Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said crews will close two southbound ramps at the I-55/U.S. 98 interchange for a weekend tie-in starting Friday, Feb. 27, with the ramps to remain closed permanently.

Local forecasters said a few routine thunderstorms were over north Mississippi as of 3:30 p.m., and a stationary front moving southeast could bring localized hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball.

A 7:50 p.m. radar update Feb. 26 warned of multiple strong to severe thunderstorms across north Mississippi, with large hail the primary threat and damaging winds possible.

Crews will resume collection of ice storm debris in the morning, the city of Ripley said. Residents were given specific placement rules and told not to include household trash.

Lee County authorities charged Jamarian Donelson, 15, of Baldwyn, with one count of aggravated assault in connection with a Feb. 13 shooting at a Fillmore Drive party. A Lee County judge ordered a $50,000 bond.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation released a video for ‘Girl Day’ of Engineers Week 2026 featuring District 2 preconstruction engineer Mackenzie Fountain and urging girls to consider careers in engineering, the department said.

The National Weather Service urged beachgoers to visit weather.gov/beach to check surf conditions and rip current risk before visiting beaches for spring break, the agency said.

The National Weather Service in Memphis, Tennessee, said a slight risk for severe hail is in place this afternoon and evening, with hail up to ping-pong ball size and gusts up to 60 mph possible.

Blue Mountain Christian University will hold a Preview Day on March 4 for prospective students, the university said. Those interested can register online at events.bmc.edu/event/bmc.events.1135346.

Tupelo police arrested a 34-year-old man Feb. 24 and charged him with rape and sexual battery after an investigation that began with a Feb. 18 report, the department said.