2,574 votes separate Mississippi Senate candidates as mail-in ballots pile up
Scott Columb leads Cindy Hyde-Smith by a slim margin with 96.92% of votes counted, while three shootings killed two people at Winston-Salem State's homecoming.
By Lauren Foster ·
The race for the open U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi has narrowed to a margin of 2,574 votes. Democratic challenger Scott Columb currently leads incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by that amount. The preliminary figures come from the Associated Press, which reports that 96.92% of the vote has been counted. Columb holds 467,930 votes to Hyde-Smith's 465,356. The remaining gap will likely be determined by thousands of mail-in absentee and provisional affidavit ballots that are still being tallied across the state's 82 counties.
The timeline for the final count is tight. Tuesday is the deadline for outstanding mail-in absentee ballots to arrive, provided they were postmarked by Election Day. This final tally carries weight for local communities, as Black residents make up nearly 38% of Mississippi's population. In a contest this close, every remaining ballot has the potential to shift the outcome.
While the political race hangs in the balance, a separate tragedy unfolded in North Carolina over the same weekend. Three shootings occurred during homecoming celebrations at Winston-Salem State University. The violence resulted in two deaths and three injuries. One incident stemmed from a gambling dispute that began at the Hanes Mall shopping center. A second shooting took place on the university campus on Saturday night. These incidents have heightened safety concerns at HBCU homecoming events, which traditionally draw alumni, students, and families together.
On the financial front, the Internal Revenue Service announced upcoming changes for 2027 tax returns this week. The agency detailed updates that could affect refunds for households and small business owners. Taxpayers are encouraged to review these changes early to plan their finances.
The nation will observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11. In the lead-up to the holiday, media outlets are paying daily tribute to African American service members. Recent tributes have focused on enslaved and free African Americans who fought for both Patriot and British forces during the Revolutionary War. Many served in pursuit of the freedom the young nation promised but did not yet extend to them. George Washington witnessed their service firsthand, including that of the men in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. That unit is regarded as one of the best in the Continental Army.
The combination of a razor-thin Senate race and a violent homecoming weekend has dominated news cycles this week. The Mississippi count continues in 82 counties, with the final numbers expected to arrive after the Tuesday deadline. In Winston-Salem, the community mourns the two individuals killed during the celebration. The IRS tax updates for 2027 are now available for public review.
