Local News

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said in a social media post that nearly 40% of adults report unintentionally falling asleep at least once a month and urged drivers to get quality sleep.

Ripley Main Street said it will hold a Shop Hop on Saturday, March 21, where shoppers can collect stamps to win prizes and enter a drawing for a $1,000 gift basket. The event will also feature an Easter Bunny appearance and a hidden-egg promotion earlier in March.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services posted the 2027–2030 State Plan on Aging for public comment through April 9, 2026. The division said the plan outlines its vision and priorities for supporting older Mississippians and their caregivers over the next four years.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said inmate crews supervised by county sheriff’s departments removed thousands of bags of litter from state highways and recognized Carroll, Itawamba and Pontotoc counties for their efforts.

The forecast calls for a slow-moving system that could produce damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail and heavy rain.

The National Weather Service in Memphis said timing shifted for Wednesday’s storms, with some arriving predawn in northeast Arkansas and the main line reaching the Memphis area mid- to late-morning. The agency said a strong EF-2 or greater tornado could not be ruled out, particularly over north Mississippi.

The Russell Mt. Gilead Road bridge over I-20/59 in Meridian will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, until 6 a.m. Monday, March 23, for bridge repairs, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said.

Elizabeth Reid Behm, director of Ripley Main Street, visited the State Capitol last week for Mississippi Main Street Association Day and met with a District 4 representative, who praised her promotion work, the representative said.

A social media post that directed viewers to a video with information for those needing help after an ice storm is unavailable, a notice on the post said.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday said Mississippi faces a slight (level 2 of 5) risk of severe weather Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with damaging winds, hail and tornadoes possible.