Articles by Emma McRae
Trump DEI order places federal funding for MSU, MUW at risk
A mandate from the U.S. Department of Education is threatening Mississippi universities with the loss of federal funds if race is not excluded from all admissions, hiring, policies and practices.
State spelling bee to bring 25 top spellers to Columbus in March
For Mira Alnas, an eighth-grader at Heritage Academy who won the Lowndes County Spelling Bee, competing in the statewide spelling bee is a chance to put her skills to the test.
Heart Walk set for Saturday aims to promote heart health, provide screenings and resources
Despite being largely preventable with healthy living and regular check-ups, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the country.
Ask The Dispatch: What bills have local legislators authored this session?
Roughly a month into the legislative session, local legislators are advancing bills aimed at tackling issues ranging from sexual assault victim rights to education reform.
W will submit proposal to keep MSMS, has backup plan if school relocates
If Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is moved to Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women has a backup plan for the high school’s facilities.
Man acquitted on self-defense claim of fatally shooting father
A Lowndes County Circuit Court jury on Wednesday acquitted a man who claimed he killed his father in self-defense.
Data shows higher crime rate at MSU compared to MUW as schools vie to house MSMS
As Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University prepare to pitch their plans to house the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, crime rates on each campus could play a role in shaping their proposals.
Ward 2 challenger files police report against incumbent for ‘threat’
A challenger for the Ward 2 council seat claims the incumbent and current vice mayor threatened her Monday after a hearing on ballot qualifications.
Ward 2 candidates advance after residency challenges fail
A Monday hearing determined all three candidates for the Ward 2 council seat are qualified to run despite challenges to each of their candidacies.
Electrical training program hopes to open doors to jobs, education for men at The Mission
For years, a lack of transportation kept the men at The Mission in West Point from accessing technical job training at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity.
MUW, MSU asked for proposals to house MSMS
The future of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is once again up in the air.
Challenge of Ward 2 candidates’ residency holds up ballot certification
A dispute over residency qualifications has delayed the certification of Democratic candidates for the April 1 primary.
Gaskin pushes grant application forward despite council’s ‘no’
While the city council voted against a motion to move forward with a $250,000 green energy grant during its Tuesday night meeting, Mayor Keith Gaskin is going ahead with the process anyway, instructing the city grant writer to finish the application.
Strategic plan in the works for library could include expansion into New Hope
While toddlers tapped sticks and shook shakers Wednesday during the Wee Babies program at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library on Seventh Street North, a local homeschool group was holding its weekly meeting just across the children’s area. At the same, a CPR specialist held a class in the teen section of the library.
Area districts, MDE support shifting attendance officers to local control to reduce truancy
When Ross Williams started his 35-year career as a school attendance officer for Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, chancery court judges were responsible for appointing and employing those officers.
MSU, EMCC hope to sustain local workforce with new training initiatives at Communiversity
As industries adopt increasingly advanced technology, the demand for skilled workers who know how to navigate the evolving workplace grows.
Federal funding pause could cost MSU millions
A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration temporary pause on federal grants and loans that could cost Mississippi State University hundreds of millions in research and development funding.
Ransomware attack takes teachers ‘old school.’ Some of their emergency methods may stay in rotation
When kindergarten teacher Vivian Spears, who teaches at Sudduth Elementary in Starkville, learned she would start the spring semester teaching without access to the internet, she was admittedly anxious.
Doctor’s license suspended after 3-year sexual relationship with patient
The former executive director of Mississippi State University’s Longest Student Health Center has had his medical license suspended for a year for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student who was his patient.
March of the Mayors food drive returns to stock local food pantries
North Mississippi mayors are once again facing off in a “friendly competition” to see which city can collect more canned food for the fifth annual March of the Mayors food drive.
