Local News

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that agents arrested 34-year-old Christopher Clay Beckwith after executing a search warrant in Tupelo. Authorities seized more than 600 grams of methamphetamine and other drugs, the department said.

The Meridian LIFT Resource and Referral Network held an open house at Meridian Community College, organizers said. They thanked community members, partners and staff and invited parents and providers to visit the location and review available resources.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and Southern Miss Golden Eagles play a rematch tonight in Starkville, and organizers urged fans to check the MDOT Traffic app for road conditions.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation says State Route 18 in Quitman was closed March 24 for emergency sewer line repairs at four intersections and is expected to remain closed about a week.

Alexus I. Sykes was arrested in connection with a burglary on Boggan Drive, authorities said. The case is pending grand jury review.

William H. McCord, 32, was arrested and charged with kidnapping after police responded March 18 to a report that a woman was being held against her will near Ballard Park, police said. He was ordered held without bond and the case will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury.

Forecasters say temperatures will swing sharply this week, with possible new high temperature records Thursday before a cold front brings highs into the 60s and 70s this weekend.

A crash on Interstate 20 at U.S. 61 North near the Rolling Fork exit 5A is causing delays in the westbound lanes, the MDOT traffic website reported.

U.S. 80 westbound between Eastgate Drive and Woodgate Drive will have lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily March 24-31 for ditch cleaning, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said.

Education advocates in Mississippi say the state spends a larger share of its education budget on administration than other Southern states and that teachers are the lowest paid in the nation. They are calling for cuts to bureaucracy and a shift of funds into classrooms.