Community Profile: Political concerns turn Cox into protest leader
For most of her adult life, Annis Cox has been active in her community, helping with church projects, substitute teaching at Annunciation Catholic School and using her sewing skills to organize a mask-making project that provided thousands of masks to Columbus schoolchildren in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dogs make a splash in MSU’s Junction during diving competition
The crowd in the Junction grew quiet Saturday afternoon as 7-year-old All-American dog Boom Boom prepared for her dive into the pool.
Mona Charen: Tariffs are stupid and self-defeating
A Wall Street Journal editorial described President Donald Trump’s tariffs as the “dumbest trade war in history.” It’s important not to overrate intelligence, even in leaders. Judgment and maturity may be more crucial. But Trump is no ordinary dunce. He displays a stubborn stupidity that threatens to plunge the world into chaos and potentially into depression.
Mississippi governor says he’ll call special session after lawmakers failed to set budget
Gov. Tate Reeves on Thursday said he will call Mississippi lawmakers into a special session to adopt a budget before state agencies run out of money later in the summer and hinted he might force legislators to consider other measures.
Early voting proposal killed on last day of Mississippi legislative session
Mississippi will remain one of only three states without no-excuse early voting or no-excuse absentee voting.
Karriem to serve as chairman of Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
Mississippi District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem will serve as chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus after being sworn in Wednesday.
High prices, declining donations hit food pantries hard
When residents of the Golden Triangle find their budgets tightening, food banks are there to help fill the gap. Now, however, food prices are bad enough that food banks are struggling to make ends meet.
Cross-state collaboration aims to build future workforce for Airbus Helicopters
A new cross-state partnership aims to provide students with a clear path to success while also creating a pipeline of work-ready individuals for employment at Airbus Helicopters.
Voter turnout for primaries a mixed bag in Columbus, Starkville
Voter turnout in the 2025 municipal primaries for Columbus and Starkville showed improvement compared to low participation in 2021, though Columbus fell short of its higher turnout in 2017.
Mississippi Legislature ends 2025 session without setting a budget over GOP infighting
The Mississippi House on Wednesday voted to end what had become a futile legislative session without passing a budget to fund state government, for the first time in 16 years. The Senate is expected to do the same on Thursday.
Mississippi Legislature approves DEI ban after heated debate
Mississippi lawmakers have reached an agreement to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs and a list of “divisive concepts” from public schools across the state education system, following the lead of numerous other Republican-controlled states and President Donald Trump’s administration.
Franklin parents raise concerns about consolidation as school closure nears
With the Columbus Municipal School District preparing to start consolidating elementary schools in the next school year, the district is hosting community meetings to keep stakeholders informed on the changes.
Parks and rec manager pleads guilty to sports bid rigging
Former General Manager of Starkville’s Parks and Recreation Doug Heflin pleaded guilty last month to rigging bids while selling sports equipment to public schools in both Mississippi and Louisiana.
Police officer, barber get into verbal altercation over Hwy 182 congestion
Larry ‘Luv’ Johnson’s barber shop has struggled financially as the Highway 182 revitalization has torn up streets and forced traffic to back up around his business.
Incumbents advance in West Point selectman races
Incumbents in both contested selectman races in West Point are still alive after Tuesday’s Democratic primaries, with one winning reelection and the other headed to a runoff.
Catfish in the Alley returns April 11 with live blues and catfish
Catfish in the Alley returns April 11, inviting community members to spend the weekend celebrating the history of the street with art, live blues music and – of course – catfish.
Mary Means Business: Gratia Artisanal Eatery in Columbus holds soft opening
Business in downtown Columbus continues to boom.
Hidden chamber beneath Propst Park leads to speculation as to what it was
A dump truck with Weathers Construction was delivering new dirt just behind the first base dugout of Dillon Field at Propst Park two weeks ago, when one of the truck’s tires broke through what looked like part of the ground – revealing a hidden concrete chamber beneath the surface.
Spruill narrowly escapes runoff in mayoral primary
Incumbent Lynn Spruill has won the Democratic mayoral primary, narrowly avoiding a runoff against former Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough.
Local libraries’ audiobook service cut after DOGE shuts down federal program
Golden Triangle libraries have started experiencing the first of what could be many losses following the shuttering of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a small independent federal agency that provides resources and funding to museums and libraries across the country.
