Starkville Schools
Local News

Starkville Oktibbeha School District drops uniform policy

Students will no longer have to wear specific colors or clothing styles.
Aundrea Self,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Students in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District no longer have to wear uniforms. At its June meeting, the Board of Trustees amended the dress code. The new policy removes uniform requirements for students in grades PreK-7. So beginning this school year, students in grades PreK-7 will not be required to wear school colors, t-shirts, shirt styles, and…

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Featured, Local News

Tips on saving energy as air conditioning units work overtime in extreme Mississippi heat

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, 4-County Electric Power Association shared tips and strategies to cut down on electricity use to help balance out the high demand for air conditioning. “When we get extreme temperatures like we’re seeing, you get record amounts of demand,” says Jon Turner, manager of public relations and marketing for 4-County. The Tennessee Valley Authority provides power…

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Local News

Ole Miss fans and businesses in Oxford prepare for the College World Series

The Ole Miss Rebels punched their ticket to Omaha for the College World Series
Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – The Ole Miss Rebels punched their ticket to Omaha for the College World Series. They’re also thrilled for what it means to the town. Businesses and restaurants have already seen an uptick in sales even before the first pitch in Omaha. The Ole Miss baseball team fought its way through a roller coaster of a season….

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Featured, Local News

Project ELECT gets grant for its work in the community

Grant money may be used to enhance social media presence
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS.  (WCBI) –  A Tupelo based nonprofit receives a boost to help it fulfill its mission. Project ELECT, which stands for Enthusiastic Leaders Engaging in Changing Times, has received a $5,000 grant from the MassMutual Foundation. The grant is part of the company’s Community Service Award program.  The grant will help Project ELECT in its mission of acting as…

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Featured, Local News

Boys and Girls Club members get to know their local police officers

Tupelo police visit the Northside club as part of Career
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Members of the Northside Boys and Girls Club of Tupelo had a unique opportunity to visit with police officers, as part of a summer program. It was a chance for members of the Northside Boys and Girls Club to ask Lieutenant Katarsha White about any police related topic.  One youngster wanted to know about the use…

Lisa Cockrell
Crime, Local News

Human remains found in late May have been identified

Eric Lampkin,

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Human remains found in late May have been identified, and they add another piece to the puzzle of a missing person case in Tupelo. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green tells WCBI that the State Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified the remains as those of Lori Cockrell. The 58-year-old Tupelo woman had been missing since…

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Featured, Local News, News Team, State News

Black empowerment group advocates for the 2nd Amendment ahead of Juneteenth events

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Ahead of the Juneteenth Holiday this Sunday, the Black Empowerment organization is trying to gather the attention of African Americans in Columbus and all over the Magnolia State. The Lowndes County Courthouse is one of the three locations in the state where demonstrations took place today. Black Empowerment is gearing up for its “Gathering of the…

Keith Gaskin
Local News

Columbus Mayor briefed business and community leaders on city progress

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin gets in a tune-up before next month’s State of the City Address. Gaskin briefed Columbus and Lowndes County business and community leaders on the city’s progress over the past year. One of the key issues has been the city’s financial health. When Gaskin took office, Columbus was a couple of years behind…

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Featured, Local News, News Team

Columbus city permits given to three potential medical cannabis businesses

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Three potential medical marijuana dispensaries have taken a small but necessary step towards opening up shop in Columbus. The Columbus Planning Commission approved permits for three businesses that are each vying for a location on Highway 45. Two of the companies are seeking to set up their business in the Jackson Square Plaza. State regulations state…

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Crime, Featured, Local News

West Point Police hold active shooter training to keep officers ready after Buffalo and Uvalde shootings

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The West Point Police Department held active shooter training at the Central School on Monday. How law enforcement responds to active shooter situations became part of the nationwide conversation in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas shooting. “When…we do have to go in, they’re going to do what they have to do to save the…

Heat Dan
Local News

First Responders give tips on how to stay cool for the summer

Ansley Perkins,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The First official day of Summer isn’t until; next week, but the Summer heat is already here. And if you’re spending any time outdoors, you need to take extra precautions. It hits you almost as soon as you walk out the door. It is hot. Some folks are leaving the air conditioning only if they…

Lem
Local News

Kids of the Golden Triangle participate in Lemonade Day

Ansley Perkins,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss (WCBI) – Kids across the Golden Triangle had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur for Lemonade Day. Some pocketed their funds, others decided to spend a few bucks. When life gives you lemons…make lemonade. That’s what kids across the Golden Triangle did on Saturday afternoon. “We have pink lemonade regular lemonade…

March
Featured, Local News

March of our lives rally takes place in downtown Tupelo

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- A March for Our Lives took place at Fairpark Saturday morning. The nation-wide rally pushes for tighter gun restrictions. The Tupelo event was one of many across the country in the wake of the recent shootings arcoss the United States. Americans are calling on Congress to enact stronger gun control measures like Universal Background Checks, a ban…

Elvis Story
Featured, Local News

Elvis’ longtime jeweler recalls stories of the singer’s generosity

Lowell Hays is a judge for the Tupelo Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Tupelo’s Elvis Festival is in its fourth day, and one of the special guests helped design the bling that Elvis wore, and often gave away. Lowell Hays is back as a judge for Tupelo’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition. And Hays knows what to look for.  As Elvis’ jeweler, he attended many of the singer’s concerts,…

Msu Access
Local News

MSU allows the opportunity for all students to feel equal

Ansley Perkins,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State University is striving to create an inclusive environment on campus.. MSU has 1 of only 15 comprehensive programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the nation. This program is known as ACCESS. “We would like to put an access student into your American government class and I was like great let’s do it, What’s that…

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Featured, Local News

After the guilty verdict: Lowndes co. families remember loss of loved ones

With a guilty verdict, the family can take an extra step towards gaining closure.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A Clay County jury has found Clark Allen Jr. guilty of murder. Family members may have exited the courtroom with justice, but their hearts remain broken from the loss of their loved ones. Allen was accused of killing 31-year-old Demario Snell, 22-year-old Mauricio Nance, and 24-year-old Tyshun Fields in Artesia in January 2019. After three years and…

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Local News

A half day man hunt ends with an alleged killer behind bars

Bender allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and unborn child
Joey Barnes,

ACKERMAN, Miss. (WCBI)-14 and a half hours later Dante Bender was taken into custody. Bender made his way from Newton County to Ackerman early this morning where he was caught and arrested. Bender allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and unborn child along with Meridian police officer, Kennis Croom. His phone was pinged in Ackerman after an almost 15 hour…

Dante Bender
Crime, Local News

Meridian Police Department hold press conference after arrest

Joey Barnes,

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WCBI) – After a night on the run, a suspected cop killer is in jail in Meridian. 31-year-old Dante Marquez Bender is accused of shooting Meridian police officer Kennis Croom. Croom and other Meridian Police officers were called to a domestic violence incident around 5 PM Thursday afternoon. When they got to the scene, they found a victim…

Pop Up Shop
Local News

MSU iCreate camp to host pop up shop Saturday in Starkville

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – While most parents pay for summer camps, these campers are earning instead. Mississippi State University’s iCreate camp for young entrepreneurs gears up for business Saturday during their pop-up shop in Starkville. This week-long camp taught leadership and teamwork to help them build, market, and sell their products. Campers say that they have created products for all…