FDA plans ultra-fast review of three psychedelic drugs following Trump directive

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday it will offer ultra-fast review to three psychedelic drugs being developed to treat mental health conditions, including depression, the latest step by the Trump administration toward possible approval of the experimental treatments.

Starkville-MSU Symphony ends concert season with swing, strings and all that jazz

The Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra will close its 2025-2026 concert season with the Wingo Pops Concert, “Swing, Strings and All That Jazz,” featuring show-stopping music for audiences of all ages.

Community Calendar for 4-25-26

Saturday, April 25 ■ Sickle Cell 5K Run/Walk: The Progressive Foundation of Clay County, Inc. hosts its seventh annual Sickle Cell 5K Run and Walk

Everyday Clay: The purpose of effort

There’s an interesting theory called “the effort paradox.”

Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Powell, likely clearing the way for Warsh

The Justice Department has ended its investigation into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, clearing a major roadblock to the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as his successor.

Intel’s best day since 1987 leads the US stock market to more records

A surge for Intel following a blowout profit report led the U.S. stock market to more records Friday, while oil prices kept yo-yoing in the wait for what’s next with the Iran war.

Trump unveils deal with Regeneron to lower drug prices as part of most-favored-nation initiative

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a deal with drugmaker Regeneron to lower the cost of its pharmaceutical products as part of the White House’s signature drug pricing initiative.

Photo: Quilted Connections

In the Garden with Felder: The art of plant propagation

Sounds mathematically impossible, but gardeners routinely divide to multiply.

Justice Department to allow firing squads for executions in move to ramp up capital punishment

The Justice Department will adopt firing squads as a permitted method of execution as the Trump administration moves to ramp up and expedite capital punishment cases, officials said Friday.

Grow with O: OUCH!

Several weeks ago, I was awakened with a loud whack!

15-year-old found shot in Columbus street

Police are seeking a suspect in a Thursday shooting that injured a 15-year-old boy.

Pope wraps up an Africa visit for the history books with a Mass in Equatorial Guinea

Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his African odyssey on Thursday with a final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, bringing to an end one of the newsiest papal trips in the history of popes on the road, thanks to his extraordinary back-and-forth with President Donald Trump.

Ex-officer planned to kill Black people in mass shooting at a New Orleans festival, authorities say

Authorities say a former North Carolina law enforcement officer planned to kill Black people in a mass shooting at a major New Orleans festival but was arrested at a Florida hotel with a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Civil rights groups condemn Southern Poverty Law Center’s indictment and prepare for legal fights

The criminal indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center this week was met with much outrage but little surprise from civil rights leaders, who have for more than a year prepared for heightened legal scrutiny from the Trump administration, and how to mount a coordinated response.

6 plead guilty and 1 found not guilty in Mississippi drug trafficking bribery scheme

Six current or former Mississippi law enforcement officers have pleaded guilty to date and another has been found not guilty in an alleged drug trafficking bribery scheme that ensnared 20 people, including two sheriffs.

Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift

President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, a major policy shift long sought by advocates who said cannabis should never have been treated like heroin by the federal government.

Jamie Stiehm: Dinner is served: Will Trump be pressed?

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday is the hottest ticket in town, but a tempest is brewing among journalists on Donald J. Trump’s presence at the posh gathering.

Exchange of gunfire inside Mall of Louisiana leaves 1 person dead and 5 wounded

An exchange of gunfire at a food court inside a Louisiana mall on Thursday killed one person and wounded five others and sent workers and shoppers scrambling for safety, police and witnesses said.

Alabama rewards Kalen DeBoer and Nate Oats with raises and contract extensions

Alabama has rewarded football coach Kalen DeBoer and men’s basketball coach Nate Oats for getting their teams to the postseason.