Tupelo Second Grade Teacher Is Mississippi’s ‘Teacher Of The Year’

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Tupelo public school educator is Mississippi’s “Teacher of the Year.” Leslie Tally’s husband was videotaping his wife as she listened to the virtual ceremony announcing Mississippi’s Teacher of the Year. Tally is a second-grade English Language Arts teacher at Lawhon Elementary. The long road to teacher of the year for Mississippi began when her colleagues…

A few showers but staying pleasant for Thursday

SUMMARY: A weak disturbance could spark a few showers or an isolated storm in the region Thursday afternoon and evening. No strong storms or severe weather is expected. Quiet & sunny weather builds back in for the start of the weekend but more storms are possible by Sunday afternoon. We’ll stay in an unsettled weather pattern next week with highs…

Video of a Columbus police officer body slamming a man under investigation

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Video of a Columbus police officer body-slamming a man is under investigation. Police Chief Fred Shelton showed portions of social media footage of the incident at today’s police overview committee meeting. This past Sunday, officers were called to a northside neighborhood about a man walking around with his pants down. Minutes after arriving the man was…

Less humid and cooler for your Wednesday

SUMMARY: After a very active first half of the week, things are looking to be calmer and cooler for us as we head into the second half. It will be warmer & humid again by the weekend. Sunshine returns on Wednesday. May see a stray shower or two on Thursday, but we’ll stay mostly dry. Our next chance for some…

Mayor of Starkville proposes city-wide curfew for minors as part of ongoing efforts to halt rising juvenile crime

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill called for a public hearing on the possibility of adopting a city-wide curfew for minors. This is part of the joint push by city officials, law enforcement and concerned citizens to halt the rise in youth crime. The mayor, Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard and other community leaders have all said…

Parents Say They Should Decide Whether Their Children Mask Up In Class

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Late last week, Governor Tate Reeves lifted all mask mandates in Mississippi, except for students in public schools. Now, a group of parents says it should be their decision whether or not their children have to wear face masks in class. Retired Firefighter David Riley doesn’t believe his grandchildren should be required to wear a mask…

Protecting your skin is vital as summer approaches

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- When people hear the word cancer, skin cancer is not typically the first thought, but doctors will tell you that skin cancer is serious and can be deadly if left untreated. That’s why dermatologists urge people to take care of their skin; especially as we move into the sunny months. Skin cancer can form from the…

Quiet Night Ahead, Sunshine Returns Before the Weekend

SUMMARY: After the showers and thunderstorms pushed east out of the area this afternoon, we’re in for a quiet night ahead, as well as another quiet few days into the weekend. Sunshine returns Thursday through the rest of the weekend with warming temperatures into the 80s. Our next chance for some showers and thunderstorms returns Sunday into the early part of…

Oktibbeha County could be implementing a teen curfew

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Gunshots and assaults have happened too often recently in Oktibbeha County, and the suspects have been juveniles. All of the teenagers aren’t from Oktibbeha County or Starkville, but leaders want to make sure teens are home and the community is safe. A curfew could very well go into effect for those that are 18 years old…

Afternoon Storms Continue, Quieter Tonight

SUMMARY: A Tornado Watch is in effect until 4 pm Tuesday as another round of strong to severe storms with heavy rain is likely for our Tuesday. We’re under a Level 3 Risk. All modes of severe weather are possible. Stay tuned! Much cooler and less humid air is going to build in for a few days starting Wednesday. More…

Calhoun City hit by second tornado in three months, EF-1 storm causes ‘massive’ damage to homes and businesses

CALHOUN CITY, Miss. (WCBI) – For the second time in three months, people in Calhoun City woke up to severe tornado damage. The storm at the end of March damaged their school, but the one Sunday was much worse. “We were hunkered down in the bathtub and then we heard it get real loud,” said 13-year-old Grant Crofford. “Mama thought…

Tupelo Tornado Damages Homes In Several Areas Of The City

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Tupelo residents were surveying the damage after a tornado hit parts of the city Sunday night. Leigh Hickman was at her home on Elvis Presley Drive when the tornado struck. “Hail started and by that time, you could hear it, tearing up, everywhere, everywhere, me and my baby were in the bathroom, hunkered down, and praying,”…

Former Mississippi State running back Mike Haddix works to mentor, inspire young people after going from tragedy to top-10 NFL Draft pick

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Throughout his life, Mike Haddix had to fight through adversity the way he fought through would-be tacklers as a running back for Mississippi State. “You want to talk about growing up hard? I know about that,” he said. “You want to talk about no parenting in the home? I know about that. You want to talk…

Oktibbeha County NAACP leads movement to offer job training, guidance and mentorship to help end youth crime

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, Oktibbeha County and the other branches of the tri-county NAACP hosted a community event they called “Become a Village Maker” aimed at putting area youth on the right path. “We cannot talk anymore,” Oktibbeha County NAACP branch president Yulanda Haddix said. “We must do something.” The rise in violent crimes involving young people during 2021…

A 76-year-old man receives diploma at MSU graduation ceremony

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Fondest memories cling to thee. The MSU Alma Mater stays true for one graduate, 54 years later. An Oklahoma man returns to Starkville to take part in a special moment. Usually, in four years, college graduates receive their diplomas. But for one 76-year-old Oklahoma man, he’s waited nearly 54 years to get his. “I’ve seen our kids…

Quiet Night, Sunshine Returns Tomorrow, Storms Sunday Night

SUMMARY: Clouds will be on the decrease tonight with returning sunshine tomorrow. We may see a passing cloud or two but for the most part we stay warm and dry. Clouds roll back in Sunday with another chance for some showers and thunderstorms by the later evening. We remain in a wet weather pattern for most of the work week while…

Nice Friday & Saturday; Storms return Sunday

SUMMARY: Drier and less humid air is settling back in for Friday and Saturday. Showers and storm chances return starting Sunday and they’ll continue through at least midweek. Several rounds of heavy rain and strong to severe storms are possible at times. FRIDAY: Morning clouds will give way to more sunshine developing during the afternoon.  Lower humidity levels. Highs in…