Breaking news in Ukraine, shooting in Hazlehurst, death of 2-year-old child in Pike Co., Cole’s law authorizes the Senate

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – If you missed some of the most important headlines, here are our website’s top stories to catch you up to date.

1. As war rages in Ukraine, expect gas prices to rise here in America

Russia’s attack on Ukraine shocked the world and all its assets. Here in Mississippi, state economist Corey Miller says daily necessities will also be affected. “Rising gas prices for Mississippians may be the biggest impact we see from this dispute,” he said. Currently, the average cost per gallon is $3.21 for regular fuel and $3.67 for diesel, and according to the MS Oil and Gas Board, that number could increase by 20% by the end of the year. week. And that’s because Russia is the 3rd largest oil producer in the world. Learn more here.

2. Rep. Thompson Issues Cybersecurity Warning Amid Russian Attacks

Congressman Bennie Thompson has issued a cybersecurity warning amid the invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched a large scale attack over Ukraine on Thursday, hitting towns and bases with airstrikes as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee. The Ukrainian government has said Russian tanks and troops are crossing the border in a “full-scale war” that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout has already reverberated around the world. In a joint statement with the Congressional Committee on Homeland Security, Thompson said, “Now is the time for Americans to be vigilant, especially in the cyber realm. We urge all Americans to take careful steps to protect themselves and their businesses online. »

3. Police: Man charged with murder after allegedly shooting car shop customer in Hazlehurst

A 47-year-old man has been arrested after a man was fatally shot at a car shop in Hazlehurst around 3.30pm on Thursday afternoon. Police say Stanley Eckhoff is charged with murder in the shooting death of 49-year-old Christopher Buie. It happened on Caldwell Drive at Stanley Tire and Auto. According to police, the two men had an argument at the store over repairs to Buie’s vehicle. It was then that Eckhoff, the owner of Stanley Tire and Auto, allegedly shot Buie once in the neck. Read the full story here.

4. Pike Co. man and woman arrested after 2-year-old died of blunt trauma

Two people are in jail after a 2-year-old died of blunt trauma this week in Pike County. According to the sheriff’s department, authorities responded to a home on Feb. 21 for an unresponsive 2-year-old child. The child had choked and was not breathing. An ambulance arrived and transported the child to the emergency room, but they could not be revived. After an investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and Child Protective Services, another child, a 2-month-old boy, was admitted to hospital. The investigation revealed that the two children were in the care of Demeatrice Ashley, 22, who was the father of the 2-month-old. Due to the baby’s injuries, Ashley was arrested and charged with child abuse. See more here.

5. “Cole’s Law” passes Miss. Senate, heading to the governor’s office

On Thursday, Cole’s law was passed by the Mississippi Senate. It is now ready to be submitted to Governor Tate Reeves’ office for review. For the past three years, Cara Sims has fought for a bill to become law in Mississippi. Sims, who has a son named Cole who has Down syndrome, has been working with State Representative Lee Yancey since 2019 to make “Coleslawa reality. Sims says the law will prohibit medical providers from denying a disabled person an organ transplant based solely on their disability. The bill was introduced to the Mississippi House of Representatives February 4. According to Sims, he passed the House 122-0. The bill must now go to the governor before it can be signed into law.

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