Good evening, Mississippi. Tuesday’s biggest stories include a Corinth police search at a Highway 72 smoke shop, Jackson Mayor John Horhn declaring “Jackson is rolling” at his State of the City address, and state lawmakers pressing the corrections agency on prison healthcare. There’s also a fire-weather warning as Alcorn County’s burn ban lifts, Friday’s Tupelo Chili Festival, and a Week 5 check-in on Ole Miss alumni in the NFL.
Top Stories
Corinth Police Search Highway 72 Smoke Shop
Corinth police served a search warrant Monday, Oct. 12, at Mellow Smoke Shop, 1500 Highway 72 East, and seized items believed to be controlled substances. The warrant followed a Crime Stoppers tip campaign and an investigation into the possession and sale of controlled substances from inside the business. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday, and the investigation remains active.
“Jackson is rolling”: Mayor John Horhn touts promises delivered in “State of the City”
About a year after first touting that “Jackson is rising,” Mayor John Horhn unveiled a new catchphrase Tuesday at his State of the City address at the Jackson Convention Center. “Comebacks don’t get announced,” he told the audience. “They get built. They get repaired. They get paved. And ‘Jackson is rolling.'” (By Molly Minta, originally published by Mississippi Today.)
Lawmakers concerned corrections agency may skip hearing on prison healthcare
Lawmakers will hold a hearing Thursday to examine dire problems with healthcare in Mississippi prisons and allegations of a systemic failure to stop preventable deaths and illness. The problems have been exposed through news investigations, legislative watchdog reports and first-person accounts. (By Michael Goldberg, originally published by Mississippi Today.)
Alcorn County Burn Ban Ends, but Fire Danger Lingers
Alcorn County’s emergency ban on outdoor burning, in place Sept. 28 through Oct. 12, expired without an extension — and the county no longer appears on the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s active-ban list. But drought, 90-degree heat and gusty Friday winds keep fire danger high in Corinth, and officials urge residents to be very careful with any outdoor fire this week.
Around Mississippi
National Weather Service urges advance preparation for severe weather
The National Weather Service’s Jackson office urges Mississippians not to wait until the day of a storm to protect themselves. The agency recommends setting up multiple ways to receive severe-weather alerts — NOAA Weather Radio, smartphone apps and local media — and testing those methods now so watches and warnings give you time to act.
Tupelo Chili Festival returns to downtown Fairpark on Friday
The 27th annual Tupelo Chili Festival takes over Fairpark this Friday. Chili tastings begin at 5:30 p.m. — $10 tasting tickets let you sample the entries and vote — with live music from Reed Brake at 6:30 p.m. as part of Fall Into Tupelo 2026. A People’s Choice award will go to the winning chili team.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety offers crime-prevention reminders for October
Marking National Crime Prevention Month, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety reminds residents that prevention starts with small actions: lock your doors, secure your belongings, never leave keys in your vehicle, and report suspicious activity when you see it.
Sports
NFL Rebels Update: Week 5
Ole Miss alumni made their mark again in Week 5 of the NFL season. The latest NFL Rebels update highlights the top teams and standout performances from former Rebels across the league this past week.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
