Mississippi news: UMMC telehealth renewal, heat alerts and road updates
Morning edition — Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Mississippi’s morning news brings a closer look at UMMC’s renewed telehealth funding, another afternoon of dangerous heat and practical updates for drivers and business owners. New local coverage also highlights how students on the Coast and in the Delta are getting experience beyond the classroom.
The health award and road construction details below come from announcements issued earlier this week; their original dates are identified. Today’s weather information reflects Wednesday’s National Weather Service bulletins.
UMMC outlines next steps for $4.25 million telehealth award
The University of Mississippi Medical Center has received $4.25 million with its five-year redesignation as a federal Telehealth Center of Excellence. New Mississippi News Group coverage points to a September 14 UMMC announcement explaining what comes next.
UMMC says its priorities include chronic disease and heart failure, support during cancer treatment, pediatric diabetes and identifying emergency patients at elevated risk of HIV. Planned work includes evaluating remote monitoring that incorporates artificial intelligence and combining information, including patients’ own reports, to help clinicians intervene sooner.
The center lists 23 projects planned for the coming year. UMMC says previous grant support helped its school-based work reach roughly 80,000 students in 205 schools across 32 Mississippi districts.
The five-year designation is the program’s operating window; UMMC says it remains eligible for subsequent awards. It should not be read as a promise that every proposed service is available today. The practical goal described by UMMC is wider access for rural and underserved patients, with results judged by patient outcomes and support for local clinicians.
Heat advisories hold through 7 p.m.; northern forecast eases slightly
Wednesday’s National Weather Service advisory text keeps the immediate heat risk in place. Jackson’s advisory runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT for listed counties across central and western Mississippi and into parts of the northeast and southwest, with heat-index values up to 110 degrees.
The Memphis office’s northern Mississippi advisory remains effective until 7 p.m., but its overnight bulletin now forecasts heat indices up to 107 degrees, compared with 109 in the bulletin reported Tuesday evening. That is a lower forecast, not an all-clear. A heat index combines temperature and humidity to describe how hot conditions feel.
Jackson’s Wednesday forecast discussion expects hot weather through the week and weekend, with lower humidity helping reduce heat stress. Its point forecasts put Wednesday highs at 96 in Jackson and Meridian, 97 in Natchez and 99 in Greenville.
For today’s outdoor work and afternoon activities, NWS recommends fluids, time in air conditioning, checking on relatives and neighbors, and frequent breaks in shade or cooled spaces. The advisories cover specified areas, not every Mississippi county; consult the current bulletin for your location.
Jackson overnight lane restrictions continue; Noxubee bridge reopens
Drivers planning evening trips through Jackson should account for continuing work on I-55 bridges just north of Fortification Street. In its September 14 central Mississippi project update, MDOT says alternating lane closures in either direction are expected from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. overnight weekly through the end of September.
Crews have removed the existing high-friction surface treatment and are repairing railing and bridge decks before placing new overlays. MDOT says the work is intended to improve traction and reduce skidding.
Elsewhere in that update, MDOT reports the State Route 145 bridge over the Noxubee River relief in Noxubee County has reopened after a $1.3 million repair project. The agency also reports completion of a seven-mile I-20 resurfacing project in Newton County.
Those are separate projects with different traffic effects. Use MDOT Traffic for conditions before departing, and follow posted lane-control and detour signs.
Gulfport students explore police work and both sides of the courtroom
Gulfport Police Department says 21 Gulfport High School students participated in the sixth year of its Law & Public Safety Class, spending five weeks learning about law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
The department’s account, featured in this morning’s coverage, describes a police department tour, a mock crime scene and work with forensic personnel, criminal investigators and SWAT members.
The class also included learning from the Harrison County Public Defender’s Office and District Attorney’s Office. That gave students exposure to defense and prosecution as well as police responsibilities. The department thanked the students and their teacher, Mr. Necaise, for their participation. The announcement describes a completed class; it does not provide registration details for a new session.
Delta college spotlight shows a route into university research
Mississippi Delta Community College’s latest student spotlight, covered overnight by Mississippi News Group, highlights Dalton Devall’s five-week summer research experience at Ole Miss. The college’s full account was issued September 8, so this is a look at a completed summer opportunity.
Devall worked with chemistry faculty and graduate students, used advanced laboratory equipment and researched spiro-nanographenes. The partnership connects MDCC’s Honors College with the University of Mississippi’s chemistry and biochemistry department, supported by the university’s Mississippi Impact Grant initiative.
MDCC says students visited the Oxford campus and research laboratories twice during the 2025–26 academic year. The partnership has also created opportunities for students beyond the Honors College. Devall plans to pursue biological sciences with a concentration in neurology after MDCC, illustrating how direct laboratory experience can help a student refine transfer and career plans.
Thursday’s Southaven business workshop is online
Business owners considering the financial workshop highlighted this morning should note that it is a Zoom session, not an in-person meeting. The Southaven Chamber’s event listing confirms Thursday, September 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT.
Beth Snow of Back Office Guru will teach participants how to interpret five reports: profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, accounts receivable aging, and budget versus actual results. The program includes a QuickBooks demonstration and financial review checklists.
The listed price is $20 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. Registration is available through the event page. Because the listing says Zoom invitations are sent before class, anyone registering close to the event should confirm access details with the chamber at 662-342-6114.
Featured image: UMMC telehealth care coordinator Tiffany Regan connects with a patient by video. Photo: Joe Ellis/UMMC Communications, supplied with UMMC’s telehealth announcement.
Compiled with AI assistance from Mississippi News Group coverage and linked official sources. Read our editorial standards and AI disclosure.
