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Mississippi State enters postseason play after best SEC finish in 17 years

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Mississippi State enters postseason play after best SEC finish in 17 years


After finishing .500 or better in Southeastern Conference play for the first time since 2007, Mississippi State is ready for the postseason. And the Bulldogs have a lot to play for this week at Auburn’s Jane B. Moore Field.

The only SEC team to miss the NCAA Tournament in 2023, MSU is all but assured of a return to the tournament this year, but the Bulldogs (33-17, 12-12 SEC) are hoping for more than that. Despite hitting a rough patch in late April, MSU rebounded to win two out of three against Georgia to close the regular season and still has a shot to host a regional for the first time in program history.

The No. 6 seed Bulldogs arrived in Auburn on Monday, giving them plenty of time to prepare for their first SEC Tournament game Wednesday night against 11th-seed South Carolina. A win over the Gamecocks may not move the needle much, but it would send MSU to the quarterfinals against No. 3 seed Texas A&M, and if the Bulldogs can knock off the Aggies, it may just be enough to sneak in and earn a top-16 national seed.

“We’re just really excited,” fifth-year senior pitcher Aspen Wesley said. “As long as we have fun, keep doing what we’re doing and try not to get ahead of ourselves, we’re going to do just fine.”

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As of Tuesday, MSU’s RPI was back up to No. 20, but the Bulldogs still have work to do to climb into the hosting conversation — the worst RPI of a team that ended up hosting in the last five tournaments was 18. Some of the peripheral metrics should help, though. MSU is an impressive 11-11 against the top 25 and has 19 wins against the top 50, more than any of the other teams around them in the latest RPI.

The road starts with South Carolina (33-21, 8-16), a team the Bulldogs already took a series from in Columbia back in early April. The Gamecocks have the SEC’s worst team batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage and have hit just 32 home runs, the fewest in the conference. South Carolina’s pitching, though, is among the SEC’s best.

Led by Stanford transfer Alana Vawter, the Gamecocks’ team ERA of 2.02 is behind only conference champion Tennessee, and they keep the ball in the park better than any other SEC team, yielding just 18 homers in the regular season. Sage Mardjetko and Jori Heard complement Vawter to form one of the strongest pitching staffs in the conference.

Texas A&M (39-12, 15-9) took two out of three at Nusz Park in mid-March, but enters the postseason trending in the wrong direction after being swept at Florida. The Aggies, once considered a lock to host, are now down to No. 16 in the RPI, so a potential MSU-A&M quarterfinal matchup could have major implications for Selection Sunday.

With Trinity Cannon, Allie Enright and Jazmine Hill leading the way, the Aggies are second to the Gators in team batting average in the SEC. Tall left-hander Emiley Kennedy is Texas A&M’s ace, with a 20-10 record and a 1.67 ERA in 168 innings pitched.

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Wesley comes in pitching the best softball of her career, holding a deep Georgia lineup to one run over 14 innings in two wins last weekend. Sophomore Josey Marron has struggled of late, though, although she did throw a shutout against South Carolina last month.

The Bulldogs’ offense stumbled down the stretch and scored just four runs in the Georgia series despite winning two of three. In particular, MSU needs to get Madisyn Kennedy going again — the fifth-year senior hit 10 homers and drove in 34 runs in March, but was held to just one hit over her last eight games. That one hit was a go-ahead solo shot Friday night against Georgia, but teams are pitching her differently and she has not shown consistency in her adjustments.

The conference tournament is also a homecoming of sorts for Jessie Blaine, who transferred from Auburn last offseason and is batting .328 with a .543 slugging percentage in her first year as a Bulldog.

“She’s such a great team player, and she’s all in for the matchups and for doing whatever she can to help the team,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “Just another one who fits so well in our culture when she got here. It feels like she’s been here for three years. We’re excited to have her, taking her back to her original field, but I know she’s proud to be here in the maroon and white.”

MSU

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026


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The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 25 drawing

01-06-09-13-23

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5

Evening: 4-0-8, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 2-8-3-2, FB: 5

Evening: 5-0-3-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 07

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

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Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

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If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

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Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

  • Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027

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Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027


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  • Mississippi state leaders are preparing for the 2027 governor’s race by outlining their legislative priorities.
  • Redistricting legislative and congressional maps is a top priority for the upcoming legislative session.
  • Lawmakers are divided on education reform, with some favoring school choice and others focusing on public school funding.
  • Republican leaders agree on the need to reduce the size of state government, though they propose different methods.

PHILADELPHIA — When asked about his campaign plans for the statewide elections in November 2027, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has avoided giving a straight answer. Usually, he tells the media that his next focus is a long checklist of priorities to tackle next legislative session.

The governor’s race next year, the first this decade without term-limited incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, is rumored to feature a crowded field. For current officeholders, even those who don’t work directly with the state Legislature, the bills that they can endorse and urge across the finish line are often the feathers in their cap touted on the campaign trail.

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During the two days of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann and other state leaders gave attendees a clearer view of what their goals are for those 60 days of debate.

Redistricting

One of the priorities common to most speakers was legislative and congressional redistricting in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited drawing voting districts on the basis of race. Reeves initially called a special session on redistricting, specifically regarding the state Supreme Court districts, but he later canceled it.

The governor opted to cancel the session, he said, because Mississippi had already had its primary. Instead, he charged Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, the leaders of each chamber, with navigating the process during the next legislative session.

Through their redistricting committees, both said at the Neshoba County Fair, they are preparing to do exactly that.

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“The Democrats used [prior Supreme Court rulings] to make sure they elected Democrats and not the people that you wanted. Now the Supreme Court has changed that, and we’re back to ground one where we should be,” Hosemann said. “We’ve appointed a committee, they’ll be out in Mississippi … looking at who do you want to represent you and how is your district to be set up? It’s coming back to the people where it was before, where it should be today.”

Mississippi Rep. Scott Bounds and Sen. Lane Taylor, both of whom represent the Neshoba County area, are on their respective redistricting committees. Both promised that redistricting is among the first issues that the Legislature plans to take up in January, with Bounds adding that the focus is on redrawing the state legislative districts.

“I believe the best way to enact common sense, conservative policies is by electing Republicans to office,” Jason White said. “The Mississippi House of Representatives stands for that, and we will examine redistricting and elect more Republicans to local, state and federal offices.”

Reeves confirmed that he “would not be surprised” if there is a special session before the next legislative session begins in January, but that even without it, the Legislature “would definitely have redistricting done” before the statewide elections in November 2027. Reeves has the power to call a special session at any point.

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K-12 and higher education

Hosemann and White took, if not opposite perspectives, then at least different approaches to improving the state’s public and higher education systems.

White’s primary focus, he said in his speech, lays again with school choice. He told the crowd that, while lawmakers were still drafting legislation, Mississippians could expect to see a similar attempt this upcoming year as representatives put forward in January.

“I think you’ll see most statewide candidates for governor fully endorsing the idea of school choice and pushing it forward. I think the reason they will do that is because they’re smart, they’ve been polling, they’re spending their money to see what issues are important to people,” White said after giving his speech. “They’re finding out that when you get outside of the room and have a real conversation with parents, they want those choices.”

The 500-page, sweeping bill from last year primarily proposed using state money to fund vouchers for students to attend private and charter schools. It passed the House, where it originated, in a narrow vote before getting a resounding “no” vote in the Senate education committee.

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“I wish the Senate would come forward and say, ‘Look, we don’t want to go through all that again. Here’s what we would do,’” White said. “I wish there would be a way to find a win-win, but to this point, they’ve been unwilling to have a conversation. That makes it tough politics for me when they’re unwilling to even have a conversation.”

Hosemann has loudly opposed state-funded vouchers, and he took the dais to advocate for more funding in public schools. One of his education priorities for the next year, he told the crowd, was opening more special-purpose schools for children with disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism.

Where Hosemann and White have agreed is that Mississippi’s education systems are bloated. Hosemann spoke specifically about higher education, telling reporters after his speech that some institutions graduate fewer than 25% of their enrollment. He touted the benefits of performance-based funding in ensuring that schools are motivated to educate high-performing students, and Mississippians could likely see changes to the funding formula in 2027.

White has largely focused, for the moment, on K-12 public schools. He formed a committee on school consolidation that has zeroed in on small schools and districts, and top officials with the state education department have asked for the Legislature to draft a framework for closing schools in the coming years.

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How big should the government be?

Maybe the only thing that every Republican speaker agreed on was that Mississippi’s government needs to be smaller, but they phrased reform in different ways.

Reeves promoted artificial intelligence that makes workflows more efficient and decreases the number of state employees needed to do a certain job. White urged the government to decrease property taxes, because the burden makes property owners “feel like they rent the property that they own.”

Hosemann pointed to a Senate committee on efficiency and transparency that has moved to eliminate 17 government committees and boards he described as useless. White formed a similar special committee on government efficiency that has met over the summer to weigh cost-cutting measures.

While details on which departments could be downsized and precise estimates of potential savings have not been publicly outlined, nearly every state official, member of the Legislature and candidate who spoke at the Neshoba County Fair promised significant reform next session.

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Bea Anhuci is the state government reporter for the Clarion Ledger. She has covered Mississippi politics since the start of 2026. Email her at banhuci@usatodayco.com.



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Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson

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Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson



Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.

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Independence Day is always an exciting holiday in Mississippi with burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the dazzling displays of fireworks.

This year is even more special as America celebrates its 250th birthday. It is a celebration of a milestone not to be missed and the fireworks displays will be spectacular.

If you live in the Jackson area there are plenty of events to choose from and not all of them are on Saturday, July 4, so you can go and enjoy more than one. To make them even better, the events are free.

So, here are some of the area events that include fireworks where you can celebrate America 250.

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Jackson Fireworks Extravaganza

  • When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
  • Where: Smith Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
  • Admission: Free

The City of Jackson is hosting its Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Smith Wills Stadium.

Before the fireworks, guests can enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. The event also will include a kid zone with water slides, bounce houses, face painting and games.

Independence Celebration at The Rez

  • When: Saturday, June 27, 5-9 p.m.
  • Where: Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park
  • Admission: Free

Celebrate Independence Day Rez-style at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The event takes place the Saturday before the Fourth of July at Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park.

Live music, kid zones, food vendors and beer will be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. No outside coolers are allowed.

Freedom Fest

  • When: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 3
  • Where: Brandon Amphitheater, 8190 Rock Way, Brandon
  • Admission: Free

Brandon’s complimentary Freedom Fest will be a kick-off to the holiday weekend celebrations. The event will include inflatables for the kids, a Cornhole tournament, face painting, food trucks and will close with a patriotic concert and fireworks display.

Red, White and Blue Fest

  • When: 4 p.m., Saturday, July 4
  • Where: Soccer Row, Traceway Park, Clinton
  • Admission: Free

The 36th annual Red, White and Blue Fest in Clinton starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Local live music, food and games lead up to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Live music performances include blues prodigy John Clayton White at 5:30 p.m. and The Fountain City Players at 7:15 p.m.

Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

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