Mississippi
FBI SAC Eikhoff throws ceremonial first pitch at MBraves game
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi’s FBI Field Office is 60 years old on July 10, 2024, and to celebrate the occasion, the new Special Agent-In-Charge tossed out the first pitch at Tuesday’s M-Braves baseball game.
He also gave me his first on-camera interview since he took the job in March. In a 3 On Your Side exclusive interview, Robert Eikhoff shares with me, his vision for the agency.
As Robert Eikhoff takes the field at Trustmark Park in Pearl to make the ceremonial first pitch for this baseball game, the turbulent history of the state he now serves is not lost on him.
NAACP Field Secretary Medgar Evers had been killed by a sniper in 1963; three civil rights workers, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman had been murdered the following year. Then President Lyndon Johnson told Director J. Edgar Hoover that the FBI should have a stronger official presence in Mississippi. Hoover attended the re-opening of the Jackson Division.
SAC Robert Eikhoff said, “When you think about Mississippi and you think about the Jackson field office, take it back 60 years to this day, July 10 of 1964 is when we reopened this field office. Eight days prior is when the Civil Rights Act was passed. I don’t think you can look at those two as not connected. So it goes to the importance of the history of Mississippi and the importance to the FBI of ensuring that civil rights are protected for all, and especially here in Mississippi.”
The 54-year-old says trust is fundamental to the community; you being able to rely on law enforcement and for law enforcement to be able to rely on you, the community.
Eikhoff said, “When we look at what’s happened in recent years and even the history of Mississippi that led to the Civil Rights Act and the opening of reopening this office 60 years ago today, is fundamental, the civil rights that afforded everybody, individually, and for those who are not going to honor and respect civil rights, they’re going to be held to account. And for us, it’s important that we work with our law enforcement partners, that they understand the importance of hiring practices, policy, training and accountability, and ultimately, transparency and all those together lead to trust in those communities where there’s trust, you have to have that to maintain it. In the communities where trust has been affected, then you have to work towards building that trust with those pillars.”
Eikhoff is a Georgia native who graduated from Georgia State University, and he says Mississippi reminds him of his home.
“I’m really excited to be here. Having the opportunity to come to Jackson and be part of the FBI family here, and then part of the greater Mississippi community is really a great honor. And I’m humbled for the opportunity.” said Eikhoff.
Robert Eikhoff most recently served as a section chief in the Operational Technology Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C.
He replaces Jermicha Fomby who officially retired from the FBI last December.
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Inside the new Lego retailer, Bricks & Minifigs
Customers can buy or sell Legos and get individual bricks at the new store in Montrose.
Shoppers visiting Renaissance at Colony Park later this month will notice a big change.
Apple is moving to a new and larger store within the Ridgeland shopping center, while LEGO plans to take over Apple’s current location once the move is complete, according to Apple and other industry sources.
Apple has announced that its new store will open July 24 near the development’s Show Fountain. The company is not leaving Ridgeland. Instead, it is moving to a new location a short distance away inside Renaissance at Colony Park.
The company has operated a store at Renaissance for more than a decade. Once Apple moves into its new store, LEGO plans to open in the company’s former space. The addition will bring another well-known international brand to central Mississippi and give LEGO fans a dedicated store in the Jackson metro area.
It is another win for Ridgeland with last week’s announcement that a Dave & Buster’s that will be located at the PradoVista development near Topgolf. A site plan and architectural review for Dave & Buster’s was approved at the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
Renaissance at Colony Park continues to thrive
Over the years, the center has attracted a mix of national retailers, restaurants and specialty stores. Previous developments at Renaissance have included luxury retailers, popular restaurant chains and entertainment options that draw shoppers from across Mississippi and neighboring states.
Apple’s new location will continue offering product sales, technical support and repair services. Customers will also be able to attend the company’s “Today at Apple” classes and workshops, which provide free lessons on photography, video, music and other topics.
Apple has not released details about the size of the new store. The Ridgeland project is one of several store moves announced this summer.
Renaissance keeps storefront
For Renaissance, the deal works in several ways.
Apple stays at the shopping center and receives a newer storefront. At the same time, the center fills Apple’s former location with another high-profile retailer instead of leaving the space vacant.
LEGO stores are often considered destination retailers because customers will drive long distances to visit them. Families, collectors and hobbyists frequently seek out official LEGO stores for exclusive products and special events.
For shoppers, the most immediate change will be Apple’s July 24 opening. Customers who need repairs, technical help or product purchases will be directed to the new store after the move.
LEGO has not yet announced an opening date.
Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi leaders across the board are reflecting on the legacy of service Sen. Lindsey Graham had in Washington, D.C.
3 On Your Side spoke on the phone with Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith who shared that Graham treated her like a little sister when she arrived to the Senate.
Their friendship grew outside of work, but one thing she’ll really cherish is the teamwork they developed to get things done with President Donald Trump.
“There were times he would come to me and say, OK sister, you’re going to have to break this news to Trump. If it was a difficult situation, he would say you got to soften him up, you call him and then I’ll call him after you but you’re the one that’s going to have to take care of this. Or you’ve got to go to Mar-a-Lago and handle this, but we were a pretty good team together because we were both close to the President,” said Sen. Hyde-Smith.
Sen. Hyde-Smith added, since coming to Washington, D.C., she looked up to Sen. Graham like an older brother in the chamber.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball signee Landon Brown will play for the Bulldogs instead of signing a pro contract, he told the Clarion Ledger on July 12 during the 2026 MLB Draft.
Brown, a right-handed pitcher from Rosharon, Texas, was ranked as the No. 77 prospect by MLB.com. He pitched and played corner infield for Iowa Colony while winning Brazoria County Player of the Year.
He won’t be eligible again for the MLB draft until 2029.
Brown is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He has a fastball that reaches 98 mph as part of a four-pitch mix. He also throws a slider, cutter and splitter.
Brown committed to Mississippi State in 2024 under previous coach Chris Lemonis.
He is the third high school draft prospect to reveal he will play for MSU instead of signing a pro contract. Shortstop Noah Danza withdrew from the MLB draft before it began, and pitcher Denton Lord announced after the fifth round that he was heading to Mississippi State.
Three Mississippi State signees were drafted in the first 10 rounds: shortstop Rocco Maniscalco, catcher Will Brick and outfielder Martin Shelar.
Landon Brown stats
- 66⅔ innings
- 0.63 ERA
- 110 strikeouts
- 13 walks
- .424 batting average
- 13 home runs
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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