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Crime, Featured, Local News

Suspect in murder of convenience store clerk had faulty ankle monitor, MDOC investigates

Our exclusive investigation reveals that suspect Chris Copeland stopped checking in with his probation officer in the spring and was under house arrest at the time the Sept. 11 crime
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The suspect in the shooting death of a Tupelo convenience store clerk, killed during a robbery, is in jail with no bond, but there are many questions about the case. The suspect,  Chris Copeland, had prior felony convictions but was placed on house arrest after violating parole. Six days after he was shot and killed during…

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Local News

Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans and challenges.

Borrowers Beware
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. ( WCBI) – As the Biden Administration rolls out a trillion dollar student loan forgiveness plan, there are many questions that remain. There are also new challenges for those the plan is supposed to help The White House anticipates that nearly 400,000 Mississippians could receive debt relief through the plan. I spoke with the Financial Aid Director Nicole…

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Crime, Local News

Teen charged with calling in bomb threat at Houlka High School

Joey Barnes,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Chickasaw County deputies made an arrest on a bomb threat to Houlka High School. The threat was called into the school district this past Friday. Today, a 15-year-old was charged with the crime. The case now goes to the Chickasaw County Youth Court. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter  Categories: Crime, Local…

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State News, Weather News

Mississippi National Guard deploys to Florida to aid in hurricane recovery

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Members of the Mississippi National Guard will help with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. Governor Tate Reeves says 20 soldiers and airmen will go on the response missions. The 111th Aviation Regiment based in Meridian and the 255th Air Control Squadron in Gulfport are the two chosen locations to deploy. Reeves says the state of Florida requested the…
Crime, Local News

Eupora police search for killer of early morning shooting

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss (WCBI) – Eupora police continue to look for a killer tonight after a shooting at an apartment complex. The gunfire happened just before 6 a.m. in the parking lot of the Westwood Apartments. 26-year-old Daimian Keontae Britt of Maben was shot and killed. Webster County Sheriff David Gore was not aware of any suspects that were in custody. Webster…

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Local News

Noxubee County schools celebrate improvement in grade rating

Eric Lampkin,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – Normally getting a “D” on your report card is not a cause for celebration. But for an area school district, it is a sign of improvement and one step closer to regaining local control. In the latest State accountability rankings, the Noxubee County School District moved up from an “F” to a “D”. The district…

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State News

NAACP requests civil rights probe into Jackson water crisis

Ansley Perkins,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The NAACP is requesting a civil rights probe into the Jackson water crisis saying the state has long discriminated against the majority black capital. 83% of the Jackson population is African American. The civil rights organization submitted a complaint to the US Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday requesting an investigation into how federal dollars were spent when…

Covid
Coronavirus Information, State News

MSDH announces ongoing concerns about COVID-19 hospitalizations

Ansley Perkins,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Department of Health says COVID-19 hospitalizations are still a big concern. However, health leaders add they are declining. That is some good news on the covid form in the Magnolia State. As of the 19th, 147 Mississippians were in the hospital sick with COVID-19. The State Department of Health is urging people to get…

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Local News, State News

North Mississippi and West Alabama Fire Weather Warning

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Fall is definitely in the air, which means cooler temps and lower humidity. Unfortunately, that drier air can create fire dangers, especially when it’s joined by gusty winds. A Fire Weather Warning has been issued for North Mississippi and West Alabama at least through Wednesday. Low humidity and high winds can create the perfect conditions…

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Featured, Local News, News Team, State News

Pre-pandemic return, improvement for school district assessment grades

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- The grades are back and the grades are in. The Mississippi State Board of Education approved accountability ratings for districts across the state, judging students’, proficiency, growth, college and career readiness, participation, and graduation rates. This is for the 2021-2022 school year, following the COVID-19 shutdown of schools. A majority of schools in our viewing area received…

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Featured, Local News

BancorpSouth merges with Cadence Bank, changes signs on buildings

Name change is part of merger finalized last fall
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the largest banks in the area is changing its name. BancorpSouth is re-branding all of its offices, banking locations, and the arena in Tupelo to the Cadence Bank brand. Signs of the name change began taking shape several weeks ago, as the signage on the BancorpSouth Arena came down, and that for Cadence Bank…

Crime
Crime, Local News

Tupelo drive-by shooting sends one woman to the hospital

Eric Lampkin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police are investigating a drive-by shooting that left a woman injured. Early Monday morning police were called about a woman who had gone to the emergency room at North Mississippi Medical Center with a gunshot wound. Officers learned from the victim that she and a group of friends had been out walking in the area…

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Featured, Local News

Lowndes County students participate in life reality fair

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Lowndes County students got a crash course in Economics today. The Lowndes County School District Career and Technical Center teamed up with the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus to host a reality fair. Students were given a budget based on their Grade Point Average, then they were sent to different stations to acquire the goods…
Local News

Local committee begins search for new Columbus police chief

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The committee charged with finding the next Columbus police chief met for the first time this morning. This meeting was designed to start the search process and look at the qualifications of the applicants. Ten people make up the group. City leaders, administrators, and four community members will make the selection. The group began discussions on…
Local News

East Columbus house catches fire early this morning

Ansley Perkins,

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – Columbus Firefighters say an East Columbus home is a total loss after an early morning fire. Firefighters were called to this home in the 1900 block of Short Main around 2:30 this morning. You can see smoke coming from the top of the home. Columbus police had the streets blocked off for hours this morning while…

Crime
Crime, Local News

Macon police search for shooting suspect

Joey Barnes,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Macon police are asking for help finding a shooting suspect. One of the recently installed cameras in the street caught what is believed to be the car involved in the drive-by shooting. Police Chief Devine Beck says Johnathan Turner is wanted for the crime. A man was shot in the foot in the Baptist Hill area…

Monkeypox Vaccine
Featured, State News

Miss. State Dept. of Health announces monkeypox vaccine locations

Ansley Perkins,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – You can now make your own appointment to get your series of monkeypox vaccinations. The Mississippi State Department of Health announced today those eligible can make their own appointments at any of the nine designated county health departments in the state. In our immediate area, Lee and Lowndes County health departments are administering the vaccine and taking…

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Featured, Local News

Mississippi State University Students Celebrating Culture

National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th-October 15th
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –  National Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15th. And Mississippi State University’s Latino Student Association is celebrating all month. The group is working to bring more awareness to the diverse backgrounds it represents. Hispanics currently make up nearly 3% of Mississippi State University’s student population. And students say having a cultural-based organization helps give them a…

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Featured, Local News

Scholarship named for man who integrated the University of Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI, Miss(WCBI)- The University of Mississippi is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the school’s integration by endowing a scholarship named for the man who led the charge. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched for the “James H. Meredith Legacy Scholarship Fund.” The scholarship was created by U.M. alumnus Dr. J. Steven Blake of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to honor…

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Local News, News Team, State News

In-person and mail-in absentee ballots now available in Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- The Secretary of State’s Office announced Mississippians can now cast their in-person and mail-in absentee ballots for the November general and special elections. The ballot will be provided upon request from your local circuit clerk. You can also check your availability through your circuit clerk. If you cannot make it to your circuit clerk during the weekdays,…