Know before you go: How to create healthy back to school routines
No matter what age your student is, creating healthy back to school routines is an important part of preparing them for yearlong success.
Area schools rely on district cellphone policies as state legislation falls short
Mississippi lawmakers’ efforts to introduce a bill regarding cellphone usage in the classroom have missed the mark for the second consecutive legislative session, leaving Mississippi as one of two states to maintain an “F” grade on the national Phone-Free Schools State Report Card.
Colom raises another $765K, outpacing Hyde-Smith
Democratic challenger Scott Colom outraised Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in the second quarter of 2026, but he has brought in less than half of the incumbent’s fundraising total throughout the campaign season.
Ask The Dispatch: How are car tag fees calculated across the Golden Triangle?
Recently, a resident of Oktibbeha County posted on Facebook asking if anyone could determine what he might pay for a car tag for his new car.
Families have ‘one less thing to worry about’ as 500-plus backpacks given away Sunday
On Sunday, hundreds of Golden Triangle locals lined up outside the gates of the Columbus Fairgrounds in the sun and heat, patiently waiting for the gates to open.
Community Profile: Ex-athletes push area youth to ‘give track and field a try’
Wanda Woods has always been fast.
LINK adds role to support existing business
The Golden Triangle Development LINK on Tuesday announced a new hire and two internal promotions aimed at strengthening the organization’s efforts in economic development as well as business retention and expansion.
‘Our history is our story’: Grants fund new public art, downtown banners across Noxubee
Brittany Horne, an artist from Shuqualak, remembers being presented with a challenge from Esther Howard, with the Noxubee County Historical Society, in June.
Humane Societies sound alarm as kennels fill up
More than 70 kittens arrived at Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society last week – a number Executive Director Kim Hays said the shelter hasn’t seen in 15 to 20 years.
Ask The Dispatch: What’s going on for the Fourth of July?
Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical
New law will send armed juveniles to adult court
Starting Wednesday, any juvenile charged with committing a violent crime while possessing a firearm – regardless of whether they fire it – can be prosecuted in circuit court as an adult.
Columbus continues to lag behind sales tax projections, Starkville on track to exceed
Year-to-date sales tax collections in Columbus remain ahead of last year’s, but the city is still on pace to miss its budget projections for that revenue.
Funding crisis looms as school enrollment drops
Public school enrollment in Mississippi has been on a decline for roughly a decade, and most school districts in the Golden Triangle have not been spared.
Ask The Dispatch: I’m out with my young opposite sex child. Which restroom do we use?
A viral TikTok involving a Starkville man has raised questions about which restroom parents with young children of the opposite sex should opt for.
Hunt Museum reopening to highlight upcoming Juneteenth festivities
Following seven years of being shuttered after being partially demolished by an EF-3 tornado in 2019, the R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center’s is set to reopen, kicking off Juneteenth celebrations in Columbus.
Community Profile: Hamilton teacher, blindness education advocate wins international award
The red dining room walls of Casey Robertson’s house in Hamilton hold 26 crosses of different shapes, colors and sizes, serving as a testament to her faith, which has guided her work in blindness advocacy for the last two decades.
Community development: Macon turns to Main Street program to revive vacant downtown
When the vacant downtown building next to Khristy’s Boutique and Thrift on Jefferson Street collapsed in November from old age and neglect, Mayor Freddie Poindexter said he knew something had to be done.
Mentorship program aims to teach young men conflict resolution, practical life skills
As district attorney for the 16th Circuit District, Scott Colom said he’s spent the past 10 years watching young men make irreversible and sometimes life-ruining decisions.
Workforce Development: Girls get their hands dirty at FORGE BuildHER Construction Camp
Trades comprise nine of the top 10 occupations with the smallest share of female workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
FORGE’s BuildHER Construction Camp is working hard to change that.
Lemonade Day returns Saturday to Golden Triangle
For the last three years, Locklyn Barker of Columbus has set up a stand for Golden Triangle Lemonade Day, offering regular and honey lemonade, along with chocolate chip cookies to her customers.
