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Featured, Local News

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
Allie Martin,

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…

Road
State News

Governor signs bills allocating money for infrastructure improvements

Joey Barnes,

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…

Mhp
Local News

Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom receives Trooper of the Year Award

Eric Lampkin,

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…

Friendship Cemetery
Local News

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

Aundrea Self,

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…

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Local News

Tupelo woman Tracy Shanklin has been found, receiving care

Eric Lampkin,

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…

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Local News, State News

Deadline approaches to apply for D-SNAP benefits

Joey Barnes,

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…

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Local News

Leaders in Amory cancel city-wide curfew restriction

Joey Barnes,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Nearly a month after imposing a curfew, the city of Amory has lifted the restriction. Town leaders put the curfew in place the day after that devastating EF3 tornado swept through, leaving piles of debris. The city and property owners have spent the last few weeks clearing debris from the roads. The police department lifted the…

Msu Campus mississippi state
Local News, State News

MSU receives historical $100M donation to endowed scholarship fund

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi State students will have more opportunities for scholarships after a $100 million gift to the university. George and Kathy Bishop made the donation. This builds on the couple’s $10 million commitment back in 2018. This is the largest gift to a higher education university in the state’s history. The George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship provides university-wide…

Prominent Family Honored For Their Work Improving Lives Of Mississippians
Local News

Prominent family honored for their work improving lives of Mississippians

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A well-known family was honored for their work helping improve the quality of life for Northeast Mississippians. The Reed Family was the recipient of the 2023 “Red Rasberry Humanitarian Award.” That award is named in honor of Red Rasberry, one of the founders and first director of the Regional Rehab Center. The RRC provides a variety…

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Featured, Local News

Young artists display hard work at district wide art show in Lee County

Lee County Schools Impressions Art Show opens Thursday
Allie Martin,

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) – Young artists from across Lee County have a chance to make an impression with their artwork. Fifth grader LeEllen Vinson looks forward to every art class at Saltillo Elementary. “I really like art, you can do whatever you want to, there’s no limit,” Vinson said. Vinson, who has been drawing for as long as she can…

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Local News

Tupelo police report previously missing woman was found safe

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo woman reported throughout the week is found safe. Christina Johnson was last seen Sunday seen walking away from her Eckford Street home in Tupelo. Investigators said she was possibly en route to a relative’s home in Stewart, Miss. Tupelo thanked everyone on Facebook who played a part in Johnson’s safe return. For 24/7 news…

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Crime, Local News

Oxford police arrest 4 men accused of check cashing scam

Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Four men from across the country are facing charges in an Oxford check cashing scam. Officers were called to a bank on April 13. A tip helped OPD make a traffic stop and the arrests. Oxford police said Darion Jordan of Brookhaven, Georgia, and Trevon Vanyo of Kennesaw Georgia were arrested. Both men are charged with…

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Featured, Local News

Amory businesses look to reopen almost a month after storms

Kealy Shields,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been almost a month since a tornado ripped through Amory, hitting people where they live and where they work. Several businesses were damaged or destroyed, putting a dent in the city’s economy. But business owners, like homeowners, are determined to rebuild. Bill’s Hamburgers has been a mainstay on the Amory restaurant scene since the 1920s,…

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Local News, State News

Mississippi governor signs bill authorizing tighter review on elections

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves has signed House Bill 1310 which means all election procedures around the state will be tightly reviewed. House Bill 1310 authorizes the Secretary of State to audit election procedures across all counties, improves citizenship checks, requires the Secretary of State to create a post-election audit manual, and lays out a system by which voting…

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Crime, Local News

Booneville man arrested, accused of child sex crimes

Joey Barnes,

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Booneville man was accused of child sex crimes. 29-year-old William Stacy was charged with sexual battery and molestation. The Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department said a person came to the office to report the alleged sexual abuse of a child. Affidavits were signed and Stacy was arrested. A hold was placed on Stacy by Drug…

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Local News, State News

Insurance losses from March tornadoes approach $100M

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Insurance losses from the late March tornado outbreak in Mississippi are approaching $100 million. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney expects uninsured losses to exceed that number. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said more than 380,000 cubic yards of debris have been cleared. Chaney said the insured and uninsured losses are expected to increase, only underscoring the daunting…

Some Jails Find Mental Health Resources, Availability Limited
Featured, Local News

Some correctional facilities find mental health resources, availability limited

Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a startling statistic. Prisons and jails are the largest providers of mental health services in the United States. One area sheriff said with the condition of his jail, providing basic services is tough, and providing treatment for inmates with mental health issues is nearly impossible. From day one, the Lee County Jail has been…

Mdot Holds Ceremony Honoring Fallen Roadside Workers
State News

MDOT holds ceremony honoring fallen roadside workers

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Transportation paid respect to the men and women who risk and even sacrifice their safety in work zones. MDOT held a ceremony at its headquarters in Jackson on Tuesday to recognize work zone employees who lost their lives trying to improve roads in the state. Families of fallen roadside members joined in…

Msu Partners With Enchroma To Launch Enchroma Color Accessibility Program
Featured, Local News

MSU, EnChroma partnership launches initiative to help color blind students

MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State is partnering with a company to make the world a little brighter for some students. MSU has partnered with EnChroma to launch a new initiative to support their color-blind students through the EnChroma Color Accessibility Program. The company provides glasses that are engineered with special optical filters that help the color blind see…