Presley seeks cease and desist order from FCC for business offering ‘free tablets and service’

Public Service Commissioner Presley says Oklahoma based company violating FCC guidelines

AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – The Northern District Public Service Commissioner is asking the FCC to issue a cease and desist order against an Oklahoma based company that is giving free tablets and so called free internet service. Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley is asking the FCC to take action against Surge Phone. On Monday, Presley says he was in Amory, and…

Tax service officials encourage people to file correctly to avoid penalties

People are ready to file their returns, hoping for a refund

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Tax season is here and people are likely gathering all the information they need to file their return. It can be a tedious process. It’s the busiest time of the year for Brenda Martin at M&M Tax Services in Columbus. Her clients are ready to file their returns, hoping for a refund. Martin said there are…

Mississippi senators moved forward on spending ARPA funds

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi senators are moving forward on spending some of the state’s $1.8 billion in pandemic relief funds. State senators voted to give over $100 million dollars to the state Department of Mental Health. Under the proposal, 10 million will go to Child Protection Services and a little over 3 million to MEMA. The national guard would…

Clay County health care workers and church team up to host vaccine clinic

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County residents get a shot in the arm today. Access Family Health and Northside Christian Church team up for a COVID Vaccination Clinic. Access is administering all 3 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. Folks were there to get their first shots, shots, and even boosters. “I experienced COVID-19 last year in…

Concern grows among area business owners after triple shooting in East Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people remain in the hospital after a triple shooting Sunday night in the parking lot of a Columbus car wash. Columbus Police have identified the suspect as Braylin “B-5” Edinburgh, but area businesses owners say the triple shooting is just the latest incident in the area that has them worried. One even said they’d consider…

Artesia man charged for child molestation

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A months-long investigation leads to an Artesia man being arrested on child molestation charges. A young girl’s quick thinking and courage to speak out helped Lowndes County Sheriff’s investigators make an arrest in a molestation case. Deputies arrested 42-year-old Tom Leshun Walker of Artesia Friday, January 21st. Walker is charged with 1 count of fondling…

A former D1 football player trains younger athletes in his community

One West Point athlete returns to his old stomping grounds with hopes to make a difference in the community

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- A humbling message people have probably heard before is “don’t forget where you came from”.   One West Point athlete returns to his old stomping grounds with hopes to make a difference in the community. West Point native Scott Lashley returned to his hometown with one purpose on his agenda; helping athletes on and off the…

Mom To Mom: Fuzzy Jars

January 23, 2022

If you need a way to get your family to help more around the house, Mandy has a simple solution. Here’s this week’s Mom To Mom. Categories: Featured Tags: mom

A couple in Artesia creates mentorship program for students

The youth is the future and people want to see them excel

ARTESIA, Miss. (WCBI)- The youth is the future and people want to see them excel. A local couple created a mentoring program to navigate young adults on the path of achievement On Saturday, kids in Artesia enrolled in a monthly program to help develop a plan to accomplish their goals. High school students around the Golden Triangle met at the…

Starkville’s annual Frostbite Race brought out record numbers

The seventh annual Frostbite race kicked off Saturday morning in downtown Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The seventh annual Frostbite race kicked off Saturday morning in downtown Starkville. Folks across the state of Mississippi set their eyes on the finish line; the mission was to complete half a marathon, 10K, or 5K race. Proceeds from the event went towards the Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County. In recent years, about 500 participants…

Grant Me Hope: Aeron

January 22, 2022

This week’s Grant Me Hope is a loving and caring young boy by the name of Aeron. Here’s this week’s Grant Me Hope. Categories: Featured, MS News Tags: grantmehope

‘Badge Unbroken’ to tell story of first black deputy police chief in Tupelo

Investors are being sought for local movie

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A movie is in the works about the man who was the first black assistant police chief in Tupelo, before he was forced to resign. All along, Hall claimed he was treated unfairly and now, his story is being made into a movie. The trailer for the movie “Badge Unbroken” recreates some real life scenarios from Robert…

Residents of Chadwick place apartments speak out following shooting

Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- A day after the incident, residents at the Chadwick Place Apartments are speaking out. A weapon, one victim in the hospital, and two suspects on the run…the aftermath of a shooting in their complex has residents of the Chadwick Place Apartments worried. Shots rang out just after 7 p.m. ” Seven people like called and texted me…

Shooting near MSU campus sends 2 people to the hospital

Shooting at Chadwick Apartments near Lee Blvd.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) -A shooting near Mississippi State University’s campus sent two people to the hospital Thursday night. A Maroon Alert went out shortly after 7:00 P.M. saying that a suspect was seen fleeing toward campus after gunshots were heard near Chadwick Apartments. Investigators from the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department say two victims took themselves to OCH Regional Medical…

How to avoid buying counterfeit N95 and KN95 masks

VERNON, Ala. (WCBI) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning January 14, that close to 60 percent of masks claiming to be either N95s or KN95s, are actually counterfeits. Durham Pharmacy in Vernon, Alabama says they regularly order KN95 masks by the thousands. “The KN95 is sort of a way we’re able to have protection during…

Hard working volunteer named TPSD’s ‘Parent of the Year’

Leigh Monroe was instrumental in building a sensory room at her son's school

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Volunteers are key when it comes to helping a school and its students reach the top.  The parent of the year for the Tupelo Public School District is known for her countless hours of volunteer work. As president of the Thomas Street  Elementary PTO, Leigh Monroe spends a lot of time at the school, doing whatever…

Mississippi jails and prisons face impact of Omicron variant

MDOC operating under tight restrictions to keep the spread of the virus low.

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The spike in COVID-19 is felt everywhere, but the state’s jail and prison population can be particularly vulnerable to outbreaks…. because they have nowhere else to go. That has the Mississippi Department of Corrections operating under tight restrictions to keep the spread of the virus low. ” We’ve kept one or two positive cases up here…

Mississippi State Board of Education re-introducing hybrid learning option

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – High rates of COVID infection have the Mississippi State Board of Education re-introducing a learning option. The Board voted today to temporarily allow school districts to use hybrid scheduling to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. The option will be available until March 11th. Hybrid learning allows students to come to school part of the week…