By Ron Powers In 1987, Billy Idol smashed into the charts with his version of “Mony Mony”: a cover of the ’68 classic by Tommy James & The Shondells. Idol’s version vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning a chart-topping rival along the way. Digitally infused with dance-rock punch and Idol’s snarling vocal edge, the track became a stadium chant and party-anthem in one, complete with its notorious shouted call-and-response break. What began as a garage-rock numbe

By: Ron Powers

David Sprayberry, Director of Public Relations, Belhaven University The nation’s oldest singing Christmas tree tradition began at Belhaven University, and this year marks the 93rd performance of the Belhaven University Singing Christmas Tree. This beloved free event will be held December 5-6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belhaven Bowl Stadium. Since 1933, the Singing Christmas Tree has grown in both size and spectacle. The tree’s frame has become taller, its candles replaced by thousan

By Bob Garver Poster Credit: IMDB “Predator” and I got off on the wrong foot. I’m not talking about the new movie, but rather the 1987 original, and by extension the whole franchise. I rented the film hoping to enjoy some action-movie interaction between two future governors: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura. Unfortunately, there was little to no interaction between the two, and Ventura’s character got picked off by the Predator earlier than I would have liked. I spent

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com     You received the phone call that buckles your knees. Or hear the police officer’s knock on the door. Or the doctor solemnly walks toward you in the hospital waiting room. And now you have just heard the worst news of your life. You’ve lost the most important person in your world. Or, maybe you opened the envelope that you assumed would be just another pay check, but found a pink slip. Or you meet with your physician to get the r

By Alistair Begg, Magnolia Tribune Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16 Just before we close a prayer with an amen, most Christians will say something like “in Jesus’ name” or “for Jesus’ sake.” What are we actually doing when we say that? Is it anything more than just a nice way to close things off? To pray in Jesus’ name is to trust the saving work of the Lord Jesus as

Millsaps College has been awarded a $525,000 Gulf Scholars grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to establish a new minor that will prepare students to address sustainability challenges in the Gulf South. Beginning in Fall 2026, first-time, first-year students will have the opportunity to enroll in the Gulf Scholars Program at Millsaps, which combines rigorous academics with hands-on experiences to tackle pressing environmental, health, energ

By Richelle Putnam, Magnolia Tribune   Chris and Joey Ethridge (Photo courtesy of Joey Ethridge)   The names of music legends shouted from rooftops claim center stage in our memories. But if you listen carefully beyond the sensational roars, some of the most powerful names hum quietly from the foundations from which music was born.  Chris Ethridge — bassist, songwriter, and genre-blurring collaborator — never played for glory. He played for the meticulously melded sounds, loc

Ginger Robbins, VP, Workforce Development Dr. Courtney Taylor, Executive Director, AccelerateMS   and Governmental Affairs, Hinds CC   AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, and Hinds Community College, on Friday, established a strategic partnership designed to set a new statewide standard for how Mississippi supports new, expanding, and existing industries. The announcement, held at the

Special to WTWZ It may be time to donate that ’84 Mustang that has been sitting in the driveway for ten years. Many properties have vehicles collecting dust in the front yard, but donating these vehicles can make a positive difference. Mercy House Adult and Teen Challenge (MHATC), headquartered in Georgetown, gladly accepts old, rundown vehicles through its Vehicle Donation Program (VDP).   With holidays approaching, it is the season to be thankful and give back. How do vehic

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB How is it that Halloween of 2025 couldn’t give us a better horror movie than “Black Phone 2”? It’s not that I’m shocked that a Halloween horror movie is a disappointment. I’m just shocked that we got such a disappointing movie this year. 2025 has been such a banner year for horror thus far. “Sinners,” “Weapons,” “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” and “The Conjuring: Last Rites” were all blockbusters. There’s serious Oscar talk around those first

Visit Mississippi invites everyone to attend the unveiling of a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker honoring legendary bluesman and Mississippi native John Primer. The marker presentation will take place during his performance at the 82 nd National Folk Festival on Saturday, November 8, in Jackson. Primer’s career exemplifies the history of Chicago blues—the iconic American sound pioneered by southern Black musicians who moved north during the Great Migration and electrified Delt

By Alistair Begg, Magnolia Tribune As for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. – Psalm 73:2–3 When we consider the activities and successes of the self-important who seem to be so carefree and uninhibited, it’s easy for our minds, our hearts, and eventually our lives to go off in the wrong direction. We can relate to the psalmist’s angst when those who are so apparently opposed

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Have you ever tried to help someone who doesn’t actually want help? Oh, they tell you they do. They call and beg for you to give them answers to their problems. But when you stop your busy life, put your thinking cap on, get creative and give them answers, suddenly you run into excuses, reasons and downright refusals. All couched in terms like, “Oh, good grief, no!” Or, “No, I can’t do that because…” Or likely the tried and true, “Yo

The seven-member Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame class of 2026 was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Photo from the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame) The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame proudly announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2026 today at a press conference held at the Museum. This distinguished seven-member class spans decades of excellence, from gridiron legends and championship coaches to an Olympic gold medalist. “Each of these honorees has elevated Mississippi a

By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service The tiny chapel at the Chapel Garden in Brandon is a place where color, texture and thoughtful design have created a peaceful retreat. (Photo by MSU Extension/Eddie Smith) Sometimes the beauty of a garden draws people in for a visit, while other times the location is already a destination, and the surrounding garden creates the appropriate atmosphere. I recently visited the Chapel Garden in Brandon that invites guests to slow down and tak

Governor Tate Reeves today issued Executive Order 1589 to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for elementary, middle and high school students across Mississippi. Executive Order 1589 comes after President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order that reestablished the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition and reinstituted the Presidential Fitness Test. "Students across the country are spending far too much time sitting around looking at screens and eatin

By: Alistair Begg, Magnolia Tribune If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. – Romans 8:13 Your holiness matters. In the Old Testament, the word “holy” doesn’t always refer to a moral state; often, it refers to a relationship. Cities are described as holy cities, vessels as holy vessels, and buildings as holy places. This means that they stood in a special relationship to God. And so it is in

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com     It really is innocent looking, because it looks just like wet pavement. But it can be...

By: Michael Watson, MS Secretary of State Mississippi's next Election Day on Tuesday, November 4, is one week away. Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. To view the list of counties that may have an election on November 4,  click here . Visit the  My Election Day portal  to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot. As you type your address into