Friday, July 31
coronavirus
Amid Record COVID-19 Fatalities and Cases, School Reopenings Loom in Mississippi
Mississippi is suffering from yet another record week of COVID-19 infections as July ends, with Gov. Tate Reeves placing eight more counties under his growing mask order.
Civil Rights
OPINION: John Lewis, Charles Evers, C.T. Vivian: Fighters and Heroes for their People
It is with distinct sadness and difficulty that I write this column in memory of Congressman John Lewis, Mayor Charles Evers and Rev. C.T. Vivian. It's hard to condense my …
State
‘It Is Your Money’: Hinds Residents Have $26,000 In Unclaimed Money with State Treasury
Hinds County residents have $26,288.73 in unclaimed cash with the Office of the State Treasurer, information on its website reveals.
Politics
Four Special Judges Appointed to Mississippi Courts
Four special judges have been appointed in Mississippi to handle a backlog of cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Politics
Former Mississippi State Sen. Bob Dearing of Natchez Dies
Former Mississippi state Sen. Bob M. Dearing of Natchez, who worked to expand highways, legalize casino gambling and strengthen laws against animal cruelty, died Thursday at home, a funeral home …
Thursday, July 30
coronavirus
Governor Reeves Extends Safe Return and County-Specific Orders to Combat Rising Cases of COVID-19
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced that he is extending the social distancing measures under the Safe Return and county-specific executive orders to continue combating the rising cases of COVID-19 across …
coronavirus
USM COVID-19 Oral Histories, Belhaven Online Scholarships and Millsaps Testing Waivers
Students at the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi recently put together a collection of oral histories concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and …
City & County
‘Collective Vision’: Lynch Street Repaving, Multi-Use Path Underway in West Jackson
A resurfaced Lynch Street and a new multi-use path in west Jackson officially got underway this week, Mississippi Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons and Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced …
Person of the Day
Brandon Bolden
In this coronavirus world, nothing is the same, and that goes for sports, too. Most sports have been shut down since March as NCAA sports, NBA, NHL and others stopped …
Education
Mississippi Schools to Submit Annual Plans Amid Uncertainty
Mississippi school districts have just days to submit plans for this academic year to the state, but as the deadline nears and new cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, …
Wednesday, July 29
Person of the Day
Priscilla Resser
Thirteen different organizations rejected Priscilla Resser before she received three consecutive offers to become Mississippi’s first physician assistant in the field of plastic surgery.
State
Hinds County Receiving 'Dangerous' Seeds From China, Could Spread Diseases
Hinds County is among 15 counties in the state where people reported receiving unsolicited seeds from China, Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson said yesterday.
Crime
OPINION: An Open Letter to Governor Tate Reeves and MDOC
We write this open letter to demand accountability for neglecting the urgent crisis in Mississippi's prisons. We see your response, or lack thereof, as nothing more than the abuse of …
Tuesday, July 28
Politics
Sheriff, Lawmaker Call Medical Marijuana Resolution 'Unsafe'
A Republican state representative, a sheriff and a Mississippi Board of Health official on Monday urged those who support some form of medical marijuana in Mississippi to vote for the …
City & County
Bailey Avenue Up For Repaving As Jackson Paving Season 2020 Continues
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba yesterday announced the commencement of the re-pavement of Bailey Avenue from Bailey Avenue Bridge to Mayes Street as part of the 2020 paving-season projects.
Person of the Day
Ace Atkins
The Quinn Colson series by Oxford author Ace Atkins is being developed into a TV show on HBO.
Monday, July 27
coronavirus
Mississippi and Nationwide Experts Call For End To COVID-19 Reopenings
As COVID-19 debilitates the nation, experts across both Mississippi and the United States are calling for a full reversal of the openings that have driven mass spread of the virus …
Civil Rights
Charles Evers Honored, WMPR Street Renamed at Special City Council Session
Charles Evers, who died Wednesday at 97, came to Mississippi from Chicago after a white supremacist killed his brother, Medgar, in 1963. He led protests to champion the civil rights …
Biz Roundup
Malcolm White Retires from MAC, State Opioid Overdose Data to Action Initiative and NAMI Conference
Malcolm White, owner of Hal & Mal’s restaurant in downtown Jackson and founder of the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade, will retire as executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission …
coronavirus
Analysis: First Months Not What Reeves Expected as Governor
Republican Tate Reeves has made clear that his first six months as Mississippi governor didn't shape up the way he expected.
Saturday, July 25
coronavirus
July 25: Mississippi COVID-19 Infections Average 1,322 Per Day
Friday's 1,434 new cases recorded by the Mississippi State Department of Health, or MSDH, brings the seven-day average to 1,322 positive tests per day, up from 918 average daily cases …
Friday, July 24
City & County
JPS Announces Virtual-Only Fall Semester, Gov. Reeves Expands Executive Order
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene announced that JPS students would receive only virtual instruction in the fall semester, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 into the …
Politics
Governor Tate Reeves Announces His Appointments for the Mississippi Flag Commission
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced his appointees for the Mississippi Flag Commission to redesign the new state flag: a civic leader, a tribal chief, and a business leader.
coronavirus
Governor Tate Reeves Amends Safe Return Order to Combat Rising Cases
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced his amended Safe Return order, establishing additional measures on social gatherings and events to protect public health as COVID-19 cases rise across the state.
City & County
Hinds County Commits $50,000 for 'Reentry Program’ for Formerly Incarcerated
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors on Monday committed $50,000 for what it calls Second Chance Reentry Program for the formerly incarcerated.
City & County
Azia’s Picks 7-24-20
Good afternoon, fellow Jacksonians! Despite the heavy losses many of us have had to endure this past week, we are still here to live and love again. For that I …
Person of the Day
SWAC Postpones Fall Sports
The Southwestern Athletic Conference has decided to postpone fall sports for the 2020 school year.
Crime
Three More Sentenced in Huge Health Care Fraud Scheme
Three more people accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar pharmacy scheme were sentenced Thursday in federal court in Mississippi.
Thursday, July 23
coronavirus
‘Crisis Care,’ Hard Decisions Looming Due to COVID-19 Surge in Mississippi
A week of uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 has elapsed in Mississippi, with case numbers swelling to unprecedented numbers at the same time that the state’s hospital system reports the unbearable …
City & County
Jackson Zoo May Open in August; City Receives Temporary Exhibitor’s License
The City of Jackson Zoo may open in August after receiving a temporary exhibitor’s licence, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba informed members of the Jackson City Council Tuesday.
Education
JSU Health Accelerator, USM Doctoral Program Study and MSU Mobile Ticketing
Jackson State University is partnering with the University of Kentucky and national startup accelerator XLerateHealth to launch a program that will help commercialize human health-focused ideas from historically black colleges …
Politics
Reeves Appoints Holly Springs Attorney as Circuit Judge
Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed another new circuit court judge for seven counties in northern Mississippi.
Wednesday, July 22
Civil Rights
Mississippi Politico, Civil Rights Figure Charles Evers Dies
Charles Evers, the older brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers and a longtime figure in Mississippi politics, died Wednesday. He was 97.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson: Household 2020
This year's Best of Jackson: Household 2020 pop-up ballot lists a number of local resources that can help you maintain your home, whatever your needs.
Education
‘Intrinsic Motivation’ and Jackson Education Support
Educational support professional Jillian Smart, CEO of Jackson Education Support, founded the business in 2012 with the goal of using her passion for teaching to help both children and adults …
coronavirus
UPDATED: Schools Reopen, Tri-County Battleplan Breakdown
Local school districts are all making their own preparations and putting health, social distancing and other protocols into place to prepare for the attempt to return to in-person learning for …
Music
Rapper Condo Bo Spreads Christian Message Through the Metro
Music is entrenched in Jeremy Thompson's family, he says. The Jackson native said his brother and cousins used to own a studio when he was a child and that he …
Food
Seasonal Goodies Galore, Local Farmers Market Lineup
Summers in Mississippi often mean sweltering heat, but we Jacksonians know that summer also serves as the peak of farmers market season.
Diy Guides
Six Sizzling Summer Activities for Families
Unpack your bell-bottoms and halter-tops and disco your way through this list of six fun, old-school things to do with your kids in these final days of summer vacation.
City & County
Lonely Farewells on the Front Line of Coronavirus
For many Mississippians, coronavirus metrics are numbers on a screen. For the many health care workers who spoke to the Jackson Free Press, it is the cadence of their lives, …
Politics
Mississippi Flag Group Could Meet Without Governor's Appointees
The commission that will design a new Mississippi flag without the Confederate battle emblem will meet for the first time Wednesday, possibly without full membership.
Civil Rights
OPINION: John Robert Lewis, ‘A Soul Giant’ Who Touched Mississippi and Me
"One of the best ways to remember John (Lewis) is to look and listen to the young voices who are speaking out today for human and civil rights. John often …
City & County
Mitigating COVID-19 Risk if School Reopens
Albert Sykes, executive director of the Institute for Democratic Education in America, wants to add to the conversation on reopening schools and to draw attention to the problem of educational …
Editor's Note
EDITOR'S NOTE: Life in the Shadows of Neshoba County’s Confederate Statue
As a Neshoba County kid, I grew up in the shadows of the Confederate statue that loomed in front of the courthouse.
Jacksonian
La’Kitha Hughes
In her 15 years at Jackson State University, La'Kitha Hughes has learned that teamwork is a vital component to getting the job done, and she considers herself part of a …
Tuesday, July 21
City & County
City of Jackson Hires JRA Executive Director, County Director of Emergency Operations Announces Resignation
Latoya Cutts is the new executive director of Jackson Redevelopment Authority. She was the downtown manager and head of development for Albany, Ga., before her new appointment, which Mayor Chokwe …
Person of the Day
Mike Leach
During a time in which a Mississippi State sports team has not competed in a live game in over three months, much attention has turned to recruiting and roster management.
Crime
Rukia Lumumba: Governor's Veto is 'Roadblock to Justice' for Incarcerated
People seeking improvements in Mississippi's troubled prison system said Monday that they want lawmakers to overturn the governor's veto of a bill that could make more inmates eligible for parole.
State
Two More Mississippi Boards Vote to Keep Confederate Statues
Supervisors in two Mississippi counties voted Monday not to move Confederate monuments that stand in front of courthouses.
Monday, July 20
coronavirus
1,251 New COVID-19 Cases As Governor Expands Mask, Distancing Orders
After a week of unprecedented spread of coronavirus across Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves has extended Mississippi’s “Safe Return” period by two weeks and heightened restrictions for individuals and businesses in …
Biz Roundup
JXN Icons Mural Unveiling, JHLS Curbside Service and Mississippi PPE Donations
Visit Jackson will hold an official unveiling ceremony for the “JXN Icons” mural at the Old Capitol Inn on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m.
Person of the Day
Rep. John Lewis
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died Friday at age 80, was the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington, …
coronavirus
Mississippi Governor: Education 'Essential,' Even During Pandemic
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Friday that even as coronavirus cases continue to grow, it will be important for children to return to classes, either in person or online.
City & County
Prominent Restaurant Owner Indicted in April Shooting
Greta Brown-Bully, the owner of a prominent restaurant in Mississippi, has been indicted on a murder charge in the April shooting of a man outside the liquor store she also …
Saturday, July 18
coronavirus
Mississippi's COVID-19 Infections Averaging 918 Cases Per Day
In the past week, Mississippi has gone from a total of 35,419 reported people infected with COVID-19 to Friday's total of 41,846 people testing positive since counting began. That's 6,427 …
Friday, July 17
City & County
Azia’s Picks 7-17-20
We made it to the weekend, and I know you’re looking for ways to enjoy summer with family and friends while remaining safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. Good news: You’re …
coronavirus
Record-Shattering New Cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi, Now a Pandemic ‘Red Zone’
The July spread of COVID-19 across Mississippi is catastrophic and shows no signs of letting up, with new cases peaking as severe hospitalizations resulting from earlier spikes continue to rise.
City & County
JPS Superintendent Lays Down Rules for School Reopening Amid Pandemic
Superintendent Errick L. Greene yesterday laid out the reopening plan for the Jackson Public School District while urging those who can to opt for the virtual-only learning option as, barring …
Crime
Former Mississippi Priest Indicted in Wire Fraud Case
A former priest in Mississippi has been indicted for wire fraud after federal investigators said he took more than $18,000 from parishioners for personal expenses.
Thursday, July 16
coronavirus
Mississippi Teachers Unite Rally
With the fall academic season right around the corner, many Mississippians are worried about making the right choices for their children as they try to adapt and incorporate safe measures …
City & County
Jackson Public Works Director Bob Miller Resigns; Mayor Says ‘Grateful to Him’ for Service
City of Jackson Public Works Director Robert MIller revealed his resignation yesterday in a Facebook post.
Politics
Leaders Choose Mostly White Commission to Help Design State Flag Without Rebel Symbol
A mayor, a former state Supreme Court justice and a community college president are among the people chosen to design a new Mississippi flag to replace one state officials recently …
Person of the Day
Chris Jones
Christ Jones would have been stuck playing on the franchise tag for 16.1 million this season if he and the team couldn’t reach a long-term deal by July 15. Both …
Education
MSU Emmett Till Memorial Project; USM and Tougaloo Fall Opening Plans
Thirty-six freshman Mississippi State University architecture students will showcase their final first-year studio projects as part of an “Emmett Till River Site Memorial” poster exhibition at the Emmett Till Interpretive …
coronavirus
Mississippi Governor Considers Bar Restrictions as Virus Spreads
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday that he might set restrictions on bars to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, but he was vague about when that …
Politics
Reeves Names Ex-State Sen. Gray Tollison as Circuit Judge
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves on Wednesday appointed Gray Tollison of Oxford to a seat on the 3rd Circuit Court District. The appointment fills a vacancy after Judge Andrew K. Howorth …
Politics
Reeves Chooses Senator to Lead Mississippi Utilities Staff
Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed a third-term Republican state senator to be the new director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff, a group that analyzes proposals and provides advice to …
Wednesday, July 15
coronavirus
Dobbs: Spike in COVID-19 Hospitalizations ‘Just Going to Keep Compounding’
Mississippi’s hospital system is experiencing an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases, with more than 100 newly confirmed hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in the period between July 11 and 13.
City & County
Construction of Jackson Museum Trail Begins for 2.5-Mile Path from Downtown to Lakeland Drive
The Jackson Museum Trail, a 2.5-mile, 10-foot wide multi-use path, stretching from downtown Jackson to Lakeland Drive, will enhance quality of life and spur economic growth, Clay Hays of Greater …
coronavirus
Limited Time: MAC Rapid Response Grants
The Mississippi Arts Commission offers an expanded version of its Minigrants program, coined Rapid Response Grants, to quickly assist with the evolving needs of artists and art organizations amid the …
Art
Certifiable Studios: A Photo Gallery
Certifiable Studios, a gaming and creative studio founded five years ago by Jesse Labbé and Rick Moore, has produced a number of board games that have been purchased from fans …
coronavirus
Mississippi Delays Start of High School Sports Amid Virus
Fall seasons for public high school sports in Mississippi will be delayed by two weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.
State
Ole Miss Moves Confederate Statue from Prominent Campus Spot
A Confederate monument that’s long been a divisive symbol at the University of Mississippi was removed Tuesday from a prominent spot on the Oxford campus, just two weeks after Mississippi …
Politics
Mississippi to Receive $16M to Expand Broadband Access
Mississippi is receiving more than $16 million in federal coronavirus relief money to provide broadband access to rural parts of the state, officials announced Tuesday.
coronavirus
Mississippi Capitol Outbreak: At Least 41 With Coronavirus
At least 30 Mississippi legislators and 11 other people who work in the state Capitol are now known to have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the state's top public …
Tuesday, July 14
City & County
People’s Assembly on Police Reform Reveals Civil Review Board in Progress
Efforts to reform Jackson policing will include increasing investment in community alternatives to policing, members of the City's criminal-justice task force told participants at the Jackson's People's Assembly virtual forum …
Person of the Day
Scott Sorensen
Scott Sorensen, a well-known Fondren artist, died of pancreatic cancer on July 7 at age 53.
coronavirus
Judge: Women Can Get Abortion Pill Without Doctor Visits
A federal judge agreed Monday to suspend a rule that requires women during the COVID-19 pandemic to visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to obtain an abortion pill.
coronavirus
Adams, Convicted of Ponzi Scheme, Asks Judge for Prison Release Due to Pandemic
Arthur Lamar Adams, a Mississippi man sentenced to nearly 20 years only nine months ago for running a $100-million Ponzi scheme, is hoping a federal judge will order his release …
Politics
Attorney Chosen as New Mississippi Revenue Commissioner
An attorney with experience in money matters will be the new head of the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Monday, July 13
Politics
State Commission Seeks Flag Design Submissions
House Bill 1796 established a commission to redesign the Mississippi State Flag. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, which is providing clerical support for the commission, is now accepting …
City & County
New Law Enforcement Committee Will Monitor Policing Responses in Jackson
The death of George Floyd inspired newly elected Jackson City Council President and Ward 6 representative Aaron Banks to kick off his one-year tenure as president by including a law-enforcement …
coronavirus
Elective Surgeries End Statewide, 13 Counties Under Stronger COVID Restrictions
The rampant spread of coronavirus across Mississippi has finally triggered new restrictions from Gov. Tate Reeves for the 13 counties with the heaviest spikes in COVID-19 over recent weeks.
Biz Roundup
Mustard Seed Christmas in July, Museum to Market Trail Groundbreaking and MDAH Virtual Reality App
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Mustard Seed, a community for adults with developmental disabilities, has made changes to its annual Christmas in July event for 2020.
Person of the Day
Mike Andrews
If you walk through the doors at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on Mondays, Mike Andrews, a 12-year veteran volunteer, will be there to welcome you.
Politics
Analysis: Session Brings Wide Range of New Mississippi Laws
Mississippi is enacting a wide range of laws based on bills passed during this year's legislative session, including some that separately regulate wine, school buses and scooters.
Education
Fall College Instruction to be a Mix of In-Person and Online
Students in Mississippi are scheduled to return to school in August amid rising cases of COVID-19 in the state, but campus life will be a lot different than what many …
coronavirus
Mississippi Limits Elective Surgeries Amid COVID-19 Surge
Mississippi's top public health official has ordered a temporary halt to all elective surgeries to try to save hospital bed space as the state sees a rapid expansion in cases …
Saturday, July 11
coronavirus
9,500 New Infections in 14 Days, Governor Orders Tighter Restrictions Including Jackson Metro
With 797 Mississippi residents testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, the state's total stands at 35,419 since testing began. The past two weeks have averaged 680 cases per day, much …
Friday, July 10
coronavirus
Governor Reeves Issues Additional Social Distancing Measures for 13 Counties
Governor Tate Reeves has announced additional social distancing measures for thirteen counties identified as hotspots within our state to limit transmission around the communities and protect the health of all …
Politics
Gov. Reeves Vetoes Parole Reform Bill
Parole reform in Mississippi hit a brick wall this week, with Gov. Tate Reeves vetoing the bipartisan legislation that would have provided more, and earlier, opportunities for parole hearings in …
City & County
City Buying 100,000 Masks Due to COVID-19, Debates Gerrymandering
To help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Jackson and enable the citizens to do their part, the Jackson City council on Tuesday authorized Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba to purchase …
Fly
Azia’s Picks 7-10-20
Rain or shine, there are many safe virtual and outside events happening in the city, so take some time to fill up on sunshine and love. Please stay safe and …
State
Mississippi Inmate Dies After Weeks in Hospital
The Mississippi Department of Corrections says a 64-year-old inmate who was serving a life sentence for a murder conviction has died after being hospitalized since May.
Thursday, July 9
coronavirus
Central Mississippi Hospitals At Capacity, School Openings Planned Amid Growing Crisis
The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 703 new cases of COVID-19, paired with the catastrophic new highs of hospitalizations: 686 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 fill the state’s …
City & County
Evers Statue May Replace Slave Owner, ‘Trail of Tears’ Leader Andrew Jackson’s at City Hall
In line with the current trend against glorifying slave owners and the slavery era with monuments and statues, Jackson City Council on Tuesday authorized Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba to legally …
coronavirus
JSU COVID-19 Research Grant, USM Stadium Plaza Renovation and MSU Dual Degree Program
The National Science Foundation recently awarded Jackson State University's Department of Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Sciences a $200,000 Rapid Response Research grant to develop a new optical technique to detect …
Person of the Day
Jack Abraham
Southern Miss will rely on quarterback Jack Abraham to get the offense going in 2020. The redshirt season didn't go the direct route to USM but he has made the …
State
At Least 4 Mississippi Counties to Move Confederate Statues
At least four Mississippi counties have decided recently to move Confederate monuments away from courthouses as widespread protests over racial injustice are renewing debate over symbols that many consider divisive.
City & County
Former JSU President Found Guilty in Prostitution Sting
A Mississippi judge has found Jackson State University's former president guilty of misdemeanor charges related to a prostitution sting.
Education
Mississippi Governor Vetoes Part of Education Bill Over Pay Plan
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has vetoed most of the state education budget for the new fiscal year because it would have changed a bonus pay plan for some teachers.
Wednesday, July 8
Fly
Top 10: Frezale Smith
I have been lucky enough to live in several areas in central Mississippi, and I have found some of the coolest places to hang out in your off time to …
Music
Family, Life’s Most Powerful Siren Song
A passion for music may have led Dawn Dixon across the Atlantic Ocean for a time, but her love for her family brought her back to her southern roots.
Art
Dice Rolls and Tokens and Cards, Oh My!
Whether your idea of a fun Saturday night entails braving an expedition through Antarctic tundra or gallivanting through a land of fantastical beasts to collect bounties with your adventuring party, …
Food
Foot Print Farms: Feeding Folks Safely
Canning and paperwork make for many a late night for Cindy Ayers-Elliott, Foot Print Farms' founder. But the daily business of growing and getting fresh vegetables to folks who need …
City & County
In the Spirit of Medgar: State Flag Came Down the Week Slain Hero Would’ve Turned 95
When the signature of Gov. Tate Reeves put an end to the 126-year reign of the former Mississippi flag with the Confederate emblem on June 30, it was two days …
Civil Rights
OPINION: Blackness and Whiteness, To Whom the Story of America Concerns
James Baldwin said "the story of the in America is the story of America. It is not a pretty story." This ugly, brutal, and festering story is the truth that …
City & County
COVID-19 In Mississippi: Lacking Leadership, Buy-In or Both?
The grand debate over a protective mask, played out on social media from the local level to the halls of the White House itself, is representative of the state of …
coronavirus
EDITOR'S NOTE: Tate Reeves Needs to Stop Making Excuses, Start Leading
"Gov. Tate Reeves is spinning. He is grasping at any straw he thinks can divert attention away from his abysmal leadership during the COVID-19 crisis in Mississippi."
Jacksonian
Hannah Richards, 'Jackson Has Heart'
Mississippi College Admissions Counselor Hannah Richards gleefully claims Mississippi, specifically the Jackson metro, as her home—despite spending her entire childhood in Chattanooga, Tenn., before moving to Mississippi to attend MC.
Tuesday, July 7
Politics
Confederate Statue at Raymond Courthouse May Move After Black Citizen Pleads Case to Supervisors
The Confederate statue at the Hinds County Courthouse in Raymond represents racial injustice and should be removed, Marshand Boone told the Hinds County Board of Supervisors Monday. The board, in …
coronavirus
Lt. Gov. Hosemann, Speaker Gunn Test Positive for COVID-19; Governor Hints at ‘Total Lockdowns’
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn have both tested positive for COVID-19, as have a number of other state legislators.
Person of the Day
Rudolph 'Cotton' Baronich
Rudolph "Cotton" Baronich, a longtime Jackson resident who once worked as a bartender at city landmarks like the Sun-N-Sand, George Street Grocery, Hal & Mal's and the Edison Walthall Hotel, …
Politics
Reeves' Tweet 'Messy, Loud and Wrong,' Protest Leader Says
A Mississippi Senate leader and a protest organizer are speaking out against Republican Gov. Tate Reeves's tweet Sunday that said the “liberal media” is ignoring new coronavirus cases that could …
coronavirus
Mississippi Governor Tests Negative for COVID-19 After Scare
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has tested negative for the coronavirus, a day after announcing he was going into isolation after being in contact with a lawmaker who tested positive.
State
Mississippi Board Votes 'No' on Moving Confederate Monument
Officials in a Mississippi county unanimously voted to keep a Confederate monument where it stands, saying moving the statue wouldn't fix racial tensions.
Monday, July 6
City & County
Autopsy: Death of Harvey Hill in Madison County Detention Center Ruled Homicide
The death of 36-year-old Harvey Hill on May 6, 2018, in the Madison County Detention Center was a homicide, the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office has determined.
Person of the Day
Dog Makes Folks Welcome at Terry’s Creek Church
Terry’s Creek Baptist Church has many faithful members, no doubt — but perhaps none more so than a four-legged one named Spike. Spike is a big, black, gentle Lab mix …
Biz Roundup
Mangia Bene COVID-19 Measures, Grants from LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi and National Endowment for the Arts
In light of the City of Jackson's recent mandate requiring people to wear masks in public, Mangia Bene restaurant group, which operates BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar, Sal and Mookie's …
Politics
Mississippi Could Drop Jim Crow-Era Statewide Voting Process
Mississippi just ditched its Confederate-themed state flag. Later this year, the state's voters will decide whether to dump a statewide election process that dates to the Jim Crow era.
City & County
Jackson Councilman Suggests Buying Masks for Residents
Days after the city of Jackson passed a new rule requiring people to wear masks in public, City Councilman Kenneth Stokes is proposing the city purchase 100,000 masks to distribute …
coronavirus
Mississippi House Speaker Tests Positive for Coronavirus
House Speaker Philip Gunn said Sunday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus as state health officials reported more than 200 new infections and five deaths linked to the …
State
Belhaven University Renames Hall After Namesake Called Segregationist
A university in Mississippi removed the name of a former president from a residence hall after a petition called the man a segregationist.
Saturday, July 4
coronavirus
July 4th: COVID-19 Cases Top 30,000, Average at Record 683 Per Day
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi passed 30,000 on Friday, with that day's total at a near-record 990 of reported newly infected Mississippians. Four people died from complications …
Friday, July 3
coronavirus
COVID-19 Cases Near Record Day at 914, Hospitalized Patients Remains High
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported that 914 new people tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, the second-highest day since MSDH began reporting numbers in April. More than 1,100 …
Thursday, July 2
coronavirus
870 New COVID-19 Cases and Peak Hospitalizations, as Reeves Warns Health System ‘At Risk’
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs’ increasingly frantic warnings about the state of COVID-19 in Mississippi continue to reflect in the numbers.
Education
JSU Virtual Margaret Walker Celebration, New MSU Fall Calendar and USM Historical Site
The Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University will partner with Foot Print Farms and Fauna Foodworks to host a 30-minute virtual cooking demonstration to celebrate Margaret Walker’s 105th birthday …
Person of the Day
Eli Manning
If the 2020 college football season is played, a third number will be retired. Former Rebel great Eli Manning follows in his father’s footsteps and is having his number retired …
Personhood
Mississippi Bans Abortion Based on Race, Sex, Genetic Issues
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed a law Wednesday that bans abortion based on the race, sex or genetic anomalies of a fetus, adding new limits in a state that …
coronavirus
Mississippi Pausing Reopening Process After COVID Surge
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday the state is pausing its efforts to reopen the economy after a recent surge in new reported coronavirus cases.
Politics
Mississippi Bill Would Give Thousands a Chance at Parole
The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that could grant thousands of incarcerated inmates a chance at parole.
Wednesday, July 1
City & County
Activist: 'We Need to Flood the Polls as We Flooded the Streets to Protest'
Calyn Stringfellow wants more young people to get politically engaged and to register and turn out to vote, hence the program she held in front of Jackson City Hall.
State
Netflix Invests $10M in Black-Owned Credit Union in South
Netflix on Tuesday announced a $10 million investment in a Mississippi-based credit union to build economic opportunities in Black communities across the Deep South.
State
With a Pen Stroke, Mississippi Drops Confederate-Themed Flag
With a stroke of the governor’s pen, Mississippi is retiring the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem—a symbol that’s widely condemned as racist.
