COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Having a credit history allows us to make investments or big purchases when we don’t have the money to buy. When you’re making payments on time and keeping your balance low, your score increases which opens up opportunities to be approved for a loan and pay less money in the long run with lower interest rates. You…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- COVID-19 case numbers have eased up in Mississippi in the last couple of weeks. Meaning hospitals have been able to free up beds and ICU rooms. In August 2021, patients were overflowing the rooms at hospitals around the state. Since the beginning of September 2021, the number of COVID-19 patients in Mississippi hospitals has dropped by half,…
WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – In June, a Winona family had to leave their home after they say it was flooded with both water and sewage and have been in temporary housing while repairs are being made. But now, with over six weeks of repairs still left to be done, they say the insurance company will no longer pay for that…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Starkville Fire Department is looking to add a language requirement for some of their employees. The Starkville Fire Department responded to a construction accident last Friday and was immediately on the scene. But despite their skill and teamwork, the department realized they had a communication challenge. Since the incident, Starkville’s Fire Chief said he has…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Two people are in the hospital following a car wreck. It happened around 6 p.m at the intersection of Horseshoe Circle and Highway 12. Several vehicles were involved in the crash and two OCH ambulances took victims to the hospital for treatment. WCBI will have more information as it’s released. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: car accident,…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Each year, more families are moving to Mississippi. A Tupelo-based organization called El Centro is helping students in language transition. Since 2006, Leticia Gassaway, a Chairwoman for the non-profit organization El Centro, has been helping international students academically. She said it’s important that people help young students in language transition. “Our main purpose is has been…
SUMMARY: Dry air looks to hang around for one more day, before humidity is on the increase as we head into the middle of the week. Highs will be increasing into the upper 80s through the end of the work week. It was originally looking like rain would stay to our west, but now it’s looking more likely we see…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A Columbus organization provides free lunch to law enforcement officers in our area. The Bluprint Foundation put on a fish fry to honor the men and women who fight to keep the community safe and thank them for their many contributions. To show their appreciation members gave officers fish, drinks, and dessert. Founder Marcus Stokes says change…
HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI)- Rides, booths, and tractors were all a part of the Flywheel Festival in Houston. For 50 years, folks young and old celebrated in the community. Since the pandemic canceled festivities last year, they’re ready to be back in the full swing of things. “I enjoy talking to the people and normally I enjoy the antique cars, but…
SUMMARY: Finally, after a very wet summer and a very wet last couple weeks, a beautiful and calm week of weather is in store. Skies will be sunny to partly cloudy each day, with highs slowly warming into the mid to upper 80s later on the week. No rain chances the next 7 days, and humidity should be fairly low…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- From the classroom to the workforce, skilled laborers are essential for area businesses. Benefits, opportunities, and quality of life are what it takes when it comes to retaining workers. Laborers need to have those options. But it’s also vital for businesses to have qualified workers. ” Everyone needs workers right now. Restaurants need workers and hospitals need…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two brothers were injured in a roofing construction accident Friday afternoon in Starkville. The incident happened at Aldersgate United Methodist Church about two o’clock. Starkville Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough says the men were part of a crew replacing a roof at the church. A lift they were using overturned. One of the men was thrown from…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – For the first time since 2018, Starkville held its Art Walk event. “Shop local. I mean that’s how Starkville thrives and that’s something we should all be proud of,” new local artist Danielle Atchley said. After a three-year wait, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership brought back the Art Walk. And for up-and-coming artists like Danielle Atchley,…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- On a national scale, Mississippi ranks last in a lot of categories but the Magnolia State is number one in obesity rates. 2020 data from the CDC shows Mississippi with an obesity rate of 39.7% compared to Colorado’s 24.2% which ranks at the bottom of the list. The CDC’s study says that no state was over 25%…
JACKSON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Mississippians receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see their benefits increase twenty-one percent (21%) over pre-pandemic benefit levels effective October 1, 2021. SNAP serves over 421,000 individuals in Mississippi each month, providing food assistance to financially eligible households. This increase in SNAP benefits is separate from the additional pandemic supplementary benefits…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Friday, the Board of Trustees for Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning voted to prohibit the state’s public universities from requiring their students and staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine, except in clinical settings. This comes exactly one week after the Mississippi State Faculty Senate voted in favor of a vaccine mandate at the school. “That a board…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The Starkville-Oktibbeha School District is awarded $100,000 for new technology in the classroom. It’s part of Governor Tate Reeves Emergency Education Relief Grant. Part of that money put 25 cameras and microphones at two schools. The devices are expected to improve learning experiences for students. But, these resources will help in other areas too. Educators tell…
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The longtime director for the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association is stepping down after thirty years on the job. It may be her last full week on the job as director of Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, but Debbie Brangenberg is busy. On this day, before lunch, she was going over DTMSA business with Lucia Randle,…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Recently released state test scores show a significant drop in student performance – and the pandemic may be part of the problem. The Mississippi Department of Education today released results from the 2020-21 state tests. They show a more than 12% drop in math scores from 2019 and a 6.7% drop in ELA scores. MDE leaders say…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – After being grounded in 2020, Wings Over Columbus is preparing for take-off in 2022. Lieutenant Colonel Rory Klepper briefed Columbus business and community leaders about the return of the popular airshow. The 20-22 edition of Wings Over Columbus will be on March 26th and 27th. Klepper says they are planning a return to a traditional in-person…
MONGOMERY, Ala. (WCBI)- Health care treatment, educational services, and prison re-sentencing are on the agenda for the upcoming special session called by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. The main items on the agenda are a bond bill and sentencing standards. The Alabama governor released a statement saying, “I am pleased and extremely hopeful that we are finally positioned to address our…
CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some folks think of this as Pumpkin Spice Season, but in Mississippi, it’s Sweet Potato Season. Sweet potato farmers across North Mississippi are taking advantage of the Fall-like weather to begin this year’s harvest. Demand is still good for the crop, which has long been the root of Calhoun County’s farm economy. But this year’s…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday night, the Louisville Board of Aldermen voted to fire Officer Ty Hardin of the Louisville Police Department for multiple violations of city and police department rules. “The accusations are still under investigation and most likely, we’re going to pass this on to an outside agency,” says Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness. That’s where Chief Holdiness…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Counties across the United States are receiving money from the Federal Government through the American Rescue Plan Act. For Lowndes County, the goal is to use the money wisely and make improvements where county leaders see fit. A pot of roughly $65 billion dollars was distributed in different chunks to each county in the United States….