UMMC’s AirCare 5, a Pilatus PC-12, is now available for patient transfers. Photo: Joe Ellis/UMMC Communications.
Mississippi news briefing — Morning edition, Friday, September 11, 2026
Mississippi heads into Friday with a new medical transport service in operation and a storm risk to watch across parts of the north. UMMC’s AirCare 5 can now carry patients to specialized care, while forecasters warn that some afternoon and evening storms could produce damaging winds.
This morning’s Mississippi news also includes a completed road connection in Tippah County, a new vocational program for incarcerated women, practical guidance for protecting food benefits and a Meridian remembrance event marking 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks. Here are the developments and details to know heading into the weekend.
AirCare 5 begins patient transfers from Jackson
UMMC announced Thursday that its first fixed-wing medical aircraft is operational, following an earlier announcement that the plane would join the fleet. The Jackson-based Pilatus PC-12 adds an option for longer hospital-to-hospital transfers and situations where helicopter transport is less practical.
According to UMMC’s Sept. 10 report, Guardian Flight supplies the aircraft, pilots and aviation operations, while UMMC provides medical direction and clinical staffing support. The plane is configured for one patient and can use smaller regional airports.
Receiving hospitals are chosen according to patients’ medical needs, required services and the hospital’s ability to provide care. The aircraft joins helicopters based in Jackson, Meridian, Columbus and Greenwood. Read our AirCare coverage for more.
North Mississippi faces an afternoon storm risk; stronger heat follows
The National Weather Service in Memphis placed parts of north Mississippi within a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds are the main concern, with localized heavy rainfall also possible, according to its Friday outlook.
The office’s 6:42 a.m. forecast discussion describes a setup in which slow-moving storms could cause localized flash flooding. That makes the forecast relevant for outdoor events, travel and afternoon activities even where storms remain isolated.
Farther south, the Jackson office’s morning forecast calls for scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms today, with less coverage Saturday. The developing concern after the weekend is heat: its updated Sunday-through-Tuesday outlook projects peak heat indices near 105–110 degrees across its forecast area.
These are forecasts, and local conditions will vary. Keep a way to receive warnings during Friday plans and check for updates before leaving. Our report on the early-week heat outlook explains the next period of concern.
Women’s prison launches nail-technician training
The Mississippi Department of Corrections announced Thursday the opening of the state prison system’s first nail-training program. The Central Mississippi Beauty College at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women is certified through the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, the department said.
The first class includes 16 students and two student instructors, with Terrica Knight Hatten serving as instructor. Students will receive 500 hours of instruction over approximately 17–18 weeks, according to the department’s announcement.
The program is intended to help women prepare to become licensed nail technicians and carry a marketable skill beyond prison. The announcement describes a class beginning training; it does not report completed licenses or job placements.
Superintendent Kate Head said the school had been in development for two years. The opening took place at the Rankin County facility. Mississippi News Group has more on the new vocational program.
New State Route 2 connection opens a step toward the SR 15 bypass
A 1.5-mile section of two-lane State Route 2 in Tippah County opened to traffic Sept. 8, MDOT said in a project update released Thursday. It includes two new bridges and carries local traffic to State Route 368 and Tippah County Road 700.
The alignment is part of the larger State Route 15 bypass project between Blue Mountain and Ripley. It will eventually connect the existing SR 15 at Blue Mountain with the new bypass.
MDOT said Yates Construction was awarded the $194.9 million contract and will continue work on the SR 15 four-lane roadway. The completed SR 2 connection is one stage of that work; construction on the larger bypass continues.
For people traveling through the area, the immediate change is the new local connection already carrying traffic. Read our Tippah County road report for the opening details.
MDHS renews reminder to lock EBT cards between purchases
The Mississippi Department of Human Services used a Thursday benefit-security reminder to encourage recipients to use ConnectEBT’s card-locking tools. Those features launched in June, and the agency is continuing to promote them as a way to reduce unauthorized purchases.
Understanding the settings can help avoid trouble at checkout. The agency’s official instructions describe three choices: lock all EBT transactions, block online and out-of-state transactions while allowing eligible in-state purchases, or unlock the card wherever it is accepted.
A card locked everywhere must be unlocked before a purchase. MDHS recommends locking it again afterward, checking account activity and changing the PIN regularly. The app also allows users to check balances and report a lost, stolen or damaged card.
Use the app-store links on the official MDHS page to find ConnectEBT. Cardholders who need help with security settings can call the assistance number listed in the agency’s launch announcement: 1-866-512-5087, available around the clock.
Meridian stair climb honors 9/11 firefighters and local service
More than 50 men, women and children took part in Meridian’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Thursday evening, the city said. Participants at the Downtown Parking Garage climbed the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the FDNY firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Some walked, others ran, and some completed the climb wearing full fire gear. Meridian firefighters had a strong presence, according to the city’s account of the event.
Before the climb, Meridian Police Lt. Michael Hemrick and Meridian Fire Department Battalion Chief Kenny Robinson received Spirit of 9/11 Awards. The event took place on the eve of Friday’s 25th anniversary.
See our coverage of the memorial climb for the city’s account of the participants and the awards presented before the event.
