Mississippi News Report — Friday, Sep 25: Ole Miss vs Florida
Friday’s roundup leads with a huge SEC matchup in Gainesville, a new AI chatbot serving Hernando residents, and an xAI-linked buyout offer to Southaven homeowners — plus public-safety stories from across Mississippi on Sept. 25, 2026.
Top Stories
No. 4 Ole Miss Faces No. 21 Florida in Key SEC Matchup in Gainesville
No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0) travels to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff against No. 21 Florida (3-0) in the Rebels’ first true road game of the season. The all-time series is tied 13-13-1, and Ole Miss has not won at The Swamp since 2008. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads an offense averaging 330.7 passing yards per game — best in the SEC and eighth nationally.
xAI Offers to Buy Southaven Homes Near Noisy Power Plant
The Southaven power plant owner MZX Tech is offering to buy nearby homes if owners sign away claims in a class action lawsuit over turbine noise, according to a new report on Sept. 25. The buyout offer lands amid the ongoing dispute over noise from the xAI facility’s turbines.
Hernando Approves 24/7 AI Chatbot for City Services
Hernando aldermen approved a $45,000-a-year Hernando AI chatbot from Polimorphic to answer residents 24/7 and track Public Works requests in real time, the city announced Sept. 25.
Around Mississippi
Greg Stephenson Arrested After Crime Stoppers Appeal, Officials Say
Greg Stephenson was arrested by Ocean Springs police after Crime Stoppers publicized information about his whereabouts, the organization said Sept. 25.
DeSoto County DA Billboard: ‘We Don’t Catch and Release’
A new DeSoto County DA billboard on I-55 near the Landers Center tells criminals “We don’t catch and release” — DA Matthew Barton’s latest warning, unveiled Sept. 25.
CREATE and TVA Launch Northeast Mississippi Disaster Recovery Council
The CREATE Foundation and the Tennessee Valley Authority have launched the Northeast Mississippi Disaster Recovery Council, a $200,000 effort to connect local leaders with state, federal, and nonprofit recovery resources. The effort grew directly out of the lessons of January’s Ice Storm Fern. Leaders announced the council Wednesday at a press conference in Tupelo.
Tupelo Police Unveil New Armored Vehicle
Tupelo city officials, including Mayor Todd Jordan and members of the City Council, got a first look at the Tupelo Police Department’s new Lenco BearCat armored vehicle last week. The vehicle was delivered as part of a capital project initiated in 2023 to enhance officer and public safety during high-risk incidents.
Sports & Weekend
Burnsville Waterway Festival and Rodeo Set This Weekend
The Burnsville Waterway Festival and its companion Buckin’ on the ‘Bigbee Rodeo take over the Tishomingo County town Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26, with live music, dozens of food vendors, a car show, a craft fair, kids’ activities, and two nights of professional rodeo action behind Burnsville City Hall. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Friday for the 8 p.m. rodeo; Saturday festival activities begin at 10 a.m.
Mississippi News Report is a statewide roundup from the Mississippi News Group network. Have a news tip? Contact the network editors through any of our member sites.
