Stories for August 2021 | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Stories for August 2021

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Tuesday, August 31

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Hurricane Ida, Now Tropical Storm, Knocks Out Power For 124,000 Mississippians

Tropical Storm Ida has lost much of its initial power after landfall, but it continues to scale Mississippi, bringing harsh winds and heavy rainfall to areas along the coast and …

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Group Plans Black Business Expo in Jackson and Gulfport in 2022

The Mississippi Black Business Pages will host two events in Jackson and Gulfport next year, bringing together Black-owned businesses at those locations.

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Bernice Rivers

Madison County native Bernice Rivers became inspired to take up crafting and selling her own handmade jewelry out of her Camden home after a visit to Village Beads in Ridgeland …

Monday, August 30

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Pop-Up Gen Con at Van's CCG, Bricks in the Wall at Duling Hall and 2021 Mississippi Black Pages

Ridgeland comic, card and game store Van's CCG is hosting a Pop-Up Gen Con 2021 event on Saturday, Sept. 18. Gen Con is an annual tabletop game convention that features …

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Hurricane Ida Leaves 100,000 Without Power As Now-Tropical Storm Hits Mississippi

Almost 113,000 Mississippians were without power Monday morning as Hurricane Ida wound its way through the state, after causing at least one death in Baton Rouge, La., and sowing damage …

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Hurricane Ida Lashes Louisiana, Knocks Out New Orleans Power

Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans and reversing the flow of …

Sunday, August 29

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Ida Similar to Katrina, but Stronger and Smaller

Hurricane Ida is looking eerily like a dangerous and perhaps scarier sequel to 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the costliest storm in American history. But there are a few still-to-come twists that …

Friday, August 27

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Weekend Picks 8-27-2021

The weekend is here again, and there are lots of fun things going on in the Jackson metro area! Whether your idea of fun is listening to live music, shopping …

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Hinds County Reentry Program Starts Collecting Applications Sept. 1

Hinds County will take applications from intending participants of its reentry program on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Jackson Convention Center from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

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The MFP Interview: Dr. Eric Topol Speaks On Realities, Dangers of Delta Variant

For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, CA has been a leading voice for a unified, …

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Edward G. Cortright Jr.

Edward G. Cortright Jr., who served as chancellor for Mississippi's 11th Chancery District for 26 years, died on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at age 94.

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Women of Distinction Event and Coding Academy at JSU, MSU Center for Academic Advising

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi will honor Ebony Lumumba, an associate professor of English at Jackson State University, and four other leaders at its Women of Distinction event on Thursday, …

Thursday, August 26

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Mississippi Loses Sixth Child To COVID-19

A sixth child has died in Mississippi due to complications from COVID-19, the Mississippi State Department of Health said Wednesday.

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New Orleans Saints 2021 Preview

The New Orleans Saints are starting the 2021 season without Drew Brees since he retired after the 2020 season, leaving a major hole in the Saints’ offense as the franchise …

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Mississippi Legislators Revive Talk of Erasing Income Tax

Some members of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature are renewing an effort to eliminate the state income tax—a proposal that failed earlier this year amid concerns it would drain budgets for …

Wednesday, August 25

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JPS Board Approves Virtual Learning Option for PreK-6th Grade Starting Sept. 2

Jackson Public School District parents have until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, to fill out a survey indicating if they want the virtual-learning option for their pre-kindergarten to sixth-grade students.

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Vaccine 'Conspiracy Theories' Prompt Threats, Dobbs Says

Mississippi's top health official said Tuesday that he has received threats from people who are spreading lies about his family as he urges the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tuesday, August 24

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JPS Considering Virtual Learning, Invites Community Comments

Jackson Public Schools will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. this evening, where the JPS Board of Trustees will discuss possible virtual learning options for students due to the …

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Contract Medical Workers Arrive for Mississippi COVID Surge

More than 1,000 out-of-state medical workers were starting to deploy to 50 Mississippi hospitals Tuesday to help with staffing shortages as the state continues dealing with a surge of COVID-19 …

Monday, August 23

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Poké Stop Coming to Dogwood, Catfish Row Museum and Red Brick Roads Music & Arts Festival

Poké Stop, a restaurant that California native Rachel Phuong Le originally opened in Cultivation Food Hall at the District at Eastover in Jackson, is set to reopen in Dogwood Festival …

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City Council Rejects Garbage Collection Contract Twice Citing Confusion, Bad Timing

The City of Jackson has until Sept. 30 to get a new garbage-collection contract after the city council voted twice in two weeks—Aug. 9 and 19—against approving the agreements that …

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Analysis: Reeves Now Says COVID Response is Not Political

Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves stared into cameras during a news conference and said he is not advancing any political agenda in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as the state …

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Heat Wave Brings Scorching Temperatures to a Dozen States

Cooling centers have opened in Mississippi’s capital city as a heat wave scorches temperatures in several states in the South and Midwest.

Friday, August 20

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Weekend Picks 8-20-21

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, be sure and check out the COVID safety rules at any locations you visit, as many are changing in the face of the …

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Person Hospitalized After Taking Livestock Ivermectin From Feed Store To Treat COVID-19

At least one individual has been hospitalized in Mississippi after ingesting a drug intended for treating worms in livestock, the Mississippi State Department of Health revealed today. The medicine, ivermectin, …

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USM Sculpture Exhibition and iGrad Partnership, MSU Poet Laureate Event

The University of Southern Mississippi Museum of Art recently opened submissions for entries in its Little Things Matter: National Juried Small-Scale Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition features small-scale sculptures by artists …

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Mississippi Gov.: Try to Keep Schools Open Amid Rise in COVID

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that his goal is to keep as many schools open as possible, even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise sharply in the state, because …

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Three Senators Test Positive for COVID in Breakthrough Cases

Three senators said Thursday they have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, a high-profile collection of breakthrough cases that comes as the highly infectious delta variant spreads rapidly across …

Thursday, August 19

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Indigent Jackson Children Increased Kindergarten Readiness Score Via City Program

Children at the Jackson Early Childhood Development Centers recorded a 40% increase in kindergarten readiness scores in the 2020-2021 session.

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Jordan Ta’amu

Former University of Mississippi quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is getting another shot at the NFL. Injuries to Detroit Lions backup quarterbacks Tim Boyle and David Blough led the squad to sign …

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Nearly 1,000 Mississippi Beds Empty Because of Lack of Staff

Mississippi health officials say almost 1,000 hospital beds that could be used to treat patients during the latest surge of coronavirus in the state are unstaffed because of a shortage …

Wednesday, August 18

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COVID-19 Booster Shots Could Be Available to All Americans By Sept. 20

COVID-19 booster shots may soon be available to all Americans, thanks to new guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Rashad Smith

A college wrist injury altered the trajectory of Rashad Smith’s life and career.

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Mississippi Quarantines 20,000 With 5,993 Students Positive For COVID; Teen Deaths Rise

School districts statewide have responded to mounting COVID-19 cases and outbreaks with a patchwork of remedies, with many reimplementing mask mandates or moving to all-virtual instruction.

Tuesday, August 17

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Marshand Crisler New Interim Hinds Sheriff, As Mayors Honor Lee Vance

Friends, family and associates of Sheriff Lee Vance, along with local leaders, gathered at the Mississippi Coliseum on Saturday, Aug. 14, the Jackson native’s burial ceremony. Vance died Aug. 4 …

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Bill Moak

William “Bill” Moak, chair of the Communication Department at Belhaven University, recently became one of two Mississippians inducted into the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows this year, …

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As COVID Surges, Mississippi Sets Up Second Field Hospital

Mississippi's only Level 1 trauma center is setting up a second emergency field hospital in a parking garage that will handle some of the sickest COVID-19 patients as the virus …

Monday, August 16

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MSDH Limits Surgeries Due To COVID-19 Crisis

The Mississippi State Department of Health instituted an extended policy this weekend aimed at managing the state’s overburdened health-care system.

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Duling Hall Vaccination Policy, Red 8 Kitchen and SBA FAST Grants

The Duling Hall event venue in Jackson recently announced that beginning Monday, Aug. 30, visitors, staff and artists entering Duling Hall must present proof of a full-course COVID-19 vaccination.

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Analysis: Mississippi Senators Split on Infrastructure Bill

Mississippi's two Republican U.S. senators agree on many issues, but they split on a proposal for the federal government to spend $1 trillion on highways, water systems, broadband expansion and …

Friday, August 13

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'Crazy Times': Mayor Lumumba Defends Vaccine Mandate for City Workers

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba signed an executive order Wednesday requiring all City workers to produce proof by Aug. 31 of receiving at least one vaccine dose or a negative …

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New Master's Degrees and Pediatric Lab at MSU, USM Grant Funding

Two departments in Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources are adding new online master’s degrees, making online degree options available in all three of the college's departments.

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Robert Martez Hopkins

Through Knowledge Camp University, Robert Martez Hopkins ministers to his community, serving more than 200 children across south Jackson in various ways, alongside head coach David King and assistant head …

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Mississippi Breaks Its Single-Day COVID Hospitalization Record

Mississippi has broken its single-day records of COVID-19 hospitalizations, intensive-care use and new coronavirus cases.

Thursday, August 12

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Blaine McCorkle

Belhaven University football did something in the spring of 2021 that the program hadn’t done since 2012. The Blazers finished the season with a winning record at 3-2 overall, the …

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Mississippi’s Hospital System Could ‘Fail’ In 10 Days, UMMC Warns As Feds Rush In

With COVID-19 patients overflowing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, including in its pediatric center, hospital leaders are warning that the medical system statewide could be on the verge …

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Mississippi Governor Extends His Pandemic Emergency Order

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that he is extending his state-of-emergency order that gives public health officials and other government leaders some flexibility in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Mississippi Opening Field Hospital Amid Surge of COVID Cases

Mississippi will open a 50-bed field hospital and the federal government will send medical professionals to help treat patients as COVID-19 cases continue surging in a state with one of …

Wednesday, August 11

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City Uses $2.95 Million to Remove 117 Blighted Properties in Jackson

The City of Jackson, working with blight-elimination partners, has demolished 117 properties across the city using a $2.95 million grant from the Mississippi Home Corporation, officials announced at a press …

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Mississippi Approaches Its Own COVID Hospitalization Record

Mississippi is approaching its record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations as the virus continues spreading rapidly in a state with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S.

Tuesday, August 10

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4,000 Mississippi Students Quarantined; Hospitalizations Break 2020 Summer Record

With less than one-third of Mississippi schools reporting COVID-19 data, a new report from the Mississippi State Department of Health shows that nearly 1,000 students were infected with COVID-19 for …

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Marina Brito

Marina Brito, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a member of the Jackson State University women's volleyball team, received a full scholarship in April to pursue a master's degree …

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City Sanctioned for Slow Response to Public Records Request

The Mississippi Ethics Commission has ordered the city of Jackson to pay more than $170,000 in legal fees for violating state law by taking more than a year to provide …

Monday, August 9

Tease photo Biz Roundup

Jerk City Grille, Birdie’s Nourished Kitchen and Mustard Seed Backpack Blessings

Ridgeland native Wendell Brewster opened his own Caribbean fusion food truck, Jerk City Grille, in April 2021. On Friday, Aug. 6, Brewster opened a new indoor location for his restaurant …

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‘It Was Hard For Me to Stop’: Hinds Circuit Drug Intervention Court Graduates 26

Veronica Coleman, 33, graduated from the Hinds Circuit Drug Court on July 28, 2021. The mother of four believes the program was a lifeline.

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What Follows Confederate Statues? One Mississippi City's Fight

For more than a century, one of Mississippi's largest and most elaborate Confederate monuments has looked out over the lawn at the courthouse in the center of Greenwood, a Black-majority …

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Analysis: Mississippi Reveals it Has Lethal Injection Drugs

Mississippi has not executed a death row inmate since June 2012, and no executions are currently scheduled. But a new court filing shows that the state Department of Corrections in …

Friday, August 6

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Mississippi Lawmakers Gather Info on Redistricting Puzzle

Mississippi lawmakers are traveling the state to gather ideas about how congressional and legislative districts should look in the coming decade—a series of public hearings that was scheduled before the …

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Mississippi Governor OKs State Takeover of Holmes Schools

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that he is authorizing a state takeover of a troubled school district in one of the poorest parts of the state.

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Fall Pandemic Prep and Vaccine Incentives at JSU and MSU, USM Blessings in a Backpack Program

Jackson State University recently announced that it will require face masks or coverings in all public indoor campus spaces for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, regardless of academic or extracurricular activity.

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JPS Set To Open, Mandate Masks as COVID-19, Variant Cases Skyrocket

The Jackson Public School system is set to begin the fall semester on Aug. 9, where almost 21,000 students will be required to attend full-time, traditional in-school curriculum.

Thursday, August 5

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Doc: Delta variant Spread 'Like a Tsunami' in Mississippi

Mississippi's top health official said the delta coronavirus variant is “sweeping across Mississippi like a tsunami” as the state reported more than 3,000 new cases of the highly transmittable virus …

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Matt Corral and the State of SEC Quarterbacks this Season

When it comes to quarterbacks heading into the 2021 college football season in the Southeastern Conference, uncertainty is in the air.

Wednesday, August 4

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Dobbs: Delta Variant Spike Endangering Medical Capacity in Mississippi

Mississippi’s health-care system is under increased strain as the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues to add increased hospitalizations and intensive-care unit patients every week.

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Sheriff Lee Vance Dies After Testing Positive for COVID-19

The sheriff of Mississippi's largest county has died, almost two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak of the illness at a jail he oversaw.

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Jackson Leaders Approve $120,000 to Help the City's Zoo

The city council in Jackson has approved more than $120,000 for the Jackson Zoo to help the facility maintain its license to operate.

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College Football Preview

Unless the current Delta variant spike causes changes—stay tuned—this new season could end up resembling, at least in part, football seasons of years past—with full stadiums and all teams opting …

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Greater Jackson Public Art Tour

Whether you’re new to the metro or are looking for something to do, the Jackson area features a number of vibrant public artworks you can soak in at your leisure.

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UPDATED: In-Person Mississippi Book Festival Cancelled, Tentative Virtual Watchlist

The annual Mississippi Book Festival features panel discussions, book signings and sales, food trucks and more.

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A Downtown Oasis: Belhaven Beach

Despite the current ban on water-based activities, visitors of Belhaven Beach can still enjoy a myriad of activities commonly held on sandy shores.

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#StandAgainstHate Concert Encourages Medical Testing and Vaccinations

Yolanda Singleton, a Jackson native concert promoter who owns her own company called Xperience Jxn, has partnered with the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to …

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Heirloom Tomato Fattoush Salad

With a month and change left in the summer, Chef Alex Eaton of The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen and Aplos Simple Mediterannean has provided the Jackson Free Press with a …

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Mississippi Black Business Expo Bolsters City and State Economy

Mississippi Black Pages supports and promotes more than 1,000 Black-owned businesses in the state, with many based in Jackson metro. More than 200 of these businesses will attend this year’s …

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Top 10: Samantha Busby

Having worked in the restaurant industry since she was 15, Samantha Busby thrives when she is serving guests and making them happy.

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OPINION: The Algebra Project: Bob Moses’ ‘Gateway To Equality’ For Black Students

Bob Moses used a MacArthur Foundation genius grant to create and launch the Algebra Project in 1982 to help rural and urban students achieve math literacy and to train teachers, …

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Governor’s Policing Surge In Jackson May Not Prevent Violence, Address Causes

Parts of Mississippi’s capital city are seeing a “saturation” of state police that Gov. Tate Reeves promises will counter a spike in crime and violence that has worsened since the …

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60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides: The ‘Accidental Freedom Rider’ Locked up in Parchman at 13

Hezekiah Watkins was looking for a hero. As a 13-year-old middle schooler in 1961 in Jackson who had lost his father three years earlier, he thought that seeing and possibly …

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Mississippians, Take Care of One Another, Don’t Feed the ‘Virus-Animal’

We have the means to end this pandemic that has taken so many from us and, for those of us fortunate enough to simply be inconvenienced, been such a previously …

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Cameron Yarber

At 18 years old, Jackson native Cameron Yarber has held more leadership roles than many who are years older.

Tuesday, August 3

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‘An Explosive Recipe’: Delta Surge Shows No Sign Of Stopping

Mississippi and a handful of other southern states have been thrust into unwanted spotlight for the second time in the pandemic, with their rock-bottom vaccination rates driving unprecedented spread of …

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Jerry Palmer

Jackson native author Jerry Palmer will appear at Author's Alley at the annual Mississippi Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 21.

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Mississippi Could Consider Takeover of Holmes County Schools

The Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation said Monday that an “extreme emergency” exists for schools in one of the poorest parts of the state because of lingering problems with financial …

Monday, August 2

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O Hashi Sushi, Free Admission to State Art Museums and Mississippi Boychoir

O Hashi Sushi, the latest addition to Cultivation Food Hall in Jackson, opened for business on Monday, July 26. The new restaurant features signature rolls, fried rolls, appetizers, fried ice …

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EXPLAINER: Mississippi's Efforts to Help Low-Income Tenants

A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire Saturday, after President Joe Biden's administration extended the original date by a month.

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School Board Member: Require Employees to Get COVID Vaccine

A school board member in a Mississippi school district says he is planning to propose making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all employees.

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Gunn, Reeves Vow To Ban Critical Race Theory In Schools: ‘Can’t Take A Chance’

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn promised attendees at the Neshoba County Fair yesterday that he will back legislation next year to ban “critical race theory” in Mississippi’s K-12 classrooms—despite the …