Area News

Delta State University has announced the hiring of Kelli Davis Williams as its new Director of Marketing, bringing more than two decades of experience in marketing, communications, tourism, publishing, and strategic brand development to the university. A Delta State alumna, Williams earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Delta State University. Her career…

Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a proclamation extending the deadline for Mississippians in 49 impacted counties to submit ad valorem tax payments to county tax collectors and delaying fines for late payment. Under the proclamation, the new deadline to pay ad valorem taxes in the affected counties is March 3, 2026. The extension applies to…

Andy Gipson, Mississippi commissioner of agriculture and commerce, announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will open a new application period for its Wild Hog Control Program beginning Sunday, Feb. 1. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, and landowners in all Mississippi counties are eligible to apply. “Wild hogs remain…

The Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025 on Jan. 26, officially opening the 2026 filing season. The agency expects about 164 million individual returns to be filed before the Wednesday, April 15, deadline. “This filing season is especially meaningful as America marks its 250th anniversary…

  by Lora Delhom The Junior Auxiliary of Greenville has begun preparations for the 2026 Annual Charity Ball, which will be held on Friday, February 20, at the Greenville Golf and Country Club. Each year, the donations and sponsorships raised through the Charity Ball provide essential funding and materials for projects dedicated to improving the…

Delta State University Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Maria Weber has been named the Mississippi Science Teaching Association’s (MSTA) Outstanding College Science Teacher for 2025, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in collegiate STEM education. The award was presented by MSTA President Dr. Carl DeWitt during the organization’s annual conference, held in Meridian. Each year, a…

Hello, Leland family — my name is Rickey Lawson, a Leland resident and founder of the Lawn Legacy Project, a local nonprofit providing free lawn care for seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and families of deployed service members. For the 2026 cutting season (our pilot year), only two service slots remain for Leland residents, with…

By Nathan Duff Delta State University’s Wright Art Center presents Confluence, an exhibition featuring work by artists Helene Fielder, Rick Anderson and Joe Abide, on view January 22 through February 19. Confluence brings together ceramic sculpture, atmospheric abstraction and pattern-based painting to explore shared ideas of place, memory, rhythm and personal expression. Though working in…

By Tommie Hart   Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is one of the most challenging and under-recognized cancers, with limited treatment options and a grim prognosis for many patients. Despite its rarity, the need for awareness and focused research is immense, as early detection and innovative therapies can make a life-saving difference. With February being…

By Lora Delhom Mississippi’s school-choice debate has returned in force this session. In mid-January, the Mississippi House of Representatives narrowly passed House Bill 2 — titled the Mississippi Educational Freedom Program Act of 2026 — by a 61–59 vote after hours of floor debate. The measure cleared the House Education Committee earlier in the session…