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Largest MS Bat Working Group nets dozen bats in Adams County, surrounding area – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper

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Largest MS Bat Working Group nets dozen bats in Adams County, surrounding area – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper


Largest MS Bat Working Group nets dozen bats in Adams County, surrounding area

Published 10:00 am Saturday, August 10, 2024

NATCHEZ — The largest group of bat surveyors in Mississippi’s Bat Working Group in 21 years recently paid a visit to Adams County and the surrounding area to document, learn and share information about the various bat species living here.

The 21st annual event brought 50 participants here on July 25 and 26 from eight states and featured a training focused on the identification of Mississippi’s bat species and guidance on listed species and the survey guidelines provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The first night, nets were set up on the Natchez Trace Parkway and Canemount Wildlife Management Area in Port Gibson. On night two, surveyors netted at the Homochitto National Forest and participants toured St. Catherine’s Creek National Wildlife Refuge, visiting artificial roosts with Rafinesque’s big-eared bats and birding around the refuge’s wetlands.

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Participants also took a field trip to a culvert roost in Claiborne County, north of Natchez, to see over a dozen northern long-eared bats.

Bats have an unfortunate un-earned bad reputation for carrying rabies, which is carried in less than 1 percent of the population but is “a serious, fatal disease so you definitely don’t want to pick them up,” said Alison McCartney of the U.S. Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks and Chair of Mississippi Bat Working Group.

But a large surveying team recently visited Adams County and the surrounding area to learn and educate people on the various species and learn the helpful benefits of having them.

“People are just now beginning to realize the benefits,” McCartney said. “All Mississippi bats are insectivores and eat mosquitoes and agricultural pests. Organic farmers will sometimes put up bat houses to attract bats as a natural pesticide. Vampire bats in Texas have an anticoagulant protein in their saliva used in medicine to help heart and stroke patients. Fruit-eating bats in Asia and Australia act as seed dispersers and help to reforest. Their diet alone provides a lot of benefits to us.”

This year brought a diverse team to Natchez that included private organizations, consultants, government agencies and a few students interested in learning about bats.

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“It’s the biggest event that we’ve had in the 21 years we’ve been doing it and the most states represented. We were able to visit 11 sites in two nights, which would take a lot longer without a group as big,” McCartney said.

The surveying lasted from around 6 p.m. to midnight each night. “It wasn’t quite as fruitful as we were hoping” but not a total loss either, McCartney said.

The group managed to capture four red bats and five evening bats — both of which are common species here — as well as one Seminole bat, one big brown bat and one tri-colored bat for a total of 12 captured. All were released safely and unharmed.

The tri-colored bat is proposed for federal listing as endangered, McCartney said.

“The more information we can get on all bat species, the better we can protect them and educate others about them,” McCartney said. “The main goal of these events is to create and outreach educational opportunity and also to collect data. … We invited everyone to come, including folks new to bat work, as a teaching opportunity.”

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The Bat Working Group visits a different part of the state every year but were particularly interested in surveying the Natchez-Adams County area this year because of the possibility of finding a northern long-eared bat, which was recently listed as endangered because of the deadly white-nose syndrome.

While native to the northeastern United States, these bats were documented further south and thought to be migrating here, which could hypothetically give them a better chance of survival with a shorter hibernation period than their northern relatives.

“White-nose syndrome has decimated populations in cold climates where they go into true hibernation,” McCartney said. “There has been a 99 percent decline.”

While they didn’t find or document any northern long-ear roosts this time, more of these bats were documented in last year with extensive surveying efforts, McCartney said.

“From the 1930s to last August, we only had three records. Last August, we found two new roosts. We started doing intensive survey efforts around that area and came up with 32 new records.”

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McCartney encouraged anyone interested to participate in future bat surveying and conservation efforts of the Mississippi Bat Working Group.

“You don’’ have to be a bat person to get involved,” she said, adding anyone interested can contact the MDWFP Jackson Field office at 601-432-2400 or email msbats@hotmail.com.



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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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