Mississippi news tonight: 125 planned jobs, cancer screening push and Friday rain
Dr. Manju George encourages colorectal cancer screening commitments in a photo accompanying UMMC’s Sept. 8 report on its statewide initiative. Photo: Melanie Thortis/UMMC Communications.
Mississippi news briefing — Evening edition, Thursday, September 10, 2026
A planned $87 million General Atomics expansion in Shannon leads tonight’s Mississippi news, with 125 jobs and a new manufacturing building expected from the project. Other developments include a statewide cancer-screening push, an update on workforce training in northeast Mississippi and a Saturday enforcement deadline for Tupelo businesses.
There is also new information from Greenville police, scheduled interstate lane restrictions near Meridian and an opportunity for residents to help shape disaster planning. For Friday, the latest Jackson forecast puts the highest rain chances toward Meridian and Hattiesburg.
General Atomics plans 125 jobs and a new Shannon facility
General Atomics’ latest Lee County expansion calls for a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, according to the Mississippi Development Authority’s Sept. 10 announcement. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
The company’s Electromagnetic Systems business will expand production of advanced weapons and precision-strike systems. MDA said the state is assisting with site preparation and construction, along with support through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive program. Lee County is also assisting.
The 125 jobs are planned positions associated with the expansion; the announcement does not establish that all are currently open for applications. The project follows a separate $25 million production-line investment announced in March. General Atomics established its Shannon manufacturing center in 2005.
Read more in Mississippi News Group’s coverage of the Shannon expansion.
Mississippi cancer-screening campaign focuses on ages 45–59
The University of Mississippi Medical Center highlighted a statewide colorectal cancer initiative Thursday, drawing attention to a campaign described in its Sept. 8 report. The Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s goal is to have 80% of eligible Mississippians ages 45–59 screened by 2030.
That age range is the campaign’s focus, rather than the full range of adults who may need screening. UMMC said the effort seeks to improve access and help reach people who face cost or other barriers to testing. Its report discusses colonoscopy and other screening options, including stool tests.
The CDC’s screening guidance says adults ages 45–75 should be screened. People with certain risk factors, including a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, may need to start earlier. Readers can discuss the appropriate test and timing with their health care provider.
Mississippi News Group also has an overview of the statewide screening effort.
Northeast reports workforce training for more than 220 people
In a separate northeast Mississippi workforce update, Northeast Mississippi Community College said more than 220 people have begun developing skills through its training programs. The college’s Thursday announcement described pathways to Northrop Grumman opportunities that can pay $21–$25 an hour.
Northrop Grumman has contributed $60,000 and more than $375,000 in tools and equipment, the college said. A $2.09 million AccelerateMS grant is supporting a new Advanced Composites Lab.
The participation figure measures people entering training, not confirmed job placements. The pay range describes potential opportunities with Northrop Grumman and is separate from the General Atomics expansion. More details appear in our report on Northeast’s workforce programs.
Tupelo announces Saturday start for kratom enforcement
Tupelo police said enforcement of the city ordinance prohibiting kratom and kratom products is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Businesses selling those products are being told to prepare to comply.
According to the department’s Sept. 10 notice, the City Council adopted the ordinance Feb. 3. Enforcement was delayed during a legal challenge, and businesses were allowed to continue sales during that period.
Police Chief John Quaka described the notice period as an opportunity for voluntary compliance. The announcement applies to Tupelo’s ordinance. See our coverage of the enforcement date for the department’s update.
Greenville police report arrest after standoff
Greenville police said Quincy Tyrone Eaton was taken into custody at approximately 11 a.m. Thursday after a standoff. The investigation began with a domestic-related incident on Sept. 8, according to the department’s Thursday afternoon statement.
Police allege Eaton threatened a victim with a firearm, fled officers and crashed on Flanagan Road before entering a field with a rifle. The department also alleged that shots were fired at officers during the search.
Police said several felony charges are involved but had not identified the specific counts in that statement. These remain allegations; a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Our Greenville report has the department’s account.
Overnight I-20/59 restrictions planned in Lauderdale County
Drivers near Meridian have an overnight work period to plan around next week. MDOT announced closures from 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, while crews remove and repair a damaged sign truss.
The official traffic advisory lists the eastbound right lane of I-20/59, the eastbound Exit 150 off-ramp and the westbound left lane between the 65th Avenue bridge and the State Route 19 bridge.
These are scheduled lane and ramp restrictions, rather than a closure of the entire interstate. Drivers who use Exit 150 overnight should account for the ramp closure when planning their route.
DeSoto residents can weigh in on disaster planning through Sept. 15
A MEMA District 1 hazard-mitigation survey remains open through Tuesday, Sept. 15, according to a DeSoto County notice issued Wednesday. Residents can identify hazards, vulnerable locations and problems receiving emergency information.
The public survey asks about priorities such as drainage improvements, backup power, storm shelters and warning systems. It also invites people to name specific roads, neighborhoods or facilities that should receive attention.
District 1’s survey covers Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Yalobusha counties. The county’s reminder follows the January winter storm and an effort to identify improvements in preparation and communication. The questionnaire was still available Thursday evening.
Friday forecast: Higher rain chances toward Meridian and Hattiesburg
The National Weather Service’s Jackson office expects rain chances to spread across a larger part of its forecast area Friday. Its 2:03 p.m. Thursday forecast discussion listed Friday rain chances of 90% in Hattiesburg, 80% in Meridian, 50% in Jackson and Greenville, and 40% in Vicksburg.
Forecast highs ranged from 90 degrees in Hattiesburg to 96 in Greenville. Forecasters continued to highlight a limited heat-stress concern into the weekend, even as clouds and showers could temper conditions in some locations.
Those figures describe Friday’s forecast at the named locations, not a guarantee of rain at every address. Check the latest local forecast before outdoor plans; conditions and short-term alerts can change after this evening edition.
Compiled with AI assistance from Mississippi News Group coverage and linked official sources. Read our editorial standards and corrections policy.
