Mississippi
Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi hosts its annual Meridian Walk for Diabetes
MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -On Sunday, the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi held its annual Meridian Walk for Diabetes at Bonita Lake Parks.
Many people came out to walk in support of children and families who have been diagnosed with type and type two diabetes.
Registration began at 1 pm, followed by Miss Mississippi’s Becky Williams leading the warm-ups and stretches to prepare people for their walk, which began at 2.
There were also activities for the children, such as face painting, a sneaker contest, food, snacks, and cold beverages for everyone in attendance, and everyone who finished the walk earned a medal of accomplishment.
Jowilla Secoy, Regional Director of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, was very excited about the turnout of their event.
“Today was a little small, but we’re always thankful to everyone who comes out here. I think we’ve got about 75 to 100 people out here today, and we’ve done this for years, and it just always depends. Last year, it was freezing cold, and we had a lot of people out here, you know, on Sundays, it can be hard to have people out because they have other obligations; however, those that don’t come out, they’re still supporting us, whether it’s through donor drive or sending in checks. But it’s the ones that we have out here today; they’re here for a reason, and there’s meaning behind them. Everything that they do for us,” says Jowilla Secoy, Regional Director.
Miss Mississippi Becky Williams was also in attendance, talking more about her Make a Move initiative and how this walk was important.
“There are so many comorbidities related to sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, and so when we start moving our bodies through these simple ways, whether it is just walking, whether it is going to get your own groceries, we really can change our lives. And so understanding that this correlation between walking and diabetes and also understanding that Mississippi is one of the most unhealthy states in the nation and has a very high diabetes rate. You know, it just makes sense to to combine these things to bring awareness to health,” says 2024 Miss Mississippi’s Becky Williams
All the money raised at the walk will stay in Mississippi to help provide support for the families and get them access to equipment, tools, and resources they need to survive and live an everyday life with diabetes.
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ATHENS, GA — Jacob Parker made a big decision one summer ago to turn down the MLB draft and instead play for Mississippi State baseball.
Fast forward 11 months, and the Bulldogs’ season hinged on the freshman’s bat, the same one that had them leading in the ninth inning against Georgia in Game 2 of the Athens Super Regional on June 7.
In the 10th inning, a three-run home run, a third homer in his last three at-bats, would’ve been a walk-off for No. 14 MSU to force a Game 3 against No. 3 Georgia.
Instead, he struck out swinging with two runners on to end the game. Georgia players rushed the field and dogpiled after clinching an 11-9 win and a trip to the College World Series. Mississippi State’s season, the first under coach Brian O’Connor, ended.
That’s how a breakout game and the postseason ended for Parker, an outfielder and Purvis native who wasn’t even an everyday starter for Mississippi State (43-19) to begin the season.
“I’m proud of this guy, “O’Connor said as he put his hand on Parker’s shoulder at the postgame press conference. “I know he hurts because the game ends with his at-bat, but we wouldn’t be where we’re at without him and his teammates’ contributions.”
Four of Parker’s six at-bats in Game 2 against Georgia (51-12) were pivotal.
It started with a checked swing in the first inning that was called as an inning-ending strike by the third base umpire. O’Connor jumped out of the dugout screaming in disagreement with the call.
Mississippi State fell behind 7-2 but went ahead 9-8 by the ninth inning because of Parker.
He hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, the third of three straight MSU homers that cut Georgia’s lead to 8-7. Then in the eighth inning, Parker crushed a go-ahead two-run home run to make it 9-8 Mississippi State. Both home runs were over 430 feet.
MSU had runners at first and second base for Parker’s at-bat in the 10th inning.
“I’ve already won in life,” Parker said. “I have Jesus Christ in my life. I really didn’t care what happened. Obviously, I wanted to win, but I walked up to the plate that knowing win or lose, I’ve won in life. I think that’s what’s special and that’s what this program is about.
“It’s not about wins or losses. It’s about how these guys can turn us into better men. From the second I stepped foot on campus, I’ve completely changed into a better man, and I can’t thank these guys enough.”
It was the second two-home run game of the postseason for Parker after he also did it in the regional final against Louisiana. Parker finished the super regional 3-for-9 with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs and three walks.
Parker, who won the Most Outstanding Player award for the Starkville Regional, finished his freshman season with a .339 batting average, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs and 51 runs in 53 games and 44 starts.
He was named one of five finalists for Baseball America’s freshman of the year award. Parker said he hasn’t done it alone.
“I can name so many guys, but one in particular is Aidan Teel,” Parker said. “I don’t know if you guys know, but this fall I was terrible. That guy, he literally put everything down and helped me. He wasn’t playing toward the end of the year and I was. He helped me become who I am, and I can’t thank those guys enough.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney discussed homeowners’ insurance rates, roof-strengthening grants, health insurance options, and his plans for the 2027 election.
Insurance rates
Chaney said homeowners on the Gulf Coast will likely see stable insurance rates in 2027 with minimal increases.
The windpool, the insurer of last resort for wind and hail, will offer a policy allowing homeowners to choose their coverage amount, providing more flexibility for consumers.
“The reason they’re doing that is that rates have gone up around the United States. It’s not just Mississippi, and they’re exorbitant and out of sight,” Chaney said. “So we’re looking at ways to help the consumer out.
Homeowners can contact their insurance agent to discuss coverage options.
Roof mitigation program
The roof mitigation program has generated significant interest.
The program will provide homeowners up to $10,000 to reinforce their roofs, with homeowners responsible for contributing financially if the total cost exceeds $10,000.
“Mitigation is real simple. If you qualify and you have a home that’s in fairly decent repair and you’ve got a bad roof on it, we can go in and put a roof that meets IBHS standards,” Chaney said.
The insurance commissioner said roofing contractors will not be paid unless the house meets code and passes inspection standards.
The program will mitigate between 200 and 300 houses between July 1 and January 1, then expand to full capacity.
“Then we’ll go full steam. We’ll put $15 million a year into the program. So somewhere between 1,000 to 1,500 houses a year,” Chaney said.
Chaney said it will take a couple of years for Mississippi to reach the necessary mitigation standards.
Homeowners will be able to register online, and participants will be selected through a lottery system.
Health insurance program
About 400,000 people in Missisisppi do not have health insurance, according to Chaney.
He is promoting a private exchange program that will provide short-term health insurance coverage beginning January 1.
Policies will be valid for six months and cost less than $500 per month, according to Chaney.
The insurance commissioner said individuals with conditions requiring expensive treatments may not qualify and can seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
“That just simply says, if you’ve got cancer and you need a million-dollar drug, we’re probably not going to write you. And there’s a reason for that. You can go to the ACA and get that coverage,” Chaney said.
He added that insurance companies will fund the program through premiums, with no tax dollars involved.
2027 election
Chaney will likely be on the ballot for the state election next year.
“My name will probably be on the ballot. My deputy commissioner has agreed to run if something happens,” Chaney said.
The insurance commissioner’s office regulates the state’s insurance industry, protects consumers, and investigates fraud.
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Copyright 2026 WLOX. All rights reserved.
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