They turned out in Downtown Columbus to see something that will never happen again.
People packed into the basement of The Commercial Dispatch to watch an old printing press run one final time.
The newspaper will no longer be printed in Columbus after more than 100 years.
Instead, it will be printed at the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo before being shipped back to the Golden Triangle for delivery.
Publisher Peter Imes says the move made sense since it is tougher to find parts and people to work on the 70-year-old printing press, which the newspaper bought used in 1969.
Imes adds delivery times will not change and the paper will have more color on its pages.
However, the paper will now come in a single section instead of two.
You can listen to the entire interview with Imes below about the decision to outsource the printing of the Golden Triangle’s main newspaper.
The National Weather Service has issued its first forecast for Christmas. Above is the forecast for Tupelo with only slight differences for other parts of Northeast Mississippi.
There’s a major move on this Monday involving one of the Tupelo-based banks. Cadence Bank is being bought for $7.4 billion and will soon become Huntington Bank. Here’s the news release:
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cadence Bank, a $53 billion regional bank headquartered in Houston, Texas and Tupelo, Mississippi.
With more than 390 locations across Texas and the South, the addition of Cadence marks a significant milestone in Huntington’s strategic growth. The partnership, in conjunction with the recently closed acquisition of Veritex Community Bank, will give Huntington the fifth deposit market share in Dallas, the fifth deposit market share in Houston, and the eighth deposit market share across the state of Texas. Upon close, Huntington will also become the number one bank in Mississippi and a top ten bank in both Alabama and Arkansas by deposits.
The partnership will give Huntington a foothold in high-growth markets—including Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando and Tampa—and create a powerful platform for further organic growth and investment. Upon completion, Huntington will have a strategic presence in 12 of the top 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the country, including six of the top 10 fastest growing MSAs.
“This is an important next phase of growth for Huntington,” said Steve Steinour, Chairman, President and CEO of Huntington Bancshares. “This partnership will extend the reach of our full franchise to 21 states—stretching from the Midwest to the South to Texas—and into new, high-growth markets for which we have a powerful playbook. Today’s announcement represents a significant step on our journey to be the leading people-first, customer-centered bank in the country.”
One of the largest regional banks in its footprint, Cadence operates branches across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Huntington intends to maintain Cadence’s broad branch network—with no branch closures—and invest to grow.
“We’ve been delivering for our customers and communities for 150 years, and partnering with Huntington will help us do even more to support those we serve,” said James D. “Dan” Rollins III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadence Bank. “This is a defining moment for Cadence Bank and we’re confident this alignment will create lasting value across our footprint and beyond. Together, we will continue to prioritize relationship-first banking while unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Upon closing of the transaction, Rollins will join Huntington as non-executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated as well as a director of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and The Huntington National Bank. Huntington Bancshares will be inviting two additional members from Cadence to join the Board of Directors.
“Cadence Bank’s relationship-first, community-based approach to banking aligns very well with our values and local approach to banking. We’re excited to bring our broad range of capabilities, products and services to Cadence’s customers and communities through local bankers, local decision making, local relationships and local community engagement and investment,” said Brant Standridge, President of Consumer and Regional Banking at Huntington. “Cadence has built strong relationships over generations, and we intend to continue that legacy and offer even more with our leading digital capabilities and Fair Play products and services.”
Launched in 2010, Huntington’s pioneering Fair Play philosophy focuses on providing services without hidden fees or asterisks and delivering fair and safe access to banking for consumers. Through this combination, Cadence customers will have access to Huntington’s full suite of Fair Play product features, including 24-Hour Grace®, Standby Cash® and Early Pay.
Huntington will continue Cadence’s strong legacy of community support through local partnerships, investment and engagement, and will maintain Cadence’s philanthropic commitments to organizations across its footprint—including its multifaceted support for the Tupelo community and state of Mississippi.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, approval by Huntington and Cadence shareholders and other customary closing conditions. Upon conversion, which is expected in the second quarter of 2026, Cadence Bank teams and branches will operate under the Huntington Bank name and brand.
It’s been reported locally that Target is coming to Tupelo. This is the first time I’ve seen it on the Target website even though I haven’t checked the site in some time.
Wanted to share why I have not appeared on television for more than two weeks. This time, it has nothing to do with vacation, a special project or managerial duties.
Following four nights at the hospital in Tupelo, I’ve been released after being diagnosed with a peach-sized mass that appears to be cancerous. I hope to know more tomorrow after seeing a specialist in Jackson. Thankfully, I’m in no pain, and I’m grateful for the healthcare workers I’ve encountered, who have been nothing but the best.
I haven’t a clue as to when I’ll return to work. Hopefully, it’ll be sooner rather than later. Thanks in advance for any prayers. They will be truly appreciated.
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