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7 Undiscovered Small Towns In Mississippi

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7 Undiscovered Small Towns In Mississippi


While you can recognize some of the major cities of Mississippi, like Jackson or Biloxi, the small towns are often overlooked despite having as much to offer travelers and visitors to the Magnolia State. From serene and adventurous access to the Gulf Coast in small communities like Bay St. Louis or Ocean Springs to the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo, every small town is a unique adventure for those willing to dive in and experience the state to the fullest.

Bay St. Louis

A historic bank building and clock in the Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Clayton Harrison / Shutterstock.com.

With its placement on the Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis is one of the most serene and incredible towns for someone to visit, which is evident as soon as you stroll down the Bridge Walk to witness the views of the bay. This town gets overlooked by many of the tourists looking to hit the beach in Mississippi, with larger cities like Biloxi to choose from on the shoreline. With its calm and relaxed environment highlighted by quirky locations like the Alice Moseley Folk Art and Antique Museum, there is much to discover in the historic downtown districts.

Even though Bay St. Louis might fly under the radar compared to larger metropolitan areas in the state, it has some attractions that give it some regional notoriety, like the Second Saturday Art Walk that infuses the whole community with food, art, and music as the main streets transform into a fair environment. You should not miss out on local eateries, either, including the renowned Mockingbird Café and Trapani’s Eatery.

Clarksdale

Downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Heidi Besen / Shutterstock.com.

Much like the blues genre, its home and birthplace of Clarksdale is low-key and spirited. Positioned amid the Mississippi Delta, this is one of the destinations for any music lover in your group. The town has long called itself “Home of the Blues” and has a rich musical history that is always displayed at the Delta Blues Museum. There, you can see exhibits dedicated to blues legends B.B. King and Muddy Waters. As the home of this iconic genre of music, you can expect an active nightlife with locations like the Ground Zero Blues Club and the Bad Apple Blues Club to keep fresh young artists getting recognition and a captive audience.

With its mostly low profile, Clarksdale is more than just a stop for music enthusiasts looking to the history of the genre, but to the present with festivals like the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in August or the Juke Joint Festival in April for live entertainment from local and national talents. Southern hospitality and cuisine are served up daily in Clarksdale as well, especially at local favorites like Abe’s Bar-B-Q for authentic comfort foods and delectable meats.

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Greenville

Visitor's Center in Greenville, Mississippi
Visitor’s Center in Greenville, Mississippi.

Greenville is a hidden gem, beckoning visitors to the Delta region to experience a rich history, vibrant music scene, and culinary treasures. Greenville often gets overlooked compared to the other significant cities occupying this region in Mississippi, making it an almost undiscovered treasure for those looking to dive deep into Southern history and reflect on the contributions of the indigenous people who once inhabited the region. From the E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center, where you can learn about the town’s heritage and attend most of its community events, to the Winterville Mounds, which showcase pre-Colombian culture, there is much to learn and explore.

As much as you can surround yourself with its southern charm, Greenville is also home to some very renowned eateries for local residents, including Doe’s Eat Place. But that’s not all the attraction and allure of the food in the area, as every year in October, masses converge on Greenville for the Delta Hot Tamale Festival, showcasing tamale tastings, contests, and live entertainment. Many step off the beaten path to Greenville for the annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival in the spring as well.

Water Valley

Main Street in Water Valley, Mississippi.
Main Street in Water Valley, Mississippi. Image credit: Fredlyfish4 via Wikimedia Commons.

Water Valley has become quite a hidden treasure for curious travelers, primarily because of its charming and quaint downtown area. This differs significantly from the bustle of larger cities, focusing most on its unique shops, restaurants, and art. The Bozarts Gallery is one of the main epicenters of local art talent, and you can find a local favorite farm-to-table experience at the B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery.

Those interested in the area’s history can be delighted to learn about the connection between the community and Casey Jones, the legendary train engineer. You can learn about this individual and see exhibits of his contributions to the railroad industry at the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum. If you come at the right time of the year, you can also appreciate Water Valley’s most famous annual event, the Watermelon Carnival, in August. This features a parade, live music, contests, entertainment, and plenty of watermelons.

Tupelo

 Fair Park in front of Tupelo City Hall in Tupelo, Mississippi
Fair Park in front of Tupelo City Hall in Tupelo, Mississippi Editorial credit: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com.

Everyone knows who the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was in Tupelo: Elvis Presley. This small town is where the world-famous singer grew up, so many of its attractions are centered around the icon’s legacy and contributions to music. The tour for the avid fan begins at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, a complex that includes his childhood home, a museum, and a meticulously manicured park. Other stops on your tour of Elvis’ history in his hometown include the Tupelo Hardware Store, where the superstar purchased his first acoustic guitar.

When you want a break from the King’s presence in the community, check out some of the best eateries in the region, starting with Sim’s Soul Cookin’ Restaurant, featuring authentic Southern favorites. You can also appreciate the wonder of nature here in Tupelo with the Tanglefoot Trail, which offers hiking and trails, or the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo, which provides animal exhibits and safari tours for the adventurers of your party.

Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Carmen K. Sisson / Shutterstock.com.

If you have ever heard of the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, you might have heard of Ocean Springs, where it happens every year. Otherwise, the community typically flies under the radar despite being right along the Gulf Coast and offering a wealth of water recreation like fishing, boating, swimming, and more. Art is prevalent here beyond the annual festival, with locations like the Walter Anderson Museum of Art showcasing the artist’s famous portrayals of the Gulf Coast.

This small town embodies Southern charm and natural beauty, evident in the quant shops and inviting eateries like The Greenhouse on Porter (famous for its biscuits) or Vestige, a local favorite for seafood dishes. For those looking to use Ocean Springs as a relaxing escape, you can use it as a base to reach the nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore for wildlife photography, kayaking, and beachcombing.

Cleveland

The Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi.
The Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Music is part of the culture in Cleveland. Home to the Grammy Museum Mississippi, where you can find rare artifacts that make up interactive exhibits of American music rooted in the Magnolia State. The community’s position in the Mississippi Delta makes it as serene and naturally attractive as it is based on steep blues traditions. You can get an old soul feel for the entire town when you stroll down Cotton Row to find local favorites like Delta Meat Market’s fresh-from-the-farm meals or delightfully decadent sips at The Bean Counter.

Cleveland is more than the laid-back, bluesy town it appears to be. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy access to the Great River Road State Park, with spectacular views of the Mississippi River and miles of hiking trails. If you visit in April, you can likely catch the Crosstie Arts & Jazz Festival that transforms the town. Similarly, the fall enlivens Cleveland with Octoberfest, an autumn celebration of food, entertainment, and community fun.

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Just like the blues, Mississippi is soulful, vibrant, and iconic. From the birthplace of this legendary music genre in Clarksdale to small towns across the Mississippi Delta, there is a rich history and culture to explore every time you visit the Magnolia State. Your journey should always begin where the story has the deepest roots, like the small and overlooked towns across the state. Whether you are looking for ocean access or one-of-a-kind eating like you will find at B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery in Water Valley or Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, there is something to suit every adventure in Mississippi.



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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for July 16, 2026

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for July 16, 2026


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

Here’s a look at July 16, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 16 drawing

02-09-28-33-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 16 drawing

Midday: 8-1-2, FB: 5

Evening: 8-7-4, FB: 5

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 16 drawing

Midday: 2-0-5-6, FB: 5

Evening: 5-3-9-0, FB: 5

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 16 drawing

Midday: 14

Evening: 10

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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 homeowners blame a noisy data center plant for sleepless nights. The mayor’s advice? “Consider selling.”

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Mississippi homeowners blame a noisy data center plant for sleepless nights. The mayor’s advice? “Consider selling.”


It was 4 a.m. on a Sunday and 46-year-old Jason Haley was once again wide awake. 

The suburban silence that Haley had grown used to in his two decades as a resident of Southaven, Mississippi, had, for the last few months, been replaced by a constant whirring, like an airplane hovering over his home, he said.

The noise keeping Haley awake was coming from a plant powering Elon Musk’s xAI data centers in the area, according to a lawsuit filed in June against the company and its subsidiary, MZX Tech. Haley and two other Southaven residents, who live within a mile of the plant, allege in the suit that “near-constant” noise and vibrations are causing negative physical and psychological health effects.

The filing comes amid growing resistance toward data center development, with the majority of Americans opposing local construction of a data center, according to a Gallup poll published earlier this year.

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Similar disputes are playing out across the country, like in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, where a lawsuit this month filed by residents alleges a data center emits “unreasonable and excessive noise” onto residents’ properties and in Lowell, Massachusetts, where noise from a data center’s cooling center “disrupts neighbors’ sleep,” according to an April suit.

There are more than 4,000 data centers in the U.S., according to a recent United Nations report. To power the data centers, developers are building their own plants, sometimes with little warning to residents like Haley. 

Haley reached out to Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite about the noise in emails he shared with CBS News. In one last November, he urged Musselwhite to drive through the neighborhood “and take a listen to the constant high pitch noises.”

“I am aware of the noise and working on a solution with xAI officials,” Musselwhite had responded to Haley an hour later. “It is a problem,” he said in another email later in the day.

But soon, another sleepless night rolled around and Haley was emailing the mayor again.

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“Anyone else I can reach out to?” Haley wrote to Musselwhite. “It’s almost 4 am and I can hear it from my bed. The high pitch and roaring combined is full force at this time. My ears are ringing. I can’t live in this. How was this ever approved?”

“I don’t care that this is Elon’s project”

Just north of Southaven, which sits on the Mississippi-Tennessee border, xAI’s data center Colossus went online in Memphis in September 2024. The company dubbed it “the world’s largest AI supercomputer.”

By late July 2025, Musk was announcing that another data center, Colossus 2, was set to begin operation in the area within weeks.

Days later, an announcement popped into the Facebook feeds of Southaven residents: An energy facility that had been dormant for decades will be revived to support xAI’s expanding data center operations in the area, Musselwhite said.

The post was met by a flood of comments, with some lauding the development and others expressing concern about the plant’s impact on the environment and strain on local resources. 

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Meanwhile, Haley started hearing sounds.

“My first thought was somebody’s got a leaf blower going all the time,” he said. 

By December, the noise had become a fixture. He started getting headaches, stopped getting sleep and slipped into feelings of hopelessness and depression. The noise was inescapable, he said, and despite his best efforts to drown it out (sleeping with earplugs, getting a box fan for white noise), it continued to drone on.

So Haley began speaking up — at city government meetings, on Facebook and through TikTok, where he posts videos of himself measuring the noise with a sound meter. He later became involved in a grassroots coalition called Safe and Sound, drawing awareness to concerns surrounding xAI’s undertakings in the region.

The “activist” label is one he’s reluctantly accepted. 

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“I’ve never been into any kind of activism, never really kept up with politics a whole lot,” he said. “I’m just a guy that has a problem with this noise, and started speaking out and trying to raise awareness.”

When he emailed Musselwhite about the noise again in December, his message came with a disclosure: “I am not a republican or democrat, I don’t care that this is Elon’s project. I didn’t know whose it was when I started complaining about the noise that started in August.”

Musselwhite responded a few days later. 

“As I mentioned to you in the public meeting, you seem to be a reasonable person,” he said. “I will give you some unsolicited advice from an older man, be careful with whom you associate so you don’t damage your credibility.”

By January, xAI was expanding its footprint with a third data center in Southaven, MACROHARDDR. As residents like Haley continued pushing back online and in city meetings, Musselwhite had a new message.

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Southaven, he said in a Facebook post, was “under attack by all who choose to oppose Elon Musk because of his high-profile political stances.” He warned residents to “beware of the smokescreen of radical politics.”

In his emails to Haley, Musselwhite continued to acknowledge the noise as a problem.

“The noise issue is one of my highest priorities and I have been in detailed discussions with xAI and many independent professionals to resolve this,” he wrote in March.

But in the same email, he offered Haley more advice: “I know they want houses for employees, so you may want to consider selling your home.”

CBS News made multiple attempts to speak with Musselwhite and did not receive a reply.

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Migraines, ringing ears and sleepless nights

Moving isn’t Haley’s preference, but he said he is in the financial position to do so if he chooses.

That’s not the case for everyone.

A little over a decade ago, 31-year-old Taylor Logsdon bought a home for her growing family in Southaven and began building her life around it. 

“We loved it here,” she said. “It was peaceful, it was quiet, didn’t have to worry about nothing.”

But that was before the noise, so loud, she said, that it sometimes shakes her home. Logsdon, who is also involved in the Safe and Sound coalition and is suing xAI with Haley and one other Southaven resident, said she has experienced migraines and anxiety as a result of the noise. 

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She said she has persistent ringing in her ears and so do her children. A full night of sleep has become rare for the family.

“I would move tomorrow if I could,” she said, adding that she needs to save money before she can afford to move.

Her children, all under the age of 13, are having trouble staying awake at school.

“One of them is extra angry all the time — never, never has been that way, but he’s just irritable like all the time,” she said. “I feel like I’m snappier too.”

xAI spent millions of dollars trying to mitigate the sound with a sound wall, a berm and evergreen trees, Musselwhite said in a February Facebook post. 

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“It still hasn’t helped. It hasn’t even put a dent in it,” Logsdon said. 

People living in areas where there is “constant humming or buzzing” report headaches, stress and sleep disturbance, said Dr. Samoon Ahmad, a clinical professor of psychiatry at New York University.

A 2023 study found that environmental noise exposure can lead to adverse associations for cardiovascular disease and mortality, diabetes, hearing impairment, neurological disorders and adverse reproductive outcomes.

“People think of annoyance as an abstract term,” Ahmad said. “It’s not an abstract term because it has real physiological ramifications.”

The World Health Organization recommends less than 40 decibels of annual average nighttime noise outside of bedrooms to prevent adverse health effects. Haley has recorded noise levels over 60 decibels as late as 10:15 p.m. from his Southaven backyard. 

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Musk’s Memphis

Even before Logsdon and Haley decided to take action against xAI, Musk’s growing presence in the Memphis area garnered attention from advocacy groups over health and environmental concerns.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People filed a lawsuit in April against xAI claiming the Southaven plant emits “significant” amounts of harmful pollutants from its 27 gas turbines, which has since increased to 59, according to a court filing reviewed by CBS News. The NAACP has also filed an appeal to challenge the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s decision to issue an air permit allowing the Southaven plant to operate 41 permanent methane gas turbines. An independent study found their operation would increase air pollution in an area already grappling with a disproportionate number of asthma-related emergency room visits.

CBS News has reached out to xAI for comment.

Musk’s investment in the latest Southaven data center brings his company’s contribution to the area to $20 billion, according to the office of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. The governor called it “the largest economic development project in Mississippi’s history.”

Musk’s financial footprint has also extended beyond the data centers — MZX Tech donated over $1.3 million to the Southaven Police Department in February, according to the donation agreement obtained by CBS News, and has offered half-priced Starlink for those in the Memphis region.

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But Logsdon says the cost to her and her family’s health has her wondering why it feels like her city is willing to “hurt the few to get the benefits.”

“We were not a failure town before,” Logsdon said. “It’s not like our economics were terrible here.”

Southaven had a median household income of over $70,000 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — $20,000 more than the state average. 

Logsdon, currently a stay-at-home mom, will be searching for work this fall so she and her husband can start saving up to move away from the plant. For now, her goal is a full night’s sleep.

“I hope that my family can go back to having our normal,” she said. “Being able to sleep at night, being able to enjoy my backyard, being able to go swimming.”

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GPS data tracks boat Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was on before he went missing

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GPS data tracks boat Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was on before he went missing


GPS data from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, obtained by CBS News, tracks the movements of the boat that carried Nolan Wells to Horn Island on July 4. Wells was found dead after going missing following an outing on the island.

The vessel left a dock at approximately 9:56 a.m. that morning and arrived at Horn Island at 11:14 a.m. CBS News has previously reported that Wells was not on the boat when it departed the island. 

According to the GPS data, the boat left Horn Island at 4:31 p.m. and returned to its original departure dock. It then traveled into Fort Bayou around 5:52 p.m. before returning to the dock at 6:06 p.m.

Later that evening, the boat went to the Fort Bayou boat launch at 7:19 p.m., according to the MSDMR report. From there, it traveled over land — presumably towed by a vehicle — to the Biloxi, Mississippi, residence of the boat’s owners. 

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The MSDMR report indicates that the boat’s owner, his mother and one other individual who was reportedly with Wells on the day of the incident have cooperated with the investigation.

The department’s report ends on July 5, following notification that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office would take over as the lead investigative agency.

This undated photo provided by the family in July 2026 shows Nolan Xavier Wells with his mother, Christine Wonsley.

Family photo via AP

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Wells, 18, was last seen on July 4 on Horn Island, where he had taken a boat trip with friends to celebrate the holiday, officials said. Wells traveled to the island with his friends but did not return to the mainland with them that afternoon, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has said.

He was last seen on the island at 3 p.m., according to attorney Ben Crump’s office. His mother reported him missing later that night and a search began.

His body was discovered July 6 off the coast of the island, which is about 10 miles south of the Mississippi mainland, following a search that involved the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the National Park Service.

Dental records confirmed the body was Wells, Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd told CBS News. An autopsy took place on July 7, Lynd said, but the results were not immediately made public. Wells’ body was flown to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy, according to Crump. 

Wells’ parents have said they don’t believe their son would’ve stayed behind on the island by choice when his friends left by boat.

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Christine and Elmore Wonsley, the parents of Nolan Wells, spoke to “CBS Mornings” on Friday, July 10, 2026.

CBS News


“No, he wouldn’t. Nolan always stays with the group,” Elmore Wonsley, Nolan’s father, told “CBS Mornings” last week. “If you be with me, you come back with me. So that I don’t understand, and with me being a parent, if I was in that situation, I would have told them, ‘You’re going to get back on this boat with me because I don’t want to answer to your parents if something happens to you.’”

When directly asked if he believed Nolan was left behind on the island, his father responded, “Yes. I don’t believe he decided to stay on the island by himself. It just doesn’t — that’s not his character.”

Wells went to Ocean Springs High School and was a rising sophomore on Southwest Mississippi Community College’s football team. Crump said Wells was a good swimmer.

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