WCBI News at Ten - Friday, July 17th, 2020

WCBI News at Ten - Friday, July 17th, 2020

The good news is mississippi didn't set any records today..

Thanks for staying up with us tonight..

The bad news is more than one thousand mississippians test positive for covid- 19 and icu numbers continue to climb.

One thousand 32 new cases are being reported today by the mississippi state department of health, along with 24 deaths.// one thousand 332 people have died after being diagnosed with the virus.// there are 41 fewer people in the hospital today than yesterday...that number is now one thousand 76.// at least 2 of those are members of the state legislature.

Representatives earle banks of jackson and manly barton of moss point// 253 people are in icu.

That number higher than yesterday's figure//.

Lee county had the highest number of new cases with 33.

Union has 25.

Pontotoc, winston, and lamar county, alabama all had 13.// monroe, oktibbeha, and lafayette had 12.// wipe to vo the lee county school district releases its "blueprint" for re opening// school starts august sixth.

Parents can choose either traditional learning, or distance learning// those who choose traditional learning will be at school five days a week, cdc guidelines will be followed and social distancing enforced with all classes and activities// students in distance learning will enroll for each nine week period.

Instruction will be provided through google classroom, with options for teacher meetings using google meets or zoom// there are a host of other guidelines the district is implementing to make sure students, teachers and staff are safe as the new school year begins// "a lot of planning has gone into that as well, making sure we can provide a healthy environment so we can stay in school because we understand the importance of face to face instruction with a high quality teacher for the education of our students, we want to be safe, we're extremely excited and we are ready for school."

The district will provide digital textbooks when they are available from the publisher// students will face the same direction in desks during class time// students and staff will be required to wear masks when social distancing is not possible// each district has a different restart plan.

But all include elements that have teachers and parents on edge.

A newly formed group called mississippi teachers unite rallied outside the state capitol for nearly two hours today.

Courtney ann jackson has highlights and reaction from the governor.

These teachers are mad.

" mde must postpone a dangerous reopening until at least september 1 to ensure a safe school environment."

"i want to see my students more than anything but i want them to be alive more than anything.

And as people said before, we can't teach that students.

I can't show up to work if i'm dead."

And they don't think the money is there for the return to be a safe one.

"we usually have running water.

We never have soap and rarely have paper towels.

So, i don't really see how this is going to happen.

The supplies that i have i'm going to have to buy for myself."

Some parents echoed those concerns.

"i want my kids to get an education but if this is going to destroy it then i ask they do what they need to do.

If it can't be september 1& guess what?

It needs to open up on this virus is gone."

Within hours- governor reeves was addressing some of these same topics at his briefing.

"the american academy of pediatrics said that closing schools could infect itself push children to a higher risk of death.

They're right.

We have to provide the structure for children."

In the way of safety-he says it shouldn't be an issue.

"at least $150 million is going to school to pay for mask, hand sanitizer and other necessary ppe" districts have until july 31 to finalize their plans for the fall semester.

"they want me to do an executive order mandating that every school acts exactly the same.

As of today, i do not see that as the best course of action."

Governor reeves says he had a meeting with the state superintendent and chairman of the state board of education today.

He says they're all in agreement that in-classroom instruction needs to be available and they believe it can be done safely.

First look stinger summary: the lazy, hazy, hot days of summer are here.

Not a lot of moisture is expected over the next few days but a few spotty storms can't be ruled out during the daytime heating.

More widely scattered storms may return by the middle of next week.

Friday night: clear and quiet.

Lows in the mid 70s.

A good night for star gazing.

Saturday: partly cloudy, hot, and humid.

Highs in the mid 90s.

Heat indices between 100?

And 105?.

Winds sw 3-7 mph.

A few stray storms are possible but the chance of rain is just 20% or less.

Caledonia's sports teams will have a new name..

The name confederates...or "feds" is officially being retired... at today's school board meeting, members voted unanimously to adopt a new nickname and mascot... this comes after dozens of parents and community members voiced their concerns about what the nickname portrays.

Our quentin smith was at the meeting and has more on the decision// with the raising of their right hands.... the five-member board made the highly anticipated vote to do away with the name...caledonia confederates" "i'm excited, i'm really excited this was a long time coming."

"i'm happy i feel like they acted responsibly, they listen to us, and they did the right thing."

Amanda neilson has been advocating for this change for more than a month... she organized the group "unify caledonia" in an effort to have the name removed "as i looked into this whole thing, it became apparent that black members of the community have been asking for these changes for at least 40 years, and nothing has been done."

Nielson has two kids in the school district.

While her kids are having good experiences at the school, she knows that's not the case for everyone, including her neighbor and recent caledonia graduate naterika shellman.

She believes the name confederates should have been retired years ago.

" now i know the school is taking forward to address the problem, so it'll be better for my younger brother who won't have to go through the same thing as i went through or have to wake nor the same things that i've had to ignore."

" i myself have seen a sort of self- segregation that seems to have happened between the towns in my area, and the name seems to contribute to that.

As i talk to people, they feel intimidated by the name, so that's not appropriate for school mascot, it's time to change that."

The process to determine what's next is now underway.

The principal, student body, community members, and alumni now have 60 days to decide on a new name and mascot then present it to the board to make a vote.

" if we decide what the mascot is in this room, we may pick something that's not indicative of what the community represents, so we want them to do it.

I want to say, i don't think the mascot and the community views it as racist at all.

I have been in that community my entire life, i don't see anything racist going on, it's just some people outside looking in viewing it that way, and it's just time to change that stance."

The new name and mascot will be presented to the board in september... and will take effect immediately following the board's vote some big improvements are coming to a busy oktibbeha county road.

More than four miles of poor house road will be redone with an asphalt surface.

Money from the county and the state will pay for repairs.

Work will start on highway 25 and continue to oktoc road.

A traffic light will also be installed within the next three months.

"the intersection of old highway 25 and poor house road... this has been an intersection where we have seen safety issues.

We did data studies to know exactly what we needed to do, which included traffic counts and accident reports and they came back and said we need to put in a light and we are also going to illuminate the area."

The traffic light project is already under contract.

This is the day courtnay smith has been waiting for.

Two years in the making, the starkville woman receives the keys to her new home today.

This is a habitat house on azalea lane.

Homeowners like courtnay have to put in lots of manpower hours, working alongside volunteers to build the house.

This year has been a challenge.

I can definitely say through this process i have been taught patience is a virtue.

And, its been a long two years but its definitely been worth the wait and then when it comes to finally getting started on the process of building, we have the coronavirus which put a halt to everything, and i say god remains faithful and we finished on time.

Volunteers helped keep that schedule on time.

The smith family includes courtnay, her three children and one grandchild.

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 summary: the lazy, hazy, hot days of summer are here.

Stinger covid-19 is forcing musicians to get creative when it comes to their live shows... think of it as the world's best car stereo..

Hear for yourself when we come no festivals.

No concerts.

So entertainers went online.

Now, music promoters are looking at new ways to provide live entertainment.

As mark strassmann shows us, you don't even have to leave your car.

Alright you guys gonna crank up your stereos a little bit?

We wanna get loud out there now?!

Singer-songwriter andrew mcmahon had never seen a concert like the one he headlined last weekend in anaheim, california.

Where are you now... this sold-out, drive-in show was his first live performance in months - since covid-19 took center-stage.

I think looking out at this sea of cars, you know, rather than a bunch of people crammed in tight is a -- is a new visual.

You know, i was laughing that when people got excited during the show // there were horns honking and stuff& quick nats of horns honking i think people are missing being in a space and feeling connected.

Socially-distanced entertainment.

It's one solution for an industry hit by the virus and fighting to survive.

Music the world's biggest promoter of live events is live nation.

Its opening drive-in series last weekend featured country music star brad paisley.

Live nation's head of venues told us the 'new normal' of concerts could one day include rapid testing of fans.

That would be ideal because then i think individuals would be- you know feel safer and feel like they would enjoy the experience knowing the entirety of the venue was tested.

Statues at the gate... at mcmahon's three-night show outside the city national grove in anaheim, each car had an assigned parking space.

Off to one side: a tailgate zone.

Outside that zone, everyone wore face masks.

At the bathroom there was a temperature check.

Jordan harding is the venue's general manager.

We've done the best we can but we acknowledge there is some risk involved.

To minimize that risk, fans could use a mobile app to order food, drinks, and merch - all delivered right to their parking spot.

We literally parked our car and we have our blocked off space so i feel pretty safe.

"we wouldn't go to a concert indoors right now, so this is perfect."

Like rock music, fans have to prove they can adapt.

We're calling that the "honk"-ore!

It may be the only way live music has an encore in covid- america.

Mark strassmann, cbs news, atlanta.

Stinger the high school football tour continues by checking in on stop #26, the aliceville yellowjackets // see the next in sports spx open take spx full the aliceville yellowjackets have no issue making it to the playoffs this year, the jackets hope to push even further and return to state for the first time since 2016 aliceville is stop #26 on the high school football tour ááááopen bbááá "just to be in the stadium and actually see the smiling faces whether it's players or its fans," aliceville head coach melvin pete said about returning to football this fall.

Besides the smiling faces, the aliceville yellowjackets have plenty to look forward to heading into the 2020 season.

The yellowjackets return following an 8-3 year; however, pete wants his team to learn from last year's losses.

"don't think that everybody can play with you and you can turn on the light switch when you get ready.

That was our biggest mistake as far as last year.

We kind of got into a dogfight.

We ended up coming up short because they did a great job of playing keep away," pete said.

Every down mean's something for pete and his team.

One player he doesn't have to reiterate that to: sophomore quarterback ty williams. in his freshman season, williams threw for over 1100 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

According to coach pete, he's already eager to do more.

"this is a guy who actually will call me in the middle of the night, 'coach i just got through watching some film.

Why did you hold back on play calling against gordo?'

I said, man, i was trying to protect you.

'we're not going to do that this year coach.

I'm gonna be ready.'

Man, you're talking a lot but let's see," pete said.

While the yellowjackets can count on williams to take care of the pass game, aliceville has to replace running back zavien wilkins, who accounted for nearly 1500 yards rushing for the jackets in 2019.

"i don't think the running game will be a problem because i'm relying on the guys upfront with that.

My guys upfront have been together at least two years.

I've just never been where we had our o-line, i've kind of had to rebuild every year.

This is the first time we've had a solid group coming back and returning," pete said.

As the season approaches, pete is also focusing on building a strong defensive line.

"there's some real big time players, our corners.

The other thing is we have a guy by the name of kobe sparks that's returning at defensive end.

Our biggest challenge this year is trying to find the other end.

We're trying to find some more d-lineman...we have some that have experience.

We're just trying to toughen up our front," pete said.

Aliceville kicks-off the season against greene county on august 21st.

With the yellowjackets on the hsft, courtney robb wcbi sports.

Gfx off the top the mega millions gremlins strike once again but we've got you covered... grab your tickets and good luck tonight's winning numbers are 12-13- 21-46-57 the megaball is 21 and the megaplier is 3 times ..

Here's hoping your the aliceville yellowjackets have no issue making it to the playoffs this year, the jackets hope to push even further and return to state for the first time since 2016 aliceville is stop #26 on the high school football tour ááááopen bbááá "just to be in the stadium and actually see the smiling faces whether it's players or its fans," aliceville head coach melvin pete said about returning to football this fall.

Besides the smiling faces, the aliceville yellowjackets have plenty to look forward to heading into the 2020 season.

The yellowjackets return following an 8-3 year; however, pete wants his team to learn from last year's losses.

"don't think that everybody can play with you and you can turn on the light switch when you get ready.

That was our biggest mistake as far as last year.

We kind of got into a dogfight.

We ended up coming up short because they did a great job of playing keep away," pete said.

Every down mean's something for pete and his team.

One player he doesn't have to reiterate that to: sophomore quarterback ty williams. in his freshman season, williams threw for over 1100 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

According to coach pete, he's already eager to do more.

"this is a guy who actually will call me in the middle of the night, 'coach i just got through watching some film.

Why did you hold back on play calling against gordo?'

I said, man, i was trying to protect you.

'we're not going to do that this year coach.

I'm gonna be ready.'

Man, you're talking a lot but let's see," pete said.

While the yellowjackets can count on williams to take care of the pass game, aliceville has to replace running back zavien wilkins, who accounted for nearly 1500 yards rushing for the jackets in 2019.

"i don't think the running game will be a problem because i'm relying on the guys upfront with that.

My guys upfront have been together at least two years.

I've just never been where we had our o-line, i've kind of had to rebuild every year.

This is the first time we've had a solid group coming back and returning," pete said.

As the season approaches, pete is also focusing on building a strong defensive line.

"there's some real big time players, our corners.

The other thing is we have a guy by the name of kobe sparks that's returning at defensive end.

Our biggest challenge this year is trying to find the other end.

We're trying to find some more d-lineman...we have some that have experience.

We're just trying to toughen up our front," pete said.

Aliceville kicks-off the season against greene county on august 21st.

With the yellowjackets on the hsft, courtney robb wcbi sports.

Gfx off the top the mega millions gremlins strike once again but we've got you covered... grab your tickets and good luck tonight's winning numbers are 12-13- 21-46-57 the megaball is 21 and the megaplier is 3 times ..

Here's hoping your ticket is as hot as this weekend's forecast - - right trevor??

Last look stinger l 493 and those are the winning numbers i know i should have changed the forecast to those numbers and start doing the the lottery like that what we do 12 and i like i have a good