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Mississippi Skies May Soon Harbor SpaceX Satellites to Increase Internet Access

Starlink’s constellation currently services more northern latitudes with plans to add enough satellites to service Mississippi by next summer.

Jane Halbert Jones

Jane Halbert Jones’ love for travel began at a young age. Spending two semesters abroad while a student at Mississippi College allowed her to spend a significant amount of time in England, France and Greece, resulting in a serious case of the travel bug. After graduation, she spent a year in France as an English teacher, returning again a few years later to study for a graduate degree, this time staying three years.

MEMA Director Greg Michel Hospitalized with COVID-19 Complications

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a statement Sunday that Director Greg Michel has been admitted to a hospital with pneumonia, a complication from is infection with COVID-19.

Political Group Attacks Columbus City Leaders with Now-Removed Billboard

A new political group is aiming harsh criticism at the leaders of a northeast Mississippi city, but city leaders say the criticism is rooted in a personal dispute that the group's two heads have with the city. A Better Columbus, founded by Leslie Sorrell and her husband, Will Sanders, has been sharply critical of the mayor and city council of Columbus, attacking them on social media and on a billboard that was later removed.

Mississippi Churches Face Difficult Decisions at Christmas

It always feels special for Pastor Jay Richardson when his congregation at Highland Colony Baptist Church gathers during the holidays—but this year, that's even more true because of time they've spent apart. The church temporarily shut down at the start of the pandemic, and again three months ago, when 25 worshipers became infected with coronavirus during an outbreak. Richardson, 70, was hospitalized with double pneumonia caused by the virus.

William Winter, Mississippi's 'Education Governor' Has Died at 97

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, a Democrat who pushed to strengthen public education and improve race relations, has died. He was 97.

Mayor Lumumba Extends Executive Order Closing City Hall

Today, citing the continued and increased infectious spread of Covid-19 in the City of Jackson, as well as the corresponding rise in hospitalizations and death rate, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba again signed an executive order extending the closure of city hall and non-essential city offices to the public through the holiday season.

Azia’s Picks 12-18-20

We made it to another beautiful Friday in the Capital City, fellow Jacksonians! Is it just me, or does it seem that the closer we get to Christmas the faster time flies? Anywho, I hope you reached your productivity goals this week. If not, you still have time to get it in today, so go ahead and push through; then, you can enjoy this weekend with a clear conscience! Check out my picks for this upcoming weekend and find something that speaks to you. Dress warm and please socialize responsibly!

‘January Will Be Rough’: COVID-19 Peak Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

“Be ready. January will be rough. We can mitigate if we restrain our holiday events, but likely to be extremely difficult regardless,” State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs tweeted on Dec. 17.

Singing Christmas Tree Videos, MSU ASLA Award, JSU Angel Tree and Tougaloo Donation

Belhaven University has selected and compiled video performances of its Singing Christmas Tree event going back a decade and photographs from as far back as the 1940s to honor its annual tradition in lieu of a live performance for 2020.

Jaron Pierre Jr.

Freshman guard Jaron Pierre Jr. was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for his play against Tulane University and the University of South Alabama. He averaged 18 points and eight rebounds against those two teams.

‘Not Field of Dreams’: Lt. Gov. Hosemann Skeptical of Governor’s Income Tax Plans

The centerpiece of Gov. Tate Reeves’ budget proposal is a phase-out of income tax in Mississippi by 2030. But Lt. Gov. Hosemann, who leads the Senate, is far from convinced.

Rachel James-Terry

Jackson State University named Rachel James-Terry as associate director of public relations in University Communications and Marketing on Oct. 16. She previously served as public relations writer and editor for the department since 2016.

First Mississippians Vaccinated, But State Still in Critical Danger

The first Mississippians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are its own state health leadership, marking a hopeful beginning to what will be a long process of finally exterminating the virus in the Magnolia State.

Mississippi Coding Academies Techshare Program, Winter Solstice Celebration and Spark Confectionary

Mississippi Coding Academies recently launched a new program called TechShare, which will provide means for coders in remote areas to meet virtually with instructors from MCA's Jackson and Starkville locations.

JPD Officers Allege Sexism, Racism, More in Lawsuit Against Mayor, Police Chief

Former and current Jackson Police Department officers have filed a lawsuit accusing Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Police Chief James Davis of abuse of office, infringement of civil rights, fostering a poor work environment and discrimination.

An Open Letter from the Physicians of Mississippi

With record-breaking daily case numbers of the deadly COVID-19 virus surging to dizzying new heights, the physicians of Mississippi write to you urgently to request your direct assistance in combatting the spread of COVID-19.

Azia’s Picks 12-11-20

My motto is work hard, play hard so go ahead, do the right thing and finish off this FriYAY strong. We got frolicking, chilling and responsible socializing to do! Check out my picks for this upcoming week to light your path to some R&R.

Rules For Thee: Governor Hosts Party Hours After Signing New COVID Restrictions

Hours after signing new COVID-19 restrictions and holding a press conference to plead with Mississippians to pitch in to protect the health-care system, the governor held a Christmas party at his mansion in downtown Jackson featuring close clusters of unmasked guests.

All-Outstanding Player Trophies for Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in One Night

Due to COVID-19, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and C Spire announced it will wait to hand out its awards for outstanding players. Normally near the end of December the hall announces the winner for the Conerly Trophy.

Angelique Lee Wins Ward 2 Run-Off Election, City Appoints Foreign Trade Members

Angelique Lee has emerged the winner in the special runoff election for the Jackson City Council's Ward 2 seat to replace Melvin V. Priester Jr., an attorney who resigned in October to focus on his practice.

Rickea Jackson

Sophomore forward Rickea Jackson entered this season being named First-Team All-SEC by both the coaches and media. Jackson was added to the 2021 Cheryl Miller Award list as she looks to build upon her gerat freshman season.

MSU Black Legislators Exhibit, META Teletherapy and STEM Grant at JSU

DeeDee Baldwin, an assistant professor with Mississippi State University's MSU Libraries, recently launched a new digital exhibit showcasing the first African American men to serve on Mississippi’s state legislature during and immediately after Reconstruction.

Faculty: Auditor Demand on Professor Hurts Academic Freedom

Faculty leaders at the University of Mississippi are expressing concerns about academic freedom after the state auditor demanded nearly $2,000 from a tenured professor who took part in a two-day “scholar strike” to bring attention to racism and injustice.

Governor Tate Reeves Announces Additional COVID-19 Measures

Today, Gov. Tate Reeves announced additional COVID-19 measures in an effort to keep Mississippians safe. The Executive Orders that are in place are set to expire on Friday, Dec. 11.

DOJ Sues Pearl Property Company for Racial Discrimination

A federal lawsuit filed in November alleges that property manager James Roe steered white prospective renters away from this apartment complex located in Pearl, which it alleges that he encouraged Black people to rent between 2016 and 2017.

Lucious Walton

Lucious Walton, a Greenwood, Miss., native who found himself homeless for some time, counts his blessings and considers himself extremely fortunate to now have a place in Jackson to call home.

'We Have Forgotten Who We Are': Denial and Death in Mississippi Hospitals

Health-care professionals, including hospitalists and clinicians, have spoken to the Jackson Free Press about the persistent denialism coming from the public as well as political leadership.

Parker Watts

The Mississippi Children's Museum named Parker McInnis Watts, a senior at Madison Central High School, as the museum's Volunteer of the Month for October after Watts volunteered for a total of 28 hours that month.

Code Red: Hinds County Doubles COVID-19 Infection Rates In Two Months

Hinds County is now categorized as red, the color code for areas with over 10% COVID-19 test positivity rates. It has recorded 11,046 cases of COVID-19, with 208 deaths as of Dec. 7. That is a death rate of 1.9%, slightly lower than Mississippi's at 2.39%.

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