KEVIN McGILL and STEPHEN SMITH | The Columbian-Progress

World War II veteran Olin Pickens, of Nesbit, Miss., who served in the U.S. Army 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, looks at the virtual exhibit of himself at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. An interactive exhibit opening Wednesday at the museum will use artificial intelligence to let visitors hold virtual conversations with images of veterans, including a Medal of Honor winner who died in 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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AI-aided virtual conversations with WWII vets are latest feature at New Orleans museum
By KEVIN MCGILL AND STEPHEN SMITH - Associated Press
Wed,03/20/24-12:01AM , 50 Reads
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Olin Pickens sat in his wheelchair facing a life-sized image of himself on a screen, asking it questions about being taken prisoner by German soldiers during World War II. After a pause, his video-recorded twin recalled being given “sauerkraut soup” by his captors before a grueling march.
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Louisiana's favorite seasonal sweet treat has exploded in popularity over the years, bringing in much needed business to bakeries in New Orleans. (Feb. 2) (AP Video: Stephen Smith)

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Fat Tuesday means big business for New Orleans bakers under exploding demand for king cakes
By KEVIN MCGILL AND STEPHEN SMITH - Associated Press
Fri,02/02/24-5:04AM , 74 Reads
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It's Carnival season in New Orleans and that means lines are long outside local bakeries and the pace inside is brisk as workers strive to meet customer demand for king cakes — those brightly colored seasonal pas
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In this aerial photo, sediment and mixed river water is seen as a tanker ship moves upriver, Sept. 26, 2023, in Plaquemines Parish, La. Salt water from the Gulf of Mexico has caused problems for water systems in Plaquemines Parish. Fears that it would reach New Orleans’ water intakes have abated amid improved forecasts, but officials in the area say the threat could return in years to come as climate change, sea level rise and dredging of the river for commercial traffic all could contribute to salt water intrusion. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

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A salty problem for people near the mouth of the Mississippi is a wakeup call for New Orleans
By KEVIN MCGILL AND STEPHEN SMITH - Associated Press
Fri,10/27/23-12:00AM , 146 Reads
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The heating element removed from Monique Plaisance's water heater in September was disintegrating, streaked with rust and covered in a dry crust. She blamed the corrosion on the water piped in from the area's longtime drinking water source: the Mississippi River.
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March 26, 2026

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Today's Weather

Columbia, 39429, MS

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Current Temp

72°F

Mostly Cloudy

Chance of Rain:
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Sunrise: 6:51 AM
Sunset: 7:16 PM

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Wind Gust: 8 mph
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Moon Rise: 4:14 PM
Moon Set: 4:57 AM

Mostly cloudy. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. South southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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