State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Poplarville
Mississippi Housing Market Gains Momentum as Prices Rise 4.5% Year-Over-Year
Mississippi's real estate market is accelerating, with home prices climbing 4.5% and sales volume jumping 13.7% in September 2025, signaling strengthened buyer demand across the state. The median home price reached $263,400, while inventory levels indicate a more balanced market favoring both buyers and sellers. Oxford's metro area stands out as a growth engine, projecting sustained price increases through mid-2025.
ABB to Double Senatobia Plant, Adding 200 Manufacturing Jobs
Global technology company ABB is investing $40 million to expand its Senatobia manufacturing facility, doubling its footprint and creating 200 new jobs as demand surges for advanced electrical equipment serving data centers and renewable energy projects across North America.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Mississippi Tourism Hits Record Heights with 44.2 Million Visitors in 2024
Mississippi's tourism industry generated a record $18.1 billion economic impact in 2024 as the state welcomed 44.2 million visitors, surpassing the previous year's benchmark. The milestone underscores tourism's growing dominance as Mississippi's fourth-largest industry, sustaining more than 136,000 jobs across the state.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Jackson Prep's Dynasty Ends: Academy Stops 7-Year Championship Run
Jackson Academy's stunning 10-run seventh-inning rally ended Jackson Prep's bid for an eighth consecutive MAIS Class 6A state baseball championship Saturday at Patriot Field. The loss marks the Patriots' first playoff defeat to the Raiders since 2011, snapping one of Mississippi's most dominant athletic streaks.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
MSU Women's Basketball Advances in Postseason Thriller
The Mississippi State Bulldogs women's basketball team punched their ticket to the next round with a dominant regional playoff victory in Starkville. Fans in the Magnolia State are buzzing as the Bulldogs channel their storied past of Final Four heroics. This win keeps their postseason dreams alive amid high stakes.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Ole Miss Golf Claims SEC Crown in Mississippi Masterpiece
In a historic upset, the No. 12 Ole Miss men's golf team toppled No. 3 Florida 4-1 to win the SEC Championship, their first title in 41 years. Tom Fischer's 5&4 leadoff victory set the tone at Sea Island Golf Club. Rebels fans from Oxford to Jackson erupt in celebration.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Mississippi Commission Eyes Stricter Air Rules After Plant Violations
The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality is pushing tougher air standards for industrial sites amid a wave of compliance failures. Factories in Jackson and Gulf Coast hubs face new scrutiny as health fears mount over toxic emissions. Will these changes clean Mississippi's air or burden businesses?
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Jackson Police Double Down on Community Policing to Combat Crime
The Jackson Police Department is intensifying its community engagement strategy, deploying officers into neighborhoods through programs like "Coffee with a Cop" and school resource initiatives as the city grapples with persistent crime challenges. The push comes as state Capitol Police have expanded their own footprint into Jackson's streets, creating a complex law enforcement landscape that some residents welcome while others question.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Mississippi Legislature OKs $2K Teacher Raises in $7.4B Budget Deal
After marathon weekend sessions, Mississippi lawmakers finalized a $7.4 billion FY 2027 budget, delivering a $2,000 teacher pay raise—the first since 2022—while boosting rural literacy and math programs. The compromise fell short of bolder proposals amid Medicaid pressures, but promises relief for underfunded Delta and Piney Woods districts. Educators hailed it as progress, though advocates call for more.
Sunday, May 3, 2026