Wednesday, June 30
MSU Baseball Brings Home First Ever National Championship for Mississippi State University
When third baseman Kamren James threw to first for the final out, the Bulldogs’ dugout emptied and about 100 fans jumped out of the stands to celebrate as Josh Hatcher waved a national championship flag around the infield. The players then walked the warning track reaching up to high-five the fans.
New Occupational Licensing Law Goes into Effect This Week
A new law goes into effect this week that allows people who move to Mississippi from out-of-state to maintain their professional licenses.
Mississippi Brewery Road Map
The Magnolia State harbors more than a dozen locally owned breweries that supply Mississippians and travelers alike with a variety of stouts, sours and everything in-between.
Jackson Mid-Year Progress Report
With 2021 already halfway behind us, let’s review some of the openings, expansions, nonprofit initiatives and updates that the metro area has seen since January.
Beyond English Provides More than Language Lessons
In 2018, Xiwei “Aaron” Wu and his wife, Langshan Song, both natives of China who learned English as a second language, founded Beyond English as a way to help students in China, Japan and the Jackson metro better learn English.
Rapper D.O.N.O Vegas Brings Bright Lights, Big City to Jackson
Kevin McGhee, who goes by the stage name D.O.N.O. Vegas, released “No Excuses” last summer during the pandemic. The album has since become his most popular release, and he hopes to create a spiritual successor to the album with his upcoming “Stil No Excuses,” which he plans to release this summer.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Own ‘Fit to Eat’ Aires Nationally on Create TV
“Fit to Eat,” an original program created by Mississippi Public Broadcasting, is now officially part of the Create® TV channel’s lineup, airing nationwide on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.
2021 Metro Restaurant Debuts
Since January, the metro has welcomed new restaurants presenting foodstuffs from varying culinary backgrounds.
Jefferson’s Grill: Barbecue Advice from an Old-School Pitmaster
Jackson native Roche Jefferson entered the food industry around nine years ago, working as a manager for two years before opening his own restaurant and catering service, Jefferson’s Grill.
Best of Jackson: Home Services 2021
Even the best of homes and office spaces sometimes need touching up in one form or another. To help you determine who you decide to call when such situations arise, the Jackson Free Press readers chose the best hardworking service providers of various vital home needs.
OPINION: To Maintain a Legacy or Start Afresh? Questions Surround Veterans Memorial Stadium’s Fate
"Football is a contact sport. In addition to the ever-present risk of life-threatening injuries, our recent COVID-19 experience suggests a facility big enough to maintain social distancing is important."
A New Model to Solve Water Billing Problem?
Department of Public Works Deputy Director Carla Dazet gave an abysmal picture of the state of water billing in the capital city at the May 20, 2021, Jackson City Council Meeting.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: On Hope, Travel and Award-Winning Journalism Teams
"Here on the first anniversary of the old flag coming down, driving Mississippi reminds you of all of the integration work that white Mississippians have yet even to attempt. Taking down the flag and statues is just table stakes."
Laura Lillard
If you spot a cereus flower in your neighborhood, chances are that Laura Lillard has been there. This night-blooming succulent has since become a favorite of Lillard’s after she developed a passion toward gardening following her move to Mississippi at 10 years old.
Tuesday, June 29
Rescuing Human Trafficking Victims in Mississippi
The Pearl-based nonprofit Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention announced it was doubling the accommodation space for human trafficking survivors and their children on Thursday, June 24.
Harvey Fiser
Millsaps College appointed Harvey Fiser, a professor of business law, as interim dean of the college's Else School of Management on June 1.
Mississippi Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Medical Marijuana
Two prominent Mississippi physicians urged lawmakers Monday to put “guardrails” in place if medical marijuana is legalized in the state, warning that officials should be careful about making a product available that has not been thoroughly tested by the FDA—especially when it comes to children.
Monday, June 28
Northtown Pharmacy, Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Outlets Summer Carnival
Dr. Andrew Clark, a Jackson resident who has practiced as a pharmacist for 15 years, opened his own pharmacy called Northtown Pharmacy in northeast Jackson on June 1.
COVID-19 Delta Variant Spreading Through Central Mississippi
The more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 may have been spreading throughout the state for weeks now, with Mississippi health officials seeing central Mississippi as a potential hotspot.
Case Files on 1964 Civil Rights Worker Killings Made Public
Never before seen case files, photographs and other records documenting the investigation into the infamous slayings of three civil rights workers in Mississippi are now open to the public for the first time, 57 years after their deaths.
Friday, June 25
'Disappointed in Jackson': Woman Lost Home to Fire, Blames Slow Fire Dept. Response
Carolyn Johnson, a nursing assistant, lost all her belongings to a fire outbreak in her home on Burton Street on the night of Thursday, June 17, 2021. She blamed the slow response of the Jackson Fire Department for her loss.
MSU Southeast Emmy Awards and 2021 Conservation Camp, USM Opening Biloxi Cyber Center
The Mississippi State University Television Center recently won four 2021 Southeast Emmy Awards for its documentary “It’s a Journey” during a virtual presentation on Saturday, June 19.
Shaye’s Weekend Picks 6-25-21
The weekend is here and, once again, there are plenty of options around town to get everyone out of the house and making the most of their summer. Whatever that means for you, there is probably something that will appeal to you on our events calendar.
Civil Rights Trail Book Aims to Make History Easy to Digest
By highlighting cities that played host to significant events during the civil rights movement, a new book aims to make that complex history easier to understand and to pass its legacy on to younger generations.
Thursday, June 24
New Tool Helping Identify Vaccine Deserts Across Mississippi As Variants Loom
The Mississippi State Department of Health plans to open up more relevant pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites in coming weeks with the aid of a newly launched tool called the “Vaccine Equity Planner.”
MSU Earns Two Thrilling Wins in CWS
Fans of Mississippi State University baseball are enjoying a thrill ride at the 2021 College World Series. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in two vastly different wins and both were nailbitters that kept fans on the edge of their seat till the end.
Auditor: Mississippi Erred on $117M in Unemployment Benefits
The state of Mississippi erroneously paid out more than $117 million in unemployment benefits last year and during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, State Auditor Shad White said.
Wednesday, June 23
‘This is Important for Your Health’: FLOTUS Visits Jackson to Push Vaccinations
Dr. Jill Biden held 13-year-old Christian Lyles, as he received vaccinations at Jackson State University, during her visit to the school on Tuesday, June 22, as part of White House's drive to shore up vaccination numbers in Mississippi.
Teens, Young Adults in Foster System Eligible for Grants
Mississippi teenagers and young adults who have spent time in the foster care system are now eligible for federal grants worth thousands of dollars to help pay for school, a car or other expenses.
Tuesday, June 22
First Lady Jill Biden To Visit Jackson, Promote Vaccine Outreach
First Lady Jill Biden is on a tour across the south, along with other members of President Joe Biden’s administration, to promote vaccine awareness and outreach.
Megan James
Millsaps College recently named Megan James, who has served as alumni engagement associate at the University of Mississippi Medical Center since 2016, as its new dean of students. James assumed the post on Monday, June 21.
Water Problems Continue for About 2,000 Jackson Residents
About 2,000 water customers in Jackson are still advised to boil their water amid ongoing repairs to the city’s water systems.
Monday, June 21
Hattie's Chicken and Waffles, Fondren Live and Lap of Love
Carlton Brown, a Jackson-born resident of Houston, Texas, plans to open a new restaurant in south Jackson called Hattie’s Chicken and Waffles, LLC by July 23.
State Senator Slams Voter Suppression Efforts at Black Voters Matter Rally in Jackson
Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Sen. Angela Turner Ford, D-West Point, said on July 19 that attempts to purge voter rolls in Mississippi risk disenfranchising many people.
Analysis: New Laws Affect Alcohol, Elections and Autopsies
Several new laws take effect July 1 in Mississippi, including one that will allow home delivery of liquor, wine or beer from local stores.
Friday, June 18
Veronica Cohen
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education recently selected Veronica Cohen, vice president of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at Jackson State University, as a member of the 2021 CASE District III Cabinet.
MSU Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program, Bulldog Bash and JSU Literacy Grant
Mississippi State University is currently hosting its Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program. Nearly 100 Mississippi high school students from 13 rural districts are taking part in the program, which is currently in its second week.
Weekend Picks 6/18/21
Whether you’re looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine, or you prefer air-conditioned activities, you should be able to find something you’ll like on our events calendar. Get out there and enjoy them, all you fully-vaccinated people!
Thursday, June 17
MSU Reaches the College World Series
Mississippi State University didn’t have the best postseason start, as the Bulldogs were bounced quickly out of the Southeastern Conference tournament. MSU ended up being routed by the University of Florida 1-13 and the University of Tennessee 2-12.
Jackson Water: City Plans Lead Testing of Every Line, Debt Forgiveness
The plan to overhaul the water-billing system in the City of Jackson will include testing each property for levels of lead, Public Works Department Deputy Director Carla Dazet told the Jackson Free Press in an interview on Tuesday, June 15.
Business Leaders Discuss How New Flag Impacts State Economy
A prominent Mississippi business leader said Wednesday the decision to change the state's flag has removed a “significant impediment” to economic development in Mississippi.
Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Obama Era Health Law
The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the Obama era health care law, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
Wednesday, June 16
Reeves Supports Special Session To Reimplement Medical Marijuana
The question surrounding the reinstatement of Mississippi’s medical marijuana program may be drawing closer to an answer this week, after Gov. Tate Reeves announced his support for a legislative special session in a Tuesday press briefing.
Tasha Bibb
Tasha Bibb loves to help Mississippi’s potential entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality.
Tuesday, June 15
Construction Starts For New Fire Station; Jackson's Juneteenth Celebration
A new fire station, Fire Station #20, is under construction to replace an old one falling into disrepair along Medgar Evers Boulevard.
Managed Care Firm and Mississippi Reach Lawsuit Settlement
A managed care company has agreed to pay Mississippi $55.5 million to settle a lawsuit that accused one of its subsidiaries of overcharging the state's Medicaid program for pharmacy benefits management.
Man Pleads Guilty in Charge Linked to 2019 Immigration Raids
A man who worked as an employee services contractor at a Mississippi poultry processing plant pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge connected to one of the largest workplace immigration raids in the U.S. in the past decade.
Highway Named for Ex-Lawmaker Who Worked for Road Expansion
Friends, family and former colleagues gathered Monday in Booneville to remember former Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy and to unveil a sign that names a segment of a highway in his honor.
Monday, June 14
Vaccine Hesitancy ‘Pitiful,’ Dobbs Says As Hospitalizations Up for Under-40 Residents
COVID-19 hospitalizations among younger Mississippians have increased in recent weeks, due to low vaccination rates compared with the state’s older population.
District Donuts in Belhaven, AmeriCorps Classes, BeastCore Fitness and Jackson Public Pools
The Belhaven Town Center recently announced that New Orleans-based District Donuts Sliders Brew will take over the space that formerly housed Campbell's Craft Donuts during summer 2021.
Commission Accepting Nominations for Governor's Arts Awards
The Mississippi Arts Commission is accepting nominations for the 2022 Governor’s Arts Awards. The annual awards recognize people and organizations that have made noteworthy contributions to the arts in the state of Mississippi.
Friday, June 11
Weekend Picks 6-11-21
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, a night out with friends, or just a reason to get out and enjoy the sunshine after all the rain this week, there’s something going on in the metro area for you.
Drag Racing and Stopping Traffic: City Adds Vehicle Towing Penalty for First Offense
Anyone who participates in drag racing in the Jackson city limits risks officials towing their vehicle, in addition to possible fines and jail time, a new ordinance indicates.
Martha White Dies, Sparked '53 Louisiana Capital Bus Boycott
Martha White, a Black woman whose actions helped launch the 1953 bus boycotts in Louisiana's capital city, has died. She was 99.
Tim Elko
In a winner take all final game of the regional, the Rebels held off the Golden Eagles to win 12-9. It took some heroics from senior Tim Elko for the Rebels to advance.
New Construction at USM, PRAM Awards and PBS Documentary at MSU
The University of Southern Mississippi has launched a series of construction projects to improve accessibility and mobility on its Hattiesburg campus, including a pedestrian pathway and additional parking.
Thursday, June 10
Dobbs Say ‘We Need To Do Better’ on Vaccine, Reaching Latinx Communities
State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs has decried vaccine hesitancy and urged vaccination for those who qualify. He joined an online panel on June 7, 2021, to speak about progress the state still needs to make.
Dale Danks Jr.
Former attorney and Jackson mayor Alney Dale Danks Jr. died shortly after being hospitalized due to complications from a stroke on Wednesday, June 9. He was 81 years old.
Wednesday, June 9
Lumumba Wins Re-Election as Jackson Mayor; Two Freshly Elected to City Council
After garnering just shy of 70% of the votes in a field of five mayoral candidates, incumbent City of Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba emerged the winner and will serve four more years.
Crews Work on Jackson Water Pumps, but Rain Could Delay Fix
Officials in Jackson say crews are working to fix ongoing problems with water pumps, but warn that weather could affect the pace of the work. About 2,000 residents are under a precautionary boil water notice, WAPT-TV reported.
Tuesday, June 8
Jackson Holds Municipal Election Until 7 p.m. Today As Water Woes Continue
Three independents, one Republican and one Democrat are on the ballot for today's Jackson mayoral election.
Thomas Hudson
The United Negro College Fund and the Higher Education Leadership Foundation recently named Jackson State University President Thomas K. Hudson as one of eight historically black college or university presidents taking part in the inaugural Presidential Leadership Institute cohort.
Gov. Supports 'Will of Voters' on Issue of Medical Marijuana
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says he wants legislators to put a medical marijuana program into state law after the state Supreme Court recently overturned one that voters approved.
Monday, June 7
WonderBox at the Children's Museum, New Restaurants at the Outlets and Fresh Market Father's Day Meals
The Mississippi Children’s Museum will open a new exhibit titled "WonderBox" on Friday, June 18. WonderBox is a 1,500-square-foot makerspace exhibit that will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Dobbs Says Apathy Responsible for Low Vaccination Rate
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Friday that lack of access isn’t the reason the state is last in the nation for COVID-19 vaccinations—it’s apathy.
Many Mississipians Opt out of Available Vaccines, State Behind in Vaccinations
A new report by Mississippi's Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shows that Mississippi spends less per pupil than each of its surrounding states—Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama.
Friday, June 4
Lawmakers Discuss Future of Medical Marijuana in Mississippi
The leader of the organization that sponsored the voter-approved Mississippi medical marijuana initiative that was recently blocked in court says the program should be changed and improved by the state Legislature—but not by too much.
Weekend Picks 6/3/21
It’s looking like we may be in for some rain over the next few days. But after being stuck at home all year, we’re not going to let a little rain keep us from enjoying the weekend, are we? Here are a few ideas for ways to keep dry and enjoy your hard-earned weekend.
MSU, UM and USM Make College Baseball Regional
After being cancelled in 2020, the NCAA College Baseball Tournament returns for 2021. The field features three teams from our state as Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi each made a regional.
Jackson Zoo Workers Move From Contract Positions to Become City Employees
The status of workers at the city's zoo will change from contract employees to city employees starting Sunday, June 6.
Thursday, June 3
CDC Investigating Possible Link Between Vaccines, ‘Exceedingly Rare’ Myocarditis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating whether an uptick in heart inflammation across the United States might be related to COVID-19 vaccinations, after reviewing data from the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, or VAERS.
MSU Professor Receives DOE Award, JSU Alum Building Youth Golf Course and USM Eagle Direct Textbooks
Kun Wang, an assistant professor with joint Mississippi State University appointments in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Chemistry, recently became one of 51 university-employed scientists nationwide to receive $750,000 in funding from the United States Department of Energy Office of Science Early Career Research Program as part of DOE's early career awards.
Mississippi Teen Fatally Shot Hours After Graduation
Kennedy Hobbs was shot three times at a Texaco gas station in Jackson, hours after her graduation ceremony at Murrah High School. She died at the scene just before 11 p.m., Jackson Police Department spokesman Sam Brown said.
Mississippi Governor's Chief of Staff to Lead MDOT
Gov. Tate Reeves' chief of staff, Brad White, has been appointed to lead the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
Wednesday, June 2
Guys We Love 2021
This month, the Jackson Free Press pays tribute to men from the metro who give back to their communities or otherwise have endeavored to better the city we call home through their arts, careers and service.
Sunflower Oven: Proving Bread and Baking Bliss
Chicago-born Jackson transplant Robert Raymond has been enriching the metro-baking scene with his artisanal bread since opening Sunflower Oven in 2017.
An Examination of ‘The Last Soul Company: The Malaco Records Story’
Malaco Records's success was synonymous with the success of its Black artists, who pioneered the stylings and sounds that helped the label stay afloat even during the rocky years when disco dominated the charts.
Jackson Teen Completes over 2,000 Volunteer Hours
When he was about 5 years old, Dillan Evan's mother sat him down and talked to him about the importance of community service.
Mississippi College Is ‘Lit’ Over New National Chief Reader
Dr. Steve Price will soon make history by joining an elite group of educators across the world. The College Board has named him as the new national chief reader for the Advanced Placement Literature exam.
Shellheads: Fans Talk on the Heroes in a Half-Shell
Sergio Lugo II also serves as a host for Reality Breached, a podcast that developed into a network for additional locally produced podcasts.
Father's Day Gift Fix
Whether the dad in your life is a grill master, a skater dad or something in-between, you can find a gift to make his day at one of the Jackson area's many local businesses.
Ex-Publisher Nominated for Mississippi Board of Education
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Tuesday that he is nominating a former newspaper publisher to the state Board of Education, to finish a term that ends in July 2024.
OPINION: Size Matters; Mixed Conservative Messages Pervade Mississippi Amid Pandemic
"Sen. Wicker, conservative Republican that he is, also believes in 'limited government,' except when he doesn't: as when he successfully pushed spending $28.6 billion to aid all those struggling restaurants across the country."
Initiative Process Rests in Governor’s Hands
The deadline for Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson to petition the state Supreme Court for a rehearing regarding a popular voter-mandated medical marijuana program has come and gone.
Violence in the City: Victims’ Families Seek Closure, Police Respect
Radio silence from local law enforcement is a common and historic complaint the Jackson Free Press has long heard from family members who lose their loved ones to gun violence in Jackson.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mississippi, Stop Stacking the Deck. Listen to Your Constituents.
Last fall, approximately 766,000 Mississippians voted to pass Initiative 65, which would have called for the Health Department to launch a medical-marijuana program in the Magnolia State by August 2021.
Rob Hill
Rob Hill spent 12 years as a United Methodist minister in Mississippi, passing 10 of those years behind the pulpit at Broadmeadow United Methodist Church at the top of Fondren before choosing to leave the pastoral ministry.
Tuesday, June 1
USDA Holds Virtual Job Fair; Water Disruption Continues; Murder Sentencing
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has hundreds of immediate job openings available at a virtual job fair scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2.
Broad Street Honoring Lou Gehrig Day, Sanderson Farms Volunteering and Make More Happen Award
In honor of the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day on Wednesday, June 2, Broad Street Baking Company in Jackson is hosting an event in which speaker Katrina Byrd will hold a conversation on "Lou Gehrig's Disease" with free coffee for visitors.
Mississippi Reckons With Ending Pay Boost for the Unemployed
Katrina Folks says she has tried everything she can think of to find work since losing her job in September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Analysis: Reviving Initiative Process Could Invite Mischief
Mississippi legislators can do business the easy way or the hard way if they revive the state's initiative process that was recently invalidated by a state Supreme Court decision.