News

Un(re)solved at Two Mississippi Museums, TECH JXN and Simply Salad

The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson opened a new traveling augmented-reality exhibit from PBS Frontline called Un(re)solved on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Mayor Declares State of Emergency As Waste Disposal Negotiations Hit Snag

Getting a garbage-collection contract for the City of Jackson is coming down to the wire after Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba declared a state of emergency on Friday, Sept. 17, saying that Waste Management is "attempting to strong-arm" the City into a “lengthy contract."

Pediatric Diabetes Surge in Mississippi: Doctors Concerned COVID-19 Is To Blame

With each passing month of the pandemic, Dr. Jessica Lilley has grown increasingly concerned that COVID-19 is linked to a massive increase in new diagnoses of pediatric diabetes throughout Mississippi.

Weekend Picks 9/17/2021

It’s the weekend again, and there’s lots going on in the capital city to keep you entertained. You can stretch your legs in a 5k race, or your mind at the Mississippi Science fest.

Mississippi COVID-19 Death Rates Highest In U.S.; Booster Shots Available for Many

Even as Mississippi’s COVID-19 infection rates are beginning to slightly decrease from the midsummer high, the state now leads not only the country but almost the entire world in deaths per capita, as Ashton Pittman first reported in the Mississippi Free Press Tuesday.

JSU HBCU Technology Conference, MSU-SEAS Program and USM Gulf Park Pantry

Jackson State University is one of several historically Black colleges and universities convening with major corporations in September at the inaugural HBCU Technology Conference, which aims to address the racial divide in STEM education and careers.

Shedeur Sanders

Sanders, son of Jackson State University head coach Deion Sanders, enjoyed his best game as a college football player. He threw for 362 yards on 30 of 40 passing with three touchdowns.

Lawmakers Consider Teacher Pay, Insurance Cost for Families

A Mississippi public school teacher with 15 years of experience providing health insurance for their family took home just under $30,000 a year in net pay in 2020, a “shocking number,” a policy adviser with the Southern Regional Education Board told state lawmakers Wednesday.

Illegal Dumping: City-wide Clean-up Planned

It will take a city-wide cleanup effort to move the needle against the menace of illegal dumping in Jackson, Solid Waste Division Manager Lakesha Weathers told the city council at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Roderick Little

Dockers recently featured Roderick Little, director of bands at Jackson State University, in the most recent entry of its "Recognize" storytelling series, which features regular interviews with African Americans who have had a profound influence on their local communities.

Doctors: Pregnant Mississippians Need COVID-19 Vaccine With Infections, Deaths Up

Mothers-to-be are at an inherently higher risk of complications due to COVID-19 infection, leadership from the Mississippi State Medical Association said at a Sept. 10 press briefing aimed at promoting vaccination in expectant moms.

State Medical Board May Revoke Licenses of Mississippi Physicians Who Spread COVID-19 Misinformation

Physicians who spread misinformation about COVID-19 in person or on social media may have their medical license suspended or revoked after a strong statement from the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.

Rethreads Opening, 2021 Virtual WellsFest, and Van's CCG Anniversary and Alzheimer’s Fundraiser

Repeat Street, a Ridgeland consignment store specializing in contemporary and vintage clothing, furniture and accessories, remodeled its second building and turned it into a new clothing store called Rethreads on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Jackson Planning Director Confirmed As Two Councilmen Question Her Record

Two Jackson City Council members voted against Director of Planning and Development Jordan Hillman's official confirmation to a new term on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Analysis: Mississippi Examines Help for Departing Inmates

A Mississippi law that took effect July 1 expands parole eligibility, and lawmakers are looking at programs that could help people make the transition from prison back into the free world.

Weekend Picks 9-10-2021

I’ve picked a few highlights to give you a taste of what’s out there this weekend–with a focus on virtual and outdoor events, and indoor events that have COVID safety protocols in place.

Gov. Reeves Vows to Stop Biden’s New Federal Vaccine Requirements

As part of a new federal COVID-19 action plan, President Joe Biden introduced broad new vaccine requirements for both public and private-sector workers, potentially affecting as many as 100 million Americans.

USM National Juried Painting Exhibition, JSU Digital Tele-Health Hub and MSU Wildfire Project

The Museum of Art in the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Performing and Visual Arts is hosting its biennial 2021 National Juried Painting Exhibition through Oct.1 at the university's Hattiesburg campus.

Lawsuit: Farm Hired White Immigrants Over Black US Laborers

Six Black farmworkers in Mississippi say in a new lawsuit that their former employer brought white laborers from South Africa to do the same jobs they were doing, and that the farm has been violating federal law by paying the white immigrants more for the same type of work.

Interim Hinds County Sheriff Moves to Curtail Violent Crime with Gun Suppression Unit

Interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler plans to set up a gun suppression unit to arrest convicted felons caught with guns.

Aubrey Miller

Jackson State University opened the 2021 season against Southwestern Conference newcomer Florida A&M University. The Tigers and the Rattlers faced off in the Denny’s Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Mississippi Closes Field Hospitals, Reports Baby COVID Death

Mississippi is closing its only remaining parking garage field hospital set up to treat coronavirus patients during the delta variant surge, but it is still relying on out-of-state workers to help increase ICU capacity in state hospitals, officials said Wednesday.

Where The Devil Comes In: Income Tax On Trial At The Mississippi Legislature

Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, who represents a certified retirement city, is concerned that eliminating the state income tax and raising the sales tax would harm the older residents of his district.

JPS Hosting Vaccination Events Today, Tomorrow

The Jackson Public School District is hosting COVID-19 vaccination events at its middle schools today and tomorrow, where students over age 12 are eligible to receive their first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine.

Maruice Mangum

Jackson State University named Maruice Mangum, who previously served as chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Alabama A&M University, as chair of the JSU Department of Political Science in August.

Invisible Histories Project, MHC COVID Recovery Grants and Musical Expressions Experience

The Mississippi Museum of Art is hosting a Community Mapping Activity with the Invisible Histories Project on Friday, Sept. 10, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Jackson Rescinds $1 Million Plan to Rent Misdemeanor Jail Space, Fund Deputies

The Jackson City Council has reversed its controversial 2020 decision to use $500,000 to rent jail spaces in Holmes and Yazoo counties for people charged with low-level misdemeanors in the capital city, as well as to direct $500,000 to deploy an increased number of Hinds County deputy sheriffs to the city.

Ellington