Stories for February 2021

Jackson Water Update: Feb. 28, 2021

Verbatim statement: We had a very good day on Friday, but today the City’s water distribution system struggled to maintain consistent pressure. Pressure levels fluctuated throughout the day reaching a psi in the high 70s, but failed to maintain a consistent enough pressure to allow sustainable flow throughout the city.

Walmart Taking Vaccine Appointments in Jackson, MSDH Releases Map of Shot Options

Partnering with the Jackson Housing Authority and low-income housing company Wishrock, Walmart is administering Pfizer vaccines free of charge at the Golden Key EnVision Center at 3450 Albermarle Road.

Octavia Carson

Octavia Carson has called Jackson home for almost all her life. Her family moved to the capital city when, very early in her childhood, her parents realized that she would require the special services offered by the Mississippi School for the Blind to achieve the education they wanted for her.

City of Jackson Update for Thursday Evening

The City of Jackson is issuing the following updates for Thursday, February 25, 2021, related to the impacts of recent winter weather on the City and the efforts being made.

Mississippi House Kills Proposal for Gas Tax Election

The Mississippi House is backing away from a proposal for a statewide election on increasing gasoline and diesel fuel taxes to pay for improvements to state highways and local roads.

Daggers Drawn: Lumumba and Stokes Trade Blame As City Suffers Water Crisis

Amid a water crisis in the wake of a serious winter-weather storm, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes gave dueling statements during the week, trading accusations of negligence.

New Belhaven Track Facility, JSU Campus Energy Network and USM Black History Month Displays

Belhaven University recently completed construction on a new eight-lane track and field complex. The track facility is located on the north side of the university's campus and extends from the Bitsy Irby building to Belhaven Lake.

Hunter Stanley

University of Southern Mississippi pitcher Hunter Stanley lived up to his Conference USA Preseason All-Conference Team selection. The right-handed pitcher started the season with a nearly flawless performance.

Southern Exposure: Cold Wreaks Havoc on Aging Waterworks

The sunshine is back and the ice has melted. But more than a week after a deep freeze across the South, many communities are still grappling with getting clean water to their citizens.

City of Jackson Update for Wednesday Evening

The City of Jackson is issuing the following updates for Wednesday, February 24, 2021, related to the impacts of recent winter weather on the City and the efforts being made.

Reeves: Vaccinations Available Monday for Teachers and First Responders

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is primed to encompass a broader range of Missisippians this March. In a Feb. 23 press briefing, Gov. Tate Reeves announced that teachers and first responders may schedule their vaccine appointments starting Monday, March 1.

City of Jackson Update for Tuesday Evening

he City of Jackson is issuing the following updates for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, related to the impacts of recent winter weather on the City and efforts being made.

Teachers, First Responders to be Eligible for Vaccine Monday

Mississippi teachers and first responders will be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine starting Monday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday.

Mississippi House Votes to Overhaul Several State Taxes

Mississippi would phase out its personal income tax over 10 years, cut its grocery tax in half over five years and increase many other taxes, under a bill that passed the Republican-controlled state House on Tuesday.

Sekou Smith

Jackson State University recently established the Sekou Smith Journalism Award in honor of its namesake, a JSU alum and NBA reporter and analyst who hosted NBA.com’s “Hang Time” blog and podcast. Smith passed away on Jan. 26 due to complications from COVID-19 at age 48.

Jackson Works Director Details Water System Breakdowns, System Failure Mitigation

As Jacksonians struggle with the aftermath of winter weather that caught the city flatfooted, Director of Works Charles Williams told the city council yesterday that it might happen again soon.

Mississippi House Proposes Several Changes to State Taxes

Mississippi House leaders are pushing to decrease some state taxes and increase others.

City of Jackson Update for Monday Evening

The City of Jackson is issuing the following updates for the evening of Monday, February 22, 2021, related to the impacts of recent winter weather on the City and efforts being made.

Biden to Mourn 500,000 Dead While Balancing Grief and Hope

With sunset remarks and a national moment of silence, President Joe Biden is planning a head-on acknowledgement of the country's once-unimaginable loss—half a million Americans in the COVID-19 pandemic—in striking contrast to the approach of his predecessor.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Jackson Heat Management Grant and Trash Service Resuming

The Mississippi Museum of Art last week announced the winning students from the Mississippi regional competition of the 98th Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Reducing Harsh Sentencing Goal of House Bill to Limit Maximum Sentencing Requirement

With a goal of reducing the harsh sentencing in Mississippi, the House of Representatives has passed HB Bill 796, which would restrict the mandatory maximum sentencing requirement for so-called habitual offenders.

City Hall and Other City Offices to Reopen Monday

Low and no water pressure is still impacting residents across Jackson, but we are continuing to see progress. There is still no definitive timeline for when it will be restored, but crews are continuing to work and we anticipate further improvement as temperatures rise over the next few days.

Proposal: Let Mississippi Voters Decide on Gas Tax Increase

The Mississippi House will consider a bill that could lead to an increase in gasoline and diesel fuel taxes to pay for improvements to state highways and local roads.

Mississippi Lottery Adds $75M to State Revenue Since July

Mississippi has collected more than $75 million since July 1 from the state lottery.

Mississippi Food Service Firm Gets 4-Year Military Contract

A Mississippi company has a four-year military contract worth up to $86 million for food distribution in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Center Receives Grant for Work Preserving Emmett Till Legacy

A Mississippi institution is receiving a grant to advance its work in teaching people about the legacy of Emmett Till, a Black teenager from Chicago whose lynching by white people in Mississippi in 1955 spurred the civil rights movement.

Analysis: Mississippi Finds Wedge Issue, Even Amid Pandemic

The state Senate voted Feb. 11 to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' or women's sports teams in Mississippi schools, community colleges and universities. No senator asked whether any transgender athlete has tried to compete.

City Distributes Safe Water in Jackson As Winter Storm Effects Continue

The City of Jackson is distributing safe drinking water at six locations throughout Jackson today. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced yesterday that the water is now available at specific times depending on the location.

‘Vaccination Day’ Postponed in Jackson, New COVID-19 Strain Detected in State

Due to winter weather, Jackson has postponed its first “Vaccination Day” where vulnerable residents were to receive 2,000 vaccine doses.

Azia’s Picks 2-19-21

Once it's completely safe to travel again, if you’re looking for something fun to get into, whether virtually or mingling with friends and family publically, I hope my picks can get you started.

City Imposes Night Security Requirement on Jackson Convenience Stores

Convenient stores in Jackson must have security personnel between midnight and 5 a.m., under an ordinance the city council passed to help curb crime.

Weather Knocks Out Water in Parts of Mississippi, Louisiana

Icy winter weather has left most of the 161,000 residents of Mississippi's capital with little or no running water for days, and the mayor says it's unclear when water service will be restored.

Mississippi Senate Works to Revise Business Incentives

The Mississippi Senate is pushing to revise tax credits and other incentives for business that move to the state or expand their existing operations.

Diverse Group Receives Mississippi Governor's Arts Awards

An acclaimed author, a prolific songwriter and a group of small-town quilters are among this year's recipients of the Mississippi Governor's Arts Awards.

City of Jackson Water Distribution Locations and Schedule

The City of Jackson has arranged for water distribution at the following locations for Friday, Feb. 19. Please bring containers for non-potable water.

Boil Water Notice

Due to the extreme cold weather and low temperatures, there have been a number of water main breaks on the City of Jackson’s Well Water System. This has caused an inability to maintain system pressure and some areas may experience low to no water pressure.

Formerly Incarcerated Would Get Mental Health Care Under Jackson Rep’s Bill

Former Mississippi Department of Corrections inmates with mental-health challenges will be able to get more help from community health centers if the Mississippi Legislature passes House Bill 1341.

Nikelle Galatas

Jackson State University pitcher Nikelle Galatas was named SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. He also was named Preseason First-Team All-SWAC as voted by coaches and sports information directors.

JSU Black History Month Segments and MSU Public Online Resource Training

In honor of Black History Month, Jackson State University’s Concert Chorale recently performed a spiritual rendition of “Lord, How Come We Here,” which the university presented online in partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.

Frigid Temps Cause Some Problems in Mississippi Prisons

Days of freezing temperatures caused heating and cooking problems in some Mississippi prisons this week, Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain said.

City of Jackson Continues to Monitor Weather Impacts

The City of Jackson issued updates this afternoon related to cold weather impacting the area.

City Monitoring Water Pressure, Road Hazards Amid Cold Weather

The City is aware that residents throughout the Jackson area are experiencing low or no water pressure at this time and is working to get it restored.

Jacori Daniels

Jacori Daniels, president of the Jackson State University Student Government Association, came into his position in April 2020 and found himself immediately faced with challenges on campus from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conversation with JPS Principals: Navigating the Pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis first led to suspension of school grading last year. Now, the 12-member Mississippi Board of Education suspended the same for the 2020-2021 school year, so schools and districts will not be assigned A-F letter grades for their performance on federal and state tests.

City-Wide Boil Water Notice

Due to the extreme cold weather and low temperatures, the City of Jackson Water Treatment Plants are experiencing an inability to maintain pressure in the distribution system.

Campbell's Craft Donuts Closure, Virtual St. Paddy's Parade and Fresh Market Lent Dishes

Campbell's Craft Donuts, a branch of Campbell's Bakery located at the currently in-development Belhaven Town Center, closed its doors on Sunday, Feb. 14, due to lack of business and other complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capitol Police Could Gain Extradition Power Inside Jackson Under Divisive Bill

Mississippi Capitol Police are set to gain lead jurisdiction in parts of Jackson, as well as the ability to eject those it arrests on misdemeanor charges out of Hinds County, if a bill that passed the Mississippi Senate last week becomes law.

Sheena Johnson

After spending her early life in Raleigh, Miss., an hour southeast of the state’s capital, Sheena Johnson packed her bags at the age of 18 and headed for New Orleans.

More Than $11 Million in COVID Aid Awarded to Airports

Mississippi's airports are receiving $11.6 million from the federal government to help with revenue lost due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mississippi Could Set Deadline for Posting Campaign Reports

Mississippi’s secretary of state could soon face a strict deadline for posting campaign finance reports, a demand the office says it is not equipped to handle without more employees to carry the workload.

Coronavirus Variant from England Discovered in Mississippi

A coronavirus variant first identified in England has been discovered for the first time in Mississippi, state health officials said Monday.

Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson Sues Trump Over Role in Capitol Riot

Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, accused Donald Trump in a federal lawsuit on Tuesday of inciting the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Mayor Lumumba Further Extends Curfew Order for Jackson Youth

City of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has again extended the Mayoral Curfew Order for minors under the age of 18 years initially issued on Feb. 3.

Weather Closures: JSU, Belhaven Cancel Classes; MSDH Closes Vaccine Sites

Jackson State University and Belhaven University have announced closures due to weather on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Civil Emergency for Inclement Weather in Jackson

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba this evening issued a proclamation declaring a civil emergency for the entire City of Jackson in anticipation of inclement weather over the weekend and into next week.

JPS Winter Weather Alert for Feb. 15 and 16

Due to the threat of inclement winter weather conditions, all JPS schools will be all virtual on Monday, Feb. 15, and Tuesday, Feb. 16. There will be no in-person learning.

City Hall, Non-Essential Offices Reopening After President's Day

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba confirmed that he will not further extend the executive order that has kept City Hall and other non-essential city offices closed to the public since the holidays due to Covid-19 concerns.

Valentine's Day 2021

Jackson couples have plenty of options to choose from local businesses and restaurants to treat their partner to a special evening this Valentine’s Day.

City Opens Poll-Workers Application, Lynch Street Resurfacing Complete

The City of Jackson seeks 679 poll workers to cover the 82 voting precincts for the April 6 primary, April 27 run-off and June 8 general election for mayor and council seats.

34 Candidates Total: Mayor, Jackson City Council Leaders Face Primary Challengers on April 6

By the Feb. 5 deadline, 21 candidates had officially signed up for City of Jackson municipal elections. No new mayoral candidates filed to challenge Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba since January.

Azia’s Picks, Valentine’s Day Edition 2-5-21

If you are trying to get out and get involved in some lovey, dovey activities to share with partners or—for us single folks—find creative ways to share love with your friends and family, check out my picks.

Mississippi Senate: Ban Transgender Athletes on Female Teams

Transgender athletes would be banned from competing in girls' or women's sports in Mississippi schools and universities, under a bill that advanced in the Republican-controlled state Senate late Thursday night.

Mississippi Senate Revives Medical Marijuana Tax Proposal

The Mississippi Senate did an about-face on a proposal to set a 7% sales tax on medical marijuana, first killing a bill and then reviving it hours later in an unusual session after midnight.

CDC Suggests Double Masking as Walmart Begins Mississippi Vaccinations

New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that under certain circumstances, wearing two masks can provide more protection than simply wearing one.

Alcorn State Opts Out of Spring Season

The overwhelming favorite to win the Southwestern Conference East title won’t play a spring 2021 season. Alcorn State University decided to opt out of spring football when the school made the announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Belhaven Builds COVID Center, JSU Business Partnership and USM VET Program

Belhaven University recently announced that it has completed construction on its own COVID-19 testing center to track asymptomatic students, faculty and staff.

Mississippi Appointing 8 Judges to Help Reduce Hinds County Case Backlog

Mississippi is spending $5 million of federal coronavirus aid to appoint eight senior judges to help reduce the backlog in the Hinds County court system.

GOP-Led Mississippi Senate OKs Faster Purge of Voter Rolls

A sharply divided Mississippi Senate voted Wednesday to speed up the process of purging inactive voters' names from election rolls. proposed legislationproposed legislation. The bill passed 36-16, with all the support coming from Republicans and all the opposition from Democrats.

City Gets Art, Climate Change-Mitigation Grants, Fitness Court

Seven Jacksonians will explore the intersection of arts and social justice to create change and to address prevailing arts grantmaking inequities.

Tiffany Graves

Raised in Winchester, Va., Tiffany Graves cherished dreams of becoming a pediatrician, but when she reached the advanced courses in her high school science curriculum, she began contemplating a change in career paths.

Four Nominees Are Confirmed to Education Boards in Mississippi

The Mississippi Senate on Tuesday confirmed three people to the state Board of Education and one to the state Charter School Authorizer Board.

Mississippi Pushes to OK College Athletes' Earning on Image

Mississippi legislators are pushing forward with proposals to let college athletes earn money from their own name, image or likeness.

Mississippi Senate Rejects 2 Proposals to Expand Medicaid

The Mississippi Senate on Tuesday rejected two proposals to expand Medicaid to people who work low-wage jobs that don't provide private health insurance.

Mayor Lumumba Extends Civil Emergency, Curfew Order

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba extended the Proclamation of Civil Emergency and Mayoral Curfew Order for minors under the age of 18 years initially issued last week.

Brian Pugh

Mississippi Business Journal recently named Jackson State University alum Brian Pugh, executive director of the Stennis Center for Public Service, as Top Person of the Year for Mississippi's Top 50 Under 40 Business Leaders for 2020.

Mississippi: 2% of COVID Vaccines Go to Out-of-State People

About 2% of the COVID-19 vaccinations given so far in Mississippi have gone to people with out-of-state addresses, state health officials said Monday.

New Boost for Minority Businesses in Underserved Communities

Small minority-owned businesses have often struggled to gain access to capital and other tools to grow, a challenge made more daunting by the economic upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic. But a new effort announced Tuesday aims to address those disparities in pockets of the nation long gripped by poverty.

Virtual Ignite the Night, New Museum of Art Exhibit and Boychoir Virtual Valentines

The Mississippi Children's Museum recently announced that it will hold its annual fundraiser event, Ignite the Night, virtually for 2021.

Caught in Water-Billing Hell: Jackson Citizens Seek Justice for Enormous Bills

Barbara Tadley wants the water to her hotel turned back on for her to start receiving guests again after shutting down in June 2020.

Analysis: Capitol Action Could Affect Wallets and Leisure

Mississippi legislators are making decisions that could affect people's wallets and change some of their leisure activities.

No COVID-19 Variant Cases Found Yet in Mississippi

Health officials have not yet identified any cases of the new and highly contagious U.K. coronavirus variant in Mississippi, even as the variant has appeared in neighboring states, State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said Friday.

Mississippi Could Erase Licensing for Some Types of Jobs

Mississippi could do away with licensing requirements for certain professions, a move supporters say could eliminate barriers to more people entering the workforce.

Violence Experts: Mayor's Youth Curfew Order May Prove Counterproductive

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba imposed a five-day curfew order for those under age 18 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. due to rising crime in the capital city.

Azia's Picks 2-5-21

I challenge us all to take our learning and including Black history to a deeper level this year. Do some private research into the rich history of Mississippi and maybe find a new Black hero or shero to learn more about or to simply be inspired by.

Mississippi Looks to Create Loan Repayment for Teachers

Mississippi could create a program for the state to pay off some college loans for people who become teachers.

Lawmakers Debate Multiple Felony Expungement for Nonviolent Offenders

Mississippi lawmakers are considering a proposal that would give nonviolent offenders a chance to get more felony convictions wiped from their record.

Mississippi Senate Passes 'Revenge Porn' Bill, Moves to House

Mississippi could join most other states in punishing people for “revenge porn.”

Best of Jackson 2021

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food—you get the idea. There's nothing to us more local than Best of Jackson.

Lumumba Issues Civil Emergency, Curfew Order for Jackson Youth

In response to the recent uptick in violent crime within the City of Jackson, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued both a Mayoral Proclamation of Civil Emergency and a Mayoral Curfew Order for minors under the age of eighteen.

City Leaders Call Out State for Leaving Out Jackson in Initial COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Jackson City Council is kicking against the State of Mississippi for what it is calling neglectful COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the majority-Black capital city.

MSU Virtual Greenhouse and Endowed Fellowship, USM Feeding Local Veterans

Mississippi State University recently launched a 3D virtual-reality greenhouse project as part of its Future Growers Technology Initiative.

Mississippian Spotlight in Super Bowl LV

Super Bowl LV is going to happen on Sunday, Feb. 7, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing the Kansas City Chiefs. As with every Super Bowl, there are plenty of storylines leading up to the big game.

Rule Prevents Video of 'Gotcha' Moments in Mississippi House

Mississippi House members adopted a new rule Wednesday that bans people from taking videos of lawmakers on the House floor to capture what one leader called “gotcha” moments.

Mississippi Board Sets Timeline to Start Medical Marijuana

Regulations for a medical marijuana program in Mississippi will be in place by a July 1 deadline, members of the state Board of Health said Wednesday. But they cautioned that it's unclear how soon marijuana might be available to patients.

Mississippi Governor Extends Mask Mandate for Most of State

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is extending an order that requires people to wear masks in public places in most parts of the state, to guard against spread of the coronavirus.

Governor Tate Reeves Extends Current Executive Order

Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced the decision to extend Executive Order 1535 and Executive Order 1536 until Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 5 p.m.