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Mississippi college hotspot named the ‘best small town in the South’

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Mississippi college hotspot named the ‘best small town in the South’


Mississippi State University may bring big energy to Starkville, MS, but it’s not just students calling the small town home these days. 

In recent years, Starkville has expanded beyond its college town atmosphere due to a lower cost of living, a bustling downtown, and nearby nature preserves for hiking and birdwatching.

The area has also been named the best small Southern town in the country by USA Today, which cited its Southern hospitality, rich history and charming streets.

It’s the second year in a row Starkville snagged the top spot, also in part due to its creative arts scene and amazing food.

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‘It’s a college town with Mississippi State University here. It’s vibrant. The kids keep us busy over here, but there’s also a large retirement population coming in from both alumni and other parts of the state,’ local RE/MAX realtor Colin Krieger told the Daily Mail. 

‘It’s very welcoming. You feel safe. You walk the streets and it’s not as much of a throw down college atmosphere as you might think.’

The town has just over 25,000 residents and for history buffs, is home to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library. 

Starkville has a relatively low cost of living, with homes available priced from $50,000 to $500,000. The average rental for a three bedroom house is $475 to $600 per month. There are more than 30 apartment complexes in town.

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Mississippi State University may bring big energy to Starkville but it’s not just students calling the small town home these days 

Starkville has a relatively low cost of living, with homes available and reasonably priced

Starkville has a relatively low cost of living, with homes available and reasonably priced

Local realtor Colin Krieger

Local realtor Colin Krieger

‘We’ve seen a lot of condominium development,’ Krieger said.

‘The town’s construction has been a ton of apartments made to make more room for the college kids. But the real estate market has continued going at full force now for 13-plus years, and has just continued going up every year.’

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The current median home price is close to $300,000, he said.

‘You can find a nice clean house in a good neighborhood under $250,000. Then we have a large group of houses around $300,000 to $350,000 and another crop around $500,000.’

Residents are also drawn to the rich job market due to the university (the largest in the state with 22,000 students) and its surrounding businesses, including shops and bars. 

‘University Avenue is a large stretch, which starts with a cotton district and ends up in a more adult section of downtown that has its own restaurants so you’re able to separate from the college kids a little more,’ Krieger added.  

Growth in healthcare and technology companies has also spurred more jobs in the area. 

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The town is also known for its friendly vibes and top notch schools. Many of them work in tandem with the university to use its facilities and have professors visit the kids.

Mississippi State University brings a lot of jobs and businesses to the area

Mississippi State University brings a lot of jobs and businesses to the area

Outdoorsy types love visiting the Starkville Wildlife Refuge to birdwatch

Outdoorsy types love visiting the Starkville Wildlife Refuge to birdwatch

The town is also known for its friendly vibes and top notch schools that work with the college

The town is also known for its friendly vibes and top notch schools that work with the college

The town also draws retirees due to its low living costs and nice community feel

The town also draws retirees due to its low living costs and nice community feel

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The Starkville Community Theater and Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra are both in town

The Starkville Community Theater and Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra are both in town

‘They built a partnership with the middle school a few years back that’s actually integrated with Mississippi State University, so that the kids have access to some of the professors there. 

‘And they have a plan to approve a high school to do the same thing that should come up later this year,’ Krieger said. 

The town also draws retirees due to its relaxed atmosphere, low living costs, and access to state-of-the-art healthcare at nearby Oktibbeha County Hospital. 

Outdoorsy types love visiting the Starkville Wildlife Refuge and there is plenty of hunting, fishing and bird watching nearby.

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Most locals participate in MSU’s college game days, including tailgates and bar parties. 

For arts lovers, the Starkville Community Theater and Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra are both in town.

Krieger says the only time it’s a madhouse is when MSU has a football home game. Yet, it’s still fun for the college kids and the locals to mix.

‘Of course there are times on SEC football weekends where it’s a madhouse and there’s traffic everywhere, but that’s one of the unique features I like about it for such a small town of the South.’

The college draws students and creates jobs but hasn't caused a problem for locals

The college draws students and creates jobs but hasn’t caused a problem for locals

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In addition to downtown there is plenty of nature surrounding the area

In addition to downtown there is plenty of nature surrounding the area

The median house cost in the area is $300,000 for a new build in a development

The median house cost in the area is $300,000 for a new build in a development

MSU game day draws students and locals, many whom are alumni who have returned to live

MSU game day draws students and locals, many whom are alumni who have returned to live 

HGTV's Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier explained it is possible for people to 'have it all' while living in a small town

HGTV’s Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier explained it is possible for people to ‘have it all’ while living in a small town

Alongside Starkville, USA Today also picked out various other small towns. 

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This included Lewisburg, West Virginia, Inverness, Florida, West Monroe, Louisiana, Safety Harbor, Florida, Clemson, South Carolina, Thomasville, Georgia, Cocoa Beach, Florida, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Orange Beach, Alabama.

Small towns, especially ones located in Mississippi, also get the thumbs up from two very popular HGTV stars. 

Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier explained it is possible for people to ‘have it all’ while living in a small town ahead of the premiere of a new season of the show.

The couple restores properties around their small hometown of Laurel, Mississippi on their successful show, which debuted in 2016.

The couple hopes the series it will convince viewers small towns can offer just as much as big cities.

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The last season showed them working on projects nearby in Mississippi, including building gardens and greenhouses. 



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11 indicted in $12.3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says

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11 indicted in .3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says


JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Eleven people have been indicted in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $12.3 million.

This according to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who said the indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and/or false documentation seeking to defraud the government.

All 11 charged include:

  • Isluv Robertson, 36, of Jackson
  • Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham, 51, of Olive Branch
  • Katricia Smith, 47, of Olive Branch
  • Sheila Boney Collins, 53, of Hollandale
  • Ahyana Nicole Crosby, 34, of Laurel
  • Angela Nannette Crosby, 51, of Laurel
  • Yolanda Evette Blackman, 54, of Hattiesburg
  • Linda Jenkins, 46, of Hermanville
  • Deja Almore, 30, of Yazoo City
  • Curtis Moore, 51, of Gulfport
  • Taylor Christian Rushing, 34, of Gautier

Officials said the defendants are accused of participating in health care fraud schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in intended loss.

“These indictments are just the latest efforts we are taking to fight waste, fraud, and corruption,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am proud to partner with President Trump to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that money meant to help those in need is not stolen from safety net programs. I will remain laser-focused on rooting out fraud, recovering money wrongfully stolen from hard-working taxpayers, and holding fraudsters accountable.”

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Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.



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Governor: At least 47 homes, 50 roads damaged by Mississippi storms, flooding – SuperTalk Mississippi

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Governor: At least 47 homes, 50 roads damaged by Mississippi storms, flooding – SuperTalk Mississippi


Gov. Tate Reeves has released updated damage assessments following the severe weather and flooding that inundated parts of southern Mississippi last week.

According to Reeves, assessments through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are ongoing, and disaster aid is still being distributed through a mix of federal, state, and local agencies, along with nonprofits. But numbers as of Monday morning showed dozens of homes and businesses damaged and even more public roads affected.

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Among the counties with significant impacts are Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River, Perry and Stone. Across those counties and others, at least 47 homes were affected, seven of which were completely destroyed. Nine businesses sustained damaged, six of which are considered major. One farm sustained major damage.

A Harrison County roadway is flooded by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via SuperTalk Mississippi News)

50 public roadways were affected, including four that are considered major and four that were completely destroyed. Two bridges sustained major damage, while two public buildings sustained minor damage.

Reeves said two rivers are in the moderate flood stage – Leaf River near McClain and the Pascagoula River at Graham Ferry.

15 other waterways are in the minor flood stage: Big Black River near Bentonia, Biloxi River near Lyman, Chickasawhay River at Enterprise, Chickasawhay River at Leakesville, East Hobolochitto Creek near Caesar, Pascagoula River at Merrill, Pearl River at Jackson, Pearl River near Pearl River, Pearl River near Philadelphia, Pearl River at Rockport, Strong River at D’Lo, Tallahala Creek at Laurel, Tuscolameta Creek at Laurel, West Hobolochitto Creek near McNeill, and Wolf River around Gulfport.

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A sinkhole caused by flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur is seen in Covington County on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Covington County Emergency Management Agency)

Damage reports could have worsened on Monday with additional rounds of severe weather in some parts of the state. The worst of the storms and floods came with the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Arthur late last week and into the weekend.



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Family of 1-year-old killed by police at a Walmart in Mississippi wants video released

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Family of 1-year-old killed by police at a Walmart in Mississippi wants video released


(AP) – A Mississippi family whose 1-year-old child was killed when police fired into a moving vehicle said Monday they want authorities to release video showing whether officers were in danger of being struck when one of them opened fire.

The shooting has sparked outrage in the small city of Senatobia, where some say it’s the latest in a series of troubling encounters between police and Black residents.

Kohen Wiley was riding with his mother and another woman in a Walmart parking lot on June 14 when police responded to a shoplifting call. The family says they were driving away, while the officers say the car was heading toward them.

This undated photo provided by Veronica Roberson in June 2026 shows her grandson, Kohen Wiley, of Senatobia, Miss.(Veronica Roberson | Veronica Roberson via AP)

“I watched my baby take his first breath, and I watched my baby take his last breath,” Vellesiya Wiley said at a news conference Monday.

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The other woman in the car, whose name has not been released, suffered “critical injuries,” according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the inquiry.

Standing alongside Kohen’s parents and grandparents at a local church, civil rights attorney Ben Crump told reporters Monday that the best way to determine whether the officers were at risk is to publicly release any body camera, dash camera or Walmart security camera video.

“If that is the truth, then show us that,” Crump said. “The longer you delay releasing the video, the more distrustful we become.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on what videos investigators have or whether they would be released, agency spokesperson Bailey Martin said Monday.

“This case has been made a top priority,” Martin said in an emailed statement, “and we currently have multiple agents working tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the investigation is thoroughly examined.”

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The agency says the officers weren’t hurt. Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford did not return a phone message seeking comment Monday.

State investigators gave an initial account of the shooting last week, saying that when Senatobia police arrived at the Walmart, they found two women and a child getting into a car and driving away.

“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one. An officer then discharged their weapon and the vehicle fled the scene,” the agency statement said.

Kohen’s mother has said the shoplifting call was over a box of diapers that her friend was carrying — and that she believes her friend had paid for the diapers. State investigators declined to comment on those details.

Crump questioned why police didn’t let the car go and take down the license plate number.

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“They were called over a box of diapers and a family now has to bury their baby,” Crump said Monday. “You cannot put those two things next to each other and call it reasonable policing.”

Crump also said an independent autopsy would be performed.

While there’s no question the child was shot by police, he said, details about the angles at which any bullets struck the child could yield clues as to whether the officer fired from in front of the car or off to the side — and therefore whether that officer was in any danger.

Policing expert Ian Adams, who teaches criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, told The Associated Press last week that police should know that “shooting into a moving vehicle is a very bad idea and one to be avoided at almost all costs,” noting the danger to passengers and other bystanders.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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