Articles by Grant McLaughlin
Goings on with Grant: Zaxby’s coming to West Point in December
If you were to ask me where I used to hang out as a kid back home in Keller, Texas, I would reminisce about the times I spent at Zaxby’s devouring chicken and Texas toast with my friends.
College of Business to add ‘experiential classes’ in spring
First-year MSU College of Business Dean Scott Grawe said he has spent the last 100 days in his new position as the school’s new dean listening to the needs of students, staff and faculty.
Repaving work on Hwy 82 causes major traffic delays
Vehicles heading east into Columbus were delayed Tuesday as work was underway to repave portions of Highway 82.
Artificial tree to replace magnolia lighting at Christmas
It’s never too early to start Christmas shopping.
YouTube-renowned diver team looks for missing Columbus man
Chaos Divers Jacob Grubbs and Lindsay Bussick place a remote controlled sonar boat in a pond off Miller Lane in Columbus, searching for the remains of James Ryan Taylor.
Yokohama looks to make 1 million tires a year in near future
When Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Chairman Takehisa Morimoto began a project to locate a tire production plant in West Point, he aimed to produce 1 million tires annually.
Goings on with Grant: El Rodeo now open in Starkville
I know some folks who believe there are more than enough Mexican restaurants in Starkville, but if you ask me, there’s always room for one more.
Developer backs out of contract; CRA explores options
An Oxford-based real estate developer has backed out of a contract to develop the Burns Bottom project after having the property under contract for approximately seven months.
Fitch: 65 human trafficking arrests made in Mississippi since 2020
Human trafficking is a growing problem, and it’s happening across the state, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said.
All your questions about code enforcement and blight removal answered
Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to pause its code enforcement remediation efforts Tuesday at 155 blighted properties, giving their owners the opportunity to sign on to the city’s federally funded blight elimination program.
West Point native to convert old mechanic shop into brewery
When West Point native Robert Bell was working at a Costco in Ridgeland in 2020, he started brewing his own beer and mixing craft cocktail beverages as a hobby.
Goings on with Grant: Bob Roberts BBQ under new ownership
Like many things in life, we hand unto others what we love. The same can also be said for businesses.
$10.25 million beverage plant to create 31 new jobs
Columbus-based Quality Beverage Packing is investing $10.25 million to relocate its beverage concentrate and packaging business to 25 acres on Charleigh D. Ford Jr. Drive.
MUW name change could come in July
Time may be starting to wear down even the harshest alumni resistance to a potential name change for the Mississippi University for Women.
Columbus exceeds FY 2022 sales tax projection by $500K
September sales tax diversions show year-over-year growth throughout the Golden Triangle, ranging from a 1.7% to an 11.5% rise.
Goings on with Grant: Want Garra fish to ‘gently kiss your feet?’ There’s a spa for that
I have to admit, I’ve never been to a spa, but that doesn’t mean I’m not game to try something new.
Project at old Vowell’s presses on after Corner Market backs out
Renovations to the old Vowell’s Marketplace at 118 Hwy. 12 W. should be complete by year’s end, but the developer is actively looking for another anchor business after Corner Market backed out.
6-month contract offered to CVB CEO
Nancy Carpenter will continue the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO for at least the next six months. After that, she hinted she may explore “other options.”
Children’s museum decision could come in October
October’s meeting of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau’s board could either revive a long delayed project to turn the Elks Lodge into a children’s museum or call the whole thing off.
Area unemployment dips in Oktibbeha and Clay, rises in Noxubee
August unemployment rates fell in Oktibbeha and Clay counties for the first time in three months, while Noxubee County continued to rise.
MSU quarterback Shapen earns Philanthropic Spirit award
June 26, 2025
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