Itawamba Community College gets top honors in the state

WalletHub names ICC best two year school in the state, four years in a row

FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based community college has been named the best in the state, for the fourth year in a row. “We are blessed with a great set of faculty that really pride themselves on quality instruction in the classroom,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Dr. Allen says being named the top community college in Mississippi…

Brooksville welcomes first police chief in 8 years

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – After 8 years without a police chief, the town of Brooksville has filled the post. Virginia Rich has had high-profile positions in a few area departments. Now, she’ll be leading one of her own. I went to Brooksville today to talk with Chief Virginia Rich and she says that moving to a small town will be…

Local business leader honored with Red Raspberry Humanitarian Award

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A longtime business and civic leader and his wife are recognized for their efforts in promoting and supporting a nonprofit that provides a variety of services to thousands every year, free of charge. Ted and Lynn Moll were named recipients of this year’s “Red Raspberry Humanitarian Award.” That honor was given at the eighth annual awards…

MSU host first Research Week showcasing student, faculty, and staff work

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University is showing off the work being done by its students, faculty, and staff. The university is hosting its first Research Week. All this week, exhibits from MSU research centers, institutes, support units, and academic departments are on display on the first floor of the Old Main Academic Center. Select research centers are also…

EMCC offering summer tuition assistance of $500

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Some students at EMCC can earn up to $500 in tuition assistance this summer. Students living in Mississippi and enrolled in at least six credit hours this summer will be eligible for the assistance, including the Maymester. An additional $100 discount will be offered for the June term and another $100 for Sooba Residence Hall expenses…

How violent parents are driving away youth umpires across Mississippi

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An incident Saturday night is getting national attention after an angry parent was arrested for punching an umpire at a Mississippi 12-year-old softball game. According to WLBT, umpire Kristi Moore was left with a black eye and bruises after 32-year-old Kiara Thomas allegedly punched her in the face. Moore says Thomas was removed from the game…

Tupelo’s new fire chief talks about goals going forward

Chief Kelly Elliott is no stranger to the area

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Tupelo’s new fire chief is settling into his new role and visiting with firefighters, city leaders, and senior staff. Tupelo Fire Chief Kelly Elliott spent part of his Tuesday morning, talking with firefighters and checking the trucks at Station One. Chief Elliott has been on the job one week, but he worked at the Tupelo Fire…

State lawmakers are excited about new bills passed in Mississippi

The 2022 legislative session wrapped last week with two major accomplishments

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The 2022 legislative session wrapped last week with two major accomplishments: the passage of the largest pay raise for teachers in Mississippi history and legalizing medical marijuana. Mississippi held its legislative session from January through April 2022, and while the spotlight was often on high profile legislation, like medical marijuana and teacher pay, there were also…

State Treasurer David McRae spoke to Rotary about unclaimed property

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – What would you do with a few extra bucks? That was one of the topics of conversation when State Treasurer David McRae made a stop in Columbus Tuesday. Among the many responsibilities of the Treasurer’s office is handling unclaimed money and property in the state. According to McRae, the average Mississippian has $2,100 in unclaimed property….

April is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The phone line is a lifeline between the community and law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. And this week is set aside to honor those who make those connections. The second week of April is set aside as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. It’s a time to highlight the work of 911 operators and dispatchers –…

Noxubee County man accused of breaking into a church

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee County man is accused of breaking into a church. A grand jury recently returned the indictment against Joey Mays. He’s also facing burglary of a dwelling, grand larceny, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge. Mays was arrested earlier this year in Kemper County, where he’s charged with several crimes….

Traffic stop leads to drug arrest in Webster County

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A traffic stop leads to a drug arrest Sunday evening in Webster County. Around 5:30, Eupora Police with assistance from a Webster County K-9 Unit pulled over Kenneth Scott Cooper. Cooper allegedly had methamphetamine in his possession and was arrested. Cooper is sitting in the Webster County Jail waiting for a bond hearing. Categories: Local…

Mississippi Death Row inmate wants to appeal his case

PARCHMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – A Mississippi Death Row inmate has a change of heart. Blayde Nathaniel Grayson has told a judge he wants to continue appealing his case. This is a reversal from what Grayson said just a few months ago. In December, shortly after the state carried out the execution of David Neal Cox, Grayson sent a note to…

Check out the winners of Tupelo’s 7th annual Bud and Burgers

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- Winners of Tupelo’s 7th Annual Bud and Burgers: Community Bank takes home the trophy in first place. Ken Jetter Restaurant Supply follows in second. Simmer Down is third place. Simmer Down also takes home Best of Show. People’s Choice award goes to Maria’s Catering Service. Judges scored on creativity, taste, and appearance by blind entry. This year, the…

The Junior Auxiliary hosts an Easter Egg Hunt for the community

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -The Junior Auxiliary in Starkville had an Easter egg hunt this weekend at the J.L. King Park and invited all kids in the community to come and have some fun in the sun. It’s Easter time and you can’t have Easter without a good ole fashion Easter egg hunt. This year the Junior Auxiliary in Starkville has…

Tupelo shooting leaves 21-year-old man dead

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- The Lee County Coroner’s office along with Tupelo Police are investigating a Friday night shooting. TPD responded to a call on Hodges Drive around 10 p.m. 21-year-old Raybric Mims of Tupelo was found dead at the scene. Reportedly, there was a disturbance just before the gunfire. His body is being sent to Pearl for an autopsy. Call Tupelo…

Catfish in the alley brought more than good food to the friendly city

Fresh fried catfish lingered through the streets of Columbus early Saturday morning

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Fresh fried catfish lingered through the streets of Columbus early Saturday morning, and it wasn’t long before folks followed the scent to the downtown area. Catfish in the Alley is historical event for the friendly city. In the late 19th Century African Americans socialized, shared meals, and brought economic opportunities. Howlin Wolf, Bukka White, and Big Joe…

Firefighters investigating house fire in Columbus

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI)- Firefighters are investigating a house fire in Columbus. Battalion Chief Todd Graham says the homeowners weren’t home when the blaze started. It happened around 1 p.m. on 93 Jasmine Street. When firefighters got to the home, the back side of the structure was already involved. No injures are reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Categories:…

Area chuches team up to host Easter festival in New Hope

Kiddos even got their picture taken with Peter Cottontail. 

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- The Easter Bunny hopped all the way to Lowndes County Saturday morning. Area churches partnered to host an Easter Fair at the New Hope Community Center. Games, food, and a petting zoo were provided for families. Of course, kids participated in an Easter egg hunt. Kiddos even got their picture taken with Peter Cottontail. Organizers say this…