Updated: 8:01 PM According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 71 of the 100 poorest counties in the nation are rural. Several are in Mississippi and Alabama. A freshman congressman says he thinks he has the answer to solving the problem.

Updated: 7:58 PM Eighth grade students at Livingston Junior High School learn about the world through cooking.

Updated: 8:00 PM Meridian police arrested two suspects shortly after a robbery at the Dixie Station on Hwy. 19 North Saturday.

Updated: 7:13 PM Mississippi and four other states will activate their "do not call" lists on Wednesday.

Updated: 9:13 PM A jury Friday night convicted Kirby Tate of two counts of felony marijuana possession with intent to distribute.

Updated: 8:43 PM Mississippi authorities will ask for a court order to get blood samples from a New York woman, who reportedly admitted to killing her daughter in Mississippi.

Updated: 8:25 PM One of four suspects in the P. M. Norwood murder case recently pleaded guilty to the charge.

Updated: 8:17 PM The Navy and Boeing celebrated 500,000 flight hours by student pilots in the T45 Goshawk.

Updated: 7:40 PM The last of the Lockheed-Martin shooting survivors is home after being released from the hospital Friday.

Updated: 9:15 PM A Sumter County grand jury has issued an indictment against Police Chief Chris Vaughn.

Updated: 6:50 PM The controversy of who is the Democratic nominee for sheriff of Kemper County is over, at least for the time being.

Updated: 8:29 PM Even though the Alabama Senate passed a bill that would allow the display of the Ten Commandments in state buildings, it may still be a dead issue.

Updated: 8:06 PM Education, civic, and business leaders from two states put their heads together to set priorities and develop strategies for improving education.

Updated: 8:01 PM A vote by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Charles Pickering's nomination to a federal appeals court was delayed Thursday.

Updated: 7:51 PM The new commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing said the base closure process could negatively impact the Mississippi National Guard.

Updated: 7:41 PM Southern Pride will reopen its catfish processing plant next week.

Updated: 12:34 PM Law enforcement authorities in Hinds County announced a child's body was found Wednesday near the Jackson bus station.

Updated: 10:07 PM Five high-level Democratic officeholders in Mississippi are backing the appeals court nomination of Judge Charles Pickering.

Updated: 10:09 PM A man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend.

Updated: 10:08 PM The search for a new mascot at the University of Mississippi has been put on hold indefinitely.

Updated: 2:07 PM A Mississippi attorney, who is also a member of the state Brain Injury Association, is distributing bike helmets free of charge.

Updated: 8:12 PM Armed Forces recruiting offices have moved to a consolidated location across from the mall.

Updated: 7:56 PM Even though a federal judge ruled a national "Do Not Call" list unconstitutional, a Mississippi version is apparently unaffected.

Updated: 10:06 PM Fifty years ago this week WTOK first hit the airwaves. As a way to show our appreciation to you, our loyal viewers, this week we are taking a look back, as well as a look ahead.

Updated: 8:32 PM A committee at the University of Mississippi has postponed a decision on a new mascot for the Rebels.