Latest news with #Tupelo
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration's proposed $300M cut to Essential Air Service could ground Tupelo flights
TUPELO – Air service in Tupelo could be affected by a drastic cut in the Essential Air Service program, which provides subsidized air service in 177 smaller communities around the country. Besides the All-America City, the proposed cut would affect two other Mississippi cities: Greenville and Hattiesburg. The Trump administration's budget proposal released earlier this month seeks to slash federal spending and includes a $300 million reduction to EAS. At the end of 2024, the Department of Transportation provided EAS subsidies worth nearly $592 million to the 177 communities. "The EAS program funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers," the administration says in its budget proposal. "Spending on programs is out of control, more than doubling between 2021 and 2025. The budget reins in EAS subsidies by proposing a mix of reforms to adjust eligibility and subsidy rates to help rural communities' air transportation needs in a more sustainable manner." The budget doesn't outline what steps it would take to initiate reform nor identifies which communities would be affected by the cut or what would replace EAS. Tupelo Airport Authority board chairman Eric Gibens said the board is monitoring the situation closely. "Any cuts are a concern," he said. "Contour has been successful, and when they review that, they will see the flights are needed here. Hopefully, they look at the numbers and see their flights are for business and leisure and our flights are full. We'll definitely keep an eye on it, but it's wait and see at this point" Tupelo has taken part in the EAS program since 2009 after Northwest Airlines, followed by Delta Airlines, ended their regional flights to Memphis and Atlanta. Following the unsatisfactory performance from two airlines from 2009-2015, a new airline, Contour, stepped up in April 2016. It has provided air service since, and passenger enplanements, or boardings, have soared. In Tupelo, Contour has recorded at least 10,000 boardings in seven of the eight full years it has provided service. The only exception was in 2020, with the start of the pandemic. Currently, Contour provides daily round-trip flights to Nashville and Dallas. Through the first three months of this year, boardings were up 37% compared to a year ago. Contour's four-year contract, which began last October and runs through Sept. 30, 2028, has an annual subsidy of $6,924,450 in the first year, with a yearly increase of 5% in each of the next three subsequent years. Mississippi's two U.S. Senators said they support EAS and hope the administration backs off from talk of drastic cuts to its funding. 'It is not unusual for administrations to suggest that EAS be terminated. However, there is strong bipartisan support for this program, and I am confident the House of Representatives and Senate will continue our strong support," said U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker. In statements to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith expressed her disappointment with the proposed budget cut to the EAS program. 'I was disappointed to see that the administration proposes drastic cuts to the Essential Air Service program. As we have discussed, the EAS program connects our nation's rural communities to the broader transportation network by facilitating safe air travel for customers traveling to and from smaller markets like in Greenville, Mississippi, Tupelo, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi,' Hyde-Smith told Duffy. 'I know you understand the importance of this program from your time as a congressman when you had multiple EAS-supported airports in your district. Drastically cutting this program will have a severe impact on EAS-supported rural communities and regions that rely on having access to the broader transportation network.' Hyde-Smith added that businesses rarely locate in areas without dependable commercial air service. 'Supporting these rural airports is vital for future economic development,' the senator said.
CNET
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
This Twisty Netflix True Crime Series Is Now Living Rent-Free Inside My Head
If it's one thing I love watching on Netflix, it's a thought-provoking documentary. The streamer is jam-packed with options, too. But my preferred doc flavor is of the Tiger King variety, and I've been looking for something to bring that wild, twisty energy for some time. The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga is exactly what I was looking for. It's an easy binge at just three one-hour episodes, and the story that unfolds here has stayed with me for months. Emmy-winning directing duo Maclain and Chapman Way, the brothers behind Netflix's Untold docuseries and the riveting cult doc Wild Wild Country, are the creators behind The Kings of Tupelo. It's a stranger-than-fiction true crime tale that follows Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator and outspoken conspiracy theorist who finds himself at the center of a small-town rivalry that evolves into a terrorist manhunt. The legend of Elvis Presley looms large in Tupelo, Mississippi (the King's birthplace) and informs much of who Curtis is. His fascination with Elvis led him to don a bedazzled body suit and hit the stage to do his best rendition of Presley. In a town where Elvis impersonators are a dime a dozen, Curtis made a name for himself. Seriously -- he won awards. Read more: Netflix Review: Our Top Choice in a Crowded Market Jack Curtis is the brother of Paul Kevin Curtis, and the other Elvis impersonator in the family in The Kings of Tupelo on Netflix. Netflix Seeing his brother's success, Jack Curtis (a man who runs a successful insurance agency) tried his hand at doing the Elvis thing, which led the brothers to form Double Trouble, the world's first duo revue honoring The King. This is just one of the many quirky details that make The Kings of Tupelo such a fun watch. As someone unfamiliar with the real life story that inspired the series, I was not expecting the unpredictable twists waiting for their turn to flip things on their heads. Things go from one WTF moment to another quickly, making this a wild and never dull watch. I've seen criticism that the series perpetuates stereotypes about the South, and I can understand that argument. However, it wasn't my experience watching the series. As someone who has never been to the area, I found the program's array of colorful characters (and there are a lot) endearing to the story being told. Whether it's Steve Holland, the funeral home director and former politician, who happily leans into some big Boss Hogg energy, or sociopathic martial arts teacher James Everett Dutschke, who would probably send chills up John Kreese's spine, The Kings of Tupelo is littered with eccentric folks who feel like they walked right out of a Coen Brothers movie. Throughout the three episodes, Curtis tells his story through the guise of a finished screenplay, adding an off-kilter, cinematic quality to the whole thing. The Ways lean into this narrative voice, as unreliable as it sometimes feels, giving Curtis's vision full power. The result is an engaging documentary that sometimes feels like it was inspired by a sprawling made-up yarn he found during a deep dive on Reddit. Still, there are plenty of facts that substantiate the ride Curtis is taking us on. Yes, he picked fights with various businesses and people in town. Sure, he truly does idolize self-improvement guru Tony Robbins. He's a conspiracy theory nut who faced one fallback after another. Like the time he accidentally set fire to his home (he blamed government agents for this), which only reinforced his role as the undeterred victim. Paul Kevin Curtis and Jack Curtis suit up as Elvis Presley to perform as Double Trouble in Netflix's The Kings of Tupelo. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Curtis is a character full of contradictions. He can't seem to get out of his own way, incapable of learning from his own mistakes or admitting he may have been the one at fault. He's also the self-imposed embodiment of a small-town underdog with impeccable storytelling chops. And that is probably what makes him so fascinating to watch. One minute, you want to hug him -- the next, you want to punch him in the neck. The craziness hits a climax in an impeccably paced third episode, which drops one unbelievable bombshell after another on the viewer. It's a truly riveting watch that culminates with an unexpected pièce de résistance reveal that makes the time it took to get here absolutely well-earned. I mentioned a terrorist attack earlier, and this is where the series leans heavily into the true crime genre, and it's also what propelled Curtis into the public eye. I won't divulge all the details, but I will say the case involves one of Curtis's Tupelo rivalries, an assassination attempt of the president and a bizarre revenge plot that nearly put Curtis in prison for life. The Kings of Tupelo is really that good. It explores conspiracy culture and the internet echo chambers that fuel it, and it's a fun look at the colorful community of Tupelo, Mississippi, and the enduring legacy of the King of Rock and Roll. Moreover, the series is a surprisingly engaging underdog tale about a man who can't keep his mouth shut or learn from his mistakes, and the stranger-than-fiction criminal conspiracy he unwittingly became the victim of. Add all these elements up, and it's no wonder that, for the past few months, The Kings of Tupelo has been living rent-free in my head.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tupelo, Oxford and Booneville to host memorials for fallen police officers next week
TUPELO – At least three Northeast Mississippi communities will host ceremonies as part of National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. The Northeast Mississippi Law Enforcement Memorial Service, hosted by Wives of Warriors and C.O.P.S. (Concerns Of Police Survivors), will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, outside the theater at the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo. The memorial service was started more than a quarter-century ago by John Harmon after his son, Casey Harmon, was shot and killed while working as a jailer at the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center in March 1998. Northeast Mississippi Community College Police Chief Jason Jackson will be the speaker at the event, which will include the playing of taps, the reading of the names of the area's officers who have been killed in the line of duty and a candlelight vigil. Thursday morning, the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association will host its annual ceremony on the courthouse lawn. Representatives from area agencies will report if any officers were killed or injured in the line of duty. Following the laying of a wreath at the Public Safety Memorial at the courthouse, the Oxford Police Department honor guard will give a 21-gun salute. The Prentiss County Sheriff's Office will hold their annual ceremony at the Prentiss County Justice Center at 6 p.m. Thursday. Recently appointed First Circuit District Attorney Jason Herring will be the guest speaker. The event will include the laying of a wreath on the memorial to the agency's only officer lost in the line of duty, Michael Hisaw. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy established May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The week around that day is National Police Week. There will be a pair of events in Jackson on Tuesday. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety will host their memorial service at 10 a.m. at their 1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue headquarters. Lt. Col. Matt Lott will be the keynote speaker. Robin Whitfield will offer comments about the late Lee Tartt, an MBN agent who was killed during a February 2016 standoff. The same day at 6:30 p.m., the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police and the Mississippi Sheriff's Association will host their annual fallen officer candlelight vigil at the State Capitol Mall in downtown Jackson. The national memorial will also be held Tuesday night at 7 p.m. with a candlelight vigil on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. That event, which will be livestreamed on social media by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund, will include the reading of the names of fallen officers, including the 148 who died in 2024.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
CRIME REPORTS: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Thursday at 11 a.m. Vantorian Coleman, 25, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of parole. William Joseph Duggard, 45, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, parole violation. Harold R. Green, 32, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, sale of a counterfeit substance, two counts of contempt of court. Daniel Joseph Guillot, 48, of Booneville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, possession of methamphetamine. Cheyanne Hall, 32, of Nettleton, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, possession of methamphetamine. Jeffery Paul Hendrix, 46, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, no driver's license, no headlights. James Carl Hurd, 56, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, felony shoplifting, violation of parole. James A. McClung, 57, no address listed, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of parole. Christopher Coy McKay, 48, of Plantersville, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a Schedule II drug, no insurance. James H. Wright III, 48, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of parole. Darious I. Young, 27, of Guntown, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, possession of a firearm by a felon. Lee County Sheriff's Office The following reports were filed Thursday by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. A County Road 1001, Tupelo, man was driving home and noticed a truck on the side of the road in front of his house. He did not know who the truck belonged to. A deputy responded and the vehicle had not been reported as stolen. Since the truck was off the road and not blocking traffic, it was the man's responsibility. He could have it towed away, if he wanted. A County Road 1201, Plantersville, man said a pit bull came onto their property and had a litter of puppies near a storage container. The dog has a collar, but he does not know who the owner. The dog has not bitten anyone, but it gets aggressive and backs when humans approach. A County Road 811, Tupelo, woman thought she heard someone outside her house at 1:30 a.m. She told deputies she heard noises outside and someone tapping on her windows. She then heard a noise that sounded like something was under the house. Deputies walked around the house and found no signs of anyone. They did find an access door open on the front of the house where an animal could have crawled under the house. Nothing else appeared to be disturbed. An employee at the Saltillo Amazon warehouse project said a scissor lift was moved overnight, and a piece of equipment was found running at 5 a.m. Someone also broke a locking fuel cap on a piece of heavy equipment and stole about 30 gallons of diesel fuel. A County Road 506, Shannon, woman heard people arguing outside her house around 2:30 p.m. She looked outside and saw a Black male yelling at a woman who was running away. The black car they arrived in, turned around and began following the couple. The man grabbed the woman and forcefully dragged her into the car. The car then drove away, heading west toward Pontotoc County. Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Beginner skateboarding obstacles await instillation years after donation
TUPELO — Tupelo officials are still considering what to do with skateboarding obstacles donated to the city over two years ago. Built by local welder Welding Willie's, the obstacles include two quarter pipes, two pyramids and two boxes. The equipment, designed to be set up as a beginner-level skatepark, were purchased with prize money a group of Tupelo skateboarders earned by winning the 2023 Red Bull Terminal Takeover for best video, beating out teams from much larger cities, including Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pensacola, Florida, among others. The win netted the Tupelo team $5,000 in winnings. The team raised another $5,000 from local law firm Mama Justice through its Macon a Difference Foundation and an additional $1,000 from Corey Seawright, owner of Mississippi Premier Inspections, and his brother Jonathan Seawright. Cody Floyd, who is the head instructor at Tupelo Jiu-Jitsu Academy, also donated. The proceeds were used to jumpstart a batch of obstacles for a second, beginner-friendly skatepark for the city. Since their donation, however, the ramps have remained in storage inside the city's former police station. 'What's important is how meaningful it still is to see the community come together like that,' said Matt Robinson, owner of local skateboard shop, CHANGE, and the organizer of Tupelo's annual skateboarding festival, CHANGE Fest. Robinson said it's disappointing the city hasn't installed the obstacles for young and beginning riders to use, especially after so many people contributed to its purchase. 'CHANGE Fest people raised the money, built the stuff and gave it to the city and then the city is doing their thing,' Robinson said. Robinson said following the 2023 CHANGE Fest, he and city officials began working on ideas of where to place the obstacles. The original plan, he said, was to place the ramps at the old farmer's depot downtown. Those plans fell through, however, and city officials have yet to land on a new location to set up the equipment. Tupelo Parks and Recreation Director Alex Farned said the city is still considering multiple locations for the equipment's installation, but there is nothing concrete. He said the city plans to look at its options again during the upcoming budgeting season. While the other wooden obstacles stores in that area are subject to weathering deterioration, Robinson noted that the donated ramps are made with gator skin, a composite wood designed for skating in outdoor ramps. Robinson said he saw the community do-it-yourself attitude toward building beginner-level parks in every ward as refreshing, noting that he and others involved in the festival planned to build more obstacles every year and donate them to the city for different wards. Robison said he'd like to install small skate parks in every ward, one following each iteration of CHANGE Fest. Though he said he felt the delay in installing the obstacles has 'put a wet blanket' on building community-funded parks, he does not see this as the fault of the administration, noting that as president of the skatepark association, it was up to him to help facilitate the projects. 'I actually understand and appreciate that (the city) has a process that they have to go through,' he said. 'In the meantime, we don't need a park built for that. All we need is a flat piece of concrete in the city and to not be arrested in the city.' To Robinson, the need for beginner obstacles is higher than ever with the renovation and complete reconstruction of the Boerner skatepark at Ballard Park, which opened in 2023. The $572,000 park is built to tournament specifications and isn't suited toward smaller or beginning riders.
