News

Mississippi Tax Overhaul Appears Headed to Doom in Senate

A bill to overhaul Mississippi's tax structure faces a critical deadline Tuesday in the state Senate, but it appears unlikely to survive despite a push from Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.

Quarters Because We Care, Micro-Enterprise Business Classes and Free Entergy Tax Prep

The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable is hosting an event called "Quarters Because We Care" on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Keway Supersudz in Jackson.

Carol Joy Sparkman

Carol Joy Sparkman has been sharing in her joy of music for many years, and now she takes the stage at New Stage Theatre in Jackson.

Homelessness Outreach Coordinator: Downtown Jackson Partners Helped 25 Since January

The Downtown Jackson Partners Homelessness Outreach Coordinator Tommie Brown has, since January, identified and helped 25 homeless Jacksonians get the services that they need.

Analysis: Mississippi Grappling With Tax-and-Spend Ideas

Mississippi legislators are moving into the final weeks of their three-month session, and they still need to make significant decisions about taxes and spending for the year that begins July 1.

Azia’s Picks 3-12-21

What are your plans for this weekend? If you’re open to suggestions, check out a few of my fave events for this weekend.

‘Collective Suffering’ Continues Year After COVID-19 Came to Mississippi

In a March 8 press briefing, officials from MSDH discussed how the pandemic progressed over the last year, and what we can expect moving forward.

From his days as the keyboardist for the indie-rock band Jonezetta in the early 2000s to his current roles as a member of the music faculty at Mississippi College and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Tyler Kemp has continued to push himself to grow as a musician.

Water Restored, But Most of Jackson Still Under Boil Notice

Most people in Mississippi’s capital now have running water, more than three weeks after the majority of taps in the city of 161,000 went dry during a winter storm.

City Plans Demolitions of Commercial Blight, New Code Enforcement Regime

Five structures constituting commercial blight in Jackson are up for demolition starting in April after pending bids and council approval, Department of Planning and Development Director Jordan Hillman said at a March 8 press conference.

MSU Virtual Ragtime and Jazz Festival, New JSU Scholarship and 2021 Ezra Jack Keats Awards

Mississippi State University recently announced that its annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival will take place in a virtual format on March 26 and 27.

Dayzsha Rogan

JSU senior Dayzsha Rogan was a major factor in the Tigers success. Her efforts on the court earned her 2020-2021 SWAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.

Mississippi House Nixes Change to Tourism Promotion

The Mississippi House has killed a bill that would have created a state Department of Tourism. The tourism bill was among the proposals that died under the latest legislative deadline.

Mississippi Legislators Argue Over Medical Marijuana Rules

Mississippi legislators wrangled Wednesday over regulations for medical marijuana, with the House killing one bill and the Senate reviving the issue hours later by wedging it into a separate bill.

Jackson Citywide Water Giveaway March 11

Today, the City of Jackson released details of its Citywide Water Giveaway to be held at eight different locations across the City on Thursday, March 11 beginning at 3 p.m. until water is depleted.

Dr. Kanesha Bennett

Kanesha Bennett has served as director of Jackson State University's Lottie Thornton Early Childhood Center since 2017. She previously worked as a preschool teacher at JSU starting in 2015 before assuming her current position.

JPS Closes Watkins Elementary School Because of Building Structural Problems

Jackson Public School District Superintendent Errick Greene explained to stakeholders during a Zoom meeting Tuesday that it was urgent to close Watkins Elementary School for student safety.

Jackson Lifts Boil Water Notice for Well Water Connections

The City of Jackson has officially received clearance to lift the precautionary boil water notice on its 16K well water connections. This primarily impacts residents in South Jackson and the City of Byram.

Mississippi House Rejects Plan to Restructure History Board

The Mississippi House on Tuesday rejected a proposal to restructure the board that governs the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Slow Progress as Water Crisis Continues Into 4th Week in Jackson

Jackson may not have safe, drinkable water until later this week at the earliest, while some residents still lack sufficient water pressure.

Analysis: Advocates Split Over Mississippi Tax Cut Proposals

Policy groups are deeply divided over a proposal to phase out Mississippi's personal income tax, with some saying the change could spur economic growth and others saying it could curtail funding for schools and other essential services.

Mississippi Health Officer: Keep Masking Up to Fight Virus

Mississippi's top public health official is urging people to continue wearing masks in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, even after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves lifted a mask mandate.

John Caleb Grenn

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Mississippi last year in March, one of 30-year-old John Caleb Grenn’s favorite spots—Lemuria Books—shut down.

New Art Museum Exhibit, Mustard Seed Donation Drive, NAMI MS and IMMC Events

The Mississippi Museum of Art is partnering with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to host a new exhibit called "Betye Saar: Call and Response" from April 10 through July 11, 2021.

Mayor: Achieving Herd Immunity Aim of Jackson’s Vaccination Day

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said the next step toward herd immunity in Jackson is collaboration with churches and other credible messengers to increase the vaccination numbers.

Workers Worry About Safety, Stress as States Ease Mask Rules

Leo Carney worries that bigger crowds and mask-less diners could endanger workers at the Biloxi, Mississippi, seafood restaurant where he manages the kitchen.

Official: Less Than 5,000 Customers Without Water in Jackson

Less than 5,000 water customers were still without service Friday afternoon in Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson—a development a top official called “positive progress” for the city of 160,000, where some residents have been without water for three weeks.

Infrastructure, Violence, Airport Takeover on Stage at Jackson Mayoral Debate

Three Jacksonians joined the stage for last night’s mayoral debate—long-time resident and sole Republican candidate Ponto Downing, current Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and former firefighter Ken Wilson.

Azia’s Picks 3-5-21

Despite the dire circumstances, we have been creative in our ways of engaging one another and we keep finding ways to steadily enjoy what the tri-city area has to offer where we can mingle safely. Check out my picks and find a way to escape this weekend.

Tristan Jarrett

Jackson State University senior guard Tristan Jarrett seems to be peaking at the right time. Jarrett is enjoying his best season with the Tigers as he tries to lead his team to an NCAA Tournament berth.

Ellington