WCBI News at Ten 04/23/2020

WCBI News at Ten 04/23/2020

Thanks for staying up with us tonight..

Patience...that's what the department of employment security and governor reeves is asking from those filing for unemployment// but that patience is wearing thin for many.

Courtney ann jackson explains.

New claims dropped in the last week but it was just this week that the pandemic unemployment assistance was made available and that included a new call center.

Nats we've received messages and have seen repeated posts on the mdes facebook page with folks saying they did as instructed and stayed on line.

We tried calling, too.

"all agents are currently busy.

Please stay on the line and the next available agent will assist you...music."

Many of you tell us you did wait...for hours&only to be disconnected.

So, we asked the governor about whether there were problems with the line.

"i'm sorry that has happened.

If it has happened and i am not at all suggesting that it's not.

I feel certain that it has.

I'm sorry that has happened.

The demand is overwhelming.

We went from less than 1000 up to 45,000 new claims last week."

The main line for pua also gives another number for any other type of assistance.

It's the same number given to some of you to resolve issues with your claim.

We tried calling it too.

"your call did not go through.

Please try your call again.".

Reeves' response... "i know people are frustrated.

I am frustrated.

We are going to continue to build capacity there.

Please be patient we are working very hard to get that particular line fixed and quite frankly very hard to build capacity to deal with not only the pua and that came on but the old line as well."

Caj wcbi news during this pandemic, families across the u.s are facing many unknowns.

People who are now unemployed are now left to figure out how to pay their bills and provide for their families.

Our stephanie poole has a few tips that could help in a time of uncertainty.

Donut open- paying a bill can be a financial burden for several families during this time.

That's why local electric companies are giving customers a way to keep their lights on.

" working with our members is always number one aer one and making sure they get what they need."

Jon turner is the public relations and marketing manager at 4- county electric association.

He says the mississippi public service commission is requesting for power companies to temporarily suspend any disconnection fees for all customers.

If families find themselves needing assistance to pay, there are a few options to choose from.

" benevolized billing which keeps your monthly bill fairly even so you don't get much fluctuation which is nice in times like this because you kind of know what the bill is going to be.

We also have our pre-paid program so folks can pay as they go so you're not having a big bill and you can pay a little bit as it suits you."

Turner says nearly 500- thousand dollars in payments have been deferred for customers who can't afford it.

And the numbers are almost the same for starkville utilities.

" we've seen an up- tick of about 25- percent additional customers that fit into that category which would be past due amounts.

If we look at the amount of dollars that it's affected during this past month we've seen an up-tick on that of about 12- percent."

General manager terry kemp says although you may not see your bill now...it's important to still pay what you can to avoid a bigger payment in the future.

" each time we visit with them, although there won't be a disconnect we encourage them to pay as much as they can.

That will help them and make the process much easier.

If they run into an issue with some billing questions, we encourage them to call early and then bill comes out so we can talk through it and come up with the best plan that fits their needs.

" reporting in oktibbeha county, stephanie poole, wcbi news.

You can call your local utility company provider for more information on their payment plans.

For consumers, there is one bright spot on the economic front.

The price at the gas pump has dropped dramatically.

Our bobby martinez spent the day asking why.

Gas prices here in the golden triangle continue to go down.

But for many people who live and work here, a statewide shelter in place order means travel is limited.

"got cheap gas, but nowhere to go."

With less traffic on the road... fewer people are in need of fuel..

Johnny fair, president of fair oil company in louisville..says covid-19 has made an impact on gas prices.

"you seen a lot of prices fall at the pump over the last few weeks obviously because people staying at home and not driving much you know there's a lot of people that their car probably hadn't moved much in the last month so that's had an affect on things."

On cam stand up: and to make matters even more interesting... u.s. oil prices have dropped to negative territory in the trade market this week.

A situation fair is keeping an eye on.

"the big oil companies that pull oil out of the ground.

We're worried about them.

When oil prices get too low they quit producing and that's when we start losing a lot of oil industry jobs in the us economy."

Candace patridge lives in new york.

But she can't return home until the city reopens... she says she is not surprised by the low gas prices.

"i feel like it's inevitable because it's a supply and demand situation.

If we can't go anywhere we can't get in no cars.

There's also less manufacturing demand so as we see oil prices went negative this week in the market it's because no one is flying no one driving no one's at work as long as that holds true there's nothing we can really do about this."

Customer lashell hughes is happy with the low gas prices.

"well you know there's really not that much moving around so it's kind of good that the gas prices is going down you know it will still help us in the long run."

Triple a is reporting that gas on average in mississippi is $1.52 a gallon.

In alabama, average gas prices today are $1.59 off top take vo off top insurance companies could be giving money back to drivers, instead of sending higher bills.

The mississippi insurance department says drivers will receive credits totaling more than 60 million dollars.

13 auto insurers filed requests with the state insurance department.

Commissioner mike chaney approved the premium reductions.

He says it makes sense to provide the discount while people are sheltering-in- place and working from home.

We will have a list of the insurance companies on our website, wcbi dot com.

Wipe to vo many airports are also seeing a decline in travelers due to the coronavirus.

But, a new order is ensuring air travel continues.

The federal government is requiring airlines to maintain a certain number of flights per week if they're receiving money from the cares act.

This allows airports to provide a minimum level of service to their communities.

It'sa tough time for our country.

It's walking a fine line between keeping the system open and the financial aspect of it.

We're glad to see that we are still getting some air service, and we expect to see it continue to grow back to where we were as our economy grows.

For the first two weeks in may, executive director mike hainsey says they'll cut back to one flight a day.

After that, he says they'll gradually increase flights as the economy re- opens first look stinger summary: another batch of showers showers and storms may affect our area friday evening/night but they are expected to weaken as they move in.

Aside from the chance of a few morning showers saturday the weekend is looking great for a change.

A cold front next tuesday night looks to bring our next batch of heavy rain and storm chances.

Thursday night: partly cloudy and quiet.

Lows in the low 50s.

Winds wnw 3-10 mph.

Friday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

Afternoon highs in the upper 70s to around 80.

Winds variable 5-10 mph.

The mississippi state department of health is reporting 259 new covid-19 cases and eight additional deaths.

Statewide numbers now stand at 5,153 positive tests, with 201 deaths.

Summary: another batch of showers showers and storms may affect our area friday evening/night but they are expected to weaken as they move in.

Aside from the chance of a few morning showers saturday the mississippi state department of health is reporting 259 new covid-19 cases and eight additional deaths.

Statewide numbers now stand at 5,153 positive tests, with 201 deaths.

Monroe county has the most cases and most deaths in our area.

109 people in the county have the virus.

Eight of the nine people that have died there were in a long- term care facility.

Calhoun, chickasaw, lafayette, lee, and oktibbeha all have more than 40 cases.

Lowndes county is has 36 cases.

Winston has 37.

Women and african americans have the highest number of cases in the state.

Of the cases investigated, nearly 21 percent required the person to be hospitalized.

More than 53 thousand people have been tested.

New numbers out from the cdc show that the nation's latino population is being disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus.

Latinos represent more than than 27 percent of covid deaths in hotspots, even though they are just 18 percent of the population.

Cbs's adriana diaz reports tonight on a group in harm's way.

Nats since coronavirus can reach every community, so must the message to stop it, nats in spanish "coronavirus" etc and that means in spanish.

Nats/ more montage nats chigago's jose gonzalez is a first- generation mexican-american.

My family has pushed me so far ahead that i can't just allow myself to sit there and do nothing.

He used to work two jobs, but lost one in the shut down.

Now his life- line is cooking at a hotel housing covid patients.

We don't have the benefit of i should just stay home to, you know, not carry on such a high risk.

// and i feel like that's every latino at this point right now // he doesn't have the luxury of working from home...just like 84 percent of latinos....the most of any group.

Roughly half of latino households have experienced job losses or cuts in the pandemic..and have 500 dollars or less in savings.

And then on seperate line 50% hvae 500 dollars or less in savings we're getting plenty of people calling us-- not knowing what to do.// they're crying.

They're desperate.áááááááááááá áááááá organizer leone jose bicchieri of working family solidarity, says latinos are more likely to be in low- wage--and now áhigh- riská--essential jobs... like in the food industry stinger wx open summary: another batch of showers showers and storms may affect our area friday evening/night but they are expected to weaken as they move in.

Aside from the chance of a few morning showers saturday the weekend is looking great for a change.

A cold front next tuesday night looks to bring our next batch of heavy rain and storm chances.

Thursday night: partly cloudy and quiet.

Lows in the low 50s.

Winds wnw 3-10 mph.

Friday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

Afternoon highs in the upper 70s to around 80.

Winds variable 5-10 mph.

Friday night: a chance of showers and storms. while a few strong storms may occur in eastern arkansas and nw mississippi, we expect whatever develops to our west to be in a weg phase as it approaches our area.

Lows in the upper 50s.

Saturday: a small chance of early day showers with developing sunshine and breezes as the day wears on.

Highs in the mid 70s.

Wnw winds 10-20 mph.

Saturday night: mainly clear and cooler.

Lows in the upper 40s.

Sunday: picture perfect.

Mostly sunny with highs in the low 70s.

Sunday night: clear and cool.

Lows in the mid 40s.

Monday: partly cloudy.

Highs in the mid 70s.

Tuesday: partly cloudy with evening storms possible.

Highs in the upper 70s.

Wednesday: areas of morning rain and storms. afternoon clearing.

Highs in the upper 70s.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and the wcbi news app top columbus air force base is bringing an air show right into people's homes.

A virtual air show will be held top columbus air force base is bringing an air show right into people's homes.

A virtual air show will be held tomorrow on c-a-f- b's facebook page.

The show will be from 9 a-m to 3 p-m.

The 14th flying training wing will do aerial acts and demonstrations that would have taken place at wings over columbus.

The 20-20 wings over columbus was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Stinger for many of us it's the season of sneezing and wheezing..

We take a look at what you can do for those spring allergies when we come come back..

Take scott's reentry it's spring time and we want to enjoy the outdoors as much as we can however, allergies can make it challenging.

We learn about treatment options in tonights health talk with baptist.

What are some treatments for spring allergies?

The best way to stay allergy free is to avoid pollen as much as possible.

Take these measures to keep pollen out of your home: keep your windows and outside doors closed.

Do not use window or attic fans during pollen season if possible.

Roll up your car windows when driving.

Dry clothing and bedding in the dryer.

Don't hang clothes outside.

Pets can bring pollen in your home.

Don't allow pers that spend time outdoors in your bedroom.

We treat spring allergies with a number of over the counter and prescription drugs.

Over the counter allergy drugs are effective for many people and include nasal steroid sprays, which reduce inflammation.

Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling and itching by lowering the amount of histamine in the body.

Over the counter antihistamines can make you feel sleepy, but non- drowsy formulas are now available.

Decongestants clear mucus out of nasal passages to relieve congestion and swelling.

Decongestant nasal sprays relieve congestion stinger okolona-native cam smith has battled through injury and adversity to keep his dreams alive....next stop?

D-1 basketball hear his story, next you played any if you played any sport growing up, then you probably remember the dreams of playing in college and maybe even on the professional stage.

That's an accomplishment not many reach in a lifetime.

One local hoops player refuses to give up on that dream.

Wcbi sports' courtney robb, reports.

"because i'm from okolona, i have to find an edge on people.

I'm not extremely athletic, i'm not extremely strong, i'm not extremely fast.

I have to find an edge on everything i do."

Dreams of making an nba roster are born in towns like okolona, mississippi.

A community with less than 3,000 people.

A school and a few stores is all you'll find.

It's where pearl river forward cameron smith first held a basketball in his hands.

However, it's not where he plans for his hoops career to end.

"once i got good, i felt like it was my way out.

I want to provide for my family through the game of basketball.

That was it."

After battling a broken kneecap and multiple surgeries, one infecting down to the bone, smith wasn't always sure he would've the chance to play college ball.

Smith never lost hope.

Twenty-two staples later, he dawned a jersey with that same number and went on to have a strong senior season, finally signing to continue his career with pearl river community college.

"i was always on myself so hard.

I took it upon myself to get up at 4, 5 a.m., and just run.

I used to break down crying by myself, just trying to get back into it.

I knew what type of player i could be."

Two years later, smith now finds himself on a division i roster after committing to play for california state university: bakersfield.

The next step on the road to making it to the pros.

"i know i can do it.

It's just a matter of time and who sees me and where at.

I feel like the location of la is the back door scouts.

If i go up there and handle my business like i should, i should be pretty good."

A glance at the ice on his hand hints at #22's resume.

The next one, the future roadrunner, looks to add: an ncaa championship ring.

"march madness is self-explanatory.

You play your best ball in march.

If i'm playing my best ball in march, i will have a scout."

When smith hits the hardwood as a roadrunner, he says he expects to take the best player out of the game.

Reporting in okolona, courtney robb wcbi sports.

Smith will play for former ole miss men's basketball coach rod barnes at csu-bakersfield live sports are back!

All eyes on the nfl draft tonight....the three-day event kicking off tonight with the first round last look stinger last look last look last look last look last look last look last