Jake White

Tupelo

News Reporter at WTVA-TV (Tupelo, MS)

News Reporter at @wtva9news and Golden Triangle Correspondent. Student at @msstate. Story idea? Email me- [email protected]

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Articles

What is nitrous oxide and why are some towns banning it?

1 month ago | wtva.com | Jake White

TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Guntown banned the recreational sale of nitrous oxide on Tuesday evening, May 6. Medical professionals like dentists often use the gas, commonly known as "laughing gas" to sedate patients. However, the town's ban does not apply to those situations. It applies to the sale of the gas in stores like vape shops. Users inhale the gas to receive the same type of high that patients receive while undergoing a root canal.
Police will adopt clear bag policy at 2026 Double Decker Arts Festival

1 month ago | wtva.com | Jake White |Pat Peterson

OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA)- The Oxford Police Department will enforce a clear bag policy next year. It will be similar to clear bag policies at sporting and entertainment venues. All purses and bags must be clear to allow security to see what's inside. Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said the policy won't be enforced until next year's festival, but he would like festival-goers to get used to the changes this weekend.
Municipal court clerk and boyfriend face child abuse charges in Union County

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) - A municipal court clerk and her boyfriend face child abuse charges in Union County. Law enforcement arrested Elizabeth McGinty and David Carruth on Tuesday, April 1. Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said the child's grandparents found signs of physical abuse on the child's body. This led to the couple's arrest; however, the sheriff did not announce any more details about the alleged crime. Investigators will present the case to an upcoming grand jury.
Lightning bolt destroyed decades of memories for Monroe County family

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

ATHENS, Miss. (WTVA) - A family lost decades of memories after a lightning bolt sparked a fire and destroyed a house in Monroe County. This happened Monday morning, March 31 on Chism Road near Aberdeen. No one lived in the house at the time of the fire, but Mary Jones' parents lived there for decades before their deaths. The family still kept their parents' belongings inside the house. Jones said her mother's clothes still hung in the closet 32 years after her death. It's all gone now.
Towed vehicle delayed voting at Columbus precinct Tuesday morning

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - A bizarre coincidence delayed voting at a Columbus precinct on Tuesday morning, April 1. An election official was prepared to deliver ballots to the precinct at The Assembly church on Military Road, next to Lowe's. But the vehicle was towed with the ballots inside the vehicle. "For about 35 to 40 minutes it was a huge inconvenience," Chief Operations Officer Jammie Garrett explained. "They printed new ballots that were sent to First Assembly.
Water Valley teacher arrested in DeSoto County

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

WATER VALLEY, Miss. (WTVA) - A Water Valley teacher is in hot water following his recent arrest. Lamichael Knighten, 28, was arrested in DeSoto County on March 13 on various misdemeanor charges. Deputies initially pulled him over for a traffic violation, but they allegedly found marijuana and a gun, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office. Knighten is listed on the school's website as a teacher and coach at Water Valley High School.
DA working to identify other possible violations following arrest of former Corinth teacher

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

CORINTH, Miss. (WTVA) - The district attorney's office is working with federal officers to investigate the recent arrest of a former Corinth teacher. Wilson Jones is accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create pornography of students. This later resulted in the firing of Corinth School Superintendent Lee Childress who failed to alert law enforcement of the alleged crime.
Businesses seeking compensation for natural gas outage

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Several businesses impacted by the natural gas outage in north Mississippi are seeking legal remedy. Booneville-based attorney Casey Lott said several businesses in Lee County and parts of Pontotoc County have already contacted him to see if there's any type of compensation available for the loss of business as a direct result of the outage. The outage stemmed from a pipeline accident on March 12 in Plantersville where a sudden release of pressure injured three workers.
Mantachie daycare closed for a while because of weekend flooding

2 months ago | wtva.com | Jake White

MANTACHIE, Miss. (WTVA) - Flooding forced a Mantachie daycare to temporarily close. This happened during the weekend when severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding, ravaged north Mississippi. Flooding affected several homes, roads and businesses, including the Little Mustangs Learning Center in Mantachie. Knee-deep water seeped into the daycare and forced owner Kalli Wallace to temporarily close the businesses.
Hunt continues for Lee County murderer who escaped Parchman

Mar 5, 2025 | wtva.com | Jake White

PARCHMAN, Miss. (WTVA) - The search for an escaped murderer continues in Mississippi. Nevin Whetstone, 71, escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman on Tuesday, March 4. Details about his escape, including the exact time of his escape, are unknown. WTVA reached out to the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for more information but received no response. There was apparently a lack of communication with law enforcement in the immediate vicinity.