Mississippi
Mississippi Supreme court, Court of Appeals races heading to runoffs on Nov. 26
In-person absentee voting for runoffs begins Nov. 16
It’s official. The Mississippi Supreme Court Central District and the contested Mississippi Court of Appeals race is heading into runoffs on Nov. 26, just two days before Thanksgiving.
Though it became likely by mid-week, the Associated Press did not announce the runoffs until Friday afternoon.
In the Mississippi Supreme Court Central District race, State Sen. Jenifer Branning, R-Philadelphia, and sitting court justice Jim Kitchens will again face off. Other candidates in the race who will not be in the runoff were Ceola James, a former Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge, and private-practice attorneys Abby Gale Robinson and Byron Carter.
By Sunday, Branning had 41.8% of the votes (132,420), while Kitchens had 35.6% (112,935) of the votes cast in the supreme court race. Both candidates told the Clarion Ledger before Nov. 5 they were prepared for a runoff.
“There’s a clear choice in this Runoff because I’m the only candidate who will bring new energy and Constitutional conservative leadership to the Mississippi Supreme Court,” Branning said in a Facebook post Wednesday. “I’m the only candidate with legal and legislative experience, and I’m the only candidate endorsed by the Mississippi Republican Party.”
The races are supposed to be nonpartisan, meaning no candidate can run with a party affiliation. According to Kitchens, in the 30 years since the state enacted laws mostly to remove partisanship from the courts, he hasn’t seen a judge race without a political element.
Kitchens told the Clarion Ledger he had declined an official endorsement from the Mississippi Democratic Party, but several Democratic leaders in the state have donated to his campaign and been outspoken supporters.
“During the next three weeks, I’ll work harder than ever to inform the voters why I’m ready, willing and able to serve them better than any other candidate,” Kitchens said.
Mississippi Court of Appeals runoff
In the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Amy St. Pe’ will face Jennifer Schloegel. By Sunday, the AP reported St Pe’ to have 35.2% of the votes (84,399), while Schloegel had 33% (78,900).
“I cannot overstate how appreciative I am for everyone who voted for me on Tuesday and worked hard on my campaign to serve you as Judge on the Court of Appeals,” Schloegel said in a Saturday Facebook post. “As we head into the run-off, I will work just as hard to keep your support.”
Whether Schloegel would challenge St. Pe’ in the runoff had been a question mark since Tuesday, when the other candidate in the race, Ian Baker, was gaining on her slim lead. In the end, he was left with 2,909 fewer votes than Schloegel, according to AP results reported on Sunday.
Are absentee ballots still being counted in Mississippi?
Even though all of the races in Mississippi have been called, there are still a few absentee ballots left to tally. Election workers have until Wednesday to finish counting them.
Despite the remaining ballots, this election’s voter turnout will fall much lower than in previous years.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office Communications Director Elizabeth Jonson told the Clarion Ledger last week voter turnout will come to about or just above 60%, meaning tens of thousands fewer of Mississippi’s electorate actually voted by the end of Election Day.
When can I start absentee voting in runoff elections?
According to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, people can begin in-person absentee voting on Nov. 16 and will have until Nov. 23 to do so at circuit clerk offices. Mail-in absentee ballots will need to be post-marked by Election Day to be counted.
Will judicial candidates continue campaigning?
Branning, Kitchens, St. Pe’ and Schloegel will all need to continue campaigning for the next several weeks.
Kitchens needs to make up a 6% lead that Branning has on him, but both candidates are likely to receive some of the support that James, Carter and Robinson did on Nov. 5. As for Schloegel, she has a less than a 2% margin to make up for on St. Pe’, with many of Baker’s voters also likely to go to either of them.
A November runoff historically has lower turnout than the general election, and with the stressful races such as U.S. President and Congress finished, there is likely to be some voter fatigue.
“Runoff elections generally receive lower voter turnout than general elections,” an elections study by USA Facts found. “Turnout rates depend on a variety of factors including which office is up for election, the competitiveness of the race, and media coverage of the runoff.”
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Mississippi
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.
Mississippi
Why Luke Kromenhoek’s availability solves bowl game concern for Mississippi State
The powers-that-be have put college football coaches and players in very awkward spots with the transfer portal.
For roughly 68-70 FBS teams, there’s a stretch of time between its regular season finale and bowl game where important decisions have to be made.
Coaches have to be fired and hired. Coaching staffs have to be adjusted or changed entirely. Players have to make decisions about staying or going, whether via the portal or NFL Draft.
It leads to awkward moments with players announcing plans to enter the transfer portal and opting out of their team’s bowl game. There are good arguments to be made for all sides, too.
For example, fans may hate it, but if a player knows they’re entering the transfer portal then it’s a smart business decision to not play in a bowl game. (Playoff games are different.)
But not all players planning to enter the transfer portal are opting out of their team’s bowl game. Just like not all coaches are keeping transferring players at home for bowl games.
In those instances, it’s a good display of coaches and players having good relationships.
That brings us to today’s news that Mississippi State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek is going to be with the Bulldogs for their Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Wake Forest on Friday.
“He is with us and will be available,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby announced Sunday morning. “So, appreciative of him staying with us, going through this, being a great teammate, and excited for what he’s going to be able to go do next.”
Kromenhoek has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal after one season in Starkville. He played in two games (earning a redshirt) and threw only four passes, but his availability is important.
Blake Shapen started 11 of 12 games for Mississippi State this season before true freshman Kamario Taylor was handed the starting job in the Egg Bowl. Shapen is no longer with the team, as Lebby confirmed earlier this month.
That left some question as to who the No. 2 quarterback in the bowl game would be. With Kromenhoek planning to enter the transfer portal, the only other quarterbacks were Taylor and fellow true freshman Parker Puckett.
Taking just Taylor and Puckett to Charlotte would be a big gamble that Taylor doesn’t miss any plays. But Kromenhoek will be available, easing those concerns.
More than 20 Mississippi State players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens January 2. But Kromenhoek is the only one that’ll be available for the bowl game.
“The situation is exactly what it is, and I totally understand where (Kromenhoek’s) coming from, and that’s college football these days,” Lebby said. “Luke’s got a chance to be a great player, really talented and really intelligent.
“I think for us, that’s really the only one that has said he’s going to go in that is going to be with us.”
DAWG FEED:
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 27, 2025
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 Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
03-04-10-14-16
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
Midday: 5-6-7, FB: 0
Evening: 3-9-7, FB: 8
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
Midday: 4-0-6-9, FB: 0
Evening: 8-0-6-3, FB: 8
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 14
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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