Possible twister: Damage reports at Mississippi-Alabama line

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — Teresa Hazelwood stopped by a Dollar General store in northern Mississippi to get some chips, and soon found herself riding out a suspected tornado in the parking lot and felt it lifting her car. She gripped the steering wheel and prayed. “I just prayed to God, oh please God...

Possible twister: Damage reports at Mississippi-Alabama line

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — A suspected tornado heavily damaged a store and other structures Tuesday in northern Mississippi and Alabama as a severe storm system crossed the Deep South, authorities said. Police Chief Mike Kemp in Tishomingo, Mississippi, told broadcast outlet WTVA that minor injuries were...

States differ on exempting worship from coronavirus closures

NEW YORK (AP) — As multiple governors issue orders to curb large gatherings and implore residents to stay home in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, at least a half-dozen states have exempted some level of religious activity. The divergent treatment of faith in some states' pandemic-fighting...

Texas moves to ban most abortions due to virus outbreak

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The governor and attorney general of Texas are moving to ban most abortions in the state during the coronavirus outbreak, declaring they don't qualify as essential surgeries. Attorney General Ken Paxton said Monday that the order issued over the weekend by Gov. Greg Abbott barred...

Coronavirus rekindles oil spill memories along Gulf Coast

The spring of the coronavirus feels a lot like the summer of oil to residents along the Gulf Coast. Bars and restaurants are empty in Florida because of an invisible threat nearly a decade after the BP oil spill ravaged the region from the ocean floor up, and condominium reservations have taken a nosedive in...

Mississippi delays a GOP primary runoff amid pandemic

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Friday that he is postponing the March 31 Republican primary runoff in the state's 2nd Congressional District because of the coronavirus. The new date is June 23. Mississippi joins a number of other states that have postponed elections amid the...

Mississippi governor is postponing March 31 Republican primary congressional runoff to June 23 because of coronavirus

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi governor is postponing March 31 Republican primary congressional runoff to June 23 because of coronavirus.

Police say shooting of Mississippi judge was 'personal'

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) — The recent shooting of a Mississippi judge outside a courthouse was “personal,” authorities said Tuesday. Chancery Judge Charlie Smith was shot near his abdomen Monday morning outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse as he was exiting his truck to go into the...

Mississippi judge shot, critically wounded near courthouse

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) — A judge has been shot and critically wounded outside a courthouse in Mississippi, police said. Chancery Judge Charlie Smith was shot Monday morning in the parking lot outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse in downtown Meridian, WTOK-TV reported. Smith was getting out of truck to go...

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted. A retired law enforcement officer, Schickel once steadfastly opposed medical cannabis, but his stance has softened. Now he says he's approaching...