2 weeks 6 days ago
Below is an opinion column by Sid Salter:
Columnist Sid Salter reflects on the life of Choctaw Books owner, the “go-to” expert in the state for appraisals of rare books, maps, documents, and ephemera.
After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Fred Smith—who concluded his remarkable life and career at Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library as the Rare Books Coordinator in the Special Collections division—died at his home in Starkville on Feb. 28.
By Sid Salter - Contributing Columnist on
2 weeks 6 days ago
Across the state, there are people who quietly, diligently, and passionately work to protect, preserve, and raise the cultural aspects that define a community. The artists, the planners, the policymakers, and the patrons are the culture-bearers we will be celebrating over the next few months. Vicksburg is fortunate to have such a person in Kelle Barfield.
Kelle Barfield is a Vicksburg resident who is passionate about her city, especially the river city’s culture.
By Susan Marquez - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks 6 days ago
The amended version on a Senate bill also included a provision requiring that Mississippi driver’s licenses reflect the sex of a person as it was identified at birth.
Lawmakers in Mississippi want to crack down on illegal or undocumented immigrant drivers.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks 6 days ago
“It’s not sine die yet,” State Senator Lydia Chassaniol (R), referring to the Legislature’s last day of session, which is slated for April 5. “We haven’t got to the sausage-making process yet.”
The chairwoman of the Mississippi Senate Tourism Committee said Wednesday morning that a standalone state Department of Tourism could still become a reality even after two bills seeking to create the new state agency died in the House.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks 6 days ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton. (See additional photo by clicking arrow.)
, Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton.
UPDATED ARTICLE
Washington Parish officials are evaluating damage that occurred in the parish last night (Wednesday night) as a result of multiple apparent tornadoes that touched down.
Damage was reported in the Franklinton and Mount Hermon areas, as well as elsewhere in the parish. But it was more than just tornado and wind damage ---- Pine High School suffered a lightning strike and classes were cancelled for Thursday.
In Franklinton, an apparent tornado touched down late Wednesday night in an area alongside South Main Street (Hwy 16).
Published on
2 weeks 6 days ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton. (See additional photo by clicking arrow.)
, Storm damage at the home of Robert and Beverly Jones near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 1072 in Franklinton.
UPDATED ARTICLE
Washington Parish officials are evaluating damage that occurred in the parish last night (Wednesday night) as a result of multiple apparent tornadoes that touched down.
Damage was reported in the Franklinton and Mount Hermon areas, as well as elsewhere in the parish. But it was more than just tornado and wind damage ---- Pine High School suffered a lightning strike and classes were cancelled for Thursday.
In Franklinton, an apparent tornado touched down late Wednesday night in an area alongside South Main Street (Hwy 16).
Published on
2 weeks 6 days ago
The company’s announcement came Monday as part of a new $1 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing sites and supplier base during 2026.
GE Aerospace announced this week that the company is investing another $18 million into its Batesville site, which is on top of the $11 million it invested last year.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
3 weeks ago
Keith Turner, an attorney with Jackson law firm Watkins & Eager gave the Rotary Club of North Jackson an update on Jackson’s flood control projects.
This is the one that started out as John McGowan’s Two Lakes, then became One Lake and is now called the “Pearl River Federal Risk Management Project.”
Published on
3 weeks ago
Keith Turner, an attorney with Jackson law firm Watkins & Eager gave the Rotary Club of North Jackson an update on Jackson’s flood control projects.
This is the one that started out as John McGowan’s Two Lakes, then became One Lake and is now called the “Pearl River Federal Risk Management Project.”
Published on
3 weeks ago
Scott Jordan
The man charged with the 2017 murder of Donna Arceneaux wants his trial moved away from Franklinton.
Scott Jordan was charged in December 2025 with the murder. His trial was initially set to start on April 6 in the Washington Parish Courthouse.
But his attorney plans to seek a change of venue. The motion for a change of venue will be heard on April 1, making it unlikely that the trial would actually begin on April 6.
Jordan is represented by well-known Covington attorney Roy K. Burns Jr.
Published on
3 weeks ago
Scott Jordan
The man charged with the 2017 murder of Donna Arceneaux wants his trial moved away from Franklinton.
Scott Jordan was charged in December 2025 with the murder. His trial was initially set to start on April 6 in the Washington Parish Courthouse.
But his attorney plans to seek a change of venue. The motion for a change of venue will be heard on April 1, making it unlikely that the trial would actually begin on April 6.
Jordan is represented by well-known Covington attorney Roy K. Burns Jr.
Published on
3 weeks ago
Scott Jordan
The man charged with the 2017 murder of Donna Arceneaux wants his trial moved away from Franklinton.
Scott Jordan was charged in December 2025 with the murder. His trial was initially set to start on April 6 in the Washington Parish Courthouse.
But his attorney plans to seek a change of venue. The motion for a change of venue will be heard on April 1, making it unlikely that the trial would actually begin on April 6.
Jordan is represented by well-known Covington attorney Roy K. Burns Jr.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
State Rep. John Wyble
State Representative John Wyble of Franklinton has been appointed to serve on the Louisiana House Committee on Ways and Means, the state's chief tax-writing committee and one of the most influential panels in the Louisiana Legislature. The appointment was made by Speaker Phillip DeVillier.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
State Rep. John Wyble
State Representative John Wyble of Franklinton has been appointed to serve on the Louisiana House Committee on Ways and Means, the state's chief tax-writing committee and one of the most influential panels in the Louisiana Legislature. The appointment was made by Speaker Phillip DeVillier.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Clarke County Chamber of Commerce was elated to announce BankPlus as the Business of the Month SPOTLIGHT for February.
BankPlus has been a privately held community bank for over 100 years. They are now a full-service regional bank that serves different communities of all sizes in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. They strive to serve all communities to the best of their ability and provide their customers with more access, technology, products, and services.
By Brittney Mangum on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Photo by Belinda Allen, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Clarke County Chamber of Commerce was elated to announce BankPlus as the Business of the Month SPOTLIGHT for February.
BankPlus has been a privately held community bank for over 100 years. They are now a full-service regional bank that serves different communities of all sizes in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. They strive to serve all communities to the best of their ability and provide their customers with more access, technology, products, and services.
By Brittney Mangum on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Photo by Steve Kuperstock, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
There’s still a ways to go before Easter, which falls on April 5 this year, But it’s never too early to get into the Easter spirit.
Local businessman John David Schilling recently set up Easter decorations on the Waverley Triangle under the big flagpole on Main Street in Franklinton. The decorations will remain on the Triangle through Easter.
Published on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Below is a political opinion column by Roger Wicker:
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker says President Donald Trump used military force to protect the United States and make the world safer.
President Trump recently made the most difficult decision a commander-in-chief can make. He ordered American service members into action. The president concluded that the time had come to strike the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime. I believe the decision was profound, deliberate, and correct.
By Press Release - Senator Roger Wicker on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Below is a religion column by Matt Friedeman:
Samaritans typically hated Jews. But with the sun shining overhead, the woman came to understood that the real Water was right before her very eyes.
This morning one of the guys in my discipleship group shared an interesting nuance of the “Women at the Well” narrative from the Gospel of John, chapter four.
By Matt Friedeman - Magnolia Tribune on
3 weeks 1 day ago
Democrats in both the Mississippi House and Senate have opposed the measure, calling it a bad bill that could create more trouble for voters than it solves.
As President Donald Trump (R) is pushing congressional Republicans to pass the SAVE Act that would require voters to provide proof of citizenship at the time of registration and a photo ID when casting a ballot, state lawmakers in Mississippi are taking steps to pass the SHIELD Act to verify citizenship of voters on state rolls. Mississippi already requires voter ID.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
