Local Headlines

Coming up at 6 AM (Monday, January 6, 2019)

By ShaCamree Gowdy | January 6, 2020 at 5:54 AM CST – Updated January 6 at 5:54 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – As you head back to work and school following the holidays, here’s a look at some big stories we’re tracking this Monday.

An inmate who escaped from Parchman is still on the run this morning on the heels of deadly violence in state prisons
Reporter Reggi Marion is LIVE as Congressman Bennie Thompson calls for a federal investigation
Live in Ridgeland, where the National Park Service will close part of the multi-use trail along the Natchez Trace for nearly a month
A heartbreaking loss for Who Dat Nation as the Saints fell to the Minnesota Vikings
We will have a recap and hear from quarterback Drew Brees

Grab your cup of coffee and join our morning news teams at 6 a.m.

‘Safety in numbers’; After death of Alabama woman, officers share safety reminders for women

By Summer Tadlock | January 5, 2020 at 10:49 PM CST – Updated January 6 at 11:33 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Friday a missing Alabama women was found dead after reportedly leaving the bar with two unknown men.

“I feel in trouble,” is the last chilling text Paighton Houston sent right before she disappeared.

“People may say you are being paranoid, you are being over cautious. But the fact is it can happen anywhere so you might as well prepare for it.”

December 20, 2019, just days before Christmas. 29-year-old Paighton Houston disappeared after leaving a Birmingham bar. A friend with her at that bar told authorities she left with two men. However, police said they were unable to find video evidence of the two men described by the witness.

Two days ago, Houston’s body was found in a shallow grave behind a house in Hueytown, Alabama.

You never think it could happen to you. In your town. With your friends. Until you come face to face with danger.

“Rule number one is that you stay aware.”

Paul Holley, legal counsel for the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, wants to remind women trouble can happen anywhere.

“The phrase is there is safety in numbers. That still plays true even in that environment. So stay close to your friends. You can communicate with them… they can communicate with you.”

Holley says be alert and have a plan. It might just save your life.

“Trust needs to always be built before you get into a car with anyone. Don’t be a victim get out and train yourself. There are classes offered.. self defense.. concealed carry.. tasers… pepper spray.”

Miss. congressman to request investigation into MDOC after week of unrest

By China Lee | January 5, 2020 at 5:24 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 9:56 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) is preparing to call for an investigation into the Mississippi Department of Corrections after a week of violence and unrest that left five inmates dead, and two escaped.

Thompson announced via Twitter that on Monday he is planning to request an investigation from the U.S. Attorney General, “into the ongoing failures in safety, security, health, and environmental standards within the Mississippi Department of Corrections.”

He also stated on twitter that this was a crisis that must be quickly addressed.

It is appalling that there have been 5 lives taken this week due to what is being described as “disturbances.” This is a crisis that must be quickly addressed. I offer my condolences to the families of the 5 men. We should all be concerned when any life is lost.

— Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) January 3, 2020

Three of the five deaths have occurred at Parchman, and MDOC officials contribute four of the five to violent “disturbances.”

Both inmates escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman on Friday.

Madison Police announce death of one of their own

Officer Jim Mack, Jr. had 11 years of service with the Madison Police Department and was a 19-year veteran of law enforcement.

By China Lee | January 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 6:00 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Madison Police Department is expressing their condolences after the passing of one of their own.

Officer Jim Mack, Jr. had 11 years of service with the Madison Police Department and was a 19-year veteran of law enforcement.

Officer Mack was discovered deceased from a medical related issue on Friday, January 3rd in Jackson.

Funeral arrangements are still being discussed and the family has not released the details at this time.

Madison officials said in a Facebook post that they want to to express their sympathy and offer their prayers to the family of Officer Jim Mack Jr.

Woman struck by car, killed while walking on Hwy. 49 in Yazoo Co.

By China Lee | January 5, 2020 at 4:14 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 4:15 PM

YAZOO COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – A woman was killed after being struck by a car in Yazoo County.

The Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department was first called to the scene for a crash involving a deer on Highway 49 near the Yazoo County High School.

When they arrived on scene they found that it wasn’t a deer but a woman that had been hit by a car.

The woman has been identified as 39-year-old Shea E. Parker of Yazoo City. Officials believe that Parker was walking northbound in the right lane of Highway 49 when she was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The truck was also traveling northbound in the right lane when the crash occurred.

Parker died as a result of her injuries.

Mississippi Highway Patrol is handling this investigation.

No Power, No Pillows: June inspection report shows conditions inside Parchman

By WLBT Digital | January 5, 2020 at 12:07 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 8:39 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A June 2019 inspection report from the Mississippi State Department of Health reveals the condition inside the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

The report shows that many of the cells in the prison either had no power, no pillows, no mattresses or all three.

Black mold was also found in one of the cell showers while another shower was being used to store milk cartons.

In the report, some cells are simply listed as “inoperable.”

The report also reveals the lack of cold/hot water in the prison and that some sinks and water fountains were continually running.

Birds nests were also found in some cells along with some windows having no screens.

In the Unit 29 Kitchen report, the inspector noted a fly trap covered with flies and dead flies in the steam table.

Milk and food was not labeled or had no date and mold was growing on the door flaps of the cooler.

Prep rooms were inoperable but were still being used to store food.

In the Unit 26 Kitchen report, it is written “Toilet leaking in kitchen bathroom.”

There was also a fly seen in a pot of water being prepared to cook. After seeing this, the inspector advised the cook to empty the pot.

In a section of the report named “Cold Storage” is has written “Shoes, inmate pants, mop bucket and chemicals stored inside cooler” and that it was “raining in freezer.”

In a section named “MSP Unit #31 Food Sanitation” it says that spoiled food was discovered inside a stove and that chemicals were being stored inside the pantry.

Some washing machines and dryers in the prison were also inoperable.

This report comes as a backdrop to a tumultuous week for MDOC as five inmates have been killed in state prisons in the past week.

Three of the five deaths have occurred at Parchman, and MDOC officials contribute four of the five to violent “disturbances.”

Two inmates also escaped from the State Penitentiary this week, with one being captured Sunday morning.

Brandon families hold prayer vigil for MDOC employees and inmates after week of violence

Families hold prayer vigil in Brandon for MDOC employees and inmates after week of violence

By Chelsey Sellars | January 4, 2020 at 10:47 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 10:55 AM

BRANDON, Miss. (WLBT) – A week of violence inside of several state prisons brought people in Brandon together to pray.

“We’ve been asking for change for a while, for over a year now and everyone knew this was coming. So here we are,” said Amanda Hamilton, director of Mississippi Dreams Prisoner Family Support.

Families held candles and sang outside of Crossgates United Methodist Church, Saturday.

Hamilton and others prayed for the safety of inmates like her son, and MDOC employees.

“MDOC is supposed to take care of and protect the inmates and that’s not happening and so you don’t know. Like I said, I haven’t heard from my son in a couple of days, so you don’t know what really is going on,” she said.

Hamilton and others are now looking for change in the coming legislative session. Her group hopes the conversation of prison reform and higher wages for MDOC employees can prevent this from happening again.

“Just keep in prayer. Pray the holy spirit on MDOC and their employees. They matter as well,” said Hamilton.

Multiple agencies assisting MDOC following tumultuous week inside state prisons

By WLBT Digital | January 4, 2020 at 1:41 PM CST – Updated January 5 at 9:20 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol has now deployed State Troopers along with the MHP Special Operations Group and Air Operations to assist the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

This after the escape of two inmates from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman Saturday morning.

David May, 42, and Dillion Williams, 27, were discovered to be missing around 1:45 a.m.

MDOC says May was serving time for aggravated assault and Williams was in for aggravated assault and burglary.

David May, 42, and Dillion Williams, 27, escaped from a MS prison Saturday morning. (Source: MDOC)

According to MHP spokesman Captain John Poulos, agents with MBI and MBN are also working with the Mississippi Analysis and Information Center to disseminate information about activities within the prison.

It has been a tumultuous week for MDOC as five inmates have been killed in state prisons since Sunday.

Three of the five deaths have occurred at Parchman, and MDOC officials contribute four of the five to violent “disturbances.”

Commissioner Hall said cell phones have been “instrumental” in the escalation of violence.

In a tweet, MDOC confirmed that there was a minor fire at Unit 30 earlier this week which was set by an inmate.

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIRE OR MAJOR DISTURBANCE at the MS State Penitentiary at Parchman. There was a minor fire at Unit 30 earlier this week. That fire, set by an inmate, was immediately extinguished. Like other facilities in the prison system, the prison has limited movement.

— MDOC (@MS_MDOC) January 4, 2020

They say the fire was immediately extinguished.

“Like other facilities in the prison system, the prison has limited movement,” the tweet ended.

Cool Morning, Pleasant Afternoon

By Michael Haynes | January 5, 2020 at 8:04 AM CST – Updated January 5 at 8:04 AM

Starting out near freezing this morning, followed by warmer weather throughout the day as highs reach the middle 60s under lots of sunshine. Aside from Tuesday, temperatures remain above average for much of the week. Also, a few showers return Tuesday morning, but nothing widespread. A better opportunity for rain arrives late next week or the weekend. This system will have the potential to produce strong to severe storms Friday into Saturday morning. We’ll get more specific on the details over the coming days.

First Alert Forecast: Dry and Pleasant Sunday

Miss. leaders react to U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian general

By China Lee | January 3, 2020 at 3:44 PM CST – Updated January 3 at 4:47 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi’s congressional leaders are responding to the U.S. airstrike, ordered by President Trump, that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, believes that the actions taken against Iran were reckless and a threat to the nation.

“President Trump’s reckless actions in the Middle East have made us less secure and risk serious consequences for the security of the homeland by escalating an already volatile situation. We have to be vigilant. I am concerned that a day later we have seen little of substance from the Administration – including the Department of Homeland Security – on how it is planning for any contingencies. DHS’s core mission is to keep us safe from potential attacks, but under this Administration it has been almost singularly focused on immigration and has been without a permanent leader since April.”

Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) released a statement in support of the move saying that the U.S. acted in defense of its allies.

“Qassem Soleimani was a terrorist who targeted Americans,” Guest said. “The U.S. will continue to defend our nation and our allies from the evil of terrorism that threatens the world, and I am thankful for President Trump’s strong leadership in this continued battle. Our prayers are with the members of our military and foreign service fighting to protect American lives and preserve freedom everywhere.”

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), says that the presidents actions makes clear the United States will not tolerate attacks against our nation.

“Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist responsible for attacks that killed hundreds of American troops in Iraq and caused chaos across the Middle East. The President’s action makes clear the United States will not tolerate attacks against our nation, such as the Iranian-organized assault against our embassy in Baghdad this week. Yesterday’s successful operation also demonstrated the skill and power of America’s men and women in uniform. I am grateful for their commitment and service.”

During a qualifying event for the Mississippi U.S. Senate seat Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) said that she stood with the president.

“A serious situation no doubt, but to have strength and to have force you’ve got to show it.”

Iran has vowed “harsh retaliation” for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad’s airport that killed its top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran.

The Pentagon is scrambling to reinforce the American military presence in the Middle East in preparation for reprisals. As part of that, the U.S. is sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast.

Local Headlines

Officer Jim Mack, Jr. had 11 years of service with the Madison Police Department and was a 19-year veteran of law enforcement.

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