Mississippi
Confederate symbols removal pushed by Mississippi Democrats in State Capitol, Washington DC
Republican committee chairs give little response on moving bills forward
Ever since Lexington’s District 47 Rep. Bryant Clark had been coming to the Mississippi State Capitol as a child and later as a lawmaker, symbols of the old Confederacy had loomed on flag poles, hallway corners and the very ceiling of the building.
Clark, whose father Robert was the first Black state legislator elected in the 20th century, told the Clarion Ledger some of those symbols went unnoticed to him and several others until this year.
Other vestiges were also placed by the state nearly 100 years ago in Washington, D.C.’s Statuary Hall, displaying Confederate figures Jefferson Davis and James Z. George. The Kentucky-born Davis, a former U.S. Senator representing Mississippi, was most famous as the President of the Confederate States of America. George was a Confederate politician and military officer and the namesake of Mississippi’s George County.
Now, Clark and several other legislators have filed bills to either replace a painting of two generals raising a Confederate battle flag with the state’s current flag of a magnolia flower or remove it entirely. Other bills filed by State Senators Derrick Simmons and David Blount, both Democrats serving Greenville and Jackson respectively, would aim to replace the two statues in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve been here 21 years and quite honestly, I had never seen that until Sen. Bradford Blackmon had brought it to my attention,” Clark said. “All citizens have embraced the (new) flag, and I think it would be the ideal symbol to replace the Confederate picture with the Mississippi flag.”
Another legacy lawmaker, Blackmon, D-Lexington, who replaced his father Edward Blackmon this year in the Senate, said he filed a bill to replace the painting in the Capitol’s rotunda ceiling, which also displays other religious and historical images. He too had never noticed the painting.That bill, SB 2217, would direct the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to remove the painting and create a commission consisting of governor appointments, the director of the MDAH, a member of the Mississippi Arts Commission and several lawmakers, to decide what should replace it.“Coming off a few years removed from taking down the state flag with the battle emblem inside of it, there’s a lot more representations of Mississippi that can go up there, and that’s what led me to draft a bill,” said Blackmon.
Blount and Simmons both said they would vote for Blackmon’s bill, but they are heavily focused on lobbying to create a commission of their own to replace Davis and George with more modern representations of Mississippi.
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“There are a number of changes that need to be made in Mississippi,” Blount said. “It’s a problem.”
Senate President Pro Tem. Dean Kirby, R- Pearl, who chairs the Rules Committee where both Senate bills were sent, told the Clarion Ledger he has spoken with Blackmon, and he will consider bringing his bill forward.
“It’s definitely something I will discuss with my committee,” Kirby said.
Since Kirby took over the Rules Committee in 2020, no bills regarding the removal of Confederate paintings or statues or the establishing of commissions to discuss them have made it out of his committee.
According to MDAH records, when the current State Capitol was built in the early 1900s, the original ceiling did not include depictions of the confederate battle flag. The building was later renovated and restored in the 1980s, a project that cost the state $19 million, according to MDAH records.
In 2021, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, signed legislation to replace the state’s former flag, which also depicted the stars and bars of the Army of Northern Virginia battle flag flown during the Civil War, with one showing a magnolia flower.
The traditional Confederate battle flag never flew over Mississippi as a state flag during the Civil War. Mississippi’s flag in that era featured a magnolia tree as its dominant symbol.
Over in the in the Mississippi House of Representatives, Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, told the Clarion Ledger he is sponsoring a bill to replace the two statues as well, but instead of creating a commission to oversee the replacement, he is asking the legislature to approve placing famous civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer and Hiram Revels, the first Black man in the United States Senate.
“Those two Confederate leaders, I don’t think are appropriate representations of the state of Mississippi, and I think we ought to have some statues of people who represent how we move forward,” Johnson said.
However, these pieces of legislation may be falling on deaf ears.
Johnson said he had spoken with first year House Speaker Jason White, R-West, about his bill and that White responded positively toward the idea.
Friday morning, White’s Communications Officer Taylor Spillman said he had no such meeting. White declined to comment on whether he would support removing the painting in the rotunda or replacing Davis and George in Washington D.C.
“We are focusing on education and Medicaid right now,” Spillman said.
Johnson’ bill, House Concurrent Resolution 12, was sent to the Rules Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Fred Shanks, R-Brandon.
When asked to speak on the bills introduced by Johnson and Clark, who also serves as his vice chair, Shanks declined to comment.
Sen. Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, who vice chairs the Senate Rules Committee, said he would not vote to replace the paintings in the Capitol building.
“I’m not interested in moving that,” Michel said. “I like it, it looks good. It’s a beautiful painting up on top of the ceiling of the rotunda so I’m not interested in moving that bill.”
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Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Mississippi
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
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 18, 2025
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 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.
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.
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 17, 2025
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 Dec. 17, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
05-14-24-31-33
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 0-3-8, FB: 8
Evening: 6-8-3, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 3-5-3-0, FB: 8
Evening: 8-0-9-4, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 17 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 05
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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