Mississippi
Mississippi Book Festival unveils marker on Writers Trail. See what it says
The 2024 Mississippi Book Festival kicked off festivities with an unveiling on the Mississippi State Capitol Building steps Saturday morning. A new marker dedicated to the beloved Jackson festival will be added to the Mississippi Writers Trail.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, dozens of festival attendees were already strolling in front of the capitol building perusing the tents lining Mississippi Street. Behind them, a group of guests watched as Holly Lange and Jere Nash unveiled the new marker. Lange and Nash founded the Mississippi Book Festival in 2014 as a way to bring book lovers and authors together to celebrate literature in the heart of Jackson.
The festival, referred to as “the South’s literary lawn party,” celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
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The plaque is the newest marker on the Mississippi Writers Trail, a path designed to turn Mississippi’s literary history into visible markers throughout the state. First opened in 2018, the trail features markers placed in several Mississippi cities from the bottom of the state to the top. Existing markers honor past and present writers, including William Faulkner, Ida B. Wells, Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, Willie Morris and Richard Wright among others.
After the festival, the marker will find a permanent home on the capitol building lawn.
David Lewis, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, said the marker is a great way to celebrate 10 years of the book festival.
“What a fitting way to honor the 10th anniversary by cementing it into history and putting a marker here on the grounds,” Lewis said. “What’s so great about the book festival is that it is on the capitol grounds, and that’s a great partnership with the state of Mississippi.”
The marker not only honors Mississippi writers but also the founders of the book festival and the state lawmakers who work with the festival each year.
All of the trail markers are chosen through the Mississippi Arts Commission. Ellen Daniels, executive director of the Mississippi Book Festival, said the new marker, which has been in the works for a year, is an honor.
“It really means (the book festival) has contributed something to the literary culture of the state,” Daniels said.
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Jane Alexander, CEO and president of the Community Foundation for Mississippi, said the new marker is an important reflection of Mississippi’s unique literary history.
“I think it’s really important that people know that Mississippi values our wordsmiths, our writers and the people who bring us ideas and share our ideas,” Alexander said. “It’s something all of us brag about, and so this is sort of the public way to brag about this to anyone who comes to the capitol. We own our history, but we also look forward to the future.”
The Mississippi Book Festival was held Saturday at the Mississippi State Capitol Building with seminars and featured guests, including LaVar Burton and Jesmyn Ward.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – A 10-year-old girl is seriously injured following a UTV crash on Friday, June 26.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s crash report, a 10-year-old girl from Sikeston was driving a UTV southbound on Levee Road, 11 miles east of East Prairie.
MSHP said the crash occurred around 11 a.m. as the vehicle travelled off the left side of the roadway, returned to the road and then overturned.
The girl was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Cape Girardeau for serious injuries.
Copyright 2026 KFVS. All rights reserved.
IRS raises 401(k) contribution limits for 2026
IRS increases 401(k) and catch-up contribution limits for 2026, allowing workers to save up to $32,500 for retirement.
Many Americans worry their retirement savings won’t last — and a new report suggests that fear may be justified in Mississippi.
Surveys have shown that Americans fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. People are living longer, which means retirement lasts longer, and retirement costs are rising.
A new report from CareScout, the long-term care network, finds that the average American at age 65 faces a retirement shortfall of $109,000. That’s the difference between how much income they can expect, from Social Security, savings and other sources, and how much they should plan to spend on the expenses of daily life.
American retirees are likely to outlive their savings in 41 states, according to the data.
The report draws on state-level estimates of life expectancy at age 65 (16 to 20 years, more or less, depending on the state), average retirement benefits, median net worth and expected retirement expenses.
How likely are you to outlive your retirement savings in Mississippi? Here’s what we know about life expectancy, expenses and how much retiring here costs.
Mississippi retirees face a $160K savings gap
The average Mississippi senior can expect about $682,000 in expenses and $521,000 in income in retirement. Projected shortfall: $160,000.
It’s the 13th-largest shortfall in the U.S.
The state has some of the most affordable food costs and home prices in the country, but overall wages are also much lower than the national average.
What’s a realistic retirement age in Mississippi?
Nasdaq studied realistic retirement numbers for each state. For Mississippi, they determined that a realistic retirement age is 61 and recommend having at least $764,676 saved.
Mississippi residents aren’t taxed on income from:
- Social Security benefits
- IRAs
- 401(k)s
- Pensions
- Military benefits
The state income tax is also being phased out.
How long Mississippians live after age 65
Mississippi ranked next-to-last for life expectancy in a CDC list of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data from 2022 is the newest available.
The Magnolia State had an average life expectancy of 72.6 years.
For men, Mississippi ranked 51st at 69.5 years. Women ranked 50th with an average life expectancy of 75.7.
At age 65, people in Mississippi are expected to live another 16.7 years, on average. It’s about 15.3 years for men and 17.9 years for women.
Retirement may last longer than you think
American life expectancy is about 79 years. By the time you reach retirement, however, you can expect to live longer than the overall life expectancy figure suggests. A woman of 70, for example, can expect to live to 87.
Many older Americans don’t know how long their own retirement is going to last: in other words, how long they are going to live.
Longevity literacy matters in retirement planning. If your retirement budget assumes you will live to 75, and you make it to 95, you will probably run out of money.
How to make your retirement savings last
Don’t want to outlive your savings? Here are some tips from the experts.
Ways to grow your retirement account faster
One surefire way to build retirement savings is to make aggressive contributions to a workplace retirement account.
The most successful retirement savers typically start saving early, contribute at least 10% of their income to a 401(k)-type account, and save continuously until they retire.
And try not to raid your retirement savings for a household expense. Instead, open an emergency savings account.
How timing Social Security affects your monthly check
The longer you wait to claim Social Security, the larger your monthly benefit checks will be.
Based on the longevity figures above, you’re generally better off claiming Social Security later in life, if you can afford to wait. Ideally, wait until age 70, when your monthly benefit maxes out.
In a 2025 story, USA TODAY explained the math behind that rule of thumb.
Mississippi cities certified for retirement living
There are 13 cities and towns in the Mississippi Hometown Retirement Program, also known as Welcome Home Mississippi.
The program encourages more people to retire in the Magnolia State. It uses no state income tax on retirement income, a tax exemption on the first $75,000 of a home’s true value and no state gift or inheritance taxes as selling points.
Certified cities “maintain high standards and boast many of the qualities and amenities retirees often seek when choosing a retirement destination,” according to the Welcome Home website.
Cities in the program include:
Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today and writes the Daily Money newsletter.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
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:
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.
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
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.
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
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
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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