Mississippi News Report — Tue, Oct 20: xAI lawsuit, record sentence
Good evening, Mississippi. In tonight’s report: a federal judge lets the NAACP’s Clean Air Act lawsuit over the Southaven xAI turbines move forward, DeSoto County’s district attorney secures a record 13-year sentence in a voyeurism case, and a Tupelo woman faces armed robbery charges after a shoplifting incident at Target turned violent. Across the state, rabbit season opens even as burn bans and elevated fire danger continue, DeSoto supervisors advance a kratom ban, and on the sports beat an NEMCC punter earns conference honors while a Mississippi State golfer carries a five-stroke lead into the final round.
Top Stories
Judge Lets NAACP Lawsuit Over Southaven xAI Turbines Proceed
A federal judge denied the Justice Department’s bid to dismiss the NAACP’s Clean Air Act lawsuit over the Southaven xAI turbines, so the case moves forward. The ruling is a significant development in the closely watched dispute over the data center’s gas turbines in DeSoto County.
DA Secures Record 13-Year Prison Sentence in DeSoto County Voyeurism Case
District Attorney Matthew Barton announced a record-setting 13-year prison sentence in a DeSoto County voyeurism case — the longest sentence of its kind secured in the jurisdiction.
Tupelo Woman Charged with Armed Robbery After Shoplifting Incident
A Tupelo woman was arrested after allegedly displaying a weapon during a shoplifting incident at Target, police said. She now faces armed robbery charges.
Regional
DeSoto County Kratom Ban Ordinance Moves Forward
DeSoto County supervisors asked their attorney to draft a kratom ban ordinance covering the county’s unincorporated areas, moving the proposal one step closer to a vote.
Rabbit Season Opens as Burn Bans and Fire Danger Continue in Mississippi
MDWFP says rabbit season opened October 17 with an 8-rabbit daily limit, even as MEMA and the National Weather Service in Memphis warn about burn bans and continued dry, fire-prone conditions across the state.
Blue Steel Challenge Postponed to Oct. 24
The 22nd Annual Blue Steel Challenge, originally scheduled for Oct. 10, has been rescheduled for Oct. 24, organizers announced.
Sports
NEMCC Punter Sherman Named Conference Player of the Week
Booneville’s Daniel Sherman averaged 47.3 yards per punt and made all five extra points to earn MACCC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Alicia Bellendir Leads by Five Strokes Entering Final Round at The Fin
Alicia Bellendir shot a career-best 6-under par, taking a five-stroke lead into the final round of The Fin. The Bulldogs sit in third place overall heading into the final day.
The Mississippi News Report is a twice-daily roundup of headlines from the Mississippi News Group network. Have a news tip? Send it to your local MNG publication.
