Local News

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said it is closely monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone One, which is forecast to impact the state in the coming days and could cause life-threatening flash flooding.

A Flood Awareness Week bulletin warned that flooding is already affecting parts of the state and additional rainfall is forecast, and urged residents to review flood risk, consider flood insurance and avoid driving through floodwaters.

Officials said all statewide locations will close June 17, 2026, for annual staff training and the General Assembly. Normal operations are set to resume June 18.

Organizers said the Emergency Retention Fund provides short-term help to students facing unexpected financial setbacks and are urging donations at a secure online link.

Blue Mountain Christian University said it has introduced the faculty of its School of Education, saying the team brings decades of K-12 and higher education experience and will prepare future teachers.

BMCU is asking students who will begin this fall to register for orientation and says its website includes instructions for pre-orientation tasks and orientation day activities.

Wilson Frederick Jones, 31, a former school teacher, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to child exploitation charges in Mississippi.

The Driver Service Bureau said power was restored at 10:06 a.m., and services have resumed at its Pearl and Jackson locations following a temporary electrical outage.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said a tropical system will bring heavy rain this week, with particularly wet conditions expected June 17, 2026. MDOT urged motorists to avoid flooded roadways and check conditions using the free MDOT Traffic app or MDOTtraffic.com.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said June 15 is the last day to submit traffic-safety messages for digital highway signs that will run July 1-5 in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.