Mississippi
MDWFP appoints first female wildlife bureau chief, others take new roles
‘My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.’
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A number of familiar names have shifted into new roles at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and among them is Amy Blaylock who is the first woman to lead the wildlife division.
“I feel honored and blessed,” Blaylock said. “I’m excited.
“I wouldn’t say it was necessarily a goal of mine. My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.”
Blaylock joined the department in 2007 after receiving her undergraduate degree in forestry and master’s degree in wildlife science at Mississippi State University. It was an education and career path that came naturally for her.
Her father, Larry Castle, had a career with the agency as did an uncle, Bennie Herring.
“Of course, I love the outdoors and hunting,” Blaylock said. “I hunt as much as I can.
“My kids take up a lot of my time now, but deer hunting is what I do most of. I’ve grown up with the agency with my daddy and my uncle. I guess that encouraged my passion for the agency.”
New role as wildlife chief is not Blaylock’s first groundbreaking move
Blaylock began her career with MDWFP as a biologist with the deer program. She then moved into the role of East Central Region wildlife management area biologist where she oversaw management of 11 WMAs. During that time, she also served as wildlife restoration coordinator and was responsible for writing and managing grants that assisted in funding the Wildlife Bureau.
In 2017, Blaylock accepted an offer to become the assistant chief of the wildlife division. With that, she became the first woman to serve in a top role in the agency.
“I enjoyed being in the assistant chief position, and, so far, I love being in this position,” Blaylock said.
More position changes in MDWFP
Blaylock is not the only person to recently take on a new role at MDWFP. Russ Walsh left the position of chief of the wildlife division, which Blaylock assumed and is now the director of public policy.
Adam Butler also moved into a new position. Butler was previously the director of conservation programs and before that, he was the Wild Turkey Program coordinator. Butler was recently named the assistant chief of wildlife.
A lifelong outdoorsman and wildlife enthusiast, Brian Broom has been writing about hunting, fishing and Mississippi’s outdoors for the Clarion Ledger for more than 14 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
STARKVILLE — The 2026 MLB Draft has arrived, and Mississippi State baseball is expected to have players picked.
Ace Reese, MSU’s star third baseman for the last two seasons, is a projected first-round pick. Many of the Bulldogs’ signees in the 2026 recruiting class are also draft prospects. How the draft unfolds will determine if they make it to Mississippi State next season like Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker did.
The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) in Philadelphia with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are on July 12 (10:30 a.m., MLB.com).
The Clarion Ledger is keeping track of all the Mississippi State draft picks, including signees and transfers.
Mississippi State baseball players picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball signees picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball transfers picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
When does the MLB draft start today?
The MLB draft begins July 11 at noon CT with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are July 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. CT.
How to watch the 2026 MLB Draft
July 11
- Picks 1-10: NBC/Peacock
- Picks 11-40: MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
- Picks 41-135: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
July 12
- Rounds 5-20: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Where is the 2026 MLB Draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft is in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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 July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 10 drawing
06-11-13-18-26
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 8-0-9, FB: 3
Evening: 2-3-1, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 9-0-5-0, FB: 3
Evening: 9-1-6-6, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 10
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.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells.
“We we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on or near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward, especially if they saw Wells, spoke with him, heard or saw any type of disturbance or have original photos or videos from the island.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division at 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours.
This is a developing story. Check back as we continue to update this story.
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