Our View: A small harvest with big promise at MSU’s student farm
It’s called the paradox of plenty. Despite having some of the richest soil and an ideal climate for food production, Mississippi imports 90% of the food its residents consume.
Our View: Small town parades bring big holiday spirit
When we think of parades during the holiday season, our attention often turns to the big parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York or The Tournament of Roses Parade in California.
Our View: Mock trials build key skills in students
Parents and educators spend a lot of time and energy trying to keep kids out of courtrooms.
Raymond Barranco: Improving voting
Today, it seems there’s very little on which people agree. Pessimism over political polarization has left many Americans believing there’s not much that can be done to bring the country back together. In short, our political system is broken. That’s the bad news. The good news is that, regardless of political beliefs, nearly everyone agrees on this point.
Possumhaw: No place like home
Last week we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a quiet time between Sam and I until his sister and her husband arrived.
Slimantics: AI makes seniors more vulnerable
When I was a teen, I was able to land a temporary summer job helping conduct a community survey about where to locate a new city park. Mixed with the relevant responses I was able to collect were some homeowners slamming the door in my face or using my visit to complain about things that had nothing to do with the survey.
Roses and Thorns: 11-29-25
A rose to Golden Triangle cities as they kick off the Christmas season this week with parades, tree lightings and other events sure to put
Thom Caraccio: Culture war on Highway 82
It’s 1969. And things are getting out of hand.
Letter: Amphitheater parking
Parking fees sound high. How many of these parking slots are supposed to be handicapped per code? Will these be at the same price? Berry
Ask Rufus: Columbus 1852
I was recently given an 1852 Mississippi Almanac which I will be placing in the Billups Garth Archives at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.
Our View: The funding is there; don’t piecemeal the amphitheater further
When country folks agree to do something, it is often with the corn pone caveat, “Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.”
Our View: Tariffs: The real war on Christmas?
For years, one of the seasonal debates surrounding Christmas was whether live Christmas trees or artificial trees were the better choice.
Possumhaw: Black Bellied Whistling Duck and its bride
Six years ago, a Black Bellied Whistling Duck landed in the big lake. The bird is an amazing creature.
Letter: Quiet, nurses
I just learned that our Republican friends, as part of the 870 pages of the One Big Beautiful Bill, have stripped nursing of its professional
Letter: We can have a top-notch amphitheater
Despite the gloom and doom being forecasted by many skeptical naysayers and people who don’t get out and about very often, nor do they visit other municipalities who have one and are reaping enormous benefits, I beg to differ with their opinions. Here are a few reasons why!
Raymond Barranco: Brain drain
I hope readers have been following my series of op-eds on the challenges facing higher education in Mississippi. This is the final installment. For those who haven’t read the earlier arguments, let me briefly summarize.
Roses and thorns: 11-22-25
A rose to The Columbus City Council and the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors for their efforts to find common ground through collaboration. Council members
Letter to the editor: Bob Raymond
Forgotten ordinances Years ago, the Columbus City Council formed a committee and then passed a new sign ordinance for Highway 45. Several existing signs were
Ask Rufus: The origins of Thanksgiving
I have recently had several people mention the Pilgrims and the origin of the American celebration of Thanksgiving.
Our View: At last, a real chance to finish Columbus’ amphitheater
The Columbus amphitheater was supposed to be a state-funded $3.5 million project that would be completed in a few years.
