Mississippi
Miss Mississippi 2024: Becky Williams takes crown during final competition
Williams wants to use platform to improve education opportunities
VICKSBURG — In her third year competing, Miss Capital City Becky Williams was crowned Miss Mississippi 2024 during Saturday night’s final competition held at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
Williams, a Purvis native, proved to be the last woman standing in her sparkling red gown Saturday night, bursting with emotion as her name was called and 2023 Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal placed the winner’s crown upon her head.
Williams, who is in her first year at Mississippi State University studying K-12 education, said she was delighted to hear her name called, which left her in a bit of a shock. In 2023, Williams was O’Neal’s first runner up.
“I don’t know how to tell you how it feels,” she said. “This is a dream I’ve dreamt since I was a little girl and to hear my name called on this stage and this environment and to know that I put my heart and soul into everything I did on this stage and in life is just a dream come true.”
For the talent section of the competition, Williams performed a dance number to Queen’s 1974 popular song “Don’t stop me now.” Williams is also focusing her impact initiative on education and is even working with Hinds Country Democratic Rep. Fabian Nelson to draft legislation relating to scholarship opportunities in Jackson.
“(We’ve) been working on some legislation that will directly affect Jackson Public Schools and I’m excited to get started with him soon,” she said.
Day 1 of prelims: Miss Mississippi 2024: Two take awards during first night of preliminary competition
Day 2 of prelims: Three contestants take home Miss Mississippi awards during Thursday preliminary
Day 3 of prelims: Check out the talent and dresswear of the Miss Mississippi 2024 contestants on day three
During her question-and-answer section, she spoke about cancel culture, saying that kids in the classroom and adults alike should be more mindful about what they say online and how their words can impact other people.
The final competition Saturday night featured 11 contestants total vying in multiple categories such as evening wear, talent and question and answers. Besides Williams, another four contestants were chosen to be her runner-up’s. The top four were as follows:
- First runner-up: Jane Granberry — Miss University
- Second runner-up: Morgan Nelson — Miss Mississippi State University
- Third runner-up: Sarah Randolph — Miss Heart of the South
- Fourth runner-up: Anna Leah Jolly — Miss Rankin County
Williams will go on to compete in the Miss America contest.
Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335
STARKVILLE — Four-star safety Kennedy Green recommitted to Mississippi State football on July 11.
The Douglasville, Georgia, native chose the Bulldogs over offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Nebraska, Auburn and more. He originally committed to MSU in November 2024 but backed off his commitment in June 2025.
He is ranked No. 373 nationally by the 247Sports Composite and as the No. 32 safety and No. 40 player in Georgia.
Green, who’s 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, is MSU’s fourth four-star in the 2027 recruiting class joining running backs Yoshawn Hudson and Christian Alexander and defensive lineman Jaden Bayonne.
Mississippi State’s recruiting class was ranked No. 52 nationally and last in the SEC before Green’s commitment.
Green recorded 56 tackles last season with two interceptions.
The Bulldogs have three other safeties in the class, both of whom are three-stars: Trae’kerrion Collins, Hudson Fuqua and Ke’Vontae Pitts.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — The 2026 MLB Draft has arrived, and Mississippi State baseball is expected to have players picked.
Ace Reese, MSU’s star third baseman for the last two seasons, is a projected first-round pick. Many of the Bulldogs’ signees in the 2026 recruiting class are also draft prospects. How the draft unfolds will determine if they make it to Mississippi State next season like Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker did.
The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) in Philadelphia with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are on July 12 (10:30 a.m., MLB.com).
The Clarion Ledger is keeping track of all the Mississippi State draft picks, including signees and transfers.
Mississippi State baseball players picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball signees picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball transfers picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
When does the MLB draft start today?
The MLB draft begins July 11 at noon CT with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are July 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. CT.
How to watch the 2026 MLB Draft
July 11
- Picks 1-10: NBC/Peacock
- Picks 11-40: MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
- Picks 41-135: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
July 12
- Rounds 5-20: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Where is the 2026 MLB Draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft is in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 10 drawing
06-11-13-18-26
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 8-0-9, FB: 3
Evening: 2-3-1, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 9-0-5-0, FB: 3
Evening: 9-1-6-6, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 10
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.
-
Technology7 minutes agoOregon’s Attorney General withdraws effort to delay Paramount and Warner Bros. merger
-
World10 minutes agoGunfire shatters Toronto Latin street festival, leaving at least 2 dead and multiple wounded
-
Politics15 minutes agoSen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71 after ‘brief and sudden’ illness, office says
-
Health22 minutes agoLast American to use an iron lung dies at 78 years old after childhood polio diagnosis
-
Sports24 minutes agoConor McGregor’s long-awaited Octagon return cut short by apparent knee injury seconds into UFC 329
-
Technology30 minutes agoRobotaxi pit stops could pop up near you
-
Business37 minutes ago‘Moana’ debuted just 10 years ago. Why Disney is remaking it as a live-action movie
-
Entertainment40 minutes agoWes Anderson’s needle-drop genius gets its due at his Hollywood Bowl tribute
