Mississippi
Miss Mississippi 2024: Becky Williams takes crown during final competition
Williams wants to use platform to improve education opportunities
VICKSBURG — In her third year competing, Miss Capital City Becky Williams was crowned Miss Mississippi 2024 during Saturday night’s final competition held at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
Williams, a Purvis native, proved to be the last woman standing in her sparkling red gown Saturday night, bursting with emotion as her name was called and 2023 Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal placed the winner’s crown upon her head.
Williams, who is in her first year at Mississippi State University studying K-12 education, said she was delighted to hear her name called, which left her in a bit of a shock. In 2023, Williams was O’Neal’s first runner up.
“I don’t know how to tell you how it feels,” she said. “This is a dream I’ve dreamt since I was a little girl and to hear my name called on this stage and this environment and to know that I put my heart and soul into everything I did on this stage and in life is just a dream come true.”
For the talent section of the competition, Williams performed a dance number to Queen’s 1974 popular song “Don’t stop me now.” Williams is also focusing her impact initiative on education and is even working with Hinds Country Democratic Rep. Fabian Nelson to draft legislation relating to scholarship opportunities in Jackson.
“(We’ve) been working on some legislation that will directly affect Jackson Public Schools and I’m excited to get started with him soon,” she said.
Day 1 of prelims: Miss Mississippi 2024: Two take awards during first night of preliminary competition
Day 2 of prelims: Three contestants take home Miss Mississippi awards during Thursday preliminary
Day 3 of prelims: Check out the talent and dresswear of the Miss Mississippi 2024 contestants on day three
During her question-and-answer section, she spoke about cancel culture, saying that kids in the classroom and adults alike should be more mindful about what they say online and how their words can impact other people.
The final competition Saturday night featured 11 contestants total vying in multiple categories such as evening wear, talent and question and answers. Besides Williams, another four contestants were chosen to be her runner-up’s. The top four were as follows:
- First runner-up: Jane Granberry — Miss University
- Second runner-up: Morgan Nelson — Miss Mississippi State University
- Third runner-up: Sarah Randolph — Miss Heart of the South
- Fourth runner-up: Anna Leah Jolly — Miss Rankin County
Williams will go on to compete in the Miss America contest.
Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335
Mississippi
It’s 2,350 miles long, spans 31 US states and is home to a 100kg animal with a tongue that looks like a worm | Discover Wildlife
The Mississippi River flows for around 2,350 miles through the heart of the US. It drains an area of 1.2 million square miles – that’s roughly 40% of the country – and at certain points is 11 miles wide. It is North America’s second longest river, behind the Missouri River.
Rising from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the Mississippi winds southwards through a range of environments, draining water from 31 US states before reaching its delta at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.
The sheer size of the river and the diversity of habitats it passes through make it a refuge for a huge range of animal species, including more than 260 fish, 326 birds, 50 mammals and at least 145 amphibians and reptiles, according to the National Park Service.
There are many weird and wonderful animals living within the Mississippi’s vast waters, but surely one of the strangest is the alligator snapping turtle.
This prehistoric-looking reptile is massive. It can weigh up to 100kg and males can grow well over half a metre long, making it the largest freshwater turtle in North America.
And as if its size wasn’t enough, the alligator snapper has a host of other characteristics that make it one of the Mississippi’s most striking creatures, including a dark, spiky shell (known as carapace), a brick-like head and a sharp, hooked beak. With such a formidable appearance, it’s easy to see how the turtle got its ‘alligator’ name.
But perhaps the turtle’s most curious feature is a worm-like appendage found on its tongue, which it uses as a lure to catch prey, such as fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Alligator snappers are also quite happy scavenging for food.
More amazing wildlife stories from around the world
NIL money comes with a price. More specifically, a tax bill.
The Mississippi legislature is trying to reduce that burden for college athletes who play there.
Via Bea Anhuci of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill that would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.
It’s a recruiting tool for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, one that would put the Mississippi schools on equal footing with other states that host SEC universities. Florida, Tennessee, and Texas have no state income tax, and Arkansas carved out NIL earnings from the state’s income tax burden in 2025.
Mississippi currently charges a four-percent tax on anyone making more than $10,000 per year.
NIL earnings remain subject to federal income tax.
The bill will have to also pass the Mississippi Senate, and the governor would then be required to sign it into law.
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