Area News

by Nathan Duff Delta State University is proud to announce the publication of A Hidden Gem: Honoring Henry Judson Jacob for His Contribution to the Delta State University Herbarium by Dr. Nina Lucille Baghai-Riding, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Herbarium Manager at the Delta State University Herbarium (DSC). This paper, published in The…

Delta State University is proud to announce that Aidan Hayes, a junior majoring in International Business from Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, secured first place in the prestigious Ole Miss Sales Competition held on March 3, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Hayes was among five talented students from Delta State’s College of Business and…

So far, there have been 22 fire deaths in Mississippi in 2025. There was no working smoke alarms in at least 15 of those cases. Of the 72 residential fire deaths in 2024, there were no working smoke alarms in 44 of the cases. That means that smoke alarms weren’t working or weren’t installed in…

Severe weather is almost a year-round concern in Mississippi. The main severe weather season includes March, April and May; however, there is a secondary severe weather season in November and December. Severe thunderstorms produce hail one inch or larger, winds greater than or equal to 58 miles per hour, and tornadoes. Additionally, some storms can…

Mississippi was the second fastest growing state in the last quarter of 2024, according to new data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Output per person in the Magnolia state increased faster than any state besides Arkansas. One set of data might be a fluke, but then the previous quarterly data told a similar growth…

By Guest Columnist Billy Johnson Downtown Leland was a close-knit community when I was growing up. There were at least 40 family-owned businesses in the downtown area. My family’s drugstore, Peoples Drug Store, was in the 400 block of North Main. That street was originally Highway 61, and all the North South traffic came through…

The Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium at Delta State has been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. The funding will support the expansion of the planetarium’s programming by highlighting the region’s rich music heritage and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of sound among audiences. The grant will be…

This morning, as I watched Frozen 2 with Hudson, a line from Olaf stood out to me: “One born with ‘powers’ and one born ‘powerless.’” Anna’s reaction, a scowl on her face after hearing this, caught my attention. Despite lacking magical powers, Anna’s strength, courage, and perseverance were undeniable. This moment in the film made…

The Washington County Library System (WCLS) is hosting a songwriting workshop in April. The event is scheduled to be three hours long and is open to the public. The workshop will be held April 12, from 1 until 4 p.m. at the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library. All fourth through twelfth grade students are welcome.…

  By Guest Columnist Stephanie Patton Leland Rotarians welcomed Britt Herrin, Delta Council development director and director of the Delta Strong project, as guest speaker at a recent club meeting. Herrin, who took on the new role, is no stranger to the economic development world and has held many positions related to bringing industry into…