Articles by Emma McRae
Columbus church burns six weeks before 156th anniversary
Canaan M.B. Church, which has stood for nearly 156 years on Bell Avenue, will have to rebuild completely after suffering substantial damage from a Sunday afternoon fire.
MSU student orgs face funding freeze
When members of Hillel at Mississippi State University, the only Jewish student organization on campus, gather for a Shabbat service, they serve challah and Kedem grape juice.
Despite liability concerns, police will ride CMSD buses
The Columbus Municipal School District board of trustees voted 3-2 on Friday to approve hiring off-duty Columbus Police Department officers as security on school buses despite concerns about liability, training and whether officers should be armed on a bus with students.
Oktibbeha supes approve $61.4M budget, funding raises and new positions
Oktibbeha County supervisors on Thursday approved a $61.4 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026 that funds 3% raises for county employees, despite a nearly $10 million drop in projected revenue.
SOCSD, MSU agree to partner in planning new Starkville High
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District board on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with Mississippi State University, agreeing to partner in planning for the new Starkville High School.
Council includes $340K worth of raises in newly approved budget
The city council on Wednesday approved a $29.3 million budget for the next fiscal year, including roughly $340,000 in raises for various positions.
District 41, CMSD elections suspended with both seats uncontested
With both races uncontested, two elections previously scheduled for November will no longer be held.
Longtime WCBI personality to join CMSD staff
A well-known area journalist is leaving WCBI after more than two decades to join the staff at Columbus Municipal School District.
Fatal wreck brings calls for traffic light at intersection
Living just down the road from where Mike Parra Road meets Highway 45, Nicholas “Nick” Jenkins always talked about how dangerous the intersection is.
Church will not press charges against vandalism suspect
Vibrant Church will not be pressing charges against the man accused of vandalizing the building on Sunday, Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Bryan Moore told The Dispatch.
‘God is dead’ sprayed on church wall
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect accused of vandalizing Vibrant Church on Sunday.
Colom announces Senate run for Hyde-Smith’s seat
Hinged on a commitment to champion state needs over “D.C. politics,” 16th Circuit Court District Attorney Scott Colom officially announced today his bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Elementary, middle schools see slight decrease in state test pass rates
High school students in the Golden Triangle generally improved on state assessments last year, but elementary and middle school scores in English-language arts, math and science trended downward.
Influenced by Katrina, students find their way to MSU’s meteorology program
“Not many people have satellite images in their room.”
Billionaire businessman boasts ‘outsider’s view’ for growing state
The key to catching Mississippi up to its southeastern counterparts is expanding industry and high paying job opportunities, Thomas Duff told the Rotary Club of Columbus on Tuesday.
CMSD OK’s purchasing seven buses for $1M
Columbus Municipal School District trustees on Tuesday approved purchasing seven new school buses to add to its fleet.
Baptist CEO: Region will see ‘world class’ docs with OCH purchase
With Baptist Memorial Health Care set to take over OCH Regional Medical Center, the entire region stands to benefit from more technology, the ability to recruit top level physicians and coordination with Baptist’s Columbus hospital.
Suspect in Sunday shooting turns himself in to police
A Columbus man is behind bars for his alleged role in a Sunday shooting that sent one victim to the hospital.
Ex-interim superintendent to run unopposed for CMSD board seat
Only one candidate submitted qualifying paperwork for an elected Columbus Municipal School District board seat ahead of Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
Supervisors approve $55M sale of OCH to Baptist
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – Supervisors on Monday approved a $55 million purchase agreement to sell OCH Regional Medical Center to Baptist Memorial Health Care, putting the
