Home | The Columbian-Progress

Today's Top Stories

A brother’s gift: Kidney donation saves a life

For eight years, Keith Preston lived in a world of gray, a world defined by the hum of dialysis machines . . .

Ribbon cutting marks return of driver services

State and local officials gathered for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, marking the official opening of the Mississippi Department of . . .

Youth Court introduces Family Navigator Program

The 10th District Chancery Court of Mississippi launched a first-of-its-kind program Tuesday afternoon at The Marquee. Thanks to a grant . . .

New behavioral program aims to help youngest students

The Columbia School District is developing a new transition-based program for its youngest students with intensive behavioral needs, aiming to . . .

Cox: Why I am for all students, not just those in my public schools

Below is an opinion column by Laurie Cox: Communities flourish when all their children can learn in an environment well-suited . . .

free content

It’s early, yes, but Mississippi’s college baseball teams have started fast
By RICK CLEVELAND - MISSISSIPPI TODAY
Tue,02/24/26-3:16PM , 279 Reads 24,277 Statewide
Two weekends into it, the college baseball season is but a puppy. Nevertheless, we can make at least one observation:

Our Mississippi teams have really high ceilings. They can play ball. Omaha is not out of the question for any of the three.
Click Here to Read More
Willis Preston, right, donated his kidney Feb. 17 to save the life of his brother, Keith, left.

premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

A brother’s gift: Kidney donation saves a life
By NICHLOS CUTRELL - Reporter
Wed,02/25/26-11:00AM , 939 Reads
For eight years, Keith Preston lived in a world of gray, a world defined by the hum of dialysis machines, failing health and the constant shadow of severe diabetes.
Today the world is vibrant again, thanks to a “spare part” from a man who once joked he didn’t have any to give.
Click Here to Read More
The West Marion girls powerlifting team won the Region 4-3A Championship Feb. 7 and will compete for South State on March 7 at St. Patrick.

free content

Lady Trojans powerlifting takes home the gold
By SUBMITTED TO C-P
Thu,02/26/26-12:00PM , 129 Reads
On Saturday, Feb. 7, the West Marion girls powerlifting team won the Region 4-3A Championship. Eleven of the 12 girls who went to the meet placed in the top-3 of their respective weight classes and will advance to compete in the South State Championship in St. Patrick on March 7. The girls that placed and will advance to South State are:
Click Here to Read More
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.

DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell does the honors at Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Marion County Driver Service Bureau. The state-of-the-art facility is now officially open and ready to serve the community.

premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Ribbon cutting marks return of driver services
By NICHLOS CUTRELL - Reporter
Thu,02/26/26-10:54AM , 106 Reads
State and local officials gathered for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, marking the official opening of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety substation in Columbia and restoring long-awaited driver services to Marion County.
Click Here to Read More

Yates continues push to hold landlords accountable for unpaid utility bills

State Rep. Shanda Yates says Jackson property owners would collect the utility fees but not pay the bill. Renters believed the bills were being paid, that is until their utilities were disconnected.

Read more about Yates continues push to hold landlords accountable for unpaid utility bills

Subscribe to

The E-Edition

February 26, 2026

Statewide poll

Submit Your Poll

Statewide Polls

Today's Weather

Columbia, 39429, MS

Realtime Radar

Current Temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Chance of Rain:
Max Temp: °F
Min Temp: °F
Dew Point: °F
Humidity: %
Sunrise: 6:29 AM
Sunset: 5:55 PM

Wind Speed:
Wind Direction: SSW
Wind Gust: 17 mph
Sky Cover: %
Visibility: mi
Dew Point: °F
Moon Rise: 12:55 PM
Moon Set: 2:59 AM

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 73 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Hourly Forecast

7-Day Forecast

Based on data from National Weather Service and OpenWeather.