized as the state of Mississippi’s top college football player.

MUW could have new president Wednesday

One of two things will happen on the Mississippi University for Women campus Wednesday: Dr. Jim Borsig will be named the next president of The W, or the state College Board will announce that the search continues.

8 applied for Natchez police chief

With just two days left before the deadline, eight people have submitted applications to be the next Natchez police chief.

Items in ’12 Days of Christmas’ now top $100K

The price of partridges, pear trees and turtle doves has spiked, pushing the cost of every item mentioned in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” above $100,000 for the first time.

New Miss. animal cruelty law seen as weak

Some say Mississippi’s new felony animal-cruelty law is not doing the job.

As an example they point to a hoarder discovered with about 200 dogs, many starving and reduced to skin and bones.

Aberdeen removing railroad crossing

The city of Aberdeen is removing a bumpy railroad crossing in the downtown area.

Mayor Jim Ballard tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that the work is part of the city’s efforts to improve its appearance.

MSU men will play host to North Texas

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team has little time to celebrate it latest victory.

Coming off a 26-point victory Friday against the University of Tennessee at Martin, No. 24 MSU will play host to the University of North Texas at 1:30 p.m. today at Humphrey Coliseum.

Brown, defense push MSU women to win

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team parlayed a strong defensive effort into a 56-42 victory against Savannah State on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs (5-1) allowed only three second-half field goals after leading 26-25 at halftime. Savannah State (3-2) didn’t convert its first field goal of the final half until 7 minutes, 26 seconds remained in the game.

Richardson powers No. 2 Alabama past Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. — Trent Richardson and the No. 2 University of Alabama football team have convinced Nick Saban they’re worthy of competing for college’s top prize.

They’ll have to wait a while before for the final decision is rendered

The Y rings in the season with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

‘Tis the season. And he’s always jolly. St. Nick will make his annual appearance at the downtown Columbus Y on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Mrs. Claus also will be on hand.

Lt. Gov.-elect Reeves to speak Tuesday at MSU

Lt. Gov.-elect Tate Reeves will be featured Nov. 29 at Mississippi State’s next Morris W.H. “Bill” Collins Speaker Series program.

Auburn wants to knock Alabama from title hunt

AUBURN, Ala. — Tailback Trent Richardson isn’t among those assuming the No. 2 University of Alabama football team will just roll over its biggest rival on the way to a possible national title shot.

He knows Auburn has heard such talk, too.