Starkville Daily News
A life between the lines of history
As Black History Month continues it's important to highlight those who have helped make Oktibbeha County what it is today, but not everyone has been etched into the history books the same way. Anderson Boyd was born in February 1835 in South Carolina,...
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Hubbard awarded Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup
Josh Hubbard put together one of the greatest individual performances in Mississippi State history on Wednesday night and now the rising Bulldog legend is being honored for what he's accomplished off the court. The prestigious Coach Wooden Citizenship...
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‘The humblest of beginnings can start in your hometown’ Cool Papa Bell's lasting impact
Starkville and Oktibbeha County are the homes of hall of famers in multiple different sports, one of those being the lightning fast Cool Papa Bell. James “Cool Papa” Bell was born in Starkville in 1903 where he grew up until about the age of 17. He...
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Aldermen and Supervisors hold Special Call Meeting
The Starkville Board of Aldermen alongside the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors held a Special Call meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss city and county matters. The meeting began with a presentation from John Cunningham of Neel-schaffer...
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‘What’s better than putting books in the hands of kids’ Oktibbeha elementary schools get big book boost
Elementary schools in Starkville and Oktibbeha County got the chance to expand their libraries thanks to donations from the Starkville Rotary Club. Last week, Starkville Rotarian Stan Miller along with various other members visited elementary schools...
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Cutest Couple ‘Being in each other’s presence is enough’
Valentines Day has finally arrived and Starkville's cutest couple has officially been crowned. Blake and Kelly Stewart have known each other through perhaps every important stage of life. They first met in 2005 while they were in sixth grade, but they...
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STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HIRES MORGAN AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Brett Morgan has been hired as the next head football coach at Starkville High School. Morgan was with West Point since 2009 with the last two as head coach. (SDN file photo) Starkville High School has its new football coach and he's bringing a...
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‘I always try to help them when I can’
Starkville's parks are one of it's shining features and bring members of the community together on a daily basis, and parks and recreation workers like Raffiel Jones make sure they continue to shine every day. The Amory, Mississippi native has lived...
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Hamer’s Presidential Award of Freedom now on display at the Two Mississippi Museums
The Two Mississippi Museums are now displaying the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer. Fannie Lou Hamer's Presidential Medal of Freedom was donated by her family to the Mississippi Department of Archives and...
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A barrier broken
Oktibbeha County and Starkville have a strong connection to Black history with significant figures going back to Reconstruction, but one man left a lasting impact on Starkville and Mississippi State University just over 60 years ago. Starkville native...
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Wells spoke to Starkville Garden Club about how to host
Lynn Wells, a member of the Oxford Garden Club, spoke to Starkville Town and Country Garden Club about how to host a butterfly release at their February 5, 2026, meeting at the home of Beverly and Nelson Jones. “The Starkville Town and Country Garden...
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CARR LEAVING SHS FOR POSITION IN THE NFL
Starkville High School is back in the market for a new head football coach. Multiple sources told the Starkville Daily News that head coach John Carr is headed to the National Football League. Carr is expected to be hired by new Cleveland Browns coach...
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‘Stress less about the small things’
50 years is a long time to stay in one place, let alone work within that place to make it better, but that's exactly what Mary Howard has done. Mary and her husband of 55 years, Lee, moved to Starkville in 1976 when Lee accepted an Assistant DA job....
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‘The bill dies today.’ Senate committee kills House school choice measure
The House's education bill that includes wide expansion of school choice policies is dead, its fate decided after 84 seconds of deliberation by a Senate panel. The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday solely to discuss the House's omnibus...
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EMCC FALL 2025 HONORS PRESIDENT’S LIST
Isaac Adams (Mathiston) Korey Adams (West Point) Jackson Aldridge (Houston) Barrett Allen (Cedar Bluff) Katherine Allen (West Point) Kilee Allen (Maben) Logan Andrews (West Point) Christopher Argo (Starkville) Jeilyn Arterberry (Louisville) Eliza...
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House panel approves prison health care reform, questions mysterious bank accounts
Alleged denial of medical treatment, tens of millions of taxpayer funds in mysterious bank accounts and ballooning fees from a prison farm program were the subject of a slate of bills approved by the House Corrections Committee on Wednesday. The...
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MSU WOMEN BEAT NO. 15 TENNESSEE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Mississippi State has had a knack of knocking off top 25 ranked opponents lately in women's basketball. There have been plenty of chances. At the end of a run of playing seven-straight games against top 25 opponents, the Bulldogs...
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‘My faith keeps me going’
West Point is known for it's strong community that supports those in need and Alma Brown is one of the biggest contributors to that idea. Brown, a Clay County native, moved to West Point after marrying her husband and quickly fell in love with it. “I...
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HOUSE FIRE
The Starkville Fire Department responded to a house fire on Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and from an electrical malfunction. Fire crews arrived within two minutes and had the fire extinguished within five...
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County spared from worst of Fern
Winter Storm Fern has officially passed and Oktibbeha County only saw the most minor symptoms while the far northern parts of the state saw significantly more. After over a week of not being sure how each part of the state would be affected by the...
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67 YEARS GONE
Friday marked 67 years since the Old Main Dormitory was destroyed by a fire on Jan. 23, 1959. The fire claimed the life of MSU student Henry Williamson who had gone back into the fire before getting trapped inside, he was the only death. Before it’s...
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From power outages to icy roads...
With Winter Storm Fern arriving within the next day it's an important time to go over how to stay as safe as possible during the irregular event. Winter Storm Fern is projected to impact Oktibbeha County sometime between midnight and noon Saturday...
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State lawmakers push for protections as Supreme Court considers dismantling Voting Rights Act
As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a case that could further weaken the federal Voting Rights Act, some Mississippi lawmakers are moving to write their own version. State lawmakers in the the Legislative Black Caucus on Martin Luther King Jr. Day filed...
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Attempted murder charges brought in Sonic shooting case
The Starkville Police Department has officially brought charges against three people in connection to the shooting that occurred at a Sonic in Starkville on Sunday. Damarion Brand, 16 of Starkville, was arrested on Sunday and charged with aggravated...
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Satisfaction:
Mississippi State women’s basketball player Favour Nwaedozi (25) shows her emotion during Sunday afternoon’s 71-59 win over No. 7 Kentucky at Humphrey Coliseum. For more on the upset for the Bulldogs, see sports page 6. (Photo by MSU Athletics, for...
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Birdcall spreads its wings with new franchise agreement in Starkville
Birdcall, a Colorado-born fast casual brand specializing in award-winning all-natural chicken sandwiches, salads, and more—has signed a new franchise development agreement for a restaurant in Starkville, Mississippi. The 3,500-square-foot restaurant...
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Books and Authors kicks off 2026 with mystery author W.D. Mccomb
The Friends of the Starkville Public Library held the first Books and Authors event of the year on Thursday featuring Mississippi mystery author W. D. Mccomb. Mccomb, originally from Aberdeen, went to Mississippi State to become a chemical engineer...
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Legislature to consider police taser restriction bill for second time
The Mississippi State Legislature has already seen bill proposals since the start of the 2026 regular session on Jan. 6 including a bill that was shot down just last year. State Representative Omeria Scott (D-80) has proposed House Bill 182 which aims...
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GARDEN CLUB
Starkville Town and Country Garden Club members Dawn Herring and Christie Lawrence met with City of Starkville Engineer Chris Williams and retired landscape architecture professor Bob Brzuszek to discuss plans for a second tree planting at Cornerstone...
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From winter wonderland to a riot of beads
The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum got ready for Mardi Gras a month early thanks to the work of local volunteers. Members of the Hic-asha-ba-ha chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met at the Heritage Museum on Tuesday to update their...
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WELCOME, BABY BOY
Baptist Memorial Hospital-oktibbeha County welcomed it's first New Year's Day baby as part of the Baptist Memorial Health Care system on Jan. 1. Nigeria Chinnery and Lavontraon Smith welcomed a baby boy just after 11 p.m. on the first which marked 3...
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FAMOUS MAROON BAND
The Famous Maroon Band got prepped for MSU’S matchup against Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl by spending the day at Dave and Busters on Friday. The band spent time enjoying games and made sure competition was in the air before the Bulldog’s last...
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Baptist celebrate purchase of OCH and share next steps at conference
Baptist Memorial Health Care celebrated the finalization of sale of the OCH Medical Center at a news conference on Monday, Oct. 6. Members of the hospitals leadership along with community leaders spoke during the conference about the impact the sale...
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EYE ON THE SKY:
Duke’s Mayo had aerial banners flying throughout Starkville over the weekend, announcing that “Duke’s Mayo is coming.” The purpose was to promote the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte between the Mississippi State...
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MSU hosts international symposium on advanced vehicle technology
Showcasing its groundbreaking work in autonomous vehicles, Mississippi State University hosted the 7th International Symposium on Advanced Vehicle Technology earlier this month. The symposium brought together researchers from around the world to share...
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This Christmas brings a once-in-acentury calendar moment to Oktibbeha
When families wake up on Christmas morning this year and enjoy family time while unwrapping presents they may not realize just how rare this particular Christmas is. For the first time in a century, Christmas will fall on December 25 in a year ending...
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Santa’s Reindeer Cleared for Christmas Eve Visit to Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) has approved a certificate of veterinary inspection for Santa Claus of the North Pole, authorizing his famous reindeer to enter Mississippi on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, for a holiday delivery...
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“...to make sure every kid is blessed”
The Starkville Police Department may have been the jolliest place in Starkville on Friday with hallways and rooms packed with toys and other gifts for children in the community. Throughout the month of December members of the community have had the...
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Peter’s Rock gets in the Christmas spirit through gift donation
Residents of Boardtown Village in Starkville will have a gift filled Christmas thanks to the generosity of the members of Peter's Rock Church. The church received a letter from Boardtown in November asking for their help getting the top three gifts...
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‘From pain to purpose’
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Starkville’s own Danny Smith оĞÁÝΨ¾Ũ¾ŁÝΨƄоĘĂŅŎ
Starkville Daily News’ own Danny Smith has been selected as a finalist for an upcoming award for his work in sports journalism. The National Sports Media Association has named Smith as one of only two finalists for the Mississippi Sportswriter of the...
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Legacy comes home
The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum got a very special visit on Thursday from a true Starkville legend. John A. Peoples Jr. drove to Starkville from his home in Jackson to revisit his hometown and donate items to the Heritage Museum. Peoples, who is...
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‘I love hearing their stories’
The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum is an important cultural institution in Starkville that has been around for almost 50 years, and it's Derek Aaron's job to keep it up and running. Aaron moved to and began living in Starkville full time in 2023...
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Major road closures set for this weekend
Drivers heading East on 82 may have a slightly longer drive thanks to planned road closures by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Closures will take place on U.S. 82 eastbound from the U.S. 45 Interchange, the Macon exit, to the State...
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East Webster claims first football title in school history
Trophies line the halls at East Webster for various sports as the school has a culture of winning in athletics. Coaches and players have come through the school over the decades and brought home numerous titles in softball, baseball, basketball,...
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Bank of Commerce participates in 15th annual “A Banker in Every Classroom”
Bank of Commerce took part in the 15th annual “A Banker in Every Classroom” by presenting financial literacy lessons at schools across Mississippi. Bank of Commerce bankers shared lessons about saving, budgeting, and understanding the value of money...
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Hartman tells her POW father’s harrowing story at DAR meeting
The Hic-a-sha-baha Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) met on Thursday, Dec. 4 with guest speaker Ellen Weaver Hartman. Hartman, who also became a member of the chapter, was the guest speaker for the monthly...
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STARKVILLE SET TO HOST MHSAA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Seven high school state football championships in three days are on deck for the city of Starkville starting today. Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State will host the Mississippi High School Activities Association and its teams with the first game...
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St. John shares stories about family, travel and food at Starkville Public Library
The Friends of the Library held a bonus Books and Authors event at the Starkville Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 2 featuring Restauranteur Robert St John. St John was promoting his new cookbook, “Mississippi Christmas”, which is the 15th book he's...
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Herrington pleads guilty to murder and tampering in Jay Lee case
Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., the University of Mississippi graduate accused of killing a fellow student and well-known member of Oxford's LGBTQ+ community, pleaded guilty Monday to seconddegree murder and tampering with evidence. The son of a...
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Rebels take advantage of Bulldogs mistakes to keep Egg
Missed opportunities piled up for Mississippi State over the course of the 2025 season and Jeff Lebby’s team put the cherry on top Friday afternoon. Despite the several Southeastern Conference games that MSU could have won this year, bowl eligibility...
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Peter’s Rock hosts 15th annual turkey giveaway ahead of Thanksgiving
Plenty of people in Starkville will have enough turkey for the whole family for Thanksgiving thanks to the Peter's Rock Church 15th annual turkey giveaway on Tuesday. The giveaway was preceded by a brief worship service that focused on being thankful....
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ANGEL TREE
The Starkville Police Department unveiled their 2025 angel tree on Monday, Nov. 24. Angel trees are decorated with tags that feature the names of people in need and gifts they would like. Donors take a tag, buy the listed gifts and return them to the...
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GSDP LUNCHEON
The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Partnership Business Investor Luncheon was held on Friday, Nov. 21. The event featured speakers such as Dr. David Shaw, Provost, Executive Vice President at Mississippi State, SOCSD Superintendent...
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MSU launches Energy Resilience, Innovation Hub to drive collaboration, advancements in energy sector
Building on a growing energy-related research portfolio, Mississippi State University is launching the Energy Resilience and Innovation Hub to foster collaboration and innovation that will support the Magnolia State's future energy needs. Led by MSU...
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MSU student arrested after viral incident with Barstool founder
A Mississippi State student was arrested on Monday, Nov. 10 in connection to a viral video that caught antisemitic comments being directed at Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The incident took place outside of Boardtown Pizza & Pints in the...
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Evans Excites MSU fans with football in his hands
Opponents of the Mississippi State Bulldogs have learned to beware when wide receiver Anthony Evans III gets the football in his hands. As he showed at the end of MSU'S 38-35 win at Arkansas last week, Evans has the knack of making the athletic...
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Exploring Oktibbeha County’s deep Native roots
November is more than just the month containing Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, it is also recognized as Native American Heritage Month across the country, and Starkville and Oktibbeha County are rich with Native American history. Oktibbeha translates...
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VEHICLE FIRE
The Starkville Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on Tuesday, Nov. 4 on Martin Luther King Drive. Firefighters arrived on the scene within two minutes and the driver of the car was able to escape unharmed. The fire was contained and put out...
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Aldermen skip vote on towing ordinance for now
The Starkville Board of Alderman held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4 where they discussed a variety of topics, most notably the proposed towing ordinance. The non consensual predatory towing ordinance went through its third...
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Two Mississippi Sheriffs, 12 officers arrested for drug trafficking conspiracy
20 people, including 14 current or former Mississippi law enforcement officers, were indicted for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The officers allegedly took bribes to provide safe passage to people they believed were...
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What’s old is new again
STARKVILLE, Miss.— Crowds may be flocking to new and trendy bread and pastry shops these days, but sometimes getting back to what's familiar can tickle the taste buds a little more. State Fountain Bakery has been preparing desirable delicacies like...
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Building stories and community
Mississippi State University brings in a lot of interesting professionals to Starkville for work, including David Garraway. Garraway moved to Starkville nearly 16 years ago after living in South Mississippi. He quickly fell in love with the college...
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Cruel and unusual? Untreated broken arm in a Mississippi prison results in amputation
Christopher Boose awoke to see a sign for the paraplegic unit at the hospital where he had arrived five hours earlier, shackled and drifting in and out of consciousness. “Cut it off,” he remembered the doctors shouting shortly after they had wheeled...
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HALLOWEEN PARTY
35 teens spent Friday night at the Starkville Public Library for the library’s Teen Halloween Party. The party included pizza, games, various activities and a highly participated costume contest. (Courtesy)
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Bulldogs love what transfer safety brings to team
There will be a Manning on the football field leading his team Saturday afternoon in Starkville. Jahron Manning has been making his mark on the Mississippi State defense all season. With six more tackles for the Bulldogs against the Florida Gators...
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SPOOKY SEASON SPIRIT
Starkville held the annual Pumpkinpalooza in Downtown Starkville on Thursday, Oct. 23. The free event provided attendees with hours of fun through activities like face painting, bouncy houses, pumpkin painting and trunk or treat. (Photos by Avery...
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OKTIBBEHA YOUNG LEADERS
Members of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Oktibbeha Young Leaders visited the Starkville Police Department on Wednesday, Oct. 22. They got to see a presentation by Chief Mark Ballard and tour the building while learning about law...
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BULLDOG ROYALTY
The Mississippi State Homecoming Court from left, Gracie Woodall of Madison; Gracie Hendrix of Holly Springs; Anna Leslie Potts of Starkville; Isabelle Karp of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; Sneha Cherukuri of Madison; Jeffery Johnson Jr. of Jackson;...
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No Kings protests held around the state, including Starkville
Thousands of people around Mississippi took to the street as part of No Kings protests on Saturday, Oct. 18. Eight cities around the state, Corinth, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Oxford, Tupelo and Starkville, were the home to ranges of...
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Second half of season starts for Bulldogs against Gators
Saturday marks the start of the second half the football season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. With six games left on the schedule, the Bulldogs are looking for at least two more wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2022. MSU'S...
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‘Every room is Carnegie Hall’
The Marcus King Band will make their one and only stop in Mississippi at Rick's Cafe as part of The Darling Blue Tour on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The Band's new album, “Darling Blue”, which came out on Sept. 26, is their first release since 2018. Marcus King...
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Celebrating a Mississippi original
Blues music is a huge part of Mississippi history, and 122 years ago today, an often overlooked pillar of the genre was born in Oktibbeha County. Joseph Lee Williams, also known as Big Joe Williams, was born October 16, 1903 and was one of 16...
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DAR MEETING
Hic-a-sha-ba-ha Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met October 2, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Starkville. Speaker for the event was Hellen Hicks Polk; her topic was “Preserving Her Story-the Military Women’s Memorial”. Her...
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Family of Fannie Lou Hamer donates civil rights leader’s Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History
The family of Fannie Lou Hamer has donated the civil rights leader's Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to ensure her legacy of activism is shared with future generations. Then-president Joe Biden...
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