COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The COVID-19 Delta variant is once again causing ICU beds not only in Mississippi but all across the south to fill up fast, impacting all facets of critical care. “The beds are the beds,” says flight nurse Eddie Coats. “If they don’t have them for COVID, they don’t have them for your heart attack (patients) or…
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s not a surprise at this point that some restaurants don’t have enough workers. Some places have closed to hire and train people while others have limited their hours. The Eat With Us group oversees 5 restaurant chains and has seen that issue at several of their locations statewide. The restaurant group said working with them…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Throughout the south, the Salvation Army celebrates its “Ambassadors for Good Day” showcasing their work in the community. The Salvation Army in Columbus welcomed local ambassadors Dr. Nora Miller, President of the Mississippi University for women, and Police Chief Fred Shelton to serve community gift boxes and food to the community. The multi-location event highlights work being…
COLUMBUS, miss. (WCBI)- Two schools in the Golden Triangle are being recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education for their dedication to reading literacy. Henderson Ward Steward Elementary and Franklin Academy are two of seven programs in the state to be designated as Mississippi’s first Science of Reading Schools. The award highlights each school’s effort to train teachers in “the…
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi saw the most new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started, and the most people in I.C.U beds on Tuesday, August 10th. The state health department is reporting 3,488 new COVID-19 cases and 36 deaths. This is the highest single day total yet. Right now, MSDH is showing 371 people are in I.C.U. with the virus…
SUMMARY: Very hot weather sticks around through Friday, with only stray to isolated afternoon and evening showers and storms. Highs will be in the mid 90s, lows in the mid 70s. By the weekend, rain chances increase and highs drop to around 90 degrees. Upper 80s are possible to begin next week as rain chances remain elevated, and could be…
SUMMARY: A Heat Advisory is in effect for all our Mississippi and Alabama counties today as highs will get up to the mid 90s, but with the heat index..it’s going to feel like 105 degrees or more out there. TROPICS: We area continuing to watch Potential Tropical Cyclone Six this morning. It’s likely to become Tropical Storm Fred later on…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Since 2006, Starkville has been home to Camgian Microsystems, an intelligent systems company that prides itself on being on the cutting edge. “We work as hard on innovating the culture in Camgian as we work on innovating new technology,” says founder and CEO Dr. Gary Butler. It’s that mindset that has helped the Pearl, Mississippi native…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Students are back in the classroom, but there’s been a little trouble getting them back home from the schoolhouse. Some students weren’t able to go home right after school due to a shortage of bus drivers, but school officials are doing what they can to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. No child left…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Over the weekend, students have been moving into residence halls on Mississippi State’s campus. With an enrollment of over 22,000 students this year, safety is going to be a challenge. However, the MSU Housing Department said they are confident they can keep those numbers down. “Moving in as a first-time freshman, this is like, the safest…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies continue to search for a gunman that opened fire with hundreds of people nearby. The shooting happened as Artesia Day was coming to a close this past weekend. The 29-year-old victim was shot in the face and neck. He was later airlifted to a Jackson hospital. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says…
SUMMARY: We’re in for quite a hot week ahead across NE MS and West Alabama. Nothing unexpected this time of year, but the heat can still take its toll. Highs will be in the mid 90s for the work week, dropping a bit to the low 90s for the weekend, and around 90 to start next week. Rain chances stay…
SUMMARY: We’re going to be sounding like a broken record all week long as we’ll be dealing with a typical summer weather pattern. Hot & humid with highs in the 90s…heat indices in the 100s. Of course…can’t rule out a chance of afternoon showers & storms. MONDAY: A mix of sun & clouds throughout the day. A stray shower in…
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy skies with a low of 74. MONDAY: Partly cloudy skies throughout the day. A stray shower in the later afternoon hours is possible. A high of 94 is expected, with heat indices making it feel 100+ MONDAY NIGHT: Cooling off to a low of 74, with partly cloudy skies. TUESDAY: Partly cloudy skies and a high of…
NEW ORLEANS, La. (WCBI)- A Mississippi chef wins the 17th annual Great American Seafood Cook-off. Chef Austin Sumrall is the nation’s new King of Seafood. Sumrall participated in the competition in New Orleans with 12 other culinary chefs across the U.S. in 2017, Sumrall opened his restaurant, White Pillars, in Biloxi. He has worked for a number of award-winning restaurants….
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-A man is in the hospital after being shot following the Artesia Day festival. Deputies found one male victim on Obama Street suffering from gunshot wounds on his face and neck. Investigators believe several people were gathered at the festival when shots rang out just after midnight. The victim was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital and later…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Across the country, employers are looking to hire people in all positions. One local store had such a hard time, they closed for a short time just to focus on hiring. “We’ve never had this degree of short-staffness,” Johnathan Howard said. Johnathan Howard is the General Manager of McAlister’s Deli in Starkville. He said the lack…
ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI)- Helping a neighbor was the message for one organization in Aberdeen as members host a back-to-school drive. The Aberdeen Brothers of Loyalty M.C. and Sisters of Loyalty S.C. offered free school supplies, good food, and a little fun for kids to start the school year on the right foot, not only to help the kids but the…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Keep Tupelo Beautiful teamed up with a downtown church to enhance Gum Tree Park. Members of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo youth group painted a sensory path on the sidewalk for various activities like hopscotch to motivate children to exercise. Kathryn Rhea is the Director of Keep Tupelo Beautiful. Rhea said volunteers are essential in…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Front lines workers and first responders are needed in every community. In Columbus, the Police Department opened its doors to find new recruits. “I’ve been doing it for over 30 years and I know there’s great reward,” Assistant Chief Doran Johnson said. Doran Johnson is the Assistant Chief of Police in Columbus. He said career day…
SUMMARY: You saw it here first… the 90s are back! 90 degree temperatures that is! We are back to the typical summertime pattern as we head into the second week of August. TONIGHT: Clear skies with a low of 70. One of the last nights feeling comfortable! TOMORROW: Mostly sunny skies for Sunday, a high of 94. Humidity starts to…
SUMMARY: Warm and fairly quiet summer weather is in store for the weekend. While a stray shower or storm is possible, most spots will remain dry. The summer heat and humidity is making a comeback as we head into a new workweek. SATURDAY: Mostly sunny skies. Maybe the chance of a stray shower or storm during the heating of the…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An inmate at the Lowndes County jail has died. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says the inmate was found unresponsive just after 7 AM Thursday inside their cell. Coroner Greg Merchant says an autopsy will be done on 39-year-old Brian Jeffery Davis of Vernon, Alabama. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the case. A cause of…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The number of available ICU beds in Mississippi is at a critical level. And it’s the same or worse for other states in the region. Many of those will end up in the hospital, and of those, dozens will need intensive care. Hospitals across the South are dealing with a surge of the COVID-19 delta variant. “As…