Mississippi

‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts ‘Respectfully’ Declines Key to City Amid Controversy

Published

6 months ago

June 29, 2025

‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts ‘Respectfully’ Declines Key to City Amid Controversy

When “American Idol” season 23 winner Jamal Roberts performed in Atmore, Alabama, on June 14, 2025, he shared on social media how touched he was when the mayor presented him with a key to the city — an honor that many cities bestow on visiting celebrities and dignitaries.

But when Roberts performs at the Blac & Noir Event in Laurel, Mississippi, in early August, he won’t be accepting the same honor. On June 27, the R&B singer spoke to fans via Facebook Live to address a firestorm of controversy that had erupted over plans to present him with a key to the city made famous in the last decade by HGTV stars Erin and Ben Napier.

Jamal Roberts Says Laurel Uproar is Example of the ‘Sad World We Live In’

During his Facebook Live, Roberts said that his upcoming show in Laurel, located minutes away from his hometown of Meridian, has been “booked forever.” Roberts said he’d heard nothing about being given a key to the city until June 27, when local event organizer Drake Paige posted on Facebook that Mayor Magee had approved the special honor.

But his announcement was met with swift opposition from some in Laurel who took issue with Roberts receiving a key to the city, arguing that residents who have given back to the community in various ways have not received similar honors. The comment section quickly grew heated, many more people have posted, and Roberts said he’d been notified of death threats made against him.

“You have people sharing the post, making threats, talking about they’ll have guns at the event,” the former P.E. teacher said, adding, “I worked with kids before ‘American Idol’ and it’s crazy that … kids can comprehend (how to behave) more than grown folk. It’s a sad world we live in.”

In the comment section of Paige’s post, Roberts wrote, “Although I am appreciative, I did not ask for it, but I am thankful.”

“I don’t want it, respectfully,” Roberts further clarified in his video. “You can have it. Tell them I’m appreciative, but I politely decline.”

Jamal Roberts Plans to Release Song Celebrating His Home State of Mississippi

EntertainmentNow/Disney

“American Idol” 2025 contestant Jamal Roberts

The tradition of civic leaders handing out “keys to the city” to esteemed visitors dates back to medieval times, when cities surrounded by walls with giant gates, according to Brown University. In modern times, a non-functioning key is given to symbolize that a trusted,

Many people have shared encouragement for Roberts on social media amid the controversy, and disappointment over all the negativity, including one person who wrote, “Some of you all are about to break a record, THE MOST HATERS, UNDER ONE POST!!!”

Another wrote, “Omg. People just can’t find anything else to worry about in their life. This is ridiculous. Like you say a key is not going to stop your journey. Keep reaching for the top. God got you.”

Laurel has a population of less than 17,000 but is well known as the locale of HGTV’s hit show “Home Town” starring Erin and Ben Napier. It is also the real-life hometown of multiple celebrities including actress Parker Posey, NSync member Lance Bass, opera singer Leontyne Price, blues singer Sam Myers, and Olympic Gold Medal track star Ralph Boston.

Toward the end of Roberts’ June 27 Facebook Live, he said he’d been in Los Angeles working on new music all week. Despite the bump in the road with Laurel, he said the first single from his upcoming album would be a song that serves as his ode to his home state of Mississippi.

“I’m (gonna) dedicate a song back to the state,” Roberts said. “That’s gonna be my first record. My first record I’m gonna drop is gonna be a song back to the to the state. Tell them how appreciative I am. You know, people just don’t expect good things to come out of Mississippi no more, and when they do, they don’t know how to handle it.”

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

06-11-22-30-32

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-3-7, FB: 8

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 9

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 3-6-7-5, FB: 8

Evening: 4-2-1-2, FB: 9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 04

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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Mississippi

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

Published

15 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

With the College Football Playoff finally here, the Oregonian/OregonLive sports staff returns with its final predictions for the 2025-2026 season.

No. 5 Oregon starts its CFP campaign with a matchup against 12-seed James Madison on Saturday, in what will be the first-ever playoff game held at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are a heavy favorite, and many of our experts predict them to make a deep playoff run after beating the Dukes.

In addition to UO hosting JMU, this weekend’s first-round CFP slate includes showdowns between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 10 Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, as well as No. 11 Tulane and No. 6 Mississippi.

Our staff has made predictions for all playoff games from now until the championship on Jan. 19. Check out the picks below.

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Sooners by 1½

Over/under: 40½

Ryan Clarke: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20

James Crepea: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 21

Nick Daschel: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 23

Aaron Fentress: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 24

Sean Meagher: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 26

Joel Odom: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20

Bill Oram: Oklahoma 28, Alabama 21

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Aggies by 3½

Over/under: 48½

Ryan Clarke: Miami 21, Texas A&M 20

James Crepea: Miami 21, Texas A&M 14

Nick Daschel: Miami 31, Texas A&M 27

Aaron Fentress: Texas A&M 31, Miami 30

Sean Meagher: Texas A&M 35, Miami 24

Joel Odom: Texas A&M 23, Miami 21

Bill Oram: Miami 42, Texas A&M 35

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Rebels by 17½

Over/under: 56½

Ryan Clarke: Mississippi 35, Tulane 13

James Crepea: Mississippi 35, Tulane 14

Nick Daschel: Mississippi 38, Tulane 24

Aaron Fentress: Miss 40, Tulane 17

Sean Meagher: Mississippi 38, Tulane 21

Joel Odom: Mississippi 35, Tulane 16

Bill Oram: Mississippi 38, Tulane 17

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Ducks by 20½

Over/under: 47½

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 45, James Madison 7

James Crepea: Oregon 35, James Madison 7

Nick Daschel: Oregon 45, JMU 10

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 41, JMU 16

Sean Meagher: Oregon 42, James Madison 17

Joel Odom: Oregon 38, James Madison 19

Bill Oram: Oregon 40, JMU 13

Quarterfinals

Cotton Bowl: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 31, Miami 17

James Crepea: Ohio State 35, Miami 14

Nick Daschel: Ohio State 34, Miami 17

Aaron Fentress: OSU 33, Texas A&M 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 35, Texas A&M 24

Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Texas A&M 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 31, Miami 24

Orange Bowl: JMU-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech

Game details: 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20

James Crepea: Oregon 28, Texas Tech 21

Nick Daschel: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 24

Sean Meagher: Oregon 37, Texas Tech 35

Joel Odom: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30

Rose Bowl: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana

Game details: 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 34, Alabama 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Alabama 28

Nick Daschel: Indiana 34, Oklahoma 24

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 29, Oklahoma 20

Sean Meagher: Indiana 33, Alabama 23

Joel Odom: Indiana 28, Alabama 17

Bill Oram: Indiana 10, Oklahoma 7

Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Georgia

Game details: 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Georgia 20, Mississippi 10

James Crepea: Georgia 28, Mississippi 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 30, Mississippi 7

Aaron Fentress: Georgia 30, Mississippi 22

Sean Meagher: Georgia 28, Mississippi 20

Joel Odom: Georgia 25, Mississippi 22

Bill Oram: Georgia 45, Mississippi 35

Semifinals

Fiesta Bowl: Cotton vs. Sugar winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 23, Georgia 20

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 29, Ohio State 23

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 27, Georgia 26

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Joel Odom: Georgia 31, Ohio State 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 42, Georgia 41

Peach Bowl: Orange vs. Rose winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Friday, Jan. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 30, Oregon 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Oregon 24

Nick Daschel: Oregon 31, Indiana 23

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 30, Oregon 23

Sean Meagher: Indiana 27, Oregon 24

Joel Odom: Oregon 34, Indiana 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 30, Indiana 20

National Championship

Semifinal winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 25, Indiana 21

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24

Nick Daschel: Georgia 28, Oregon 17

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 22, Indiana 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31

Joel Odom: Georgia 30, Oregon 27

Bill Oram: Ohio State 32, Oregon 31

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

01-06-18-19-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 1-9-0, FB: 3

Evening: 3-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 0-3-9-4, FB: 3

Evening: 7-2-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 02

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.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

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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