Mississippi
'Critter catcher' offers tips to keep wild animals out of homes as temperatures cool – SuperTalk Mississippi
As Mississippi ditches the summer heat and welcomes the refreshing coolness of fall, pesky wild animals are beginning to seek shelter where they may not belong.
Mike McDowell, a licensed nuisance wildlife operator and owner of The Critter Catcher in central Mississippi, warns the public that unwelcome visitors could soon be finding any possible means of lodging in residences across the Magnolia State.
“Animals are going crazy,” McDowell said on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “They’re getting their nests and their dens ready. They’re looking for any way they can to get into homes.”
With Mississippi being home to a multitude of what are considered nuisance species, McDowell urges homeowners to examine their houses and seal possible entryways underneath the residence, in the roof, or any soft spots wild animals could exploit and use as a pathway inside.
The pest control expert warns that it just takes one female wild animal to give birth in a home to kickstart a wildfire of houses being infiltrated by unwanted guests.
“Once you find one female animal, whether it’s a raccoon, opossum, squirrel, or rat, it doesn’t matter. Once they’ve found a way to get into that house, had a litter of young, and taught those litter how to get into that house, they’re now knowledgeable. When they get older, they’re going to go to some other house and they’re going to find a way to get in,” McDowell continued.
“It’s just a whole process and it doesn’t take very long … Eventually you have a subdivision full of animals getting in houses. People don’t realize what is that’s what’s happening. They’ve taught those animals to get into houses.”
But for those who have already experienced an intrusion, McDowell recommends calling an expert to flush the animals out instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“We have issues nowadays where people are trying to do their own thing — the [do it yourself] stuff — and they’re catching the animals, taking them out, letting them somewhere else, and educating the animals about the traps and being caught,” McDowell added. “So, when I get there, if they’ve already been caught, it’s even harder for me. Now I’ve got to up my game level to try to find a way to get those animals out of there.”
Tax Season 2026: key changes, deadlines, and deductions
Discover the latest tax changes, deadlines, and deductions for Tax Season 2026. From tips to car loan interest, stay informed!
The Mississippi Department of Revenue is moving tax day. The state announced on Wednesday, April 15, that it will offer tax relief after Winter Storm Fern.
The Internal Revenue Service announced on Tuesday, April 14, all Mississippi residents will get a federal extension to file.
The new deadline is June 8, 2026. It includes filing individual and business tax returns and making tax payments.
The decision follows a disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the severe winter ice storm that knocked out power to thousands in January. As of late February, the storm was estimated to have caused about $107 million in damages.
IRS gives Mississippi federal tax extension because of ice storm
Rodney Foushee handles IRS media relations for North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. He said the relief applies to all 82 Mississippi counties.
It also covers all other IRS deadlines that fall between Jan. 23, when the winter storm started, and June 8. That includes “affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on Feb. 2, 2026, and April 30, 2026.”
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 23 and before Feb. 9 will be abated if the tax deposits were made by Feb. 9, the IRS wrote.
What does new state tax deadline in Mississippi affect?
Mississippi DOR said this change will include:
- individual income tax return
- corporate income and franchise tax returns
- pass-through entity tax returns
- quarterly estimated payments that were originally due in this period
The state will work with people who live outside the state but had business recorded, books or tax professionals who work in the affected area.
“The extension does not automatically apply to any other tax types or payments due on prior liabilities,” the DOR said.
Call the Mississippi Department of Revenue at 601-923-7700 if you need an extension or get a penalty notice.
Did Mississippi get rid of the state income tax?
The Mississippi Legislature agreed to eliminate the state income tax in 2025. Gov. Tate Reeves signed it into law.
The move also cut sales tax on groceries by 2%. It was designed to hike the gas tax by nine cents over three years to boost infrastructure funds.
When will Mississippi income taxes go away entirely?
Mississippi will phase out its income tax, but it could take up to a decade for it to be fully gone.
The state will have a 4% tax rate by fiscal year 2027. It should be at 3% by 2030.
After 2031, cuts will be activated by triggers set up in the language of the law passed in 2025.
How can I file Mississippi state taxes?
The Mississippi Department of Revenue encourages anyone who can to file electronically.
The most common paper return forms are also available online.
How can I track my Mississippi state tax refund?
You can check it online at https://tap.dor.ms.gov/. Have your ID type and number ready along with your refund amount.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
Tax Season 2026: key changes, deadlines, and deductions
Discover the latest tax changes, deadlines, and deductions for Tax Season 2026. From tips to car loan interest, stay informed!
Need extra time to file your taxes this year? The Internal Revenue Service is moving the deadline for all Mississippi residents to file.
The decision follows a disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the severe winter ice storm that knocked out power to thousands in January. As of late February, the storm was estimated to have caused about $107 million in damages.
Rodney Foushee handles IRS media relations for North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. He said the relief applies to all 82 Mississippi counties.
The new June 8, 2026 deadline includes filing individual and business tax returns and making tax payments.
It also covers all other IRS deadlines that fall between Jan. 23, when the winter storm started, and June 8. That includes “affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on Feb. 2, 2026, and April 30, 2026.”
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 23 and before Feb. 9 will be abated if the tax deposits were made by Feb. 9, the IRS wrote.
Mississippi state tax deadline stays the same
This change does not affect the state of Mississippi filing date.
The deadline to file and pay state taxes is April 15, 2026.
How do I get my federal tax return fast?
If you file electronically and choose to receive your refund by direct deposit, your refund will probably be issued within 21 days, the IRS says.
If you mail a paper return, the wait could be six weeks or longer. About 11 million Americans still file on paper, and the IRS is outsourcing the handling of those returns as part of its “Zero Paper Initiative.”
Can I get my tax refund as a paper check?
No. The IRS has phased out paper checks this year. (The IRS has said limited exceptions will be available.)
Plan to get it via direct deposit. People without bank accounts can use prepaid debit cards or digital wallets.
How do I track my 2026 income tax refund?
You can track the status of your refund check online at Where’s My Refund?
Some banks or financial institutions can take extra time to process checks. Weekends or holidays could delay processing, and the IRS says to check with your bank if you think it’s been processed but don’t see the funds in your account.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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.
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