The Wake-Up Morning Report: Mississippi

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STATEWIDE | MISSISSIPPI NEWS — Mississippi’s oyster season is scheduled to open Thursday, October 1. Meanwhile, drought conditions remain a concern in parts of the state as September closes.

JACKSON | TWO SHOOTINGS UNDER INVESTIGATION — Jackson police are investigating the fatal shooting of 50-year-old Celvin Perry, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds on Vine Street Saturday night. In a separate incident Sunday afternoon, Capitol Police responded to a shooting near Capitol and Gallatin streets; that victim was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Both investigations remain active.

JACKSON | COMMUNITY & CULTURE — Magnolia Speech School is celebrating 70 years of helping children with communication needs. The milestone comes as the Jackson area continues highlighting community institutions and cultural programming following the 12th annual Mississippi Book Festival at the State Capitol.

HATTIESBURG | TRANSIT INVESTMENT — Hattiesburg is preparing to replace its aging Hub City Transit fleet with 14 lower-emission propane buses. The project involves more than $7.5 million in combined federal and city funding.

HATTIESBURG | MOBILE STREET FESTIVAL — Thousands attended the 21st Historic Mobile Street Renaissance Festival over the weekend. The celebration included food, music, a children’s village and performances of The Color Purple at the Saenger Theater.

HATTIESBURG WOMAN FOUND SAFE - Edna Clemons, 67, of Hattiesburg, has been found safe after authorities had asked the public for assistance locating her.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA | GREENVILLE SHOOTING — Greenville police are investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting on South Colorado Street that injured two men. Police said one victim suffered a non-life-threatening grazing wound. No arrest had been announced in the latest available report.

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST | SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY — Harrison County authorities say a man was taken into custody after allegedly pulling a knife on an officer and fleeing into the Mississippi Sound, leading to a lengthy standoff. Authorities reported a simple-assault charge.

GULF COAST | STENNIS SPACE CENTER — Biloxi native Christine Powell has been named the new director of NASA’s Stennis Space Center, a major federal research and rocket-testing facility on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

MERIDIAN | CITY BUDGET — Meridian City Council has approved the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which takes effect October 1.

MERIDIAN | COMMUNITY & PUBLIC SAFETY — Twelve East Mississippi law-enforcement officers recently completed a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team program in Meridian focused on de-escalating mental-health emergencies and connecting people with appropriate services. Meridian Community College also hosted students from seven area high schools for a college and career fair.

TUPELO | COMMUNITY — Tupelo-area residents gathered over the weekend for the North Mississippi Walk to End Alzheimer’s, bringing together families, caregivers and supporters to raise awareness and funds. Recovery at the Park also brought community members together to promote recovery resources and support.

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI | FBI SEARCH IN COLD CASE — Federal investigators have completed a search of property in Itawamba County connected to the long-running investigation into the 1998 disappearance of Lesley Anderson and her three children. The investigation remains unresolved.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE NEWS

MISSISSIPPI STATE SURGES TO NO. 16 — Mississippi State defeated No. 19 Missouri 31–24 Saturday and climbed eight positions to No. 16 in the AP Top 25. The Bulldogs improved to 4–0.

OLE MISS DROPS TO NO. 9 — Ole Miss fell from No. 4 to No. 9 in the AP poll after Florida defeated the Rebels 52–28. Florida accumulated 302 rushing yards in the victory.

OLE MISS STUDENT DEATH INVESTIGATIONS — Authorities continue investigating the deaths of two University of Mississippi students. Packaged kratom was found during the investigations, but authorities had not confirmed the students’ causes of death in the latest reporting.

SOUTHERN MISS — The Golden Eagles lost a close Battle for the Bell matchup to Tulane, 24–21, in New Orleans over the weekend.

WEATHER | MONDAY

Much of Mississippi starts the week with sunshine, warm afternoons and generally dry conditions. Jackson is expected to reach around 89° today, with clear skies tonight and a low near 64°. Conditions will vary by region, so residents should check local forecasts for their communities.

HIGH SCHOOL SCORES

Here are the high school football scores from across the weekend. For more high school scores and highlights, see Mississippi High School Scores and Highlights.

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This news story was covered by Hattiesburg News Staff.