Articles by Emma McRae
‘Lack of evidence’ dooms Mickens’ bid to remove opponents from ballot
After more than a month of legal back-and-forth, the question of whether all three qualifying candidates for the Ward 2 council seat will make it on the April 1 primary ballot has been answered.
Ask The Dispatch: Your questions answered about where to vote on April 1
In the upcoming April 1 primary, voters in Columbus and Starkville may find their polling place is different from the last city election thanks to new ward boundaries.
4 ejected from stolen vehicle, injured during chase that crossed state lines
An attempt to stop a stolen vehicle in Lowndes County on Friday escalated into a chase that led across state lines, ending in a crash
Mass Mexican eatery closures spark ICE rumors
One after the other, customers walked up to the front door of Mi Hacienda for lunch Friday only to find the doors locked before walking back to their cars disappointed.
Judge considers residency challenge in Ward 2 race
While the primary election is less than three weeks away, it is still up in the air whether challengers for the Ward 2 council seat will be removed from the ballot.
New MUW pathways allow LCSD students to explore careers, earn credit before starting college
Lowndes County students have a new chance to earn college credit while exploring potential career paths without the burden of tuition or worries about changing their major.
Bond-funded improvement projects at CMSD to start this summer
Bond-funded projects are moving forward at Columbus Municipal School District and meetings are planned to fill the public in on progress in the district.
McLean keeps fighting for rape kit bill after it dies in Senate committee
In January, law enforcement officers dropped a woman off at a hospital in North Mississippi after receiving a call that she had been raped and trafficked.
New Starkville High plan might have little impact on tax bills
Property taxes across Oktibbeha County are set to increase in 2026, but it does not appear a potential bond to fund a new Starkville High School campus will factor significantly into why.
Starkville man dies in apartment fire early Friday
One man is dead after an early morning fire in an apartment complex Friday.
New Hope High robotics program gears up for world championship after winning state titles
For the last year, students on the New Hope High School Robotics team have spent countless hours designing, building and programming robots inside a warehouse behind the middle school.
CFR responds to five car fires in less than a week
On Tuesday, Columbus Fire and Rescue responded to its fifth call about a vehicle fire this week.
MEC: More funding needed for state’s tuition assistance program
Mississippi is moving ahead among other southeastern states when it comes to training the next generation of workers.
Legislators criticize MSU proposal, blame MDE for underfunding MSMS
As Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women await the state’s decision about which will house the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, some local lawmakers worry the effort is an attempt to secure state funding for a new Starkville High School.
Proposals show MSMS would cost $50M more to relocate to MSU
With the state set to decide where the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science will be located, contrasting proposals to house the school from Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women reveal at least a $50 million price difference, with Starkville emerging as the more expensive option.
Brooks, Strauss criticize current council, lay out plans for city in mayoral debate
While Leroy Brooks and Bill Strauss disagreed on most points during a Tuesday debate, both mayoral candidates agreed on one thing.
Barbers come to Fairview Elementary, get students ‘looking good’
Inside a classroom at Fairview Elementary School, local barber Anthony Hatchett ties a barber’s cape around a fifth-grader’s neck before starting his haircut.
Community Profile: Visual arts teacher pushing SHS students toward national recognition
Nestled on the Starkville High School campus, the White House Studio where Andrew Lark teaches visual arts feels like it is in a different world.
MUW details plans for expanding, housing MSMS
With proposals to house Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science due today, Mississippi University for Women is staking its claim on the residential high school with the announcement of plans to build new facilities on The W campus.
Columbus trailblazers share stories of success, adversity with hopes of encouraging progress
Having conversations about shared history and the challenges that come with it is essential for the growth of Columbus.
