News

Pamala Heard

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars recently named Pamala Heard, director of Honors Student Services and Activities at Jackson State University, as the 2021 Laura Taddeucci Downs National Advisor of the Year in June.

Nissan Café at Two Mississippi Museums, Habitat Tent Sale and WellsFest 2021

Nick Wallace, founder of Nick Wallace Culinary and Nick Wallace Catering and chef partner at the Capital Club of Jackson, opened a new restaurant called Nissan Café at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson on Tuesday, July 20.

Rental and Utility Assistance Available Through Event on Friday and Saturday

Starting at noon today, Jackson residents can go to the Mississippi Trademart at the Mississippi Fairgrounds for rental assistance through federal financial aid covering 15 months, and utility bill assistance for gas, electricity, water/sewer and trash removal.

MSU New Minors and Student Events, New Minors at USM

Mississippi State University’s Department of Music recently established a new minor in music and culture, which the university will launch this fall at its Starkville campus.

Weekend Picks 7-23-21

We made it through another work week, and we’ve got a little free time ahead of us, so here are a few suggestions for how to spend it. Jackson’s got entertainment options ranging from outdoor movies to indoor rum tastings, with music, shopping, comedy and more in between.

Jackson Reviews Water System Staff to Comply With EPA Order

Officials in Mississippi’s capital city said Thursday that they’re confident they can meet the first deadlines in an agreement with the federal government on steps to improve the quality of Jackson’s drinking water.

CORE Activist George Raymond Immortalized in Arc of Freedom’s New Documentary

Glen Cotton, Christopher Windfield, Corey Redd and Will Kelly answered questions after the screening of their documentary “George Raymond: Thirst For Freedom” for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s “History Is Lunch” series on July 7, 2021.

Mississippi to File Arguments in Landmark Abortion Case

The Mississippi attorney general’s office is expected to file briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to outline the state’s arguments in a case that could upend nearly 50 years of court rulings on abortion rights nationwide.

Fred McNair

Fred McNair took over the Alcorn State University program as head coach on Feb. 2, 2016. The job became open after Jay Hopson left to take a head coaching job at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Jackson Resident Gets $36,000 in Compensation After Sewage Backed Up Twice In Home

Sixty-four-year-old Ruby Holden, who stays at Hickory Cove in Southwest Jackson in Ward 4, will get $36,696.32 as compensation for the City's vacuum truck backing up the sewer into her home twice in 2020.

‘Setting An Example For The State’: UMMC To Mandate Vaccine For All Employees, Students, Contractors

Employees, students and contractors at the University of Mississippi Medical Center have a choice ahead of them: Get the COVID-19 vaccine or find somewhere else to work.

Fourth Wave of COVID-19 Arrives; Dobbs Says Herd Immunity Currently Impossible in State

The state is now experiencing a full COVID-19 resurgence as the fourth wave of the deadly virus spreads across Mississippi towns and communities.

Alonda Thomas

Jackson State University recently named Alonda Thomas as its new associate vice president for University Communications as well as its chief communications officer. Thomas assumed both positions on July 6.

Mississippi Book Festival, Studios at Fondren Fitness and BRAVO! Diplomático Rum Tasting

The seventh annual Mississippi Book Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 21, at the State Capitol Building and grounds in Jackson from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Jobs for Jacksonians Helped 500 Get Employed; JPS Holds Recruitment Events

More than 1,200 Jackson residents attended Jobs for Jacksonians jobs fairs in 2021, and 500 were placed in positions, Jobs for Jacksonians Coordinator Jonathan Barnett told the Jackson Free Press in an interview on July 19, 2021.

Former Mississippi First Lady Elise Winter Dies at 95

Elise Winter, the wife of former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, was surrounded by loved ones when she died Saturday at her home in Jackson, said Dick Molpus, a longtime family friend who served on Winter's gubernatorial staff. She was 95.

Analysis: Mississippi Lawmakers Could Set Parole Board Path

Mississippi legislators will decide next year whether to keep the state Parole Board as a separate entity or transfer the board's functions to the Department of Corrections.

UMMC Institutes Covid Safety Policy, Requires Vaccine or N95 Mask for Staff

The University of Mississippi Medical Center instituted a new safety policy today, requiring all students and staff to either get vaccinated or wear an N95-type mask.

Weekend Picks 7-16-21

We’ve got plenty of events, both indoors and out, to keep you busy and entertained this weekend. Whether you’re looking to hear some music or comedy, visit an open-air market, or support a worthy cause, there’s something for you.

USM Alumni and Staff in Mississippi Invitational, JSU Day of Giving and MSU Online Degree Programs

The Mississippi Museum of Art has invited four alumni and a faculty member from the University of Southern Mississippi to take part in the 2021 Mississippi Invitational exhibition.

Mississippi Marker Honors 2 Black Men Killed by Klan in 1964

Friends and relatives gathered Thursday in a tiny town in southwestern Mississippi to dedicate a new state historical marker honoring two young Black men who were kidnapped and killed by Ku Klux Klansmen 57 years ago.

‘Saturating’ Jackson, More Drug Operations: Governor Launches 'Capitol Safety Initiative'

In a significant increase to the State of Mississippi policing footprint in the capital city, the Capitol Police will now extend its jurisdiction over the Capitol Complex Improvement District, Gov. Tate Reeves and Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell announced yesterday.

Will Bednar

Pitcher Will Bednar has forever become a part of Mississippi State University lore. He was instrumental in delivering the first national championship in school history as the Bulldogs won the 2020 College World Series.

$3 Million in Grants Going to Black History Sites, Groups

A fund formed in response to the deadly racial violence four years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, said Thursday it will award $3 million in grants to more than three dozen groups and sites nationwide to help preserve landmarks linked to Black history.

Delta Variant Spikes, Leaves Unvaccinated Children Vulnerable

State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs and other health officials have warned for weeks that the spreading Delta variant can mean a large spike in cases and deaths. It is now happening.

Daiki Suematsu

Daiki Suematsu, who has served as the Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator for Jackson State University since 2019, is preparing to host the first-ever Japan Fest in partnership with the Mississippi Museum of Art on Sunday, July 18.

City to Forgive Unpaid Water Bills Starting July 19 Before Service Disconnection Starts Sept. 1

The City of Jackson is forgiving water-bill debt for residents who fulfill certain conditions. Mayor Chowke A. Lumumba announced at a press briefing yesterday that the program will start on Monday, July 19.

Judge Nears Decision on Future of State Mental Health System

Speaking at a hearing at the United States District Court in Jackson, Michael Hogan said he feels Mississippi has made progress at providing community-based programs for people with mental illness.

Offbeat Read and Feed, Pacesetter Gallery and Burgers Blues Barbecue Madison

Phillip "DJ Young Venom" Rollins, owner of Offbeat in Jackson's Midtown neighborhood, is partnering with Mississippi M.O.V.E. to host a new weekly event called "Offbeat Read and Feed" as part of the Freedom Summer Project.

Department of Health: Vulnerable Must Avoid Mass Indoor Gatherings

The Mississippi Department of Health on Friday advised people 65 and older and those with chronic underlying medical conditions to refrain from attending indoor mass social gatherings in coming weeks because of a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state.

Ellington