Tuesday, June 30
Senate Rule Committee Clears Way for Senate to Consider a Medical Marijuana Bill
The Mississippi Senate's rules committee has approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 586, which, if passed by the full Senate, will allow it to suspend the rules for the purpose of introducing a bill titled the "Mississippi Medical Marijuana Act."
Second Amended Stay Safe Jackson Executive Order
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba released a second amended executive order concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Reeves Vetoes Jackson Water Bill, More Paving, Mask Requirement Ahead
Gov. Tate Reeves has vetoed the “Jackson Water Bill,” a piece of proposed legislation that passed in both the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives with no opposing vote.
COVID-19 Hits New Mississippi Highs, Municipalities Issuing Own Mask Orders
Mississippi’s rising coronavirus curve is prompting dire warnings from state health officials—and some municipalities are beginning to issue mask orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces.
Emma D. Sanders
Emma D. Sanders, a Mississippi Civil Rights Movement veteran and a founding member of the modern Mississippi Democratic Party, recently passed away in her Jackson home at age 91.
Mississippi Mayor: ANTIFA Not Coming, COVID-19 Not a Hoax
In the Mississippi city where Elvis Presley was born, the mayor announced last week that masks would be required in public buildings and businesses starting Monday because of the COVID-19 pandemic—and he used the opportunity to debunk an array of rumors.
Monday, June 29
Mississippi Family Says Reform Bill Should be Retroactive
Mississippi lawmakers are considering a change to a law to reduce long prison sentences given to habitual offenders whose past crimes were either nonviolent or committed many years earlier.
‘Today I Feel Like a Mississippian’: State Flag Consigned to History in Bipartisan Vote
The contentious Mississippi state flag is officially no more today, consigned to history after a legislative supermajority voted Sunday to retire it for good.
Russell C. Davis Planetarium Remodel, 2021 Governor’s Arts Awards and Dumbo's on Duling
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Deputy Director of Cultural Services David Lewis and Russell C. Davis Planetarium manager Mike Williams announced updates on the progress of the planned restoration of the planetarium on Thursday, June 25.
Debi Lane
This week, potter Debi Lane attempted to create a phoenix, but the glaze ran, and the Mendenhall resident was forced to scrap the project.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Abortion Clinic Law
The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics, reasserting a commitment to abortion rights over fierce opposition from dissenting conservative justices in the first big abortion case of the Trump era.
Sunday, June 28
Mississippi Changing State Flag As Legislature Passes HB 1796 to Replace It
House Bill 1796 has passed both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature and is headed to Gov. Tate Reeves for signature, which he signaled early Saturday will happen.
AP Analysis: Debate Shifts on Rebel-themed Mississippi Flag
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Confederate battle emblem on the Mississippi flag evokes strong emotions, and for decades it has been a volatile issue that many state legislators wanted to avoid.
Saturday, June 27
COVID-19 Cases Average 557 Per Day, Highest So Far
This past week, the average number of daily new cases of COVID-19 rose to 557 in Mississippi.
UPDATED: House, Senate Pass Concurrent Resolution 79: Redesign Flag, Vote By Referendum in November
The Mississippi Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 79 today, paving the way for a new Mississippi state flag.
Reeves Says He'll Sign a Bill to Change Mississippi's Flag
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi lawmakers could vote soon to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag, a symbol that has come under intensifying criticism in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice.
Friday, June 26
Azia’s Virtual Picks 6-26-20
"I hope you can share an event from this list and maybe use it to spark a conversation, learn more about one another or maybe even set the foundation for new ideas and new platforms with new voices to emerge."
Marianna Stone
For Marianna Stone, her daughter’s early arrival was fortuitous, as the family narrowly avoided having to bring Esther into this world in the midst of a pandemic.
Hinds Leaders: Mississippi Flag Stands for ‘Hate, Torture, Murder, Rape’
Hinds County leaders issued a passionate plea yesterday, joining the growing call to change the Mississippi flag because of the Confederate emblem in its canton.
Mississippi’s Healthcare System In Imminent Danger, Stressed MSDH Officials Warn
Mississippi’s health-care system is rapidly approaching catastrophe, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned Thursday—not in a matter of months, but in a matter of weeks.
Lobbying Grows Against Mississippi's Rebel-Themed Flag
University coaches and Christian ministers filled the Mississippi Capitol on Thursday, urging legislators to seize the moment and remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag while Americans are reckoning with difficult discussions about race and history.
Thursday, June 25
Lumumba Threatens To Shut Down Businesses If COVID-19 Infection Rate Spikes
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba is expressing frustration at people not following social-distancing guidelines to counter the spread of COVID-19, saying he may need to tighten restrictions he earlier loosened if the rate of infection and hospitalization spikes.
BREAKING: Mississippi Adds 1,092 New COVID-19 Cases In Single Day
The day after State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned of a looming catastrophe facing Mississippi in the fall, the state’s hospitals reported the highest incidence of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations since the virus first arrived in Mississippi: 767.
USM Student Organizing COVID-19 Food Relief, MSU Travel Awards and Racial Reconciliation Event
Gulfport, Miss., native James Skinner is identifying food resources and distribution points across the southern half of the state to help get immediate relief to residents in need, as part of a Mississippi Gulf Coast Mutual Aid Network initiative.
MSU Running Back Kylin Hill May Sit Out on Fall Season over Mississippi Flag
One player might not play this season, and it has nothing to do with the ongoing pandemic. Current Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with Gov. Tate Reeves.
Mississippi Governor Might Not Block Change to Rebel-Themed Flag
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday, for the first time, that he probably would not stand in the way if legislators muster a large enough majority to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag.
Indictment: Threat to Kill Mississippi's Only Black US Rep.
A federal indictment accuses a Mississippi man of threatening to kill the state's only Black U.S. representative and his staffers.
Wednesday, June 24
‘About Healing and Reconciliation’: Legislative Fight For New State Flag Continues
A raft of Democratic legislators joined House Democratic Leader Rep. Robert Johnson III in calling for a new state flag yesterday.
Best of Jackson 2020 Household and Home Improvement Finalist Ballot Open
The Best of Jackson 2020 finalists ballot for Household and Home Improvement in Metro Jackson is open now through July 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Senate Approves 200th Federal Judge Nominated by Trump
The Senate has approved the nomination of a Mississippi judge to a federal appeals court, the 200th federal judge named by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Republican-controlled chamber. It's the highest number of judicial nominees confirmed at this stage of a presidency in four decades.
Brian Flowers Wins GOP Congressional Primary Runoff
Brian Flowers, a military veteran who works at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Tuesday won a congressional Republican primary runoff. He will face Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson in November.
Rally for Education Equity in Mississippi
On Wednesday, June 24 at 4 p.m. Central, the Institute for Democratic Education in America is hosting a rally in downtown Jackson, Mississippi with the support of national organizations Journey for Justice Alliance, Center for Popular Democracy, and local organizations One Voice, and Our JPS.
Five Things to Know about Carlton McGrone, Freelance Writer
"Although I was a natural storyteller, I never knew I wanted to write until I applied for Southern Miss' student-run newspaper, The Student Printz. Since then, I've wanted my life to contain some form of writing, whether that be fiction or some type of journalistic pursuit."
Soap-Maker Cleans Up with Nerd Appeal
Memories of her grandmother, Maxine Towner, first nudged Anisa "Max" Martin into soap-making. But, a question from her daughter set the hobby in a playful direction that dabbles into nerd culture.
John Uzodinma II, Breaking Barriers Four Strings at a Time
When the pandemic cancelled most of his scheduled events, violinist John Uzodinma II sought a way to stay connected to the public.
The Garden Farmacy: Local Eco-Farmers Offer Seasonal Staples and Medicinal Herbs
Three days a week, the farmers of The Garden Farmacy climb out of bed early in the morning and step through the fields, knives in hand, to harvest the produce scheduled to be delivered to Jacksonians the same day.
Losing Queenyanna: Could Quicker Response Have Saved Her Life?
Queenyanna Davis would have been 6 years old on June 23, but she was murdered. She attended Watkins Elementary School in Jackson.
Smelling Sewage on Sage Street
Jesse and Sarah Pittman have had to live with the smell of sewer for a long time. They call it racist that the City of Jackson hasn’t stepped up to help.
Legislature In Overtime, Criminal Justice Reform Top Priority
Efforts to change the Mississippi flag first appeared stalled out: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann condemned the effort to a committee, which showed no intention of calling it up.
Ariss King: Telling Stories, Realizing Goals
When Ariss King was a little girl, her parents took her to art museums and enrolled her in art camps to encourage her creativity.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Stop Glamorizing the Cruelty of Racist Ancestors
"The Legislature put up this flag as a stated symbol of white supremacy in 1894 as all those hideous soldier statues were popping up with their sappy remembrances, and it can take this putridly racist flag down in 2020."
Tuesday, June 23
State Health Officer Warns in Interview: Prepare For Overwhelmed Hospitals by Fall
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs has led Mississippi’s response to COVID-19 since the first days of the crisis. Now, facing spiking metrics in all of the state’s key indicators for the spread of the virus, even in the warm summer months in which COVID-19 was expected to recede, Dobbs told the Jackson Free Press in a phone interview to prepare for an overwhelmed hospital system in which basic emergency care will be rationed.
Jackson Water Bills May Decrease Under Pending State Law; Sewer Woes Mount
The City of Jackson could lower residents’ water-bill debts if Gov. Tate Reeves signs Senate Bill 2856, which both houses of the Legislature passed unanimously, 51-0 in the Senate and 108-0 in the House of Representatives.
OPINION: What Side Are You On? Racism Is Dividing Nation Along Line of Morality
"This election year will force America to choose between two very different ideas. What side are you on? Yes, America, there are two sides. We have arrived at the inevitable clash of different ideas and visions for the future of this country."
Frances Patterson Croft
Frances Patterson Croft has been director of strategic initiatives for the Women's Foundation of Mississippi, a statewide, Jackson-based nonprofit that works to ensure economic security for women and girls in the state, since January 2017.
Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner is Confirmed to Job
The Mississippi Senate has confirmed a former judge, Sean Tindell, as the state's new public safety commissioner.
Mississippi Governor Rejects 'Separate but Equal' 2-Flag Plan
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that he’s against having two state flags--the current banner with the Confederate battle emblem that critics see as racist, and a yet-to-be-determined design that would erase Confederate images.
GOP Runoff Winner to Face Dem Chairman of Homeland Security
Two Republicans with low-budget campaigns are in a congressional primary runoff Tuesday in Mississippi. The winner advances to the November ballot to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Monday, June 22
Juneteenth: Stokes Declares June 19, 2020, Sheriff Lee Vance Day and Jackson Advocate Day
Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes honored Hinds County Sheriff Lee Vance and the Jackson Advocate newspaper on Friday as part of a Jackson Juneteenth celebration.
UPDATE: 1646 New Cases of COVID-19 Since Jun 17
The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting a severe “data processing” issue preventing the release of new COVID-19 information that has persisted since the middle of last week, meaning the agency has not shared updated numbers on new cases and deaths since June 18.
Audit: State Office Changed Dropout Records to Improve Stats
Mississippi's Department of Education failed to maintain an Office of Dropout Prevention for the last 10 years as required by state law and overstated its progress toward increasing graduation rates, the state auditor announced Thursday.
Connection City ePLEX at the Outlets, Mississippi Museum of Art and Children’s Museum Reopening
A new tenant at the Outlets of Mississippi, Connection City ePLEX, will open in July. The facility is an esports arena that will include gaming and virtual reality machines as well as tournaments and leagues for games such as Fortnite, Call of Duty and more.
Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee Calls on Leaders to Repeal and Replace Mississippi State Flag
The Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee is calling upon Gov. Tate Reeves, Lieutenant Gov. Delbert Hosemann, and the Mississippi Legislature to immediately halt the use of white supremacist, Confederate symbolism on the official state flag.
Analysis: Doctor Calls Parchman Conditions 'Deplorable'
Living conditions in the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman are “are sub-human and deplorable in a civilized society,” according to a physician who has evaluated the prison on behalf of inmates who are suing the state.
Friday, June 19
Mayor Lumumba Bans Police Chokeholds, Restricts Firing at Moving Vehicles, More
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, in an executive order today, prohibits the Jackson Police Department from using choke-holds, knee-on-neck or any other tactic that restricts breathing in an amendment of its use-of-force policy.
Mayoral Executive Order Amending the City of Jackson Police Department's Use of Force Policy
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an executive order amending Jackson Police Department's use of force policy.
Azia’s Virtual Picks: Juneteenth Edition
I pray that we all take time to remember our collective history and learn more from it and each other despite our background, race, religion, or creed. This is how we truly manifest power to the people!
Mayor Announces Local TSA PreCheck Service for Travelers, Warns COVID-19 Still Serious Danger
Citizens of Jackson who previously had to travel 30 miles to Vicksburg for Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Services can now obtain the same with the city.
Oxford Sees COVID-19 Crisis as ER Visits Up Statewide; State Blames Fraternities
Mississippians are not doing enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned at yesterday’s press event.
Brianna Caldwell
For law student Brianna Caldwell, softball served as the passion that set the trajectory for her life, eventually bringing her from Athens, Ala., to Clinton, Miss., which she says reminded her of her small hometown.
Southeastern Conference Pushing Mississippi to Change Flag
The Southeastern Conference is considering barring league championship events in Mississippi unless the state changes its Confederate-based flag.
Mississippi Governor Says He Should Have Worn Mask at Funeral
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that because of the coronavirus pandemic, he should have worn a mask during a funeral a day earlier where hundreds of law enforcement officers gathered to honor a Simpson County deputy sheriff killed in the line of duty.
Senators Block Ex-Lawmaker's Nomination to Education Board
A Republican-controlled Mississippi Senate committee on Thursday blocked Republican Gov. Tate Reeves's nomination of a former lawmaker to serve on the state Board of Education, drawing criticism from the governor.
Thursday, June 18
OPINION: Mississippi Flag Representing Chattel Slavery Must Go Now
"We are currently in a season of change; the winds of change are blowing away old ways of thinking and old symbols of white supremacy."
CITY: ‘Deeper Than Racism’: Jackson Declares ‘Classism’ a Public Health Crisis
To attract more funds to counter the impact of socioeconomic factors on health disparity, the Jackson City Council unanimously declared classism as a public-health crisis on June 9, saying it is recommitting itself to improving the quality of life and health of the underclass.
Council Overturns Mayor's Veto of Transfer of $1.6 Million of Siemens Fund
The Jackson City Council recently overturned Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba's veto of its resolution to take $1.6 million from the $89.8 million Siemens settlement with the City and separating it to invest in the development of Highway 18 corridor.
UM Confederate Statue to Move to Cemetery; Some Fear IHL Building New ‘Shrine’
The Confederate monument at the heart of the University of Mississippi campus will move to the Confederate graveyard elsewhere on campus, 114 years after its construction.
Justin Foscue
In the first round, the Texas Rangers made Mississippi State University second baseman Justin Foscue the 14th pick overall. Foscue is the 15th MSU player to be drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft.
New Music Building and COVID-19 Business Assistance at MSU and JSU Grants
Mississippi State University held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, June 15, for construction on a new music building north of the university’s current band and choral rehearsal hall on Hardy Road in Starkville.
White Lawmaker Likens Abortion Limits to Civil Rights Issue
A white Republican lawmaker invoked the name of a black civil rights leader Wednesday as the Mississippi Senate advanced a bill to ban abortion based on the race, sex or genetic anomalies of a fetus.
Judge Rules Mississippi City Can't Put Ban on Open Carry Law
A federal judge ruled Mississippi's capital city cannot restrict the state's open carry law as it did following the shooting deaths of two children during the coronavirus pandemic.
Confederate Statue to be Moved from Central Spot at Ole Miss
A Confederate monument will be moved from a prominent spot at the University of Mississippi to a Civil War cemetery in a secluded part of the Oxford campus.
Wednesday, June 17
Mississippi Saw 489 COVID-19 Infections Tuesday, State May Not Be Reporting All Cases
Mississippi saw 489 new cases of COVID-19 as of the end of Tuesday, June 16, one of the highest single-day counts on the records since the crisis started in the state in March.
12 Detainees, 7 Staffers Test Positive for COVID-19 at Hinds Detention Facilities
Twelve inmates and seven employees across Hinds County detention facilities have tested positive for COVID-19, Sheriff Lee Vance told the press last night.
OPINION: I’m Out of the Political Closet After 30 Years of Hiding My Beliefs
"I'm a white senior woman living in the Deep South. I’m also a Democrat. My closest family members and a few friends are aware of this, and a few of my Facebook friends may suspect, but I hope this is news to most."
Lois Winn
Lois Winn is a California girl who discovered the direction she wanted to take her life in the Jackson metro.
Mississippi Awarded Over $71M Grant for Greenville Bypass
A Mississippi road project that's been considered for more than two decades is one step closer to completion in the state's Delta region.
Mississippi Official: Black People 'Dependent' Since Slavery
After rejecting a proposal to move a Confederate monument, a white elected official in Mississippi said this week that African Americans “became dependent” during slavery.
Tuesday, June 16
UPDATE: Senate Confirms Burl Cain To Lead State Prisons
A lightning-quick committee hearing placed ex-Angola warden Burl Cain on track to command the Mississippi Department of Corrections on June 16. The next day, the full Senate confirmed him for the position of Commissioner.
Criminal Justice Reform Alive at Capitol, But Gang Bill, Teacher Pay Raises Dead for Now
Mississippi legislators’ ambitious plans for funding initiatives like state employee and teacher pay raises have taken a backseat to dealing with the coronavirus crisis, which is obliterating both state revenues and best-laid plans for the 2020 session.
COVID-19 Cases Top 20,000 in Mississippi, Mental Health Services Available
Mississippi has now officially seen more than 20,000 cases of COVID-19 with 353 new COVID-19 cases as of yesterday, along with 20 deaths.
Jordan Gray
Jordan Gray, a senior journalism major at Mississippi College, launched his own Youtube channel, Baller Brains, in November 2019.
Mississippi Revises Outlook for Budget Year Starting July 1
Top lawmakers said Monday that Mississippi state government can avoid spending cuts during the final two weeks of the current budget year by tapping into the rainy day fund.
Mississippi Seeing Rising Cases of Unemployment Fraud
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security is seeing an influx of fraudulent unemployment claims, mirroring a concerning trend across the country, Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday.
Some Mississippi Counties Could Move Confederate Monuments
Some Mississippi counties are debating whether to move Confederate monuments that have stood for more than a century outside courthouses or in other prominent spots on public property.
Mississippi DA Releases Case Files in Fatal Police Shooting
A Mississippi district attorney has released evidence files in the case of a white officer who fatally shot a black man during a 2015 traffic stop.
Monday, June 15
Hinds Election Commission Moving Precincts for Runoff, Adding Voting Machines for November
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic led to the postponement of the runoff between Brian Flowers and Carey Thomas earlier scheduled for March 31.
Habitat Broadmoor Build, Malco Reopenings and Women’s Foundation COVID-19 Grants
Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area recently finished its latest home as part of the five-year Broadmoor neighborhood revitalization initiative it launched in 2019, despite setbacks and obstacles to construction from the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Repaves Belvedere Drive, Rebrands Transit System
In another effort to reverse the degrading of road infrastructure in Jackson, Miss., Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced the repaving of Belvedere Drive at a press briefing last week at Mary Belle Key Elementary School located on the street.
OPINION: Mississippi Community Leaders Support Removal of the Mississippi State Flag
"In Mississippi, the state flag is the most visible symbol of white supremacy. For many black Mississippians, the flag is traumatizing because it is a constant reminder of oppression."
Analysis: Mississippi Could Erase Multistep Election System
Mississippi voters might get a chance to purge a Jim Crow-era provision from the state constitution and simplify the process of electing the governor and other statewide officials.
Mississippi Voucher Program Could Get 4-Year Extension
Mississippi legislators have voted to keep a school voucher program alive for another four years, sending a bill to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
Saturday, June 13
June 13: Mississippi Averaging 330 COVID-19 Cases Per Day, a New High
Mississippi this past week reached a new high in the COVID-19 pandemic, averaging 330 new people per day identified as infected with the virus.
Friday, June 12
‘Back to Business Mississippi’ Grant Website Live, Money Earmarked for Women, Minorities
Thursday marked the opening of the state’s Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program. Created via Senate Bill 2772, the program provides a grant of up to $25,000 to small businesses that apply.
Three Charged in $180 Million Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
An indictment against three individuals for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare, TRICARE, and private insurance companies, and their conspiracy to launder the proceeds has been unsealed today.
Dobbs: Younger People Infecting Older Ones with COVID-19 As Bar Curfew Lifted
The “herculean” task of testing all long-term-care and nursing-home facility staff and residents has concluded, showing 676 positive cases, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said Thursday.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The Stennis Flag Is the Best Choice Now for Mississippi
This spring and early summer have been heavy and filled with circumstances that one could not imagine only six months ago. COVID-19 is decimating our communities, and we endured another triad of black bodies killed because they were existing while black.
Ryder Anderson
In Oxford, football players took part in a unity walk at the University of Mississippi. The walk started at the track and ended at the football practice fields. After the walk, senior defensive end Ryder Anderson was one of the speakers to address those in attendance.
Mississippi Lawmakers Honor Pastor Who Won 'The Voice'
Todd Tilghman, a Mississippi pastor who won “The Voice” has serenaded state lawmakers with “Amazing Grace.” Tilghman appeared Thursday at the state Capitol, where he was honored with resolutions in the House and Senate.
Senate Panel Advances Mississippi Appeals Court Nominee
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced a federal appeals court nominee from Mississippi, despite Democratic objections over derisive comments he made about former President Barack Obama and his signature health care legislation.
Thursday, June 11
Resolution Drops to Change Mississippi Flag, Interfaith Leaders Call For Change
Mississippi legislators began a formal process to change the state flag today with an ambitious attempt to revive Senate Bill 2446, which would put an end to the Confederate symbolism on the official state flag.
Justin Cummins
Justin Cummins, a biology teacher at Richland High School, developed his appreciation for teaching his chosen field through a combination of his own educational background and his work with animals prior to becoming a teacher.
MSU Digital COVID-19 Library, JSU Virtual Army Commissioning and Community Colleges Reopening
Mississippi State University Libraries recently began collecting submissions for a new COVID-19 digital archive to document the pandemic’s impact on MSU students, faculty, staff and community members.
OPINION: No ‘Free Kills’ Unless We Are Black in Jackson
"The mayor claims to be against police murder. The “no free kills” banner Lumumba surrogates recently rallied under obfuscates that no real costs are meted out when the Jackson police kill Black people."
Mississippi Governor to Lift Curfew on Bars, Restaurants
Mississippi bars and restaurants that serve alcohol will soon be able to stay open later as Gov. Tate Reeves prepares to lift a curfew he set because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wednesday, June 10
Mississippi Opens Grants for Businesses Hurt by Pandemic
Mississippi is opening a grant program for small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mississippi Teacher Pay Raise Plan Dies Amid Budget Concerns
A proposed teacher pay raise has died at the Mississippi Capitol because of budget concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.
Families Accuse JPD Of Police Brutality, Demand Justice
Four Jackson families whose loved ones were victims of local police violence, three of them fatally, spoke out yesterday, publicly calling for justice in the wake of national awareness over police brutality.
The Cat’s Out of the Bag
While Jon Lansdale never had formal culinary training, his appreciation for cooking provided the drive he needed to make his restaurant, Crazy Cat Eat Up, a staple in the Jackson area.
Five Things to Know about Ken Steere, Lead Driver
"For the JFP, I manage the lists of where we distribute the papers and the routes they are assigned to."
Home is Where the Robot Is: Kaz-Magic Studios
For Ridgeland resident Frederick Roseman, a freelance artist and local comic creator who uses the name Kaz-Magic Studios, the concept of family has been a driving force in both his personal life and in his artistic works.
A Musical Inheritance, Trumpeter Builds Band Program
Kimble Funchess, a member of the Jackson Horns, began the school's music program in 2014 with a group of sixth graders who had never before held an instrument.
Guys We Love 2020
June is the month we all show appreciation to the fathers in our lives who have shown us support and love over the years. In celebration of Father's Day, the Jackson Free Press honors men, many of whom are dads themselves, in the metro area who have done noteworthy things or who are active within their communities.
OPINION: What Is Wrong with America Is Us White People
This word is for white people. I will start with my own identity: I am a white, heterosexual, 43-year-old man from Mississippi. There is a crisis of belief among what has felt like the vast majority of our white sisters and brothers throughout this country. Historically, we don't believe people who are not white.
Byram Police: A Model for Domestic-Abuse Response?
Byram Police Chief Luke Thompson acknowledges that the typical method of responding to a domestic call fails both the victims and the community at large.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Safety Net ‘Designed to Fail’ in Good Times Failing Big Now
It's telling that, as part of his executive orders during this crisis, Gov. Tate Reeves suspended several rules regarding application for and receipt of unemployment benefits. Why did they exist?
Travis Ryder Unifies Local Nerd Community, Van's CCG
For Travis Ryder of Van's Comics, Cards & Games, building the local nerd community remains one of his foremost goals in running the store.
Tuesday, June 9
OPINION: Mississippians Can’t Breathe if Gov. Tate Reeves Keeps Validating Symbols of Hate
Columnist Duvalier Malone writes that Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves news to immediately take down all symbols of hate, including the state flag, so Mississippi can begin the process of racial healing and reconciliation.
Mayor Lumumba Tests Negative for COVID-19, Urges Continued Vigilance
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba tested negative for COVID-19, Communications Director Candace Cole told the Jackson Free Press yesterday. Lumumba had a mouth swab on May 26 at a mobile testing site at Wood Village Apartments. His wife, Ebony Lumumba, also tested negative to COVID-19.
Hinds Supervisor Archie Wants Police Reform; County Studying Homelessness
Hinds County District 2 Supervisor David L. Archie has called for police reforms in the wake of the death of 46-year-old George Floyd in Minnesota, which led to protests around the world in the last two weeks.
Rabbi Matt Dreffin
Rabbi Matt Dreffin has served as director of education for the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson since 2018.
Mississippi Governor Says Mask-Shaming During Virus is 'Wrong'
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that the state still faces danger from the coronavirus pandemic, and people should not harass or make fun of those who follow public health recommendations to wear masks in public.
Monday, June 8
MDAH Reopening Museums, WAMA Art Moves Us Campaign and MAC Cares Emergency Grant
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History announced that it will reopen the Eudora Welty House & Garden, the Museum of Mississippi History, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the William F. Winter Archives and History Building on July 7.
With 498 Cases, Mississippi’s Sees Largest COVID-19 Day as Storm Threatens
Today sets a new record for COVID-19 as a Mississippi State Department of Health report shows 498 new confirmed cases and 20 new deaths for Sunday as of 6 p.m. Nine of those deaths is from earlier death certificates.
Historic Protests For Black Lives Sweep Mississippi Over Weekend
Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the state of Mississippi this weekend, calling for freedom from racial injustice and an end to police brutality.
Mississippi Inmates Die at Jackson Hospital Days Apart
Two prisoners died in Mississippi over the weekend, bringing the number of inmate deaths in the state's troubled prisons to 46 since late December.
Cristobal Now a Depression Drenching Mississippi River Basin
Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a depression early Monday after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast, sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches, swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida.
Friday, June 5
Governor Sends National Guard to D.C., Unclear Whether Will Patrol Jackson Protests
The State of Mississippi has sent members of the Mississippi National Guard to Washington, D.C., amid the heavy protest actions taking place around the White House and the nation.
Azia’s Virtual Picks 6-5-20
The world is slowly opening back up, the streets are bustling with people back on the grind, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy; but the reality is, we have to adapt to a new “normal” and things are not the same.
Cedrick Wilder
Cedrick Wilder, 46, teaches students both in the classroom and on the football and baseball fields.
$90M Program to Support Low-Income Families in Mississippi
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new $90 million program to reimburse families of Mississippi children who usually receive subsidized meals at school but missed out on the benefit due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dropping Case of White Ex-Cop a 'Knife' to Trust, Rep Says
A Mississippi lawmaker on Thursday criticized the state attorney general's decision to drop the prosecution of a white former police officer who was indicted in the 2015 shooting death of an African American man after a traffic stop.
Mississippi's 2020 Neshoba Fair Canceled Because of Virus
The 2020 edition of “Mississippi's Giant Houseparty,” the Neshoba County Fair, is being canceled because of concern about the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Lumumba Issues Statement in Support of George Floyd Demonstration and Black Lives Matter Movement
“Today, as we all pause to commemorate the life of George Floyd, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. I stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and all of those engaging in civil disobedience against police brutality and the abuse of black bodies across the country and around the world."
Thursday, June 4
MSDH Releases Delayed Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Data
After weeks of refusing, Mississippi State Department of Health last night released the names and counties of long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks.
Mayor: All Jackson Businesses Can Open; Employees Must Wear Masks
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, in an amended ‘Stay Safe Jackson’ executive order taking effect today, loosened restrictions on gatherings and social activities, signaling that the capital city is following the trend across the country.
USM Condensed Fall Semester, JSU Annie Willie Scholarship and MSU Telehealth Psychology
The University of Southern Mississippi recently announced plans to condense its fall 2020 semester calendar to limit incoming and outgoing student travel and help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
Ron Polk
If the college baseball season had not been cut short due to the novel coronavirus, this weekend would feature the Super Regionals in the world of baseball.
Mississippi License Offices to Reopen with Virus Precautions
Mississippi driver’s license offices will reopen Monday after being closed for about two months because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday.
Mississippi Elections Chief Opposes More Mail-in Voting
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson said Wednesday that he opposes widespread use of mail-in voting, even during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mississippi Sends Guard Troops to Washington Amid Unrest
About 400 members of the Mississippi National Guard have been deployed to Washington, D.C., amid mass protests over the killing of an African American man in police custody in Minneapolis.
Wednesday, June 3
Jackson Protest to Honor George Floyd, Call for End to Systemic Racism
Calvert White, vice president of Alcorn State University’s chapter of the NAACP, says George Floyd is a “martyr,” killed by an oppressive power complex that affects everyone in the country.
OPINION: Enough. Remove Symbol of Confederacy from the Mississippi Flag Now.
The state flag of Mississippi needs to have the symbol of the Confederacy removed today. Not after a vote, not after three months of deliberation, not after a committee does a study. Today.
Mississippi to Pay $5M to Settle Food Stamp Data Claims
The Mississippi Department of Human Services will pay $5 million to the federal government to settle claims that it manipulated reporting within a food assistance program and received undeserved performance bonuses.
Tuesday, June 2
Health Officials to Release Names of Long-term Care Facilities With COVID-19 Outbreaks
After reviewing the recent Hinds County Chancery Court ruling regarding the release of possible protected patient information, the Mississippi Attorney General’s office has recommended that the Mississippi State Department of Health release the names of current long-term care facilities that have COVID-19 outbreaks.
Raymond Detention Center Detainee First to Test Positive for COVID-19
A detainee at Hinds County Raymond Detention Center in Raymond has tested positive for COVID-19 after falling ill on Thursday, becoming the first among 371 others detained in the three facilities the Hinds County Sheriff's Office manages as they await trial.
Mackenzie Williams: Theater and Writing Key to Recent Murrah Graduate’s Success
When many people reflect on their high school experiences, they remember the times as difficult ones. Try attending two high schools at the same time, like Mackenzie Williams did.
Report: Half-Billion Gallons of Raw Sewage Leaked into Pearl River
Nearly half a billion gallons of raw sewage leaked into the Pearl River in the first three months of 2020, according to a quarterly report the City of Jackson released.
Mississippi State Senator Stepping Down at End of June
Republican Sen. Gary Jackson of French Camp said Monday that he will resign June 30.
Mississippi Governor: Protests Good, But No Place for 'Agitators'
Protesters marched in Mississippi's capital city on Monday, with some stopping to lie on the ground outside Jackson's main police station to remember George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes.
Luther Munford
Luther Munford, an attorney with Butler Snow in Jackson, received a 2020 Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award from the Burton Awards on May 28.
Sesame Street Donates Books to Jackson Children Facing Digital Divide
Sesame Street has provided learning supplies for children across the Jackson Public School District who do not have internet access at home, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced at a press conference at Bates Elementary School on May 29.
Monday, June 1
Sesame Workshop in Jackson, Babalu Reopens and Fresh Market Father's Day Meals
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, has provided 1,500 distance learning kits to the City to provide JPS students with continuous learning opportunities amid COVID-19-related school closures.
Mississippi Fully Reopens Today After Biggest Week of COVID-19 Cases, Yet
Today marks the “final stage” in Gov. Tate Reeves’ order to reopen the state. All businesses may now open, and the state’s schools may proceed with summer programs.
Mississippi to Restart Inmate Transfers, with Virus Caution
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Department of Corrections says it will soon restart the transfer of inmates from county jails into state prisons and from one prison to another—a practice that has been on hold for about two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mississippi Emergency Leaders: Add Masks to Hurricane Prep
Emergency management officials in Mississippi say that as coastal states face a double threat from hurricane season and the new coronavirus, people need to add masks and other personal protective gear to their severe weather preparation kits.
Protesters in Some Cities Target Confederate Monuments
Protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd, a black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck, targeted Confederate monuments in multiple cities.
Analysis: Budget Writing Complicated by Pandemic Revenue Dip
Mississippi tax collections were robust for the first several months of the budget year that started last July 1. Then the coronavirus pandemic struck, businesses were hobbled by government shutdown orders and the economy started to sputter.
Mississippi Mayor Apologizes for Tweets on George Floyd
A white Mississippi mayor who caused an outrage with his tweets about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has apologized but says he won’t resign, prompting protesters to return to City Hall for a third day Sunday to insist the mayor leave office.