News

Mississippi’s COVID-19 Deaths Above 4,000 As Thanksgiving Surge Continues

More than 4,000 Mississippians are confirmed to have died from complications of COVID-19 in the pandemic so far, a grim milestone that public-health leadership has warned is unlikely to be the last before the end of the crisis.

Fertile Ground Beer Co., My City Social Media Campaign Award and IMMC Grant

The Belhaven Town Center in Jackson's Belhaven neighborhood recently announced that a new craft brewery called Fertile Ground Beer Co. is scheduled to open in 2021.

EPA Says Flood Control Project Not Subject to Previous Veto

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not object to a revised proposal for a massive flood-control project to pump water from parts of the Mississippi Delta, a regional administrator for the agency says.

COVID-19 Cases Averaging over 1,800 Per Day in December

Today the Mississippi Department of Health reported that 1,942 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, and 33 more people died from complications of the virus, with precisely 200 outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Azia’s Picks 12-4-20

I know 2020 has been uncomfortable and exhausting for many of us, but just because we have to celebrate our holidays differently this year, doesn’t make any time we get to spend with our loved ones any less precious or special.

‘People Are Dying’: Rampant Growth in COVID-19 Follows Thanksgiving Week

The days following Gov. Tate Reeves’ assertion that Mississippi was not exceeding its previous summer peak have been disastrous for the state’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with each day bringing new reports of record cases and hospitalizations.

Mayor Lumumba Signs Executive Order Closing City Hall, Non-Essential City Offices

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an executive order closing city hall and non-essential city offices and city-owned or leased non-essential facilities, requiring non-essential city employees to work remotely, and restricting city employee travel.

Jackson Sees Up to 142% Increase In COVID-19 Cases in Some Neighborhoods

Many Jackson neighborhoods are seeing dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said at a press conference Monday.

JSU Grants for Special Needs and COVID-19 Campaign, USM Christmas Dinners

Jackson State University's Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Psychometric Services recently received a five-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration for JSU's Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training Project.

Elijah Moore

Featuring an ending that would go down in Egg Bowl lore for years to come, the 2019 Egg Bowl will always be remembered for University of Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore’s end zone celebration.

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs Public Health Guidance

All residents of Mississippi should avoid any social gathering that includes individuals outside of the nuclear family or household. MSDH recommends that Mississippians only participate in work, school or other absolutely essential activities.

Mississippi Shatters All Time COVID-19 Record, But Reeves Says New Peak ‘False’

Mississippi has shattered its all-time record for new COVID-19 cases in a single day, one day after Gov. Tate Reeves attempted to fact-check this reporter for asserting that the state was in the most significant spike of the pandemic so far.

Governor Tate Reeves Announces Additional COVID-19 Measures

Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced 13 additional counties that have qualified and met certain requirements to be placed under mask mandates with his “Safe Recovery” executive order that is in effect until Dec. 11.

James Meredith Plans Museum and Bible Society in Downtown Jackson

James Meredith, the first Black person to graduate from the University of Mississippi, has set his eyes on another goal of building a personal museum in the next year, as well as starting a global Bible society.

Phyllis Lewis-Hale

Phyllis Lewis-Hale, assistant professor of music and director of the Opera Workshop at Jackson State University, received a $6,500 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council this November to host a two-day event called “From Delta Blues to Opera News: A Mississippi Musical Exposition.”

Cody Crotts

When Cody Crotts, 25, painted his first mural of the new Mississippi flag in his hometown of Corinth, he thought it could be a conversation starter.

Mississippi Boychoir Virtual Performance, MAC Minigrants and Richard Kelso at Fischer Galleries

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Mississippi Boychoir has made changes to its annual "Be the Light" Christmas performance in Jackson, which will be a livestreamed virtual performance at the Old Capitol Museum on Dec. 4.

Jackson COVID-19 Rate Worsening; Flood-Prevention Effort Needed for Creeks

Some parts of Jackson have seen COVID-19 infection rates increase 117% in the past three months, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine told the Jackson City Council last week as cases continue to rise across the state.

Best of Jackson: Business Services

Welcome to the debut of a new pop-up Best of Jackson winners' list: Business Services. This inaugural spread spotlights a number of local businesses in the area that specialize in helping other businesses run more smoothly.

When One Business Door Closes, Another One Opens

Jackson has a way of encouraging entrepreneurs to open new businesses and programs to bolster our local economy. Read on to learn of the several additions the metro area has welcomed over the last quarter.

Renovations and Other Efforts to Build a Better Jackson

Despite the setbacks that this year's pandemic has wrought, the Jackson metro continues to persevere and move forward, making progress all the while. Renovations and Other Efforts to Build a Better Jackson

Perrls of Wellness, Empowering Women through Health

In her role as a health and wellness coach, Mary Williams offers a holistic approach to health management. She provides eating strategies and counsels women on how to be more active and to manage stress.

Building an Educational Bridge Through ‘Chalkboard Ch@t’

On Friday, Nov. 13, Mississippi Public Broadcasting's education department launched its new podcast, "Chalkboard Ch@t," to bring relevant information and resources to parents, guardians, educators, students, education entities and other community stakeholders.

Public Works Director Williams: City’s Infrastructure Problems Won’t End Soon

In a recent interview with the Jackson Free Press, Jackson public works director Charles Williams explained the department's problems and his plans to move the needle on Jackson's infrastructural challenges.

Not Fear, But Love: Cancelling Holidays in the Year of COVID-19

"How are you going to tell the grandkids?" This was the question that convinced George Long to cancel his Thanksgiving plans. This was the question that convinced him to wear a mask, to minimize his social life for the duration of the pandemic.

Gwen Wilks

When Gwen Wilks saw an advertisement for a position at the Mississippi Museum of Art that suggested she would "learn about herbs and fresh vegetables," she assumed the position would include working in the community garden.

Tanya Fitts

Tanya Fitts, physician owner of Lafayette Pediatric Clinic in Oxford, Miss., became president-elect of the Mississippi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics on Oct. 30.

UMMC Health Leaders: COVID-19, Nursing Shortages Threaten Crisis Standard of Care

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, called on Gov. Tate Reeves to reinstate the statewide mask mandate, warning that rising hospitalizations could force crisis standards of care.

Lawyer: Harvey Hill's Jail Killing Egregious, Expects Criminal Indictments

Harvey Hill's death in Madison County Correctional Detention Center in 2018 is highly disturbing, family attorney Carlos E. Moore said after viewing the video of prison guards brutalizing him and later putting him in a holding cell.

Wright's Foundation Car Raffle, Season of Wishes at the Outlets and Children's of Mississippi Toy Drive

Derick Wright, founder and chief executive officer of Jackson-based nonprofit Wright's Foundation for Better Communities, is holding a holiday car raffle until Dec. 23.

Ellington