Mississippi

Still Driving in the Dark: Improvements to Mississippi’s interstate lighting system still months away

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

Still Driving in the Dark: Improvements to Mississippi’s interstate lighting system still months away

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Copper wire thieves continue wreaking havoc on Central Mississippi’s interstate lighting system, and the state’s department of transportation continues to be slow to address the issue.

Meanwhile, the absence of light along certain parts of our interstates is putting drivers at risk every night. It’s something even MDOT’s commissioner acknowledged.

A patch of darkness along I-20 in Jackson.(WLBT)

This story marks WLBT’s second investigation into copper wire theft along the Jackson metro interstate system. Our first was in October of 2022, and since then, the problem has only gotten worse.

Documents obtained by 3 On Your Side show every car crash the Department of Public Safety responded to in the most recent years available – 2020 and 2021.

Within those documents are specific details for each crash, such as the location where they occurred, weather conditions, contributing circumstances, and lighting.

Looking at those two years, DPS responded to 181 car crashes along interstates in Hinds County when conditions were clear, no contributing circumstances existed, and the lighting was said to have been, “dark, not lighted.”

Of those nearly 200 accidents, 7 people lost their lives.

When asked whether he feels at all liable when crashes and fatalities happen in areas of darkness along interstates, Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons replied with the following.

“I wouldn’t say we feel liable. We certainly feel a sense of concern and caring for those individuals in their way of misfortune. We have not had any indication that a fatality or an accident has occurred where we were responsible because we had not done something.”

One thing MDOT does not appear to be doing is fixing interstate lights that have been hit by vandals and keeping them on.

In WLBT’s investigation on the issue in the fall of 2022, MDOT’s records showed 164 light poles and underpass lights were in need of repair due to copper wire theft in Hinds County.

Over a year later, that number has increased to 181, and the locations of the outages have hardly changed (only changes to 2022′s list reflected in bold).

Location	Number of Poles affected
I-20 @ Robinson Rd/Hwy 18	5 High-Mast poles, 17 Low-Mast poles
I-20 @ West Highland Dr.	2 High-Mast poles, 14 Low-Mast poles
I-20 @ Gibralter Dr.	3 High-Mast poles
I-20 @ Raymond Rd./Terry Rd. (Valley St. Bridge)	8 High-Mast poles, 1 Low-mast pole, 20 underpass lights
I-20 @ Terry Rd.	7 High-Mast poles, 3 Low-Mast poles
I-20 @ Hwy 51/State St.	3 High-Mast poles, 23 Low-Mast poles, 4 Underpass lights
I-20 @ Pearl River Bridge	24 Low-Mast poles
I-55 @ Savanna St.	2 High-Mast poles; repairs have since been made at this location
I-55 @ McDowell Rd.	2 High-Mast poles
I-55 @ Fortification St.	Repairs have been made at this location.
I-55 @ Waterworks Bridge between Riverside Dr. and Fortification St.	3 High-Mast poles
I-55 @ Montrose Circle between Lakeland Dr. and Eastover Dr.	Repairs have been made at this location.
I-220 @ Lynch St.	4 High-Mast poles
I-220 @ Hwy 80	9 High-Mast poles
I-220 @ Capital St./Clinton Blvd.	8 High-Mast poles, 2 Low-Mast poles
I-220 @ Industrial Dr.	Repairs have been made at this location.
I-55 @ Pearl/Pascagoula St.	1 pole
I-55 @ Hwy 51	1 High-Mast pole
I-55 @ Eastover Dr.	4 High-Mast poles
I-220 @ Forrest Ave./Methodist Home Rd.	3 High-Mast poles and 10 Low-Mast poles out

All of the above outages appear to fall within the state’s most populous city – the capital city.

“We are paying the light bill, and we are maintaining those lights. That’s what we’re doing here in the city of Jackson,” Commissioner Simmons explained. “It just so happens that the city of Jackson has brought on another element and not brought it on because it wanted to, it just exists. That is the thievery.”

Department of Transportation officials have explained in the past that copper has a good deal of value to it, and thieves know it.

Oftentimes, crooks will hook up their cars to poles, pull them out of the ground, steal the copper wiring inside, and find a scrap metal buyer to sell it to.

Commissioner Simmons admits the issue puts drivers at risk when they go through these areas of darkness along the interstate.

It’s a risk 3 On Your Side asked Tonyatta Hairston about, an optometrist at Envision Eye Care and Boutique in Jackson.

“At night, our pupils dilate, which brings more light into our eyes and makes it more difficult to see because of glare or halos. As you’re driving, the lights from the headlights make it more difficult to see because you’re trying to now navigate on a dark piece of the highway,” Hairston said. “Anatomically, it is affecting how you see just based on how our eyes react to light.”

The effect the absence of light has on a driver’s eyes is perhaps one only people in the eye care profession think about.

But it’s certainly one many have felt as they drive along interstates that run through Jackson, including resident Dean Julius.

“When it’s dark, it’s incredibly hard to see animals until you’re close or they’re within beam shot of your headlights. I would also say with the increase in the homeless population in Jackson, you’ve just noticed that there are people crossing the interstate more frequently. With lighting out, it’s incredibly hard to see those people, and it just makes it much easier for tragedy to happen,” Julius said.

As WLBT’s initial investigation into copper wire theft pointed out, other states have been fighting back against thieves for years now to prevent the potential tragedies Julius spoke of.

In Missouri, department of transportation officials started bolting metal boxes to the bottom of some light poles, and in some areas, they placed wiring overhead instead of underground.

Then, in Indiana, officials replaced the copper with metals like aluminum, which aren’t as attractive to thieves, and they also increased patrols in areas where thieves would often strike.

But here in Mississippi, Commissioner Simmons says we’re still months away from any preventive measures being put in place.

Just recently, MDOT awarded a contract to Garver Engineering. The firm is tasked with drafting recommendations, plans of action, and cost estimates for a better lighting system.

“We’re asking them to take a look at it and study it and give us a plan on how we can enhance the system from a safety and energy saving point of view and also how we can protect it from the thieves,” Simmons said.

The commissioner estimates the study won’t be completed until the fall, and at that point, MDOT will move toward putting a contract in place that accomplishes the firm’s recommendations and not only makes things harder on thieves but possibly more dangerous too.

“We’ll probably increase the voltage when we do that. The purpose of that is not to try and do harm to anyone, but it is to make sure that individuals understand that if they tamper with it, they run the risk of doing harm to themselves. So hopefully, that will help slow that process down,” he said.

The projected timeline is unwelcome news for some residents, including Jennifer Welch who spoke with WLBT in our first investigation into copper wire theft.

“It’s just disappointing that there’s not already a resolution. I understand that there’s a lot of investigation that has to go in before significant capital is involved in improving a system, but we were talking about this 12 months ago,” Welch said. “The fact that we’re still at this planning and investigation phase of the project and not at a point where we are ready to implement is concerning.”

MDOT has made repairs to some areas that have been hit by vandals, only to have the lighting system stripped of its copper wire in a matter of months.

A recent example of that is along I-220 at Hwy 80 where nine high-mast light poles are out. According to MDOT, crews made repairs to this controller several months ago and had all but three high-mast poles working.

A few weeks ago, the location was again hit by thieves, which again caused outages for all nine high-mast light poles.

This area is included in the upcoming upgrade project, according to MDOT officials.

But again, preventive measures do exist and have been in place in some states for years now.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 12, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 12, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 12, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

12-14-17-25-27

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 0-1-2, FB: 3

Evening: 4-2-3, FB: 6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 2-7-9-1, FB: 3

Evening: 7-3-4-5, FB: 6

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 04

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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Mississippi

7 top recruits to watch in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic

Published

15 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

7 top recruits to watch in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic

Many of the future stars of college football will be competing in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic on Saturday afternoon on the campus of the University of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.

Alabama Crimson Tide signees are expected to be among the headliners, with six total players (four for Alabama, two for Mississippi) competing in the game. Auburn’s representation was greatly reduced by injuries. The Tigers are left with one player representing Alabama after Saraland receiver DeShawn Spencer, Wadley linebacker Jaquez Wilkes and Petal defensive lineman Corey Wells were late scratches from the game.

Best in Bama Top 50

Players from the game are headed to four of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoffs, including Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama.

The game will kick off at noon on Saturday and will be broadcast across the state on Alabama Public Television.

Here are seven players to be on the lookout for during the matchup.

ALABAMA

CD Morgan, wide receiver, Benjamin Russell (jersey No. 1)

There likely will not be a player on the field who looks more SEC-ready than the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver. Are the comparisons to former Foley, Alabama and NFL star Julio Jones fair? This will be the biggest stage so far for Morgan to begin justifying the lofty and unfair comparisons.

DJ Broughton, tight end, Mary G. Montgomery, (No. 15)

Broughton was one of the catalysts for a remarkable turnaround for Class 7A Mary G. Montgomery, along with all-star teammate and Mississippi State signee Kaleb Morris (No. 0).

After being a longtime commit to South Florida, Broughton will forever be remembered as the first Auburn commit of the Alex Golesh era.

EJ Crowell, running back, Jackson, (No. 13)

The hype could not be any higher for Crowell, who is the most celebrated back to sign with the Crimson Tide since Derrick Henry. Like Henry, Crowell will have to learn the nuances of the position before becoming a major contributor in college. But the talent when Crowell has the ball in his hands is undeniable.

Brock Bradley, quarterback, Spain Park, (No. 7)

The Alabama squad should be in good shape with two pocket-passer quarterbacks who are athletic enough to make plays on the run. Bradley is a longtime pledge to the Clemson Tigers. He will share the position with his future in-state rival Landon Duckworth (No. 3), who will play for South Carolina after leading Jackson to back-to-back state championships.

Mhari Johnson, defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, (No. 9)

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman was a catalyst for one of the stiffest defenses in the state at Muscle Shoals. He could be a strong candidate for early playing time with the Crimson Tide.

While Johnson is expected to be one of the top playmakers on the defensive line, look for Central-Phenix City linebacker and Jacksonville State signee Tristan Lyle (No. 19) and Gadsden City defensive back and Alabama signee Zyan Gibson (No. 5) to also be defensive leaders.

MISSISSIPPI

JJ Hill, running back, Tupelo (No. 0)

Hill is the younger brother of Alabama’s Daniel Hill. Both are bruising backs. The younger Hill is 25 pounds lighter than his brother, but he’s still listed at 6-feet, 220 pounds. Hill will share the backfield with Gulfport’s Cooper Crosby (No. 6). Crosby was likely headed for Auburn before the Tigers made a coaching change. He will now play for Mississippi State. Tupelo and Gulfport squared off in a wild state championship game a week ago, with Gulfport scoring on a Hail Mary pass and extra point at the end of the game to win. Now the two backs who starred in that game will be all-star teammates before playing together at Mississippi State.

Bryson Cooley, offensive lineman, West Jones (jersey No. 63)

Securing Cooley late in the recruiting process was a huge win for Alabama. He is one of two future Tide players on the Mississippi roster, joining defensive lineman Nolan Smith (No. 34) of Picayune Memorial.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 11, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 11, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing

01-10-12-20-28

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing

Midday: 4-5-1, FB: 4

Evening: 2-5-4, FB: 4

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 11 drawing

Midday: 9-0-0-7, FB: 4

Evening: 1-7-0-0, FB: 4

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 11 drawing

Midday: 08

Evening: 11

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.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

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.

Source link