Proms have changed over the years and are now flashier than ever

Prom season is here; for graduating high school seniors, it is a time to shine and sparkle

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Prom season is here; for graduating high school seniors, it is a time to shine and sparkle.  It is prom week and Porsha Fields stopped by M & K Ladies Wear to get last-minute alterations on her daughter’s dress. Fields said her daughter chose her dress carefully for the elegant event. It’s been busy at M and…

A local sorority helps give back on Earth Day in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The Starkville chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is planting for the future. The chapter held a tree-planting ceremony this morning in celebration of Earth Day, and they had some help. Participants in the group’s youth leadership institute did some digging, watering, and finally the planting of a flowering cherry tree in a homeowner’s yard. A.K.A members…

A woman is charged with burglary and credit card fraud in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI)- Lafayette County sheriff’s office make an arrest after residents reported their vehicles had been broken into. On Thursday, April 20, 2023, deputies with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office received reports from two residences in the area of county road 369 regarding their vehicles being broken into. Deputies began gathering information and a suspect was identified after several…

Verona third graders take field trip to Toyota for ‘Environmental Day’

Toyota partners with Lee County schools for Earth Day celebration

BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (WCBI) – It was an opportunity to learn about ways to be better stewards of the planet, while also learning about the work that goes on at Toyota Mississippi. It was a lesson in pollination using a relay race as a teaching tool. “Growing Healthy Waves” brought a very lively bee and flower to the first-ever “Earth…

‘Men of Excellence’ hosts 2023 State of Black Men Symposium at MSU

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Revive, Recharge, Redirect. That’s the motto of this year’s State of Black Men Symposium on Mississippi State University’s campus. The conference, hosted by the “Men of Excellence” organization, allowed black men to engage with local professionals to discuss the importance of the black man’s role in the family and in the professional world. Other discussions…

MHP, Itawamba County deputies search for missing man

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Office are asking for your help to find a missing man. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for 19-year-old Hunter Ray Patterson of Mantachie. Patterson is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 148 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes….

Mississippi airports awarded nearly $35M in federal grants for improvement

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Two federal grant programs are paving the way for major improvements at some area airports. In all, about $35 million is coming to Mississippi through the Federal Aviation Administration’s AIP, or Airport Improvement Program, and the AIG, or Airport Improvement Grant Program. Seven area airports will be impacted with some of them getting money from both programs….

Alabama continues to set new record low unemployment rate

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama set a new record low unemployment rate, again. The rate for March is 2.3%. This means there are just over 53,000 people unemployed in the state. February’s numbers stood at 2.5%. Governor Kay Ivey said jobs have been added in manufacturing, business services, private education, and health services sectors in Alabama. Salaries have also increased over…

Miss. IHL Board reports Alcorn State University appoints interim president

LORMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – Another change in leadership at one of Mississippi’s universities. The state Institutions of Higher Learning board said Dr. Felecia Nave is no longer the president at Alcorn State University. She had been in that role since 2019. No reason was given for her departure. Nave was the first female to lead Alcorn. Mississippi Today reported that…

Medical marijuana dispensary opens on 4/20 in Tupelo

The Dispensary by REV held a ribbon cutting and welcomed people in to educate them

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – You probably know about 4/20 and some locals thought what better way to celebrate than to open a dispensary. The Dispensary by REV held a ribbon cutting and welcomed people in to educate people about how medical cannabis works. General Manager of Rev of Tupelo Kelly Riley cut the ribbon to celebrate her store’s official opening…

Longtime DJ retiring after more than 4 decades on north Mississippi radio

Award winning broadcaster Stan Allen never intended to make radio a career, but God had other plans

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – His voice has been coming through the north Mississippi airwaves for more than four decades, but after next week, a longtime disc jockey will be signing off. For more than 40 years, he’s been a familiar voice on radio across North Mississippi. Stan Allen started his radio career at WCPC in Houston, Mississippi, after serving his…

Governor signs bills allocating money for infrastructure improvements

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – More than $2 billion will be used to improve roads, bridges, airports, and other infrastructure in Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves signed two pieces of legislation to get the money moving. $1.4 billion will go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. No specific projects were in the bill, meaning MDOT has the flexibility to choose the improvements. Senate…

Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom receives Trooper of the Year Award

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Some of the Patrolmen of Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G made a pit stop in Columbus to help honor one of their own. The Columbus Exchange Club presented its Trooper of the Year Award to Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom. A Eupora native, Beckom is in his 20th year with MHP and currently serves as Troop G’s…

MSMS wraps up final performance of ‘Tales from the Crypt’ on Friday

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – You have one more chance to see history come to life in Columbus. Students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science will have their final presentation of “Tales from the Crypt” Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery. The performances are the culmination of their year-long research project into people buried at the…

Tupelo woman Tracy Shanklin has been found, receiving care

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo woman who was reported missing Wednesday night and was the subject of a Silver Alert has been found. Tupelo Police sent out a release in the early morning hours that Tracy Shanklin had been found and was receiving care. The Mississippi Highway Patrol also canceled its Silver Alert. For 24/7 news and updates, follow…

Deadline approaches to apply for D-SNAP benefits

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Some important dates are approaching for some tornado survivors in the area. If you do not already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, you can apply for D-SNAP. For qualifying households, D-SNAP provides money to help buy food lost in the storm or if you lost income due to the disaster. The deadline in Montgomery County is…