SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Peasant is retiring

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – After 30 years in public school education, Starkville Oktibbeha School District Superintendent Dr. Eddie Peasant is retiring. Doctor Peasant has informed the Board of Trustees that he will retire on June 30th. Under Peasant’s leadership, the school district has completed the construction of Partnership Middle School on the campus of Mississippi State University. The district has…

MSDH reporting 8,460 new COVID-19 cases and 48 deaths

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s COVID numbers may not be record-breaking on Wednesday, but they do remain high. The State Department of Health is reporting 8,460 new cases today, and 48 deaths. 39 of those deaths were between Friday and Tuesday; the other 9 were from late last year and identified after death certificates were issued. Even though there tend…

Columbus City Council searching to hire a lobbyist

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council is looking for a louder voice in Jackson. The Council has voted to explore the possibility of hiring a lobbyist to bring the needs of the city to the attention of state lawmakers. Mayor Keith Gaskin says he likes the idea of having someone in Jackson who is focused on getting results…

Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner wants to involve pharmacy board in overseeing medical marijuana

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson says he is taking steps to prepare for his potential role overseeing medical marijuana in the state. “I’ve been in contact with regulators and commissioners around all 50 states where there is a medical marijuana program,” he says. Thursday, the Mississippi Senate approved a bill allowing someone with…

Local community members work together to collect food donations

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Children go to bed hungry. In some families, there’s just not enough to go around. And, it happens in our own neighborhoods. The need for assistance is almost overwhelming. Food pantries empty almost as soon as volunteers fill them. “Can you imagine being 7 years old and going to bed hungry can you imagine a…

Lee County Youth Court program could expand statewide

Program seeks to keep kids out of foster care and keep families intact

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Lee County Youth Court program whose goal is to keep kids out of foster care is selected as a pilot program for the state. “I don’t want to be an adoption agency, we want to reunite families, that is the whole goal of this court,” said Lee County Youth Court Judge Stacy Bevill. When  Bevill…

Mississippi blood service officials have seen more donors despite a blood shortage

Mississippi Blood Service came to Columbus; the team travels all over the magnolia state

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Shortages are not limited to just your grocery store. Blood shortages have become an issue as of late and people that collect donations want communities to give if they’re able to. Mississippi Blood Service came to Columbus; the team travels all over the magnolia state and encourages people to donate if they’re willing and able to because…

Aliceville man charged by for shooting accident in November

ALICEVILLE, Ala. (WCBI) – An Aliceville, Alabama man turns himself in this morning to Columbus Police for a shooting incident back in November. Columbus Police say Michael Anthony Jordan is charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault in connection to a shooting incident on November 27th in the Bluecutt and Post Office area. On the night of the incident, a…

Lowndes County employees to receive sick leave if diagnosed with COVID-19

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The changing landscape of the COVID Pandemic has private and public employers pivoting on sick leave policies. The Omicron variant, while more contagious, is causing less severe illness. That prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update its quarantine and masking guidance. Lowndes County is following suit. Vaccinated County employees who contracted COVID…

Mississippi State Softball team helps United Way pack donation boxes for local teachers on MLK Day

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Members of the Mississippi State Softball team spent their Martin Luther King Jr. Day by partnering with the United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee to pack donations for local teachers. It’s part of United Way’s “Tools for School” campaign. “MLK Day, a day of service that, instead of treating it as a day off, it’s a…

Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations spark change in local cities

January 17  is a day set aside to remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- January 17  is a day set aside to remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; observances were held in many towns and cities across the area. Above all Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wanted to see a change, and the folks in Eupora carried on his work to bring about that change. “I…

Starkville community members work to keep MLK Jr’s dream alive

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Serving others is one facet of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Monday, Starkville residents rolled up their sleeves to make their community a better place. “I think Martin Luther King just valued his life on giving back to the better man,” said MSU student Cameron Mayers. “Everything he did was for us to be together…