WCBI News at Ten - Friday, June 26th, 2020

WCBI News at Ten - Friday, June 26th, 2020

Show open another 550 mississippians test positive for covid- 19.

That's the latest numbers from the state department of health.

Thanks for staying up with us tonight..

In our region, pontotoc county had the most new cases with 14// chickasaw had 10.

Oktibbeha and lowndes recorded nine new cases// health officials report minor decreases in patients, patients on ventilators and patients in icu// 75 percent of the cases do not require hospitalization// across the state line, lamar county records its first death// 964 new cases were reported in alabama today// wipe to vo that rise in covid- 19 cases is prompting changes in tupelo// mayor jason shelton signs a new order requiring people in tupelo to wear face masks in public// the tupelo economic recovery task force and nmmc requested the city adopt the policy.

If you go into any indoor place or business, this new order state you must wear a face mask// businesses are encouraged to post signs that let customers know they need to be wearing a mask before entering// this order goes into effect on monday.

To read the order in full visit wcbi dot com// the white house coronavirus task force briefed reporters today for the first time in two months amid an alarming escalation in the coronavirus pandemic// the development comes as president trump asked the supreme court to strike down the affordable care act -- which millions of american depend on for coverage// natalie brand reports from the white house// we are facing a serious problem in certain areas in the first ápublicá briefing in nearly two months- vice president pence and members of the coronavirus task force acknowledged surging cases in a number of states.

As we are reminded as we see cases rising acrsoss the south- we have work to do.

If we want to end this outbreak, really end it, and hopefully when a vaccine comes and puts the nail on the coffin, we have to realize we are part of the process.

The vice president says they will visit some of the hot spots -including texas, arizona and florida.

Still-- the administration maintains it's now better prepared to handle the surge.

The reality is we're in a much better place.

Task force officials urged the public, especially young people, to follow safety measures, such as wearing masks-but the vice president defended president trump's the supreme court is expected to hear arguments on the case during its next term in the fall.

A decision is not likely until 2021// tupelo public school district has released a blueprint for re opening schools for the upcoming school year// tpsd will offer parents the option of allowing their children to attend classes in person, or through virtual learning// those who opt for the traditional schedule will have self contained classes.

Tpsd staff will teach the virtual lessons// students will be provided with copies of textbooks and workbooks to use at home// all k through 12th grade students will be given a chromebook by the district// masks will be encouraged for students and teachers can use masks at their own discretion// also, the district will provide masks and face shields for students and teachers// students will also get their temperatures checked daily// tpsd starts its school year on august 12th// first look stinger you'll probably want to keep the rain jacket or umbrella on standby for the next several days as chances for pop-up showers and storms continue.

We're not expecting a complete washout, but the chances for rain will be there.

Temperatures will stay hot and humid with highs near 90.

Friday night: light showers will remain possible overnight, otherwise we'll stay mostly cloudy and mild.

Lows will be near 70 with light southerly winds.

Saturday: we're expecting that most of the day saturday will be dry.

We'll have a brief round of showers early in the morning and the chance for some very isolated pop-up storms in the afternoon hours.

Most of us will see a mix of mississippi's state flag still flies tonight, but all eyes are on the state capital this weekend as lawmakers decide whether a move that could lead to a change in the embattled banner will move forward..

Quentin smith has more from jackson..

As the state flag wavers in the wind, so does its fate.

In order for lawmakers to vote on whether the flag flies or is furled, they need 81 votes in the house....and 34 votes from senators, giving them the authority to make that decision.

A decision some have mixed views about "i don't really want to suspend the rules.

I am in favor of having a vote by the people, and if we can get that done then that would be good."

" we got to do a little convincing to certain people because they made commitments during their campaigns not to do certain things, so we don't want anybody to go back on their word to their people back home, but we've got to do what sometimes best for the overall state of mississippi."

Some lawmakers still aren't sure the numbers will add up.

"i'm confident that the house of representatives has enough votes to move forward, but i'm not sure about the senate."

" i feel very comfortable saying that if they could bring about a new flag, a majority of members of the house and the majority members of the senate would want that to happen, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll vote that way."

State leaders are still tackling the challenging task of changing hearts and minds..

" i haven't been in on any event, they haven't contacted me, but i think they know where i stand so that may be one of the reasons."

" it's tough because so many of them are thinking, hey i got to get reelected and they don't want to go back on the word they have to their people" "everything is changing so quickly.

I don't know.

I don't know procedurally where we are i don't know where the votes are."

Legislators return to the capitol tomorrow morning.

If lawmakers are able to get enough votes to pass a resolution suspending the rules to vote on this matter.

Governor tate reeves has indicated that he would not veto that bill.

Across the country protestors have been vandalizing and toppling monuments they say are tied to america's racist past..

Now, what seems like an unlikely target is in the crosshairs of some activists.

Cbs's chip reid has the latest from washington..

Twelve blocks from the us capitol stands a statue of abraham lincoln, the emancipation proclamation in his hand.

Dedicated in 1876 it was paid for by african americans but designed by an all-white committee and has long been controversial - not because of lincoln but because of the subservient position of the enslaved african american man kneeling before him.

Goodwin: here we have a man who is clearly being demeaned.

Political activist marcus goodwin started a petition to have the statue removed.

Goodwin: he's in shackles.

// whereas the great emanicpater abraham lincoln is standing above him, well dressed with his arm extended.

Nats protesters.

But protesters have gathered here for days and some have threatened to tear it down just like so many other statues that they call symbols of white supremacy.

Police have built barriers to protect the statue from a violent end.

They're agitators and they're an anarchists on fox news last night president trump threw down the gauntlet at those who would destroy statues every night we're going to get tougher and tougher.

Gfx today he tweeted the fbi's wanted poster for 15 people who allegedly tried to tear down the statue of president jackson in front of the white house and he included a threat - of ten year prison sentences.

Tag: a source told cbs news that there will be an attempt to tear down that statue tonight.

Right now though the mood here is very peaceful but as we've seen in the past the mood at these protests can sometimes change dramatically after dark cr cbsn washington stinger dramatically after dark cr cbsn washington stinger wx open summary: unsettled weather will remain in place through tuesday night with scattered rain and storm chances.

A cold front will sweep out the rain and humidity by mid morning wednesday leaving us with sunny and warm weather for the rest of the week and upcoming weekend.

Monday night: areas of showers will continue but gradually diminish in size and scope.

The threat of an isolated tornado should gradually end during the evening hours but we'll just have to monitor radar trends.

Look for a mild night with lows in the mid 70s.

Breezy se winds between 10 and 25 mph.

Tuesday: mostly cloudy with showers lingering first thing in the day.

A mix of sun and clouds is expected to develop as time goes on but that could lead to a few more showers or storms. highs are going to push 90?

With higher heat indices at times.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Tuesday night: a cold front may spark a line of showers and storms after midnight.

While we can't rule out a few isolated strong storms most spots will not experience anything too rough.

Lows will be in the low to mid 70s.

Wednesday: any rain chance should move east by mid morning allowing sunnier and less humid conditions to build in on the heels of westerly winds.

Highs top out in the mid 80s.

Wednesday night: clear and refreshing.

Lows in the low 60s.

Thursday-monday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy, warm, and dry.

Highs in the upper 80s to around 90 with overnight lows mainly in the low to mid 60s.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and the wcbi news app stinger business is back in downtown fulton and across the area.

We'll have that story coming up on wcbi news take an itawamba county city is seeing an upswing in commercial development, despite recent covid 19 related shutdowns.

Wcbi's allie martin has more on what is helping drive the economic resurgence in the town.

Several years ago, downtown fulton had a lot of empty buildings.

Much of the commercial development had left, but recently there has been a revitalization of sorts and it's led mostly by locals who want to see the area prosper.

"we wanted to give a nod to history and give a nod to the growth of fulton."

Brittany moore and her husband corey purchased the old "gaither " building on fulton's town square.

Original plans called for their boutique called "chasing portland" to occupy the space, but other vendors now rent space at the historic building, as sort of a retail business incubator.

"hopefully those businesses can grow large enough to fill some of our empty buildings and keep growing in itawamba county."

"chasing portland" was open for one week before covid 19 related shutdowns took effect.

But since those restrictions were lifted, business has been booming.

"when we opened the doors everybody was raring to go, downtown has been hustling and bustling , ready to get in here.

Just northeast of the square, jimmie wilson put new life into an old gas station and auto parts store when he opened "porch swing pickings."

He sells farmhouse decor and artificial flowers.

He also rents space to vendors who sell everything from food, arts and crafts and antiques.

Wilson is glad many of the old landmarks are homes to new businesses.

"i kept coming by and seeing this building and it was always special to me, when we came into town, it was like the gateway to fulton , i wanted to do something that would clean it up and bring more people in, i think we've succeeded."

Nats bell at restaurant several miles away, the lunch rush is in full swing at 'guy's place' jason beacham took over the restaurant earlier this year.

The setting on the midway marina provides a unique atmosphere for lunch and dinner.

Beacham says people support local businesses because those businesses give back to the community.

"people really appreciate a local business, and we have great support and love from our community and we try and give that back in many ways as well, for instance, when the schools, for a brief period weren't giving lunches to kids who may have relied on that everyday during school, we gave away almost 200 school lunches to kids."

The owner of guy's place on the water says he expects business to continue picking up throughout the summer, with traffic from the marina and people coming in from the the owner of 'porch swing pickings' says sales this past may broke all previous records for the same month over a three year period.

Stinger t-c-p-s and its high flying offense will be back and better than ever in 2020... our preview with the eagles, next in sports... spx open take sports full stop number five on the high school football tour takes us to belden, mississippi....previe wing the tcps eagles after reaching the postseason for the third straight year...just getting there isn't enough for the eagles a talented team returns, and has its sights set on making a deep postseason run.

"we're gonna go get a ring."

The tcps eagles look to soar over the competition as they head into the 2020 season.

Head coach shaune holiday brings back an experienced bunch....featuring 20 seniors who all believe this year is their year.

"my kids have really been working hard on their own and it shows when we were able to start getting back together a couple of weeks ago.

This year, we made it to the playoffs last year.

This year we're hoping to get in and win a few games in the playoffs."

"it'll probably be the best year we've had so far since i've been here so it should be a really great year."

Last season, the eagles fell short against some of the top teams in the division, but believe the experience they've gained will take their game to new heights.

"i'm going to depend on that experience and that leadership and those guys that have been in those battles that hopefully this year that'll help us get through those tough games."

Leading the flock is the dynamic duo of, khi holiday and noah foster.

Holiday had just shy of 4700 total yards last season and 58 total tds.

Foster hauled in 19 of those td passes.

The two credit their on field chemistry to their off field friendship.

"we've been playing baseball since we were like five.

We really got great chemistry.

Last year it was just football.

It clicked like that so it should click again this year."

"we've been best friends since we were nine years old playing baseball and stuff together.

We were always throwing the ball in the backyard so i already know what he's going to do when he's running a route and he knows where i'm going to throw it."

When it's crunch time, the eagles know they can turn to khi to make a big play.

"when he gets the ball, you know that something is going to happen.

When despite showers tomorrow maybe some more isolated public showers and so by the afternoon on a complete washout will really similar story for sunday and monday just few high passing clouds of their afferent public storms not everybody getting it wet though better reach into scott coming into the state through the end of the week thursday friday those of you that issue is what you thought about haiti generally state route 90 hot and liquid those overnight lows generally in the low set i will say no earlier this week on darker clouds are on a day where you and i made them not to draw mastic because i don't