Mississippi
Atlanta Braves minor league affiliate Mississippi Braves to relocate to Georgia in 2025
Mississippi Braves first baseman Tyler Marlette during the Home Run Derby of the 2018 Southern League All-Star Game. The South All-Stars defeated the North All-Stars by the score of 9-5 at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Another Atlanta Braves minor league affiliate is moving to Georgia. The Mississippi Braves will relocate to Columbus in 2025.
The Double-A team made the announcement on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
The minor league team has been in Pearl, Mississippi, just outside of Jackson since 2005, when it moved there from Greenville, South Carolina. The franchise has earned two league titles and three division titles in that time, with the last in 2021.
The franchise’s statement reads:
“To our incredible fans – 2024 will be the M-Braves’ final season in Pearl, MS. The Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves will be relocating to Columbus, GA, as of the start of the 2025 season.
“We want to thank Pearl, the surrounding Jackson community and the state of Mississippi for the incredible support for the franchise over the past 19 years. We have loved creating memories with you at Trustmark Park, and we look forward to bringing you an amazing 2024 season. The M-Braves will be commemorating the 20th season at Trustmark Park throughout the 69-game home schedule in 2024, beginning with Opening Day on Tuesday, April 9 vs. Biloxi.
“We are hopeful that this is not the end of professional baseball in Pearl and our organization will support any efforts to bring a team to Trustmark Park in the future.”
Diamond Baseball Holdings bought the team from Liberty Media in 2022, the same year the Braves were spun off into the Liberty Live Group tracking stock. The group also owns the Triple-A Braves affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, and the newly rechristened High-A Braves affiliate, the Rome Emperors.
No word on if the team will be changing their moniker as the other Braves affiliate teams have done in recent years.
The team will be playing in Golden Park in Columbus.
Mississippi
14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi
WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Deputies in Warren County, Mississippi, arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly shooting an 8-year-old.
Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the shooting happened on Abraham Drive just before 4:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026.
According to the sheriff, the female victim was transported to a Jackson hospital for treatment. He said deputies recovered a handgun at the scene.
There’s no motive for the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
Mississippi
A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said. Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.
The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.
The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.
The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.
Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.
“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said.
Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.
Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”
State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.
Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”
He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.
Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”
Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”
Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.
In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.
We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”
Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
Mississippi
IRS owes Mississippi residents $9.9 million. Are you missing free money?
2026 tax filing dates, forms to use and more tips this tax season
A comprehensive guide to the 2026 tax season, featuring filing deadlines, tax document checklists, and new deduction rules.
Are you missing out on free money? The IRS estimates that 1.3 million Americans are missing out on their 2022 income tax refunds because they haven’t filed their taxes. That totals about $1.2 billion in unclaimed money.
Many taxpayers are missing out on income tax returns because they haven’t filed. Some are years late.
The final deadline to be eligible is April 15. If people miss it, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.
How many people in Mississippi could get a check?
According to the IRS, Mississippi taxpayers are owed about $9.9 million.
Approximately 11,800 people who haven’t filed their 2022 taxes could get a refund. The median amount is $635, so half of refunds could be more than that.
What if I didn’t file my 2022 taxes? When is the deadline?
You have until April 15, 2026, to file back-year returns.
The IRS said you might still be eligible for the check, but only people who have filed their taxes will get one.
If you owe money or haven’t filed for 2023 or 2024 tax years, your check could be held. The money could also be garnished for unpaid child support or federal student loans.
People also have to file their 2025 taxes to get any refunds that might be owed.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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