Mississippi State’s first game had thousands pitching their tents on campus

Generations of families popped tents in the Junction to gather for food and fellowship. Many families even enjoyed the game from their tailgate.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s officially tailgating season, and Mississippi State’s first game against Southeastern Louisiana had thousands of fans pitching their tents on campus. Generations of families popped tents in the Junction to gather for food and fellowship. Many families even enjoyed the game from their tailgate. Esther Herring and her husband have been coming to the Junction for…

Hundreds come to Tupelo for 2nd annual Change Fest

It's a celebration of music, art, and skateboarding.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a celebration of music, art, and skateboarding. Hundreds came to Tupelo for the second annual Change Fest. Participants came from places like Austin Texas, New Orleans, and various Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi communities. Ben Policicchio is with Change Skate Shop in Tupelo. He says this sport attracts a certain kind of individual. “You can learn…

Brandon Presley visits Columbus to speak with citizens

General Elections will be on November 7th. 

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The governor’s race is heating up in Mississippi. The latest poll conducted by Mississippi Today shows current Governor Tate Reeves has an eleven-point lead. Brandon Presley was in Columbus to talk with citizens. Not only does he challenge the latest data, but he hopes to challenge more in an upcoming debate. “We have a poll that…

NMHS issues notice of data security incident

Their Security Operation Committee was immediately notified and shut down the system, and they ended the unauthorized access within 17 minutes.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The North Mississippi Health Services issued a notice on its website of a data security incident. On July 3, NMHS became aware of unauthorized access through an employee’s email account after a phishing email was opened. Their Security Operation Committee was immediately notified and shut down the system, and they ended the unauthorized access within 17 minutes….

Prentiss County students learn about career paths after high school

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of high school students in Prentiss County had a chance to visit professionals from various career fields. It was part of the first Career Expo, organized by the district’s new career coaches. At this career expo, students at the Corinth Academy of Cosmetology were providing hair stenciling to young students. NEMCC’s Auto Service Technician…

Mississippi State: Tackling campus traffic during football season

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State kicks off its football season at home on September 2. Thousands will be making their way to Davis Wade Stadium, but getting there requires a unique strategy. Are you ready for football? Well, pack your patience. With Limited parking tomorrow, “this” is probably your best option. We spoke with the MSU Transportation Department, which anticipates…

Lowndes County CTE opens cosmetology program

Not every career path starts in college. The Lowndes County School District is exposing students to several professions at its Career and Technology Center.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Not every career path starts in college. The Lowndes County School District is exposing students to several professions at its Career and Technology Center. On September 1, the district celebrated the grand opening of its cosmetology program. A common question that is asked to students all over is “What do you want to be when…

City, campus officials celebrate new pathway connecting MSU to Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A ribbon cutting was held in Starkville between city and campus officials celebrating the opening of a new connective pedestrian walkway. This is part of a joint project between Mississippi State and the city of Starkville to better connect Mississippi State to Starkville for pedestrians and bikers. The transportation commissioner for the Northern District John Caldwell…

Jury finds Wayne Fraser guilty of manslaughter, sentenced to 20 years

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused of shooting and killing his wife was found guilty. Jurors took about three hours to find Wayne Fraser guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison. Fraser killed his wife, Natalie Ryan-Fraser, at a Caledonia apartment in December 2021. Ryan-Fraser was in Caledonia visiting her husband,…

MHP releases more details about deadly ATV crash in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol released more information about a deadly ATV crash in Montgomery County. The accident happened Monday night on Stafford Wells Road. Troopers said Winona Police Officer Patrick Mitchell pulled over the driver of the ATV, 51-year-old David Nix, and then there was a brief pursuit. MHP is still investigating how the four-wheeler…

Multi-county chase leads to charges for Pontotoc County man, woman

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man and woman from Pontotoc County are in jail after leading deputies on a chase that went through three counties. Pontotoc County Sheriff Leo Mask said it all began Wednesday night when 30-year-old James Brandon Hurst allegedly stabbed a man. Mask said the next morning, Hurst was accused of returning to the victim’s home…

Mississippi Highway Patrol holiday enforcement period starts September 1

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol’s holiday enforcement period begins September 1. Troopers will be seen on more frequently on state highways during the Labor Day Holiday Travel Period. It begins at 6 p.m. and ends at midnight Monday. MHP will have safety checkpoints. While impaired drivers will be a key focus, troopers will also be looking out for…

Ole Miss marching band looks forward to upcoming season

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A good performance requires good practice. And this Summer members of the Ole Miss marching band have had a little more pep in their steps since the University has installed a new practice field. In November 2017, the Pride of the South Marching Band had planned on working on a new practice field but things were…

Tupelo Police Department introduces new crime-fighting tool

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police have a new crime-fighting tool, and residents and business owners can play a part. With property crimes increasing nationwide, more homeowners are turning to security cameras to help protect their valuables. “It gives the homeowner situational awareness of what’s going on with their property, while they’re there and when they’re away,” said Tupelo Police…

Park areas in West Point get much needed renovations

Parks in West Point are looking a little bit newer.

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Parks in West Point are getting a much-needed facelift. The city received a grant for over $100,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield to fund several renovations to area parks. Parks in West Point are looking a little bit newer. Through a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and input from the community, Parks and Rec…

Oxford police host NightCap giveaway to help prevent drink spiking

One undeniable danger that many young people face is the risk of their drinks being spiked with a harmful substance. It happens more often than one would think.

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – One undeniable danger that many young people face is the risk of their drinks being spiked with a harmful substance. It happens more often than one would think. “This is one of those things where, whether it is students or their parents, it’s just a concern across the country,” said Oxford Police Public Information Officer Breck…

Mississippi BBB warns consumers about dishonest contractors

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – New construction, repairs, and renovations. The building trades are busy in North Mississippi, and while people know what they pay for, some are getting less than expected. Now, the Mississippi Better Building Bureau is issuing a warning to consumers to watch out for dishonest contractors. The Mississippi BBB has received many complaints about homeowners paying for…

Downtown Columbus could soon see safety improvements to crosswalks

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Downtown Columbus is expected to become a little safer. At a special meeting with the mayor and city council, City Engineer Kevin Stafford talked to the council about a capital improvement grant for Main Street. The improvements would help make crosswalks safer for citizens. More details on the grant are expected to be discussed at the…

Chase involving stolen hearse ends in Choctaw County

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement chasing a stolen hearse came to a dead stop in Choctaw County. Sheriff Brandon Busby said his deputies put out spike strips to end the chase on Highway 12 in Weir. The hearse was stolen from a funeral home in Kosciusko Wednesday evening. Law enforcement there spotted the vehicle and tried to pull…