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Featured, Local News

Tupelo Ham radio operators help Hurricane Ian victims

The radio operators relay valuable information to victims, family members and emergency personnel
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – We have seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian as it came ashore in Florida.  Now, as recovery and cleanup begin, local amateur radio operators are helping relay valuable information to victims, their family members, and emergency services. In a corner of the Tupelo Veteran’s Museum, members of the Tupelo Amateur Radio Club and the Wireless…

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Local News

Water line issues leave residents confused in Starkville

Residents of the Deerfield community in Oktibbeha County are outraged over water leaks
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Residents of the Deerfield community in Oktibbeha County are outraged over water leaks and other problems impacting their neighborhood. The City of Starkville annexed Deerfield several years ago and that has created confusion over who to call when issues occur. The people I talked to in the Deerfield community are frustrated because of the water line issues…

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Crime, Local News

Man charged with arson after setting abandoned house on fire

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County man is accused of setting an abandoned house on fire. Marty Atkins is now charged with arson. The blaze happened Wednesday night in the 5000 block of Jess Lyons Road. When deputies arrived, the home was engulfed in flames. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies found Atkins in the area and he admitted to…

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Featured, Local News, News Team, State News

Report finds MDOC has mishandled inmate documents and records

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- A new report suggests the Mississippi Department of Corrections has mishandled records and data for some offenders under state custody. PEER Mississippi reviews how government agencies perform and if state money is being spent correctly. The committee recently sampled 100 active inmates and found some key flaws in the MDOC database. This included missing documentation, missing photo…

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Local News, News Team

The search for an inclusive name is on at Mississippi University for Women

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN, Miss. (WCBI)- Discussions continue on whether now is the time for Mississippi University for Women to change its name. The university has held the title for 48 years following four name changes. However, men began attending and graduating from the W for over four decades. School alumni have reached out to President Norah Miller about changing…

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Local News

City council hears update on acquiring portion of Sandfield Cemetery

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council heard an update on plans to acquire the eastern portion of Sandfield Cemetery. At its most recent meeting, the Council heard from Columbus resident and attorney, Nicole Clinkscales, about maintenance needs at the historic cemetery, particularly the eastern portion. The city had already been looking into the issue. The main roadblock is…

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Featured, Local News

Seniors plan future, healthcare decisions at WCBI Senior Expo

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Planning for now and later. Dozens of seasoned citizens in the area attended the WCBI Senior Expo today in Columbus. The event was an opportunity to educate seniors about resources in the area to help them make healthcare, financial, and legal decisions. More than 25 vendors set up booths to distribute information on a variety of…

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Local News

MS Solar 7 plans to bring solar electric generating to Clay County

Eric Lampkin,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The newest “crop” coming out of the Prairie will be feeding the area’s energy needs. A 2,000-acre site in Clay County will soon be home to a solar electric generating and storage facility. Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley signed the order approving its construction and operation in a ceremony today. MS Solar 7…

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Featured, National, State News

September marks suicide awareness month, group takes action

MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – As we end the month of September, we want to take time to talk about an important topic you have heard a number of reports on–suicide awareness. September is suicide prevention awareness month, however, the work goes well beyond after this month. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says it is the 12th leading cause of death…

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Crime, Local News

Former sheriff pleads guilty to embezzlement of public funds

Joey Barnes,

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Yalobusha County sheriff is expected to spend the next year on house arrest. Former Sheriff Lance Humphreys has pleaded guilty to embezzlement of public funds. State Auditor Shad White accused Humphreys of taking nearly $5,000 from the county’s “Inmate Canteen Account.” He then put that money directly into his personal bank account back…

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Featured, Local News

WCBI Senior Expo healthy living spotlight: preventing falls

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It is happening today. The WCBI Senior Expo is going on at the Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus until 1:00 p.m. Get tips for healthy living and talk with care providers including Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle. “Hello. My name is Madison Guyton, Director of the ambulance Service at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Golden Triangle. Don’t be…

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Featured, Local News, State News

“On Again / Off Again” MUW name change discussion is “on” again

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – What’s in a name? That’s a question that will be swirling around the Mississippi University for Women campus. The on-again / off-again subject of updating the identity of the now co-educational institution is “on-again”. In a letter to MUW Alumni, university president Doctor Nora Miller is again broaching the subject. In the letter, Miller says “we…

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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

MorrisAdmin,

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…

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Coronavirus Information, State News

MSDH announces ongoing concerns about COVID-19 hospitalizations

MorrisAdmin,

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…