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
Mississippi
Eight tornadoes confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi from Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur storms
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The National Weather Service has confirmed eight tornadoes touched down across Louisiana and Mississippi on June 18th, 2026, with damage surveys revealing significant impacts to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
The survey work continues on several areas, including Eden Isle, where meteorologists are analyzing whether additional weak tornadoes occurred within widespread wind damage.
The NWS has asked for patience as crews complete their analysis, with the next update expected Monday, June 22.
A busy morning of severe weather
The tornado activity began early Thursday morning around 2:49 a.m. and continued through the morning hours, with the last confirmed tornado occurring around 8:12 a.m.
The storms primarily impacted the greater New Orleans area, including parts of Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana, as well as Hancock and Harrison counties in Mississippi.
The damage: eight confirmed tornadoes
Houma area hit hardest
Four of the eight confirmed tornadoes touched down in the Houma area, with a fourth nearby.
The most significant damage in Houma came from an EF-1 tornado that tracked through the city around 3:47 a.m., producing winds up to 95 mph.
This tornado damaged the Lynn Park Shopping Center, where nearly every window was damaged, and interior walls partially collapsed. Four homes sustained partial to significant roof loss, and one home had an exterior wall collapse.
Another EF-1 tornado in the same area tossed a truck 30 feet and caused significant damage. Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted, with several homes sustaining partial roof loss, and at least one carport collapsed.
An EF-1 tornado causes significant roof damage to two homes on Crozier Drive, and at least one exterior wall collapsed on each.
An EF-0 tornado also impacted the McCord area of Houma, damaging trees, several homes, and electrical poles.
Long-track tornado from St. Tammany Parish to Mississippi
The most significant tornado of the day was an EF-1 that traveled 12.42 miles from Treasure Isle in St. Tammany Parish to rural Hancock County, Mississippi. With maximum winds of 105 mph and a width of up to 300 yards, this tornado caused extensive damage across its path.
The tornado flipped a large boat near Treasure Isle and progressed northeast, removing shingles from homes and snapping trees along Bluegill Drive.
As it moved into Avery Estates, the tornado grew in size and strengthened, uprooting numerous trees along U.S. Highway 190 and damaging several outbuildings. A manufactured home had most of its roof removed and was shifted significantly off its foundation.
The tornado maintained strength as it moved over the Pearl River Basin before weakening as it approached Hancock County, where ground survey teams documented widespread tree damage on rural roads.
Additional tornadoes
An EF-1 tornado tracked 7.26 miles from Bridge City through New Orleans to the University of New Orleans area around 5:43 a.m., producing winds up to 95 mph. Damage was primarily tree damage and minor building damage across the city.
A brief EF-1 tornado touched down north of Highway 90 in Avondale, injuring two people. The tornado tracked northeast with home damage and snapped tree branches. One home sustained damage when another mobile home rolled into it. The wind speeds were estimated to be 90 mph.
An EF-1 tornado also tracked across Hancock and Harrison counties in Mississippi, with widespread tree damage, including several large trees uprooted and snapped. Minor damage occurred to several properties along the 6.38-mile path.
No Fatalities Reported
Despite the significant damage from eight tornadoes, no fatalities were reported. However, two injuries were reported in the Avondale area.
All information in this report is preliminary and subject to change pending final review and publication in NWS Storm Data.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 19, 2026
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 June 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 19 drawing
07-10-13-22-31
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 1-4-2, FB: 5
Evening: 5-5-4, FB: 9
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 2-3-2-8, FB: 5
Evening: 9-2-8-4, FB: 9
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 05
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.
Mississippi
Police shooting of a 1-year-old Mississippi boy ignites tension between police and residents – WXXV News 25
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The fatal shooting of a 1-year-old boy by police who were responding to a shoplifting call this week has ignited simmering tensions between police and Black residents in the small town of Senatobia, Mississippi.
The death of Kohen Wiley is the latest in a series of troubling encounters with police that have outraged community members in recent years. It has led to protests and calls for greater police accountability in the town of 8,000, with some civil rights activists pointing to Kohen’s death as another example of a Black life lost over something of nominal value — in this case, allegedly stolen diapers.
“We are treating items on a shelf as more valuable than a child,” Bernice King, the daughter of civil right icon Martin Luther King, Jr., said in a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday. “That is not just bad policing; it is a moral collapse.”
Differing accounts of what happened
There are still many unanswered questions about the shooting and what led up to it.
Senatobia police responded to the shoplifting call at a local Walmart on Sunday, where they found two women and a child leaving the store, getting into a car and driving away. According to a statement released by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation: “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.”
Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, said her son and her friend, who was driving, were hit by gunfire. In a video posted on social media Wednesday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Wiley said her friend was not driving toward the officers because they were “all on the right side and she was driving towards the left.”
She also disputes the shoplifting claim, saying in the video that she believes her friend paid for the diapers she was carrying.
Policing expert Ian Adams, who teaches criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, said regardless of the circumstances, the officer should not have fired at the car.
“Modern policing knows that shooting into a moving vehicle is a very bad idea and one to be avoided at almost all costs,′ Adams said. For one thing, ”vehicles have other occupants, which is obviously a concern here in the current case.”
Shooting revives racial justice concerns
Kohen was Black, as are his mother and her friend, and the circumstances leading to Kohen’s death quickly drew comparisons to another Black mother shot during a response to a shoplifting accusation.
In 2023, Ta’Kiya Young, who was pregnant, was shot by police in a Columbus, Ohio, suburb, after they attempted to apprehend her. Police said Young, who was also the mother of two young sons, got into her car and accelerated in the direction of the officer who fired at her through the windshield. Both Young and her unborn daughter were killed.
The officer in that case was acquitted of criminal charges and found justified in his use of force by a review board.
The two deaths join a long list of other instances of Black Americans dying in interactions with police after accusations of petty criminal offenses. That list includes the murder of George Floyd in 2020, who was killed after police responded to a call that he used a fake $20 bill at a Minneapolis grocery store.
For some racial justice advocates, such cases serve as a constant reminder of the consequences of systemic racism in law enforcement.
“In the name of ‘law and order,’ a child was killed and family was shattered over items that could be restocked, written off, and replaced,” King wrote on Instagram. “Our charge is clear: until the sacredness of human life is the starting point of every police encounter, we must demand changes in training and work unrelentingly to reform policies around police accountability.”
Tensions in Senatobia
Marquell Bridges, the president and founder of an advocacy group called the Building Bridges Coalition and who has been helping the Wiley family, said Kohen’s death was “just the breaking point” after years of problematic interactions between Black residents and police.
Bridges pointed to an encounter last year in which an officer threatened Breshari Faulkner with a Taser, pulled her from her car onto the ground and arrested her during a confrontation over a handicapped parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.
Two years earlier, in 2023, a Senatobia officer was fired for his role in arresting a 10-year-old Black boy who had urinated in a different parking lot. The boy’s family settled a federal lawsuit with the city earlier this year.
“There is a culture there that they are above the law – just because they wear a uniform,” said civil rights attorney Carlos Moore, who has represented the 10-year-old boy and others accusing the department of misconduct.
Police did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. The mayor and city aldermen also did not respond to messages.
About 40% of the city’s population of approximately 8,300 is Black, according to 2020 Census data. Police did not respond to questions about the racial makeup of the department, but the mayor and a majority of the Board of Alderman members are white. The city has elected only three Black aldermen since it became a municipality in 1860, according to the Tate Record, a local newspaper.
A toy lawnmower that blows bubbles
The officer who shot Kohen and the woman driving the car he was in has been placed on administrative leave, a standard practice, while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation looks into what happened. They have promised to release video of the shooting once the investigation is complete.
Kohen’s grandmother, Veronica Roberson, was there when Kohen was born and babysat him often. She described him as a happy little baby with “the prettiest smile you could ever imagine.”
She said he was a sweet child and: “He just loved on me, and I loved on him. We loved each other.”
One of his favorite toys was a little lawnmower that would blow bubbles when pushed. Roberson would sit outside with him while he played with it. “He really thought he was mowing my yard,” she said, laughing a little at the memory. “That baby was my world.”
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