MDAH wins three Southeastern Museums Conference awards; AG finds June Senatobia officer-involved shooting justified
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History received three 2026 Southeastern Museums Conference awards, Magnolia Tribune reported on Oct. 20, 2026.
At the SEMC awards luncheon recently held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, MDAH was recognized with a Gold Award in Virtual Media: Project Under $1,000 for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 Anniversary Shorts campaign; a Silver Award in Gallery Guide for the Student Guide 2026; and a Silver Award in Posters for the 2026 Makers Fest Poster, the Magnolia Tribune account said. Recipients were judged by a jury of regional museum professionals specializing in digital media, graphic design, publications and technology.
The Magnolia Tribune also reported that the Office of the Attorney General completed its review of a June 14 incident in Senatobia and said the use of force was justified following an investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
According to the account relayed by Magnolia Tribune, officers responded on June 14 to an alleged shoplifting at a Walmart. When officers tried to stop the suspects, the suspects attempted to flee in a car; the driver allegedly drove toward officers, nearly striking one. An officer fired at the vehicle; gunfire struck the driver and 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, who died from the injuries. The child was being held by his mother while his great-aunt was driving, the report said.
In sports coverage cited by Magnolia Tribune, Ole Miss right guard Patrick Kutas was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week. The report said Kutas was starting at right guard for the sixth time this season and the 21st time in his career at Ole Miss and that Pro Football Focus graded the front five as the highest among all FBS units. Magnolia Tribune noted the offensive line has allowed fewer than one sack per game this season, with a ratio of 0.83 sacks allowed per contest ranking first in the SEC and 10th nationally.
Magnolia Tribune also reported that Southern Miss senior guard Isaac Taveras was named Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and that the Golden Eagles were picked to finish seventh in a vote by the league’s 14 head coaches. The account said Taveras averaged 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, shot 51.5 percent from the floor (136-of-264) and averaged 2.3 assists per game.
The Magnolia Tribune roundup further relayed national coverage: The Hill reported President Trump announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program to aid farmers; Fox News reported that a new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been linked to dozens of U.S. deaths; CNBC reported front-month U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude traded above $107 per barrel; and Business Insider reported Elon Musk pledged to give each child in America a share in SpaceX, the Tribune said.
Source: Magnolia Tribune
