Jackson Free Press

AG Fitch Backs Away from Releasing More Pretrial Detainees in Wake of COVID-19

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch is backing away from an effort to release pretrial detainees sooner to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi jails, where it is virtually impossible …

Kevin Yang

When the first wave of COVID-19 panic buying swept through Starkville about a month ago, there was no run on toilet paper at Asian Foods Market on Highway 12.

Black Women May Be Hardest Hit As COVID-19 Cases Pass 5,000, 201 Deaths

Mississippi now has more than 200 deaths and well over 5,000 cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, only five days after reaching 4,000.

26 Million Have Sought US Jobless Aid Since Virus Hit

More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down, the government said Thursday.

Mississippi Governor Hints at Reopening Some Businesses Next Week

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday that he expects to take steps next week in a gradual reopening of the state's economy during the coronavirus pandemic. He didn't specify what …

April 22: COVID-19 Deaths in Mississippi Now at 193, With 4,894 Total Cases

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 10 additional COVID-19 deaths across Mississippi, bringing the total casualties to 193, as well as 178 cases, for a total of 4,894.

Q&A with Dr. Thomas Dobbs on Racial Inequity of COVID-19 in Mississippi

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs is leading the public-health response to the COVID-19 crisis, directing the State Department of Health and serving as Gov. Tate Reeves’ chief health …

Mississippi Governor: Restarting Economy Won't Be 'Light Switch'

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday that the state economy will reopen gradually after health officials and others say it's safe to do so during the coronavirus pandemic. He cautioned …

Mississippi Small Businesses at Risk of Permanent Closure, Households Struggle

Approximately 62% of small businesses in Mississippi are at risk of permanently closing within five months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Main Street …

Tougaloo College to Serve as COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing Site

Tougaloo College is serving as a one-day, appointment-only drive-through COVID-19 testing site from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

Benny Ivey

Benny Ivey, a Jackson native who spent 11 years in prison on drug charges, devoted himself to keeping youth and adults off the path he was once on after his …

AP: Publicly Traded Firms Get $300M in Small-Business Loans

Companies with thousands of employees, past penalties from government investigations and risks of financial failure even before the coronavirus walloped the economy were among those receiving millions of dollars from …

Mississippi Gov. Forms Coronavirus Economic Recovery Group

Mississippi's governor has formed a commission of private-sector business leaders to make recommendations on how the state can economically recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Mississippi Choctaw Chief Has COVID-19, Urges Precautions

The chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says he has tested positive for COVID-19, the Mississippi Free Press reported on Saturday, and he is urging people to follow …

Mobile COVID-19 Testing Set for Hinds, Walthall and Kemper Counties

Residents of Hinds, Walthall and Kemper counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health …

April 19: MSDH Reports 300 New COVID-19 Cases, Includes Race Demographics

COVID-19 cases reported by MSDH reached their highest level yet on Saturday. MSDH is reporting that of the 159 deaths attributed to COVID-19, 100 of the deceased were black, 57 …

April 18: MDHS Reports 181 New COVID-19 Cases, 12 Deaths

Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 181 new cases of COVID-19 for the period ending Friday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. Twelve people died on Friday from the virus.

Hinds County Extends COVID-19 Emergency, Reduces Jail Population

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors is extending its COVID-19 state of emergency for non-essential employees until May 1, waiving penalties for overdue, late and new license plates, and taking …

Gov. Tate Reeves extended his shelter-in-place order by one week, but also announced the opening …

• April 17, 2020

Tate Reeves: Shelter in Place Another Week, ‘Union Bosses’ Not Needed

Gov. Tate Reeves extended the shelter-in-place order he issued at the end of March for another week today, while making allowances for limited operations at “non-essential” businesses and opening the …