PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - A 70-year-old Petal woman known for frequently protesting in front of City Hall was arrested Wednesday. began protesting outside City Hall following in May about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. She often wore signs calling for justice and an end to police brutality.Petal Police Chief Matthew Hiatt said police were called to an intersection of South Main Street and Fourth Street around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday where Bates was walking in the road. Bates’ attorney Matt Lawrence said in a statement on Facebook that Bates was walking to Corner Market when she...…PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - A 70-year-old Petal woman known for frequently protesting in front of City Hall was arrested Wednesday. began protesting outside City Hall following in May about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. She often wore signs calling for justice and an end to police brutality.Petal Police Chief Matthew Hiatt said police were called to an intersection of South Main Street and Fourth Street around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday where Bates was walking in the road. Bates’ attorney Matt Lawrence said in a statement on Facebook that Bates was walking to Corner Market when she...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) - A nontheistic religous organization called the Satanic Temple is threatening to sue Mississippi if the state moves forward with its plan to include the words “In God We Trust” on the new state flag.A letter sent by to Attorney General Lynn Fitch cites constitutional concerns regarding the First Amendment, saying the phrase “In God We Trust” is not representative of all Mississippians.“While the Satanic Temple supports the removal of the Confederate flag, removing one divisive symbol of exclusion only to replace it with a divisive phrase of exclusion does not...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) - A nontheistic religous organization called the Satanic Temple is threatening to sue Mississippi if the state moves forward with its plan to include the words “In God We Trust” on the new state flag.A letter sent by to Attorney General Lynn Fitch cites constitutional concerns regarding the First Amendment, saying the phrase “In God We Trust” is not representative of all Mississippians.“While the Satanic Temple supports the removal of the Confederate flag, removing one divisive symbol of exclusion only to replace it with a divisive phrase of exclusion does not...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves says he is isolating as he awaits the results of his COVID-19 test.Reeves was in touch with at least one House member who , including Speaker Phillip Gunn.Sunday, Reeves took to social media to --something State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs has previously refuted.Reeves doubled down on these comments Monday. He says “the media” only paid attention to protests around the country while coronavirus cases continued to rise. He is upset that blame is not placed upon the “thousands and thousands” of protesters for a spike in cases....…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves says he is isolating as he awaits the results of his COVID-19 test.Reeves was in touch with at least one House member who , including Speaker Phillip Gunn.Sunday, Reeves took to social media to --something State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs has previously refuted.Reeves doubled down on these comments Monday. He says “the media” only paid attention to protests around the country while coronavirus cases continued to rise. He is upset that blame is not placed upon the “thousands and thousands” of protesters for a spike in cases....WW…

COLLINS, Miss. (WDAM) - Pine Belt first responders, along with city and county officials and their families, are being treated to a night of free family fun at Grand Paradise Water Park this Thursday.The water park is hosting an appreciation night on July 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Law enforcement officers and city and county officials from Covington, Lamar, Forrest, Jones, Smith, Simpson and Jefferson Davis counties are invited to attend.On Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves ordered enhanced measures for Covington County and nine other counties to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those measures...…COLLINS, Miss. (WDAM) - Pine Belt first responders, along with city and county officials and their families, are being treated to a night of free family fun at Grand Paradise Water Park this Thursday.The water park is hosting an appreciation night on July 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Law enforcement officers and city and county officials from Covington, Lamar, Forrest, Jones, Smith, Simpson and Jefferson Davis counties are invited to attend.On Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves ordered enhanced measures for Covington County and nine other counties to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those measures...WW…

Skip to contentPINE BELT (WDAM) - The WDAM First Alert Weather Team is dedicated to keeping you safe when severe weather strikes. That is why we have built that dedication into our newscasts with the use of a “First Alert Weather Day.”What is a “First Alert Weather Day”? How will I know one is happening?The idea is extra dedication, even during our normal newscasts, to keep you up-to-date on the latest forecast ahead of, and during, potentialy life-threatening weather.On WDAM.com and our mobile apps, there will be extra weather graphics and weather-related stories posted, as well as an...…Skip to contentPINE BELT (WDAM) - The WDAM First Alert Weather Team is dedicated to keeping you safe when severe weather strikes. That is why we have built that dedication into our newscasts with the use of a “First Alert Weather Day.”What is a “First Alert Weather Day”? How will I know one is happening?The idea is extra dedication, even during our normal newscasts, to keep you up-to-date on the latest forecast ahead of, and during, potentialy life-threatening weather.On WDAM.com and our mobile apps, there will be extra weather graphics and weather-related stories posted, as well as an...WW…

Skip to contentPETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - An investigation has started in Petal after numerous firearms were stolen from a pawn shop during a burglary Thursday night.Surveillance video from Lott’s Gun & Pawn shows four suspects breaking into glass cases to steal firearms:Shop owner Bucky Lott said about 19 firearms were stolen during the incident.According to Lott, a large rock was thrown into the front entrance door of the shop for the suspects to enter the shop.Lott said the suspects were traveling in a small gray SUV that had a dent in the back passenger door. He said the Petal Police...…Skip to contentPETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - An investigation has started in Petal after numerous firearms were stolen from a pawn shop during a burglary Thursday night.Surveillance video from Lott’s Gun & Pawn shows four suspects breaking into glass cases to steal firearms:Shop owner Bucky Lott said about 19 firearms were stolen during the incident.According to Lott, a large rock was thrown into the front entrance door of the shop for the suspects to enter the shop.Lott said the suspects were traveling in a small gray SUV that had a dent in the back passenger door. He said the Petal Police...WW…

Skip to contentJONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - A Laurel man is facing multiple drug-related charges in Jones County.According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Darrett Cooley of Laurel was arrested by narcotics agents on Thursday on the following charges:JCSD said Cooley was found with 6.7 ounces of methamphetamine, one gram of cocaine and one ounce of marijuana.Narcotics agents also recovered a side-by-side ATV that was reported stolen in Grenada, which is still under investigation.“Another great job by our narcotics agents in identifying Darrett Cooley as a trafficker and...…Skip to contentJONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - A Laurel man is facing multiple drug-related charges in Jones County.According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Darrett Cooley of Laurel was arrested by narcotics agents on Thursday on the following charges:JCSD said Cooley was found with 6.7 ounces of methamphetamine, one gram of cocaine and one ounce of marijuana.Narcotics agents also recovered a side-by-side ATV that was reported stolen in Grenada, which is still under investigation.“Another great job by our narcotics agents in identifying Darrett Cooley as a trafficker and...WW…

Skip to contentHATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) -The Hattiesburg police and fire departments need your help in an ongoing fire investigation. According to the Hattiesburg Police Department, a fire caused structural damage to the pavilion at Vernon Dahmer Park, located at 1000 Country Club Road, on Thursday afternoon. If anyone has information pertaining to this incident, please contact HPD at (601)-545-4971 or Metro Crime Stoppers at (601)-582-STOP(7867).Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.Copyright 2023 WDAM. All rights reserved.…Skip to contentHATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) -The Hattiesburg police and fire departments need your help in an ongoing fire investigation. According to the Hattiesburg Police Department, a fire caused structural damage to the pavilion at Vernon Dahmer Park, located at 1000 Country Club Road, on Thursday afternoon. If anyone has information pertaining to this incident, please contact HPD at (601)-545-4971 or Metro Crime Stoppers at (601)-582-STOP(7867).Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.Copyright 2023 WDAM. All rights reserved.WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is discussing the latest COVID-19 response in his state.As cases continue to spike in Mississippi,a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, met with Mississippi leaders in Jackson on Wednesday, including Reeves.Reeves says Birx and others within President Trump’s task force agree that masks work and are needed to slow the spread of the virus.Reeves announced a new hub for Mississippians to purchase masks, hand sanitizer and other protective equipment that is made in Mississippi. was launched in an effort to prevent...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is discussing the latest COVID-19 response in his state.As cases continue to spike in Mississippi,a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, met with Mississippi leaders in Jackson on Wednesday, including Reeves.Reeves says Birx and others within President Trump’s task force agree that masks work and are needed to slow the spread of the virus.Reeves announced a new hub for Mississippians to purchase masks, hand sanitizer and other protective equipment that is made in Mississippi. was launched in an effort to prevent...WW…

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -You’ve heard COVID-19 warnings from the state’s top leaders. But the state health officer is issuing a call to action to all leaders.“Make some hard decisions to protect your folks, even if it’s a little unpopular,” said State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs on December 1. “It’s time for leaders to lead.”Dr. Thomas Dobbs continues that call to action through social media. Sunday, calling out leaders at home, school, houses of worship and work.“Dr. Dobbs is 200 percent correct that those of us who sit in this seat must provide leadership and we cannot, I think, escape...…JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -You’ve heard COVID-19 warnings from the state’s top leaders. But the state health officer is issuing a call to action to all leaders.“Make some hard decisions to protect your folks, even if it’s a little unpopular,” said State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs on December 1. “It’s time for leaders to lead.”Dr. Thomas Dobbs continues that call to action through social media. Sunday, calling out leaders at home, school, houses of worship and work.“Dr. Dobbs is 200 percent correct that those of us who sit in this seat must provide leadership and we cannot, I think, escape...WW…