For Mississippi State volleyball, standout freshmen and talented transfers offer reasons for optimism

With five freshmen and three transfers in the fold, the Bulldogs will boast a completely new look from a 2019 team that won just two SEC matches last season.

While still hit hard by virus, GTR showing slight improvement

Paul Binford stood on the curb outside the terminal, waiting for a bus that never came.

Binford, an assistant professor of secondary social studies education at Mississippi State, had just flown into Golden Triangle Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon on his way back from a trip to visit family in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mississippi State softball’s first-generation college students take pride in accomplishments, hope to inspire others

Senior Fa Leilua and freshman Celeste Soliz know they’re in unique positions, and they want to be good role models to younger family members who might be looking to walk the trails they’ve blazed.

Booger Brooks wins Sportsman World Championship at The Mag

Brett White tried his best to put Booger Brooks behind him before Sunday night’s Late Model Sportsman feature race at Magnolia Motor Speedway even began.

CMSD will ‘repurpose’ Hunt campus to focus on workforce development

Columbus Municipal School District officials said they plan to repurpose the former Hunt High School campus, which was heavily damaged by a 2019 tornado, with a significant focus on workforce development.

MHSAA gives green light for June 1 return to play with restrictions

The decision comes with significant restrictions as the MHSAA tries to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Academics come to the forefront as coaches, counselors and athletes enter ‘uncharted territory’

With sports canceled, schoolwork has become “the star of the show,” Mississippi State Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Support Services Sawyer Bowering said.

MUW, EMCC athletic directors say no cuts are coming as schools navigate pandemic

Neither the Owls nor the Lions have any plans to discontinue athletic programs due to COVID-19, a step taken by several Division I schools in the past two weeks.

An ‘ideal student-athlete,’ New Hope senior Ben Bradley earns MHSAA academic scholarship

On Tuesday, the soccer and football player was named one of 16 seniors in the state to be named a Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athlete. The MHSAA award includes a $1,500 scholarship.

‘It makes you be creative’: Local businesses opening during pandemic face unique challenges

In November, a month before Hunter Bell graduated from culinary school at the Mississippi University for Women, he and his wife Hannah first discussed plans to buy a food truck. By January, they’d decided they would go through with the purchase.

While his recruiting hasn’t gone as planned, former EMCC quarterback Connor Neville staying hopeful

When Connor Neville transferred to East Mississippi Community College before the 2019 football season, he felt like he was standing on holy ground.

Jimmy Owens cruises to victory as The Mag returns to action

Owens led from the second lap on to win the Magnolia Mayhem 40, the speedway’s first race since March 14.

Golden Triangle talent ready to shine in Cotton States Baseball League in New Albany

One team in the wood bat summer league features 11 local players and is coached by former Columbus High School coach Jeffrey Cook. Cook said the league is a way for incoming and current college players to face talented competition and for uncommitted players to earn college looks.

A look ahead at Mississippi State softball’s crowded 2021 roster

First baseman Fa Leilua leads a group of four returning seniors, junior catcher Mia Davidson headlines a talented core unit of underclassmen, and four newcomers will come to Starkville for the first time.

NJCAA to lift in-person recruiting ban Friday, but EMCC says it won’t rush things

Per Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges policy, in-person recruiting won’t be allowed in the state until the end of the month — and possibly longer.

Customers, employees say they feel safe as barbershops, salons and gyms reopen

Getting one’s nails done at Belles Nail Bar in Starkville is no longer as simple as sitting down and letting a stylist go to work.

Before entering the salon, which reopened at 9 a.m. Monday after being closed since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic, clients must wear a protective mask, fill out a consent form and be screened for the virus.

After career year with Bulldogs, Mississippi State softball’s Lindsey Williams ready to move on

The senior second baseman, who has already graduated and has an engineering job lined up, was the Bulldogs’ only senior to decline the offer of an extra year of eligibility.

Columbus barbershops, salons and gyms can reopen Monday with restrictions

Columbus Mayor Robert Smith agreed Saturday to permit the city’s barbershops, salons, gyms and fitness centers — previously ordered closed due to the coronavirus pandemic — to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday as long as they adhere to sanitation protocols and social distancing guidelines.

Four Mississippi State softball seniors ready for ‘one last ride’ in 2021

Fa Leilua, Candace Denis, Alyssa Loza and Christian Quinn will all take advantage of the NCAA’s decision to give them an extra year of eligibility, helping to fuel a loaded Bulldogs roster for 2021.

After switch from football to filmmaking, Starkville High grad Myles Stone ‘all in’ on new career

A leader on and off the field for the Jackets, Stone left the football team at Northeast Mississippi Community College to start his own sports video business.