Mississippi

Did a Mississippi man grow the world’s tallest pepper plant? Cayenne might break record

Published

11 months ago

January 25, 2025

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Did a Mississippi man grow the world’s tallest pepper plant?

Henry Pope, the lead grower and plant geneticist for Mississippi Foundation for Renewable Energy, worked to cross-pollinate specific peppers for seven years. He thinks he has a world record holding cayenne and is waiting on confirmation from the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pope started the project seven years earlier and six generations of plants earlier. “The original parent plants were a variety of long cayenne produced by myself for Mississippi Foundation for Renewable Energy and a himo togarashi pepper.”

He said he spends a lot of time working in gardens, the greenhouse and a lab looking to develop open-pollinated, edible plants. Growing a record-holder wasn’t the original goal, but it became clear the opportunity was in sight with this one.

“We called it the record plant because I suppose we always assumed it would be the world’s tallest pepper plant (or I did), but that was more of a joke really,” he said.

How big is the world’s tallest pepper plant?

According to Guinness, the current title is held by Laura Liang in Irvine, California. Her cayenne pepper plant was 16 feet tall when it was two years old in 1999.

How tall is the Mississippi pepper plant?

Pope’s plant measured as almost 16.5 feet tall. If validated by the Guinness Book of World Records, it could set the new world record.

How did they measure it?

In November, four men measured and identified the plant using video and photos to record its height. Pope identified them as:

Willie Roses (an expert in measurements).
Willie C. R. Perteet (County supervisor in Attala County).
Tobias Campbell (forester).
Mark Terkanian (a plant specialist, who holds a Bachelor of Science in plant sciences from the University of Massachusetts).

They took video while one person ran a tape measure to the ground and someone held the end at soil level. In addition to continuous video, they took still camera shots at the top and bottom to verify where the tool was.

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Does he have gardening advice?

For Pope, the goal is sustainable, edible plants that help people be more self-reliant. His mother was a horticulturist, and his father ran a landscaping company and exotic animal breeding operation. The combination of experiences, paired with a passion for chemistry, led him to approaching plants from a scientific angle.

“My family and I live self sufficiently and have for a very long time. The work I do now is the cumulative product of these experiences in my life,” Pope said.

If you want a mega plant, he said, start with selective breeding.

“Learn how to save seeds from your crops in a professional manner. Anyone can do this with some research or simple training. We teach people to do this almost daily. Observe your crop for plants that have certain characteristics you desire. Save seed from that plant for a successive planting. Isolate these plants from others so they don’t cross pollinate, and repeat this action for multiple generations until you have something similar to what you want,” he said.

Or people can give a lot of care to stable-variety seeds sold by existing companies.

“You can do anything you put your mind to. In my profession, I see people do just that every day in various ways,” he said.

Mississippi man isn’t done with the project

“Sometimes when you attempt to achieve one particular goal, another opportunity arises. This happens quite often really, not just in genetics, but in most scientific endeavors,” Pope said.

The plan was to develop a plant for vertical gardening, like on balconies or in small yards — or something that can be trained horizontally on a fence.

“Opportunity for creating a world record of any kind was never the goal. The goal was the same as it always is for us, to produce a natural variety of edible plant that is beneficial to those who wish to become less reliant on the grocery store, but when working with genetics observation of the characteristics you have to work with is the first step,” Pope said.

The plant submitted to Guinness is an sixth generation plant. He plans to invest several more years into the project.

“I will consider the project complete when I reach a 12th generation. I believe through further selective breeding that I can beat my own record in the future,” Pope said.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Two more Mississippi State players announce decision to enter portal

Published

6 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Two more Mississippi State players announce decision to enter portal

The exodus of Mississippi State players continued Sunday afternoon with two more players announcing decisions to enter the transfer portal.

Running back Seth Davis and offensive lineman Luke Work have decided to enter the transfer portal. Both made their announcements in social media posts.

“I’m beyond thankful for my time at Mississippi State. These past two years gave me memories, friendships and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” Work stated. “God gets all the glory. None of this would be possible without Him guiding my path. Thank you to every coach, teammate, staff member and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. This place truly became family to me. No matter where the road takes me next, I’ll always be proud to say I wore maroon and white.”

Thank you, Mississippi State pic.twitter.com/u55t9dHTYR
— Luke Work (@LukeWork1) January 4, 2026

Work played in 23 games in his two seasons in Starkville. He was thrust into the starting lineup last season as a true freshman, starting seven games including five at left tackle. This past season Work worked mostly at tackle and guard and played in every game except the first against Southern Miss because of an injury.

Davis began his collegiate career with a solid 2023 season, playing in all 12 games and running 59 times for 356 yards and one touchdown. However, his career was put on hold in that season’s Egg Bowl when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss all of the 2024 season.

The Katy, Texas native was able to return to action this season and played in two games. Against Alcorn State, Davis had five carries for 47 yards and one touchdown. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

I have decided to enter the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility.#Godsplan🙏🏾
Thank you Mississippi State❤️ pic.twitter.com/zr7Wuzkyxm
— Seth Davis (@_SethDavis21) January 4, 2026

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Incoming Bulldogs

Official Visits Scheduled

CB Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian)
OL DJ Chester (LSU)
DL Jayson Jenkins (Florida State)
EDGE Tunmise Adeleye ( UNLV)
DL Tarvorise Brown (Florida)
OT Veguer Jean Jumeau (Tennessee State)
DT Ahmad Breaux (LSU)
DL Khalil Poteat (Temple)
S Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State)
CB Quentin Taylor (Iowa State)
WR Marquis Johnson (Missouri)
OL Mario Nash (Florida State)
OL Lucas Simmons (Florida State)
QB AJ Swann (Appalachian State)
WR Earnest Campbell (Sacramento State)
TE Jeff Carpenter (Nevada)
OL Grant Seagren (Oklahoma State)
CB Daniel Harris (Georgia)
OT Anwar O’Neal (Delaware)
DL Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado)
EDGE Jalen Thompson (Michigan State)
OL Miles McVay (North Carolina)

Outgoing Bulldogs

WR Jordan Mosley
S Stonka Burnside
WR Cam Thompson (Northern Illinois)
WR Anson Lewis
DL Terrance Hibbler
OL Jaekwon Bouldin
WR Jaron Glover
DL Corey Clark
OL Alex Lopez
K Marlon Hauck
OL Brennan Smith
S Tony Mitchell
WR Markus Allen
DE Joseph Head
TE Max Reese
OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.
WR Ferzell Shepard
TE Emeka Iloh
S Lo’Kavion Jackson
TE Cam Ball
QB Luke Kromenhoek
RB Johnnie Daniels
S Tyler Woodard
CB Dwight Lewis III
DL Ashun Shepphard
WR Davian Jackson
P Nathan Tiyce
DT Kai McClendon
CB Elijah Cannon
S Cyrus Reyes
OL Luke Work
RB Seth Davis

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-04-07-15-34

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 4-5-3, FB: 6

Evening: 3-9-1, FB: 0

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 5-3-4-4, FB: 6

Evening: 9-9-0-0, FB: 0

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 09

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

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

Published

7 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-12) head into a road matchup with Tae Davis and the Oklahoma Sooners (9-3) at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

We provide more details below, and that includes how to watch this game on SEC Network+.

Here is everything you need to prepare for Monday’s college hoops game.

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Monday, December 29, 2025
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Arena: Lloyd Noble Center
TV Channel: SEC Network+
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State stats and trends

With 86.9 points per game on offense, Oklahoma is 46th in the nation. At the other end, it gives up 72.7 points per contest, which ranks 174th in college basketball.
The Sooners are grabbing 34.8 boards per game (111th-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing 30.5 rebounds per contest (156th-ranked).
Oklahoma is averaging 16.7 dimes per game, which ranks them 76th in college basketball in 2025-26.
The Sooners are forcing 11.6 turnovers per game this season (214th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged just 9.3 turnovers per contest (20th-best).
This season, Oklahoma is making 10.2 three-pointers per game (45th-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.6% (143rd-ranked) from three-point land.
The Sooners are giving up 8.6 treys per game (281st-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing a 35.2% three-point percentage (285th-ranked).
Of the shots attempted by Oklahoma in 2025-26, 53.7% of them have been two-pointers (66.6% of the team’s made baskets) and 46.3% have been threes (33.4%).

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Sooners (-44.5)
Total: 152.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 2:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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