Updated: 10:03 AM The restoration of Meridian's Grand Opera House would not be possible without a favorable report from the structural engineer who examined the building.

Updated: 10:12 AM The governor declared a state of emergency in Newton, after the town was hit by a tornado early Thursday afternoon. Newton schools are closed Friday.

Updated: 10:09 AM Parts of Lauderdale County also received extensive damage during severe storms Thursday.

Updated: 10:42 PM A tornado smashed into stores jammed with holiday shoppers in Newton Thursday, injuring about 50 people, with at least two critically.

Updated: 10:11 AM Even though Christmas is only a week away, you can still get gifts delivered, but don't wait long.

Updated: 6:47 PM Marines unloaded more than 3,000 toys collected during the year's Toys for Tots campaign at the Wesley House.

Updated: 10:09 AM Peavey Electronics employees donated both money and time to supply new bicycles for needy children.

Posted: 6:30 PM A local pastor involved in an incident with Meridian Police has called for a community forum to discuss problems with the department.

Updated: 6:25 PM The former operator of the Children's Clinic in Meridian, Dr. Walter Anderson, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Updated: 7:00 PM Mississippi House Speaker Tim Ford announced he would not seek reelection in 2003.

Updated: 6:57 PM One of his colleagues said Wednesday that Senator Trent Lott should resign from his leadership position, but Lott says he's "hanging in there."

Updated: 10:35 AM WTOK-TV hosted its annual Wesley House Christmas party at the Dentzel Carousel at Highland Park.

Updated: 10:21 AM Design work for Meridian's Grand Opera House Project downtown may take another year to complete.

Updated: 10:29 AM Clarke County has been hit by another mill closing that means the loss of 100 jobs.

Updated: 2:34 PM Young Americans are exposed to more television commercials for beer than for sneakers, gum or jeans, according to a study released Tuesday.

Updated: 1:30 PM State College Board Commissioner Tom Layzell has been named one of two finalists for a similar post in Kentucky.

Updated: 6:56 PM A criminal charge of culpable negligence manslaughter has been filed against a driver in the death of Joey Culotta.

Updated: 6:58 PM Sen. Trent Lott appeared on Black Entertainment Television to discuss recent remarks viewed by many as racially insensitive, but also gets support from a prominent black congressman.

Updated: 12:45 PM Mississippi's director of the state Department of Human resources has resigned, effective Friday.

Updated: 10:13 AM Local authorities ask for the public's help in solving a string of burglaries at Northeast Lauderdale High School.

Updated: 10:28 AM A recent survey by Lauderdale County deputies using a borrowed radar gun shows most drivers speeding well over the posted limits.

Updated: 10:24 AM A letter to the media from Citizens Against Annexation Advisory Committee indicates Lauderdale County is paying half the costs of the annexation fight. That issue was clarified Monday.

Updated: 7:08 PM The last victim in the recent bridge collapse in Wayne County has been found.

Updated: 4:36 PM A small group of NAACP protestors carried signs and chanted "Trent Lott has got to go" in front of the federal courthouse in Jackson.

Updated: 2:11 PM The city of Meridian will be a little safer thanks to a donation from Lowe's Hardware store.