Mississippi

House looks to bring Mississippi’s alcohol policy into the 21st Century

Published

1 month ago

February 11, 2026

House looks to bring Mississippi’s alcohol policy into the 21st Century

The chamber passed alcohol-related bills Tuesday that would allow direct shipping of distilled spirits and Sunday sales. Another measure would remove the prohibition of alcohol from state law.

State Rep. Hank Zuber (R), the Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, stepped to the well of the House Tuesday and said, “It’s a great day to talk about alcohol policy and bringing Mississippi into the 21st Century.”

Members then considered a number of alcohol-related measures, ranging from direct shipping to Sunday sales. All of the measures passed and could be considered by the Senate in the weeks ahead.

Rep. Hank Zuber describes HB 1665 on the floor of the House of Representatives during the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Jeremy Pittari | Magnolia Tribune)

Direct Shipping of Distilled Spirits

Similar to the direct shipping of wine that was passed in the 2025 session, HB 669 allows for the direct shipping of distilled spirits to Mississippi residents’ homes if the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control warehouse does not carry the product.

“If ABC carries it, you cannot direct ship it. It is only for stuff ABC does not carry in their warehouse,” State Rep. Brent Powell (R), the bill’s author, explained.

Additional Retailer Permit

The second alcohol-related bill considered by the House Tuesday was HB 670, which would allow a package retailer to have a second permit.

HB 670 states that a person owning a package retailer’s permit may own one additional package retailer’s permit, for a total of two permits, if the additional permit is issued for a premises located in a municipality that has a population of 35,000 or more. The second location is to be 75 miles or more from the retailer’s first permitted location.

“It just gives the opportunity for one more package store, one more permit,” Rep. Powell told the House.

During the debate on the bill, State Rep. Becky Currie (R) asked about allowing liquor stores in the counties, not just in municipalities. Powell responded that he was not opposed to and would consider bringing such a measure forward at a later date.

HB 670 passed by a vote of 70 to 38.

Removing Prohibition of Alcohol

State Rep. Powell also presented HB 671 which seeks to remove the prohibition of alcohol from state law.

“From and after January 1, 2027, the policy of this state is declared to be a renunciation of prohibition in favor of the legal manufacture, sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in this state, except in such counties that vote to institute prohibition after holding an election on the matter,” the legislation outlines.

Powell said the “state is getting out of it,” noting that counties could call for a vote “if they want to stay dry.” The measure would default to every county being “wet,” or allowing alcohol sales in their areas.

The bill passed by a vote of 75 to 33.

Sunday Sales

The House also passed HB 672 on Tuesday, allowing Sunday sales of alcohol at package retailers.

Local governing authorities at the county and municipal level would be required to pass an ordinance allowing the Sunday sales. Hours for Sunday sales would be restricted from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Christmas Day sales would still be prohibited.

Rep. Shanda Yates, I-Jackson, presents legislation in House Chamber at the Mississippi Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Jackson. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis – Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

State Rep. Shanda Yates (I) told the House that 45 states already allow Sunday sales.

HB 672 passed by a vote of 62-47, to which Speaker Jason White (R) remarked, “I don’t know if anybody will protest another bill leaving here with only 62 votes. We’ll see how that goes.”

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Mississippi

Mother, her 2 daughters among 5 killed in collision between train and van

Published

58 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Mother, her 2 daughters among 5 killed in collision between train and van

STONE COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX/Gray News) — Multiple people were killed in a crash between a train and a van on Friday afternoon in Mississippi.

Stone County Sheriff Todd Stewart said the crash happened around 1 p.m. on Pump Branch Road. First responders had to cut through the woods to get to the wreckage.

There were six people in the van at the time of the crash, Stewart said. Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry confirmed five of them died in the crash.

Multiple people are dead after a crash between a train and a van in Mississippi. (WLOX)

The sixth person was airlifted to New Orleans.

The five victims were identified as 26-year-old Ryan C. Peterson, who was a corrections officer with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, 23-year-old Demarcus Perkins, 45-year-old Kristina Carver, and Carver’s two daughters, 22-year-old Emley Chamblee and 20-year-old Sarabeth Chamblee.

Nearby resident Pam Olson has been sounding the alarm on the Pump Branch Road railroad crossing for some time. She was tending to her garden with her husband when the sound of screeching brakes made them jolt.

“We heard it,” explained Olson. “My husband and I were in the yard working on our flowerbeds. I told my husband a train hit another vehicle. My husband ran up there and said, ‘Pam, it’s bad.’”

A recent report from the Stone County Enterprise outlines another wreck in the same spot, which resulted in the driver of a pickup truck being airlifted. Stewart also pointed out a fatal train accident in Stone County happened at the location in 2023, claiming the life of a Wiggins woman.

“This’d be the second incident in the last four to five weeks involving fatalities and the third incident in the last year, all involving fatalities,” explained Stewart. “To date, we’ve lost seven folks within the last year.”

The crossing does not have crossing arms or lights. Stone County District 1 Supervisor Jimmy Springs said he previously reached out to Mississippi Department of Transportation railroad engineers and was told crossing arms are on the way for two crossings, including the one at Pump Branch Road. However, it could take a year for them to be installed.

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Mississippi

CLASH Endurance triathlon begins on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2026

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CLASH Endurance triathlon begins on Mississippi Gulf Coast

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) — The CLASH Endurance triathlon officially started along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Maya Reilly placed first in the collegiate female draft-legal division.

“I placed first, so I’m pretty stoked about that,” Reilly said.

Winning a triathlon means beating competitors from across the country and around the world in swimming, biking and running.

“Definitely a lot of hours goes into the sport, but the actual race was tough. It was like full gas, swim, bike, and run, so over an hour. And I’m excited to be able to be done and take home the win,” Reilly said.

Maya Reilly placed first in the collegiate female draft-legal division.(WLOX)

Athletes praise Gulf Coast hospitality

It’s CLASH Endurance’s first year on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and athletes say the experience is just as memorable as the competition.

“I have had such a great time down here in the south. It’s, like, the nicest people I’ve ever met. The culture is amazing. The music’s great. The food’s great. Honestly, nothing but positive for me. It’s awesome,” said Annette Zavala of the UC Davis Triathlon Team.

“I really like this course. It was really cool to see them swim in the marina. The course was very accessible to view, which I really appreciated,” said Sophia Najera of the UC Davis Triathlon Team.

It’s CLASH Endurance’s first year on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and athletes say the... — It’s CLASH Endurance’s first year on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and athletes say the experience is just as memorable as the competition.(WLOX)

More than 28 countries and all 50 states are represented, bringing a boost to the coastal economy.

“All of the athletes who are visiting coastal Mississippi, they’re staying in the hotels, they’re visiting the restaurants, they’re shopping, and they’re not just staying for a night or two. Some of them are staying and playing,” said Blair Lahaye, CLASH Endurance vice president of communications.

Athletes say it’s the support from the crowd and each other that pushes them across the finish line.

“You might have the worst mindset out there, but just hearing someone believe in you, like, that’s sometimes all you need to move forward,” Zavala said.

“I could not have gone through half the races I did, half the trainings I did, without the support of my teammates. We’re really excited to come race tomorrow, and we were super glad to get to be able to cheer on our teammates today,” Najera said.

Athletes say it’s the support from the crowd and each other that pushes them across the finish... — Athletes say it’s the support from the crowd and each other that pushes them across the finish line.(WLOX)

More races are scheduled this weekend.

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Mississippi

What channel is Mississippi State baseball vs Ole Miss on today? Time, TV schedule to watch college baseball game

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

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What channel is Mississippi State baseball vs Ole Miss on today? Time, TV schedule to watch college baseball game

Mississippi State baseball, coming off a sweep of Vanderbilt, travels to Ole Miss for a three-game series, starting on March 27.

The Bulldogs (21-4, 4-2 SEC) swept Vandy last weekend in Starkville to move above .500 in league play after two weeks.

Ole Miss (19-7, 3-3) took two of three games from Kentucky last weekend in Oxford.

Mississippi State and Ole Miss will also play on April 28 in Pearl.

Here’s how you can watch Mississippi State baseball vs Ole Miss:

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss on March 27 will be televised via streaming on SEC Network+, which is housed on the ESPN app and can be accessed via a SEC Network subscription. If you are subscribed to SEC Network, you can access SEC Network+ online.