WCBI NEWS at 10 - 09/22/2020

WCBI NEWS at 10 - 09/22/2020

Show open good evening everyone... it's all about the numbers tonight... two special elections... two seats in the mississippi legislature are up for grabs.

Four candidates in the race for state senate... three are vying for a position in the state house of representatives.

So... a runoff is a good possibility.

Let's get to the numbers.

New at ten, tonight the house of representatives passes a government-wide temporary funding bill in sweeping bipartisan vote, averting shutdown threat.

This measure is a stop gap - designed to keep the government funded through mid december.

The legislation still must be approved by the senate and signed by president trump, or the government faces another shutdown threat in eight days.

This bill includes nutrition aid for children and families and aid to farmers.

Executive orders---mississippi has had some form related to covid-19 for the last six months.

But now some lawmakers are pushing back on the idea.

Courtney ann jackson explains.

The mississippi freedom caucus is trying to get the governor's attention-saying many mississippians want to be heard.

"have my constituents' voices been heard in the actions and ordinances and mandates this year since the very beginning of covid?

No."

Rep.

Dan eubanks explains why the caucus is requesting the executive orders end now " the people of mississippi& they're smart enough and they care enough about each other that they will exercise personal responsibility and that those that are in high-risk categories or that are fearful of the virus will go to additional links to safeguard themselves from it."

Beyond that-the letter asks that reforms be considered to include involving the legislature if a crisis extends for a long period of time like this.

"the voices of the people that we represent are not making their way up to the top."

"at some point, the legislature needs to be a part of the decision making process for the state because as with representative williamson and myself, we are the closest to our constituents.

And every part of the state is not the same."

But some of the folks we spoke with say they fear the results when mississippians don't have the structure and requirements found in the orders.

"he's doing that on purpose.

It's to keep it from spreading.

Mississippi's been really bad.

One of the worst states.

It's turning the curve now, looking better and i think it's because of the executive orders."

"we have some people that are taking this seriously.

We have some that don't believe it."

The governor's office responded saying these executive orders are some of the toughest decisions the governor has had to make in his time in politics.

But emphasized that he's working closely with state health experts and making data-driven decisions with the health and well- being of all mississippians in mind.

The longtime macon municipal court clerk is accused of taking money.

Yolanda atkins is charged with embezzlement.

The state auditor's office confirms atkins was indicted by a noxubee county grand jury.

In court documents prosecutors allege atkins took in the time frame of january 2018 to july 2019.

She's accused of taking less than five thousand dollars from the municipal court.

Atkins turned herself in to the noxubee county sheriff's office.

The driver involved in a west alabama pursuit is officially charged.

Pickens count jail records show 19- year-old tyler maddox is charged with attempting to elude and reckless endangerment.

The alabama law enforcement agency says a state trooper was attempting to stop the vehicle maddox was driving on highway 82.

Instead, maddox is accused of driving down county road 75 and crashing late monday afternoon.

The crash happened near county road 26, in the macedonia community.

A 14-year-old in the vehicle was airlifted to a birmingham hospital.

A front seat passenger was taken to baptist golden triangle.

A discussion on racial equality in the workplace was the focus this evening here in columbus.

In a year of racial tensions, bishop scott volland says the goal of this discussion to try and unite people as one not only in america, but also in columbus.

Volland says the only way the people in this country can move forward in a positive direction is if everyone can work together instead of against each other.

Sot "our n"our nation is so divided right now politically racially economically socially in so many different ways.

That i think right now people need to be working to bring people together because there's so much more that we can accomplish together there's so much more when we understand that our similarities far outweigh our differences."

This virtual discussion featured columbus mayor robert smith, muw president nora miller, police chief fred shelton and other local stake holders.

First look stinger first look summary: the remnants of tropical storm beta will move through the region over the next 2 days.

Recent model data suggest that between 1" and over 3" of rain could fall before the end of the week.

Rain chances lower dramatically friday through the weekend as temperatures return to the 80s.

1?

To 3?

Or more may fall through friday tuesday night: mostly cloudy with a few showers possible.

Lows around 60.

Winds e 3-8 mph.

Wednesday: mostly cloudy with rain developing.

The chance of rain is 60%.

Highs ranging from the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Winds e 5-15 mph.

The wcbi senior expo is going virtual this year.

Usually we bring together doctors, medical supply companies, and many other professionals under one roof to provide information about their products and services to our local senior community.

This year, our participating business will have a virtual booth on the senior expo page at wcbi.com.

And you can also see these segments on sunrise, midday and wcbi news at 5.

They will run thru october 16th.

The virtual booths will remain on-line through august of 2021.

A community's love and support is making a huge difference in the life of a family who experienced a tragedy nine months ago.

The newest "little free library" in tupelo was built to honor the memory of p j mcgee.

Pj was a second grader at joyner elementary and passed away suddenly three days before christmas.

Pj had a passion for life that included reading and sports.

So joyner resident jerry thompson, who is also a woodworking expert, let a friend in boy scouts know about the need for a little library in the area.

Boy scout troop 12, with thompson's help, built the joyner little library and it was dedicated monday evening, in pj's memory.

Pj's mother says it is a tangible reminder that people haven't forgotten the impact of her son's life.

"when they presented this, i felt that light again, felt that joy even for just a moment, of his memory and it means the world to us, to know his memory lives on and there are people now, other little boys and girls who get to share one of his passions through the community, what mr thompson and the boy scouts did., i'm excited about that."

The joyner little free library will have children's books and it is located in rob leake city park, next to joyner elementary, where pj was a student.

Stinger wx open summary: the remnants of tropical storm beta will move through the region over the next 2 days.

Recent model data suggest that between 1" and over 3" of rain could fall before the end of the week.

Rain chances lower dramatically friday through the weekend as temperatures return to the 80s.

1?

To 3?

Or more may fall through friday tuesday night: mostly cloudy with a few showers possible.

Lows around 60.

Winds e 3-8 mph.

Wednesday: mostly cloudy with rain developing.

The chance of rain is 60%.

Highs ranging from the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Winds e 5-15 mph.

Wednesday night: areas of rain.

Lows in the lower 60s.

Thursday: cloud with widespread rain likely.

Highs from the upper 60s to lower 70s.

The chance of rain is 80%.

Thursday night: cloudy with lingering showers.

Lows in the 60s.

Friday: cloudy skies to start with some breaks developing.

A few showers are possible but the rain chance lowers to 30% or less.

Weather for high school football is looking mainly dry at this point.

Weekend: variably cloudy.

A few isolated showers or storms can't be ruled out but we're lowering rain chances to 20%.

Highs look to climb back into the mid 80s and that's about where we should be this time of year.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and the wcbi news app stinger find out why people are headed to the plastic surgeon.

That story next on wcbi news at ten.

Plastic surgery procedures are on the rise during the coronavirus pandemic - and doctors say it's thanks in large part to the new way many of us are doing our jobs.

Chris martinez explains.

David rosenberg says his services are in high demand... "so it's definitely botox and fillers..."

The beverly hills plastic surgeon has seen a swell of patients - old and new - coming in with what he calls 'zoom anxiety'... thanks to the new normal of interacting with others on camera.

"people have been seeing themselves up close on these meetings and it's freaking them out.

For either some botox or get their lips done, throw on a mask, have that covered for recovery over the weekend and then be back zooming on monday."

Doctor says many patients are seeking surgery to take advantage of home quarantine - - allowing them to quietly have procedures done and avoid being seen while they recover.

"there are no parties, so everybody wants to get in and have a facelift, everyone wants to get in and have their mommy makeover done."

But vanity isn't the only motivation behind the surgery spike.

When the pandemic first began - covid- 19 fears forced the cancelation of many procedures - and doctors are now having to catch up... "i was a little concerned about doing my surgery during a pandemic..."' laura lawrie had to reschedule a procedure to have her breast implants removed because of a complication.

Her doctor's new, enhanced safety procedures eased her concerns.... most plastic surgeons require their patients test negative for covid- 19 before allowing their surgery to take place.

"it made me feel//safer to do the surgery."

Doctor rosenberg says he's also seeing patients who have more time and money on their hands.

"i'm not spending money on movies, travel, dining.

I canput that m, you know, having some spoiling of myself at home.

Almost like a staycation except for your face."

He anticipates - as the pandemic continues - the surge in business will too.

Chris martinez, cbs news, los angeles stinger spx open