East Webster Elementary uses different strategies to encourage literacy
Featured, Local News

East Webster Elementary uses different strategies to encourage literacy

"A" Rated East Webster Elementary recently took a different approach to get students interested in reading and writing.
Kealy Shields,

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Education is hosting regional literacy meetings across the state for parents of students in kindergarten through third grade. The goal is to help parents and educators get on the same page when it comes to children developing the reading skills required for fourth grade. WCBI talked with administrators and teachers at…

Tupelo Fire Chief wants to replace aging stations, recruit new firefighters
Featured, Local News

Tupelo Fire Chief wants to replace aging stations, recruit new firefighters

Chief Brad Robinson has been with the Tupelo Fire Department since 1999.
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo has a new fire chief, but he is no stranger to the department. Although he was working on notes for the upcoming City Council budget meeting, Tupelo’s new fire chief was not too busy to talk with some of the firefighters on B Shift. Chief Brad Robinson began his career 24 years ago with the…

Lafayette Co. deputies make arrests in separate investigations
Crime, Local News

Lafayette Co. deputies make arrests in separate investigations

Joey Barnes,

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested a couple of suspects for a gun-related crime. Lafayette County deputies made a separate arrest for stolen property out of another state.The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested a couple of suspects for a gun-related crime. Lafayette County deputies made a separate arrest for stolen property out of another state.LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The…

rural healthcare
Local News, State News

State tries different approach to attract physicians, dentists to rural areas

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Getting physicians and dentists to set up practice in rural areas of Mississippi can be a tough sell. That’s why the state is trying a different approach. Growing its own. The Mississippi Rural Physicians and Rural Dentists Scholarship Program provides academic enrichment, mentoring, and financial support to medical and dental students who then agree to help…

jahennessi clark noxubee wanted
Crime, Local News

Man wanted in Noxubee County in connection to shooting turns himself in

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man wanted by Noxubee County deputies turned himself in. 19-year-old Jahennessi Clark is now facing an aggravated assault charge. Deputies were called to the area of Highway 145 and the Sportsplex, near Macon, on September 1 about a shooting. City workers were able to give law enforcement a description of the vehicles involved. Investigators…

Members Of Starkville Rotary Meet, Honor Fallen 9/11 Victims
Local News

Members of Starkville Rotary meet, honor fallen 9/11 victims

Kealy Shields,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Members of Starkville Rotary met and honored fallen 9/11 victims. The guest speaker, Lieutenant General Harold Cross and a retired adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, spoke on ethical leadership in a dangerous world. Cross shared his own experience living through 9/11 and the importance of coming together as a country. “We should also take…

Columbus City
Local News

Columbus city leaders prepare to make decision about city budget

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus city leaders will come to a decision about the city’s budget. It’s that time of year for Columbus city officials to approve a budget. Next year, they have an estimated $26 million in revenue to work with. Mayor Keith Gaskin said they have many items that they hope to give money towards. They are working…

Carroll County Deputies Search For Suspected Bridge Burner
Crime, Local News

Carroll County deputies search for suspected bridge burner

Eric Lampkin,

CARROLL COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The old saying goes, “Don’t burn your bridges”. Well, someone in Carroll County didn’t take that advice. Carroll County deputies and firefighters were called out to a bridge fire just before 7:30 Monday morning on County Road 64 in the McCarley area near Bailey Lake. The fire was put out fairly quickly, but it caused…

Honoring The Sacrifice: People Take Time To Honor First Responders
Featured, Local News

Starkville community recognizes first responders in the area

Many of those who died on 9/11 were first responders who sacrificed their lives trying to save others.
Kealy Shields,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Today marked the 22nd anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on the United States. Many of those who died on September 11, 2001, were first responders who sacrificed their lives trying to save others. It’s a day that many people will never forget, but as we mourn the loss of those who died on 9/11 people…

trial lawsuit
Crime, Local News

Winona Councilwoman has first day in court after being arrested at meeting

Joey Barnes,

WINONA, Miss. (WONA/WCBI) – A Winona Councilwoman had her first day in court after being arrested during an alderman meeting. During the June 20 Board of Aldermen meeting, Sylvia Clark was removed by police after an ongoing feud between her and employees of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department erupted. Clark has reportedly been critical of park employees and their…

remembering 9/11
Local News, National/World News

Remembering 9/11: Speaker shares his experience at Aberdeen City Hall

Eric Lampkin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Across the country, people were remembering those who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and those who served in the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Monroe County, a crowd gathered on the steps of Aberdeen City Hall to join in that remembrance. The featured speaker, Monroe County Supervisor Rubel West,…

united way
Local News

United Way of Lowndes, Noxubee host ‘National Day of Service’

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee hosted a “National Day of Service” project in Columbus. Volunteers from Columbus Light and Water were out early working to repair a wheelchair ramp on a southside home. The group also did other small projects around the house. Many other businesses and groups participated in other projects this past…

everett shields
Crime, Local News

Noxubee County man to spend 2 decades in prison for killing his father

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee County man will spend two decades in prison for killing his father. Everett Shields pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was ordered to serve 20 years in prison. The shooting happened in February 2018. 49-year-old Elvis Shields was shot multiple times at his Meadowbrook Drive home. He was later flown to a hospital…

michelle campbell
Crime, Local News

Woman accused of shooting her aunt in Alabama arrested in Starkville

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WKRG/WCBI) – A woman accused of shooting her aunt in south Alabama was arrested in Starkville. Michelle Campbell is in the Oktibbeha County jail on the charge of aggravated assault. CBS affiliate WKRG reported that Loxley, Alabama police believed Campbell shot her aunt 13 times this past Saturday. Loxley police and Baldwin County deputies were called to the…

Truck Crash
Local News

Truck driver escapes injury after his rig overturns on Frontage Road

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A truck driver escaped injury after his big rig overturned Monday morning. The accident happened just before 8 a.m. on North Frontage Road. State troopers said the driver was taken to the hospital for observation but has been released. At least one lane of traffic was blocked as crews worked to get the big truck…

College Students Help Train Future Service Dogs At Mississippi State
Featured, Local News

College students help train future service dogs at Mississippi State

Puppies with a Purpose is a campus organization affiliated with the Guide Dog Foundation.
Kaitlyn Yeatman,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – College students are helping train future service dogs at Mississippi State University. Puppies with a Purpose is a campus organization affiliated with the Guide Dog Foundation. The organization allows students to train dogs in basic commands and help them socialize in different environments. After anywhere from 8 weeks to 14 months, the dogs return to…

First Responders From North Mississippi Honor Those Who Gave Their Life On 9/11
Featured, Local News

First responders from North Mississippi honor those who gave their life on 9/11

A bagpiper leads the way as participants, many wearing their full protective gear proceed to the stairs and a climb covering the same distance as the 110 floors New York 1st responders had to ascend on that fateful day.
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A bagpiper leads the way as participants, many wearing their full protective gear proceed to the stairs and a climb covering the same distance as the 110 floors New York 1st responders had to ascend on that fateful day. Tupelo Fire Chief Brad Robinson has taken part in this event since its inception. But 2023 is…