Mississippi
Where is LeeBeth, the massive great white shark that swam off Mississippi Coast?
‘I feel like if we have a dead whale this spring she might be on it. That shark is so large, there’s only a few things she’s interested in (eating) and it has to be large.’
Shreveport Aquarium shark born without any males present
A baby swell shark hatched at the Shreveport Aquarium despite no male sharks being present for three years, according to the aquarium.
A 14-foot, 2,600-pound great white shark that was caught and released off the coast of South Carolina was tracked for months with a GPS tag that was placed on her. She made an incredible journey to Mexico and then turned back, passed by the Mississippi Coast and swam to Nova Scotia where her GPS unit stopped transmitting.
It was a journey that was never before documented and she made headlines everywhere she went.
Will we ever hear from her again?
“The last time we heard from her was in October,” said Megan Winton, research scientist at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “She was still in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
“She spent months in that area, and October is when sharks that are in Canada begin to move. That’s the last time we heard from her.”
How great white shark LeeBeth is tracked
LeeBeth was caught in December 2023 by Ed Young, pastor of the Dallas-Fort Worth mega-church Fellowship Church. Young was fishing with Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing based in South Carolina. Young named the shark after his daughter who died in 2021.
LeeBeth was outfitted with data collection devices including a GPS tag that transmitted her location whenever she breached the surface. There’s also a device that collects data such as depths that will at some point release, float to the surface and transmit the recorded data.
The final device is an acoustic transmitter. It will communicate whenever it nears acoustic receivers that are placed in the water by various research groups. Its life expectancy is 10 years.
The battery life in the GPS tag is generally about a year, but LeeBeth breached the surface so often that she transmitted her locations far more than other tagged great white sharks. That probably reduced the life-span of the battery.
“It’s likely the battery has died at this point,” Winton said. “She was pinging like crazy.”
Big sharks need big meals
LeeBeth’s travels could be followed through the AWSC Sharktivity app. Michalove, who has helped AWSC tag many great white sharks including LeeBeth, followed her closely.
“When she stopped pinging, I felt like I was gut-punched,” Michalove said. “She was like a kid to me.”
Even though LeeBeth’s GPS transmitter hasn’t sent a signal in months, Michalove said there’s a chance he’ll see her again. He said she likely has a set pattern of migration and will be off the coast of South Carolina this spring.
“I’ve studied her track over and over just trying to figure her path,” Michalove said. “I’m pretty confident I’ve got her down.
“I feel like if we have a dead whale this spring, she might be on it. That shark is so large, there’s only a few things she’s interested in (eating) and it has to be large. Fingers crossed I see her again and sooner than later. And, hopefully, not while I’m swimming.”
Why is LeeBeth being tracked?
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy studies the protected sharks. Winton said decades ago, the great white population was down about 80% from historic levels. Through protections, the population appears to be rebounding.
Winton said the group mainly focuses on the Cape Cod area. She said that’s because rebounding seal populations in that area are attracting the sharks in summer to feed on them and place the sharks near people.
With Cape Cod becoming a hotspot for white shark activity, Winton said the data collected from tagged sharks helps the group with outreach and education on managing interactions between humans and sharks.
As far as education and outreach go, LeeBeth has been instrumental due to her record-breaking travel from Mexico to Canada and the attention she has drawn.
“She’s quite the ambassador,” Winton said. “She has been such an interesting shark to follow.”
Have we heard the last from LeeBeth?
Maybe. Maybe not.
LeeBeth was tracked for thousands of miles as she traveled to the Gulf of Mexico where she appears to spend winters feeding on giant squid and then to the Gulf of St. Lawrence north of Nova Scotia where she spends summers feeding on seals. Last winter’s trek took her 20 miles south of Biloxi.
Both Winton and Michalove said they think she’s back in the Gulf of Mexico right now. While that is most likely true, knowing she’s in the Gulf isn’t quite as exciting as seeing her exact locations on a map in real time.
Although not the same, the acoustic transmitter may provide insight into her whereabouts. When she swims near an acoustic receiver, the units communicate. Some automatically transmit the detection, but most store the information and need to be pulled up periodically to download it.
“Hopefully we’ll be hearing from LeeBeth for the next nine years,” Winton said.
And there’s also the remote possibility that Michalove could catch her again and outfit her with a new GPS unit.
“The ocean is enormous and the odds are against us, but I’ve had recaptures before,” Michalove said.
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
TALLAHASSE, Fla. — Mississippi State baseball must win to keep its season alive.
The No. 3 seed Bulldogs (35-22) were crushed 10-3 by No. 1 Florida State (40-14) in the NCAA tournament’s Tallahassee Regional on May 31. It sets up a rematch from the NCAA tournament opener with MSU against No. 2 Northeastern on June 1 (11 a.m. CT).
The winner of Mississippi State versus Northeastern will play Florida State in the regional final on June 1 (6 p.m.).
The Huskies (49-10) held off Bethune-Cookman 4-3 earlier in the day to advance. MSU flattened Northeastern 11-2 on May 30 to begin the regional.
Interim coach Justin Parker said after the Florida State loss that the plan is to start Evan Siary at pitcher against Northeastern.
The Bulldogs, who fired coach Chris Lemonis on April 28, are in their second straight NCAA tournament. They are 10-3 under interim coach Justin Parker.
MSU would be in its first super regional since 2021 if it wins the Tallahassee Regional.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
What channel is FSU baseball vs Mississippi State on today? Time, TV schedule for NCAA regional
FSU baseballs Link Jarrett, Myles Bailey and Chase Williams talk regional win
FSU baseballs Link Jarrett, Myles Bailey and Chase Williams talk regional win
Florida State baseball returns to Dick Howser Stadium for day two of the Tallahassee Regional.
After defeating Bethune-Cookman, 6-2, FSU will take on Mississippi State on Saturday at 6 p.m., following the elimination game between BCU and Northeastern.
While dealing with a severe weather delay for two hours, FSU produced three home runs to take down the Wildcats.
As the Seminoles took care of business against the Wildcats, facing the Bulldogs will be a challenging task if they want to advance to the regional finals on Sunday.
Mississippi State had a pair of home runs of its own, led by Noah Sullivan and Joe Powell. Powell finished with four RBI and two hits. The Bulldogs had 13 total hits to take down the Huskies. Bryce Chance had four of those hits.
FSU is 7-7 against Miss. State all-time. Its last meeting was on June 2, 2018, when the Bulldogs defeated the Seminoles, 3-2, on a walk-off victory at Dick Howser during regional.
Here’s how you can watch the regional final.
FSU baseball vs. Mississippi State in NCAA tournament
What channel is FSU vs Mississippi State on today in Tallahassee Regional ?
FSU vs Mississippi State start time in Tallahassee Regional
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Time: 6 p.m. EST
FSU and Mississippi State will play at Dick Howser Stadium.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
Mississippi
No Kings Day protests against President Donald Trump planned in Mississippi. See where, when
White House plans parade for Trump’s bday, Army’s 250th anniversary
The White House is planning a massive military parade to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
- Protests against President Trump’s administration are planned for Flag Day, June 14, in Mississippi and across the U.S.
- The protests, called “No Kings Day” or “Day of Defiance,” coincide with the Army’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 79th birthday, which are also on June 14.
- The 50501 Movement, among other organizations, is coordinating protests in multiple Mississippi cities, including Jackson, Gulfport, Tupelo, Starkville and Hernando.
- Previous protests have focused on issues such as Trump’s policies on deportations and tariffs, as well as concerns about Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency.
A new round of protests against President Donald Trump and his administration in his second term are planned in Mississippi. This time, the demonstrations will be on Flag Day. June 14 is also the president’s birthday.
The new events are called No Kings Day or the Day of Defiance, and they’ll take place across the U.S. They’re the latest in a series of growing grassroots protests across the country. Events are being scheduled in more Mississippi towns than earlier in the year.
So far in 2025, the 50501 Movement has organized protests at the Mississippi State Capitol Building on Feb. 5; Presidents’ Day, Feb. 17; on March 4; on April 5; on April 19; on May Day, May 1; and over Memorial Day weekend, May 24.
Here’s what we know so far about the parade scheduled in Washington and the protests scheduled in Mississippi, around the country.
Why is the Army having a giant parade on Trump’s birthday?
Flag Day, the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 79th birthday all fall on the same day.
The Army reportedly is planning a large military parade. About 7,000 troops, 50 aircraft and more than 150 vehicles — including tanks — are set to roll by the president on a grandstand in Washington, D.C. There will also be aircraft flyovers and fireworks.
The Golden Knights plan to parachute in and present a flag to the president at the end of the procession, then Trump will preside over a ceremony enlisting and re-enlisting some soldiers.
The event is scheduled to take about four hours.
Where will the June 14 protests be in Mississippi? What time do they start?
The group coordinating the events are working to have one protest in every state that day. The 50501 Movement is one of many partnering organizations.
“On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” the site reads.
Jackson: noon to 2 p.m. at the south side of the Mississippi State Capitol, 400 High St. 50501 Mississippi is organizing the event. (The same group is hosting a Veterans Defending Democracy rally in the same location at noon June 6.)
Gulfport: 9-11 a.m. at the Gulfport Federal Courthouse. The MS Gulf Coast Mutual Aid Collective is organizing the event. “We’ll hear testimonies from fellow Mississippians about what ‘liberty and Justice for all’ means for them, and we’ll continue to build a movement of the people, by the people and for the people. Bring your signs, banners and noise makers and wear white in defiance of the fascists’ whitewashing of history,” event organizers wrote.
Tupelo: 10:30 a.m. to noon in front of U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly’s office, 431 W. Main St. Indivisible Northeast Mississippi is the event organizer.
Starkville: noon to 3 p.m. at The Hub.
Hernando: 3-4 p.m. at the DeSoto County Courthouse, 2535 Hwy. 51 S.
See photos of most recent protest in Jackson, MS
Why are people protesting in Mississippi on No Kings Day?
People who have shown up at previous events in Mississippi have said they take issue with Trump’s policies, including deportations and the effect tariffs could have on the economy.
While Elon Musk is stepping away from the Department of Government Efficiency, protestors have concerns with the team’s access to sensitive information and how cuts to government contracts, services and staffing were made during his tenure.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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