Local News

Organizers of Burnside Music Fest are inviting local vendors and makers to apply for a one-day festival honoring the 100th birthday of blues musician R.L. Burnside on June 6, 2026, in downtown Ripley.

Forecasters say dry and warmer weather will persist through the rest of the week and the upcoming weekend, with a better chance of rainfall by the middle of next week.

Forecasters say overnight temperatures will drop into the 50s with pockets of patchy fog possible in parts of Northeast Mississippi. Daytime highs are expected to climb into the 80s.

Kevin Deshone Dilworth was sentenced to 12 years in prison for distributing fentanyl in Mississippi, with no chance for early release, according to prosecutors.

Northeast Mississippi Community College will hold commencement ceremonies May 14-18, 2026, at the Bonner Arnold Coliseum on its Booneville campus, the college said.

The Mississippi State Department of Health said it will provide free Tdap vaccinations and birth certificates to residents affected by recent tornadoes in Lincoln, Lamar and Franklin counties.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said it and partners are assessing damage and providing relief after severe weather on May 6 and 7, 2026. The agency posted the latest updates on its website.

Ripley Main Street said it is selling a limited number of $75 pre-order VIP wristbands for the Burnside Music Fest on June 6 in historic downtown Ripley. The wristbands include a festival shirt, signed poster, meet-and-greet and other perks.

Gathering Porch will offer fresh lemonade and dirty sodas at the Burnside Music Fest on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Historic Downtown Ripley, organizers said.

BMCU said its School of Education received accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, recognizing the quality of its educator preparation programs.