Mississippi heads into the weekend with a nearly $13 million port project underway in Tishomingo County, federal recognition for medical research training in Jackson and another round of storms to watch tonight. Saturday brings a major festival in Pontotoc and traffic changes in Oxford, while DeSoto County is seeking additional emergency medical personnel.
Here is the Mississippi news to catch up on this evening, with the official announcements, local reporting and practical details behind the headlines.
Featured photo: UMMC MD-PhD student Jack Berman, left, reviews research data with Dr. Lee Bidwell. Photo: Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications.
Nearly $13 million Yellow Creek Port project breaks ground
Officials broke ground Friday on an expansion and rehabilitation project at Yellow Creek Port in Tishomingo County. Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi Development Authority said the nearly $13 million investment will upgrade the wharf and the rail and loading area supporting it.
The state says the work will substantially increase the port’s ability to handle materials. The announcements describe construction getting started; they do not give a completion date or a numerical target for additional cargo capacity.
The location helps explain the project’s economic importance. According to the port’s own description of its facilities, Yellow Creek is near Iuka, at the northern end of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway near its connection with the Tennessee River. Its operations combine waterway access with rail, highway and storage facilities.
Storms remain possible tonight; Saturday rain varies by region
The National Weather Service’s evening updates call for thunderstorms moving across the Mid-South tonight, with another round possible early Saturday, particularly in north Mississippi. The Memphis office’s 6:16 p.m. discussion identifies damaging winds as a concern and says much of Saturday should be rain-free, with lingering rain chances mainly near the Tennessee River through early afternoon.
Farther south, the Jackson office’s latest forecast still allows for scattered Saturday afternoon and early-evening storms, though fewer than Friday. Its Saturday rain chances are 50% for Meridian and Hattiesburg, 30% for Jackson and 20% for Vicksburg. Forecast highs range from 91 in Meridian to 96 in Greenville.
Both offices expect heat to build again Sunday and into next week. Heat advisories may become necessary; those forecasts should not be read as advisories already issued.
UMMC gains federal recognition for training physician-scientists
The University of Mississippi Medical Center highlighted a new Medical Scientist Training Program designation Friday, drawing attention to an award detailed in its September 8 report. The designation comes from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health.
The program prepares students for both medical practice and research, with MD and PhD training intended to connect questions arising in patient care with scientific investigation. UMMC says the award will support student stipends and other training needs while strengthening recruitment.
This is a lengthy education path: students begin laboratory rotations before medical school, complete three years of medical studies, undertake doctoral research and then return for their final medical-school year. UMMC says the full process takes seven years or more.
Oxford prepares shuttle routes and traffic changes for Saturday
Residents and visitors traveling through Oxford Saturday should plan around the home-opener crowd. Ole Miss lists a 6:45 p.m. start on September 12, and police have issued detailed parking and traffic instructions.
Free shuttles will leave South Oxford Center, Northwest Community College and Oxford High School parking lots beginning five hours before kickoff and continuing until two hours after the game. Based on the listed start time, the opening shuttle time is 1:45 p.m. The Jackson Avenue Center no longer offers free parking; police say parking there requires the CLUTCH! app.
Gertrude Ford and Old Taylor Road will switch to one-way traffic away from campus beginning in the fourth quarter. Police also warn that vehicles left in no-parking zones, including highways and exit ramps, will be towed at the owner’s expense.
DeSoto County EMS is rebuilding its pool of part-time paramedics and emergency medical technicians. In a Friday recruitment announcement, the county invited qualified personnel interested in picking up additional shifts to apply.
The deadline is 5 p.m. September 30. Applicants must submit the county’s completed employment application; a résumé by itself will not be considered. A separate application is required for each position sought, and candidates must pass drug and background checks before hiring.
The county says applications can be sent as a PDF to HR@desotocountyms.gov, faxed to 662-469-8266 or delivered to Human Resources at 365 Losher St., Suite 205A, Hernando, MS 38632.
Pontotoc’s 32nd annual Bodock Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 12. The Chamber Main Street organization renewed its invitation Friday, and its event poster supplies details absent from the short accompanying caption.
The poster lists John Conlee from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the Shameless All-Star Country Band from 8 to 10 p.m. at the First Choice Bank Pavilion in Pontotoc. The organizer’s separate lineup announcements also place Blues Child onstage around 4 p.m.
With Saturday rain still possible in the region, check the organizer’s updates before traveling. The current Mississippi News Group festival notice links back to the local source.
Compiled with AI assistance from Mississippi News Group coverage and linked official sources. Read our editorial standards and follow the latest Mississippi news.
