Mississippi
The 13 Best Things To Do In Laurel, Mississippi
It’s been almost 10 years since Erin and Ben Napier introduced the world to their beloved hometown of Laurel, Mississippi via hit HGTV reality renovation show Home Town. Since premiering in 2016, there have been eight seasons (plus a three-season spin-off called Home Town Takeover), and now the formerly unknown south-central Mississippi town is practically a household name. Home Town follows the Napiers as they revitalize the city of Laurel by revamping downtown businesses and renovating falling-apart historic homes for a new generation of residents to enjoy. The Napiers’ leadership and earnest championing has helped Laurel make a comeback that many—longtime locals included—never expected.
Erin And Ben Napier Share Their Dream Home In The Mississippi Countryside
Today, Laurel draws visitors from all over the country (and beyond) who, like the Napiers, have fallen in love with the Laurel’s charm, Southern hospitality, and special blend of charisma. Downtown is a hotbed for shopping, from antiques to home goods, and the city’s restaurant scene has blossomed too. Whether you’re fan of the show hoping to see filming locations in real life, or if you’re just looking for a pleasant place for a small-town getaway, Laurel is an excellent long-weekend destination. Here are th 13 best things to do in Laurel, Mississippi.
What To Do In Laurel, Mississippi
Visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
COURTESY Lauren Rogers Museum Of Art / WALTER R. AVERETT
The museum hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year, and several are planned in 2023 to mark its centennial.
You might be surprised to learn that the state’s first art museum resides in Laurel. The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art opened in 1923 and has been committed to sharing art from all over the world ever since. The museum features European, Japanese, American, and Native American art, plus Georgian silver, in five permanent galleries, but also features several temporary exhibits. Housed in a striking and stately Georgia Revival building surrounded by live oaks, the museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays.
lrma.org; 565 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39441; 601-649-6374
Shop With The Napiers
Like their HGTV predecessors Chip and Joanna Gaines and their Magnolia Home empire in Waco, the Napiers have populated downtown Laurel with businesses that bring their hit TV show to life. The roster of shops starts with their flagship Laurel Mercantile, where you can find all American-made products ranging from home decor to T-shirts to gourmet foods. Their next venture Scotsman General Store functions as both Ben’s furniture woodshop and a nostalgic, old-school general store. After you shop, grab a bite to eat from the Scotsman Food Truck Park, in a greenspace right next door, or enjoy a sweet treat from the in-store Snowball Stand. Visit Erin’s Scent Library, to find an impressive collection of candles and bathroom products (from hand soap to bath salts) in fragrance collections inspired by specific memories.
scotsmanusa.com/pages/family-of-brands
Hunt For Local Art
Fans of Home Town are likely familiar with the whimsical works of artist Adam Trest, who has been featured on the show throughout its many seasons. His studio is located right next door the Scent Library, so if he happens to be in, you may be lucky enough to see the artist at work. If not, head just around the corner to the Caron Gallery, where his paintings and the works of around 50 other Mississippi artists are all on display and ready for you to add to your home collection.
thecarongallery.com 317 North Magnolia St., Laurel, MS 39441; 601-342-5129
Go Antique Shopping
Part of what makes Erin’s home design so wonderful is the effortless mix of old and new. If you want to achieve a similar look for your home, antique shopping in Laurel is a must. Part antique store, part boutique, you could spend hours in Peddlers Junktion and still not see it all. The superstore houses more than 45 unique vendor booths who specialize in everything from curated vintage home decor to contemporary gifts. A similar setup exists at Southern Antiques, which includes 10,000 square feet of diversified retail space focusing on home, gifts, and bridal items.
Get Creative At HAND+made
Creativity blossoms in Laurel and you can find full proof of that at local shop and studio HAND+made. The downtown gift shop and arts and crafts store sells locally made gifts items, from tea towels to jewelry, but also includes visitors to exercise their right brains by attending events meant to spark creativity. They host regular DIY and paint classes in their cheery downtown store.
facebook.com; 313 W Oak Street, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-342-8232
See The Historic Homes
Cedric Angeles
If the primary purpose of your visit is a Home Town pilgrimage (or even if it isn’t), a tour of Laurel’s historic homes is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or morning. Laurel Home Tours offers ride-along tours on their open-air carts through town that take visitors by more than 40 homes featured and renovated on the show. Along the way, your guide will relay history about Laurel and point out some of the town’s most famous landmarks.
laurelhometours.com
Buy Edible Souvenirs At The Knight Butcher
Cedric Angeles
A butcher shop may seem an unlikely place to find souvenirs, but this business offers some of the best edible take-homes you’ll find anywhere. Stop in to pick up some of their homemade beef jerky (there’s one made with ribeye and another made with bacon) and fresh fudge in dozens of flavors ranging from pumpkin spice to espresso bean to strawberry cheesecake to banana pudding.
theknightbutcher.com; 520 Central Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-651-2054
Where To Eat In Laurel, Mississippi
Enjoy Breakfast At Lee’s Coffee & Tea
The soaring two-story dining room at Lee’s Coffee & Tea has been a favorite gathering spot for locals since 2009. Folks frequently stop in for a cup of coffee or tea with a pastry and to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and convivial workspace. Lee’s also serves a full breakfast and lunch menu of homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, so it’s just as convenient a place to meet over a meal.
leescoffeeandtea.com; 409 W Oak St, Ste 102, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-649-4161
Have Lunch On The Porch At Bird Dog Café
Housed in a cheery Craftsman-style home downtown, Bird Dog Café reopened under new ownership in the spring of 2024 after a short time away. Serving lunch six days a week (closed on Sundays), you’ll find a satisfying menu of simple but delicious Southern eats like chicken salad, deviled eggs, and a fabulous French dip.
facebook.com/birddogoflaurel; 412 Short 7th Ave, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-651-2405
Have Homecooked Southern Food At Pearl’s Diner
After 34 years away, Pearl Campbell returned to her hometown and opened Pearl’s Diner in a former jewelry store in 2017. Known affectionately to friends and strangers alike as Ms. Pearl, folks come to converse with the beloved restaurant owner and sample her incredible Southern comfort cuisine. Open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays, Pearl’s Diner operates a bit like a meat ‘n’ three. A few mainstays like fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and mac and cheese are always available, but other meats and sides (fried catfish, lima beans, and the like) rotate daily.
mspearlsdiner.com; 330 North Magnolia Street, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-682-0945
Treat Yourself To Dinner At The Loft
A classic steakhouse experience awaits at The Loft, located in the heart of downtown Laurel on Central Avenue. Cozy up to a table under exposed wooden beams in the indoor dining room, or opt for a table on the two-story patio or in the charming courtyard when the weather is fair. No matter where you sit, ordering couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do is select your size and cut. It’s guaranteed to be perfectly cooked and served with a side salad and your choice of a baked potato, potato casserole, or fries. For the red-meat averse, there’s also a healthy selection of chicken, pork, pasta, seafood options too.
facebook.com/theloftoncentral; 535 Central Ave, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-518-0404
Where To Stay In Laurel, Mississippi
Book A Suite At Wisteria Bed And Breakfast
Laurel isn’t exactly a hotel kind of town. You’ll find hospitality to match the community’s welcoming feel at Wisteria Bed and Breakfast, a stately home in the heart of the historic district that offers three guest suites and lovely communal veranda and courtyard spaces that are perfect for whiling away a warm spring or summer afternoon.
wisteriabedandbreakfast.com; 706 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-426-3805
Spend The Night In A Cozy Airbnb
Cedric Angeles
Most folks report feeling right at home from the minute they first step foot in Laurel. At least that was the case for Bonnie McConkey, who moved to town after living in Denver for many years and deciding that she needed a change. She now perpetuates the warmth she first felt in Laurel by sharing her home with visitors via two Airbnb rentals called Bonnie’s Laurel Cottage. She’ll even give you a personal tour of town if you ask. If you’d rather have your own space, Mallorie’s Cottage, offers two separate rentals, one on each floor of the historic carriage house.
Read the original article on Southern Living
(This story was updated to add new information.)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball starting pitcher Ryan McPherson exited his May 9 return against Auburn with an ankle injury, according to coach Brian O’Connor.
McPherson tripped behind home plate while backing up a potential throw in the second inning and limped back to the mound. The MSU coaches and trainer examined McPherson before pulling him.
McPherson was making his first start since March 20 after suffering a forearm strain.
The No. 11 Bulldogs (38-14, 15-12 SEC) trailed the No. 6 Tigers (35-15, 16-11) by one run with one out in the inning before getting run-ruled 13-2 in seven innings at Dudy Noble Field.
McPherson threw 34 pitches in 1⅓ innings with one earned and one unearned run allowed, two hits, no walks and no strikeouts.
He did not throw a practice pitch while being examined, and he didn’t limp as he walked into the dugout, either.
Ryan McPherson injury update from Brian O’Connor
O’Connor revealed after the game that McPherson was on a 40-pitch limit, so he was likely going to get pulled soon anyway.
“I would hate for the young man to have a setback because he goes out there and tries to throw to another batter or two and changes this delivery because of an ankle (injury),” O’Connor said. “So that’s what went into that decision. It’s unfortunate, but it was good to get him back out there.”
McPherson, a sophomore, missed six straight starts with his forearm injury. He took Charlie Foster’s spot in the pitching rotation for the Auburn series.
One series remains at Texas A&M before the SEC Tournament.
“We’ll see how he recovers from this and then to see what his availability will be for next weekend,” O’Connor said.
Ryan McPherson stats
McPherson was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
The No. 6 Auburn Tigers have evened the series with No. 11 Mississippi State thanks to a timely home run in the 9th inning.
Auburn catcher Chase Fralick stepped into the batter’s box to lead off the final inning of a tie game, needing to get on base to give his team a chance to steal a win in Starkville. He answered the call by smashing a home run over the right field wall to push his team ahead. His defense, as well as relief pitcher Jackson Sanders, followed the clutch long ball by piecing together a perfect bottom frame to solidify a 5-4 Auburn win over Mississippi State on Friday at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi, to even the series between the pair of top-five SEC squads.
Fralick’s solo home run in the 9th was an answer to Mississippi State’s game-tying single in the 8th inning off the bat of Ace Reese. Reese hit a single to right field and used deception by forcing himself into a rundown, which allowed Kevin Milewsky to score from 3rd base and to erase Auburn’s lead that was once 4-0.
There were plenty of surprising and notable moments from Auburn baseball’s win over Mississippi State on Friday. Re-live those key moments by checking out score updates, highlights, and notes from the game below.
- Mason McCraine (3-for-5, 2 K)
- Eric Guevara (0-for-3, BB, 2 K)
- Chase Fralick (1-for-4, 2 RBI, HR, K)
- Chris Rembert (2-for-5, 2 RBI)
- Ethin Bingaman (2-for-5, RBI)
- Bub Terrell (1-for-4, 2B, 3 K)
- Brandon McCraine (1-for-4, 2 K)
- Cade Belyeu (0-for-3, 2 K)
- Lucas Steele (0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K)
- Andreas Alvarez (4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 97 pitches (55 strikes)
- Jackson Sanders (4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 K, 64 pitches (37 strikes), WIN
Auburn bounces back to even the series thanks to a perfect inning by Jackson Sanders and the Auburn defense. Game three of the series is set for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.
Mississippi State in the 9th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Auburn’s prayers were quickly answered after giving up the tying run to Mississippi State in the 8th inning when Chase Fralick smashed a solo home run to right field, giving Auburn its first run since the 5th inning and putting his team in a situation to win the game in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Auburn in the 9th: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
We head into the final inning of the game with a 4-4 tie between the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Ace Reese singled through the right side and voluntarily entered a rundown to distract Auburn’s defense long enough for Kevin Milewski, who got on base by a leadoff walk, to score.
Auburn will look to regain the lead in the top frame of the 9th inning.
Mississippi State in the 8th: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
For the second time in the game, Auburn fails to add runs despite the first two runners of the inning reaching base. Brandon McCraine led off the inning with a single, with Cade Belyeu reaching base after getting hit by a pitch. The next three batters in Auburn’s lineup were retired via strikeout by Ben Davis, bringing his total to four on the day.
Auburn in the 8th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Auburn pitcher Jackson Sanders got off to a shaky start in the 7th inning by allowing the first two batters of the inning to reach base. He appeared to be on his way out of the jam, but Bryce Chance singled through the left side to score Ace Reese from 3rd base and to trim Auburn’s lead to one run. He eventually got out of trouble by forcing Vytas Valincius to pop out.
Mississippi State in the 7th: 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
It was an easy inning for Mississippi State relief pitcher Ben Davis, who retired the first three batters he faced with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout of Bub Terrell.
Auburn in the 7th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Jackson Sanders held Auburn’s two-run lead in the 6th, his first full inning on the mound in relief of Andreas Alvarez. Mississippi State’s Ryder Woodson recorded a two-out single off Sanders in the frame, but a Gehrig Frei pop-out closed out the inning.
Mississippi State in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Auburn put two runners on base during the 6th inning on a Lucas Steele walk and Mason McCraine’s third hit of the game. However, Auburn’s good fortune ended with an Eric Guevara strikeout and a Chase Fralick pop out.
Auburn in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State is now on the scoreboard following a two-out, two-run home run off the bat of Reed Stallman, which cuts Auburn’s lead to 4-2. Jackson Sanders emerged from the bullpen following the deep drive to left field and proceeded to strike out Bryce Chance to end the inning.
Alvarez’s final line: 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 97 pitches (55 strikes) over 4 2/3 innings.
Mississippi State in the 5th: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Chris Rembert recorded his second RBI of the game with one out in the 5th, when his groundout to shortstop allowed Mason McCraine to score and to extend Auburn’s lead to three runs. The greedy Tigers were not finished, though, as Ethin Bingaman delivered an RBI single in the next at-bat to push Auburn’s cushion to four runs.
Bingaman’s RBI closed the tab on Mississippi State starter Duke Stone, who ended his outing by allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks in 4 2/3 innings and 95 pitches. Maddox Miller relieved Stone by forcing Brandon McCraine to fly out to center field after walking Bub Terrell.
Auburn in the 5th: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State is held out of the scoring column for another inning following a fielder’s choice and a line out, with Andreas Alvarez leading off the inning by logging his fifth strikeout of the game.
Mississippi State in the 4th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
The Auburn lineup logged its first extra-base hit of the game when Bub Terrell doubled on the second pitch of the inning. However, the good vibes ended there as Duke Stone struck out Brandon McCraine, Cade Belyeu, and Lucas Steele to end Auburn’s chances of increasing its lead.
Auburn in the 4th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
As the old Yogi Berra quote goes, “it was deja vu all over again” for Mississippi State in the 3rd inning as Bryce Chance stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. However, unlike Thursday’s opener when he hit a 1st inning grand slam, he hit a ground ball up the middle, which resulted in a fielder’s choice that forced Reed Stallman to become the third out of the frame.
Mississippi State in the 3rd: 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 3 LOB
It took Auburn a few innings to find confidence at the plate, but it struck gold in the 3rd inning when Chase Fralick popped out to center field with the bases loaded and one out to send Lucas Steele home, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Chris Rembert followed suit in the next at-bat by sending a single up the middle to advance everyone 90 feet, which scored Mason McCraine to extend the lead to 2-0.
We will now see if the two-run cushion will bring out the best in Andreas Alvarez on the mound.
Auburn in the 3rd: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State stranded one runner in the 2nd inning, but that was as far as they reached as Andreas Alvarez struck out Ryder Woodson to end the frame.
Alvarez is up to three strikeouts with a walk through two innings of work. He has thrown 40 pitches, with 23 of them finding the strike zone.
Mississippi State in the 2nd: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
The Auburn Tigers appeared to gain an edge on Mississippi State as a pair of singles by Chris Rembert and Ethin Bingaman put two runners on base. However, Duke Stone rebounded by striking out the next two batters, and a pickoff play by the Bulldogs caught Bingaman in a rundown between 1st and 2nd base, killing Auburn’s threat of putting a run on the scoreboard.
Auburn in the 2nd: 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Mississippi State attacked Auburn starting pitcher Andreas Alvarez early with a leadoff walk, followed by a bloop single to left center field. However, Alvarez bounced back by retiring the next three batters in order, which included two strikeouts.
Mississippi State in the 1st: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
It was a quiet inning for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and pitcher Duke Stone, who retired all three Auburn batters in order, which included strikeouts of Mason McCraine and Chase Fralick.
Andreas Alvarez and the Auburn defense look to return the favor in the bottom frame.
Auburn in the 1st: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Alabama defeats South Carolina, 8-3, which means that the broadcast of Auburn vs Mississippi State on SEC Network will not be delayed or pushed to another network. Expect a start time of 7:30 p.m. CT.
Here’s how the Auburn Tigers will line up in game two
- RF Mason McCraine
- 3B Eric Guevara
- C Chase Fralick
- 2B Chris Rembert
- 1B Ethin Bingaman
- LF Bub Terrell
- SS Brandon McCraine
- CF Cade Belyeu
- DH Lucas Steele
The bottom of the lineup will look different for the Tigers on Friday night, as Cade Belyeu gets the start in center field over Bristol Carter, and Lucas Steele assumes his familiar role at designated hitter over Eddie Madrigal.
After experiencing a flat night offensively in game one, it appears that Butch Thompson is looking for a spark in the center field slot for game two of the series. Carter has logged just two hits over his last five games and has gone 0-5 in his last three games. Steele has been used sparingly in the Auburn lineup over the last few weeks, playing in just three SEC games since April 17.
Auburn vs Mississippi State pitching matchup for game two
- Auburn: SO RHP Andreas Alvarez (8-2, 2.56)
- Mississippi State: SO RHP Duke Stone (6-1, 4.40)
Auburn baseball vs Mississippi State time today
- Date: Friday, May 8
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What channel is Auburn vs Mississippi State on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Auburn vs Mississippi State will be broadcast on SEC Network on Friday from Dudy Noble Field in Starkville. Tom Hart and Kyle Peterson will have the call from the booth. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
MISSISSIPPI. (WLBT) – Diesel prices climbed this week across Mississippi and the nation, leaving truck drivers uncertain about their ability to continue hauling freight.
Lemone Guice said seeing diesel prices at the pumps was concerning.
“It’s rough right now with the economy. We don’t know how it’s going to be with it being up and down,” Guice said.
Guice and fellow truck driver Ronnie Tran said they don’t know how long their fuel will last.
“If it keeps going like this, I don’t think we can survive,” Tran said.
Tran said his fill-up costs have doubled.
“My normal fill-up: usually around $600 to $700. Now, you’re talking about a thousand to $1,200, so it’s, like, double,” Tran said.
King Gaulden said the situation has been difficult.
“Man, it’s been ridiculous. Ever since Trump said the gas prices would go down, they have been going up. We’re just trying to figure it out. It’s been hard out here, man,” Gaulden said.
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.54. That’s the highest since the summer of 2022.
Guice said the spike is affecting decisions about whether to transport loads.
“For those of us that freight slows up, yes. You just don’t want to be just getting somewhere sitting and fuel you know… you don’t know whether you’re going to have a half of a tank or a quarter of tank. That isn’t good,” Guice said.
In Mississippi, the average price stands at $4.00, up more than 28 cents from last week.
Tran said his wish is simple.
“I wish the price would go back to $2 and something. Right now, it’s $4 and something. I wish it can go down to two or three something. That would be nice,” Tran said.
Mississippi still ranks among the states with the lowest gas prices.
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