News

MSDH Reports 1,322 New Cases of COVID-19, Which Could Mean State’s Third Spike

Two weeks to the day after Gov. Tate Reeves lifted the statewide mask mandate, a massive swell in COVID-19 cases is shaping into a third spike, imperiling the people of Mississippi and threatening mass community transmission during next month’s elections.

JSU Social Justice Presentation, Tougaloo 151st Founders' Week and MSU Bulldog Blitz Virtual 5K

Leneice T. Smith, associate professor of political science at Jackson State University, is sponsoring a virtual Zoom presentation featuring her father, former Black Panther Party member and pastor Wayne Jenkins, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jarod “Snoop” Conner

Jarod Conner, also known as “Snoop” on the UM roster, didn’t have the fastest start to the 2020 season. Against the University of Florida, Conner ran the ball eight times for 26 yards with a touchdown and one catch for five yards.

De’Keither Stamps Wins District 66 House Seat in Runoff; Replaces Jarvis Dortch

Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps of Jackson emerged victorious in the special runoff election Tuesday to fill the District 66 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He got 65% of the vote to defeat his opponent, Bob Lee Jr.

Expanded Voting Access Still Off Table For Mississippians

As October unfolds, Mississippi State Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, is watching the rising case numbers in what threatens to be the third spike in Mississippi's COVID-19 pandemic, and he fears for the worst.

Dani McIlwain

Growing up, Dani McIlwain played multiple sports, including soccer, basketball and tennis. Throughout her athletic career, she underwent three knee surgeries. These experiences inspired McIlwain to pursue a career in the medical field.

200 Jackson Families to Avoid Eviction with Assistance from City, Salvation Army

Low-income families threatened with eviction in Jackson can receive assistance via a $517,706 homelessness-prevention grant offered by Salvation Army in partnership with the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced Monday.

PSC Requests Full Audit of AT&T’s Connect America Fund II Efforts, AT&T Responds

Telecommunications giant AT&T is challenging Northern District Public Services Commissioner Brandon Presley’s claims that it has a “pattern of submitting false data.”

Tony Sultani

Tony Sultani, an oncology specialist who has practiced in the Mississippi Delta for 23 years, recently donated to Delta State University to support the construction of the university's new Financial Investing & Research Lab in the DSU College of Business and Aviation.

Inaka Tea Company, Thailicious and Shower Power MS Donation

Belhaven resident Chat Phillips recently launched his own bottled beverage business, Inaka Tea Company, in Jackson.

862 New Cases of COVID-19, Viral Spread Increasing

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 862 new cases of COVID-19 today—on Oct. 6, MSDH reported 975 new cases, marking the highest single-day total of reports since Aug. 19. Today’s rolling seven-day average is 589 daily positive tests, comparable to the averages seen at the beginning of September, when the trends were coming down from staggering peaks in July and August that stressed the state’s hospital system.

Azia's Picks 10-9-20

I hope you find your niche for the weekend as you chill with those you love, starting right here with my fave event picks for the week. Please be wary of the pending storm as well, and stay safe out there!

Jackson May See Flash Flooding from Hurricane Delta; Precautions Urged

"Hurricane Delta will be moving through the city of Jackson probably within the next 48 hours," Interim Public Works Director Charles Williams said. "We are expecting high wind, probably somewhere between 40 to 60 miles per hour, also during that time we are expecting probably from two to four inches (rain) that will be falling within the central area of Mississippi, primarily, and it could affect the Jackson area."

Frank Gore, Jr.

Against the Mean Green, USM rushed for 202 yards as a team with freshman running back Frank Gore, Jr. leading the way with 130 yards. It has been rough for the Miami, Fla., native as he has struggled to get going until that point.

Lumumba: City’s Mask Mandate Stands, But State Fair in Jackson Can Ignore Rule

"I want to remind people how this works from a legislative position—the governor sets the floor, but we can move beyond that, we can choose to have restrictions which we feel that is in the best interest of our residents, above that and give a little more restraint than that," the mayor said. "So we have to, at the bare minimum, do what the governor says and that sets the floor, but as we see fit, we move beyond that in the interest of our health and safety at large."

Ward 2 Council Election on Nov. 17; Shakespeare To County Election Commission, Zoo Doing Well

After Melvin V. Priester, Jr resigned as Ward 2 councilman Monday, the City has slated a special election to fill the seat on Nov. 17 with a possible runoff on Dec. 8. Director of Communications Makani Themba said in a statement that interested candidates can pick up qualifying application packets from the Department of Municipal Clerk at 219 S. President Street from Oct. 12 to Oct. 28.

Dr. Dobbs Warns Of COVID Surge, as State Fair Opens Without Mask Mandate

Only a week after Gov. Tate Reeves lifted the state’s mask mandate, Mississippi’s coronavirus numbers have reversed course, showing the first consistent signs of a new surge in what would be the third spike in the pandemic in the Magnolia State. The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 975 new cases of COVID-19 late last night, the highest single-day total since Aug. 19.

City of Jackson Readies for Hurricane Delta: Possible Heavy Rainfall and Flooding

Current weather forecast models predict that the City of Jackson will be impacted by Hurricane Delta. Residents are urged to prepare for potential flooding in low-line areas resulting from heavy rainfall.

Mask Use Dropping Rapidly After Mississippi Mandate Ends, Dr. Dobbs Warns

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs is sounding the alarm, warning that mask usage is declining in Mississippi immediately after the governor lifted the statewide mask requirement. “Listen to the secret of Sweden’s COVID response,” Dobbs tweeted on Sunday, Oct. 4. “Near universal, voluntary compliance with public health guidance. Please mask up. Discouraging to see mask use dropping off so rapidly after mandate lifted.”

Ending Viral Violence: Strong Arms of Jackson Holds Rally Against Gun Crime

"The lesson is to make a better decision with your life because when you involve yourself in gun violence, either you shoot somebody, you kill somebody, you are also making a major decision with your life, the outcomes of your life as well as you could be taking somebody's life," Strong Arms of Jackson Co-Director Terun Moore said.

Jackson Planetarium Crowdfunding, Hilton Garden Inn Renovations and Mississippi Delivery

Jackson's Russell C. Davis Planetarium, which is currently undergoing a restoration due to a roof leak and resulting interior damage that forced it to close in April 2018, recently opened a page for crowdfunding to support the renovation effort.

Mayor Lumumba Unloads On U.S. Attorney Hurst Over ‘Operation Legend’ Strategy

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba accused United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Michael Hurst Tuesday of politicizing crime problems in the capital city.

Azia’s Picks 10-1-20

I believe that October is a month for digging deeper, healing buried trauma and forging a better version of ourselves. Although the journey can be uncomfortable, the fire is necessary for refining.

Statewide Mask Mandate Ends in Mississippi; School, Local Restrictions Continue

Gov. Tate Reeves allowed Mississippi’s statewide mask mandate to expire yesterday, replacing it with a “Safe Recovery” order that maintains some restrictions on large gatherings and still requires masks in schools.

Research Grants for USM and JSU, Historical Markers for The Mill at MSU

The Institute for Disability Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi recently received a $100,000 grant from the Administration of Community Living, which will go toward creating a network of resources for young people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities during their transition to adulthood.

Nick Mullens

Former University of Southern Mississippi quarterback Nick Mullens got his chance in the limelight against the New York Giants this past Sunday. The former USM star didn’t disappoint in his first start for the San Francisco 49ers since Dec. 30, 2018.

Bridging The Unemployment Gap, One Jacksonian At A Time

Jonathan Barnett is the pioneer and the only coordinator to date of Jobs for Jacksonians, the City of Jackson's program to connect the citizens with employment opportunities.

Forgiveness is Freedom: After Veto, Parole Reformers Fight On

Mississippi Sen. Juan Barnett, D-Heidelberg, found that forgiveness heals victims and perpetrators alike. That's what inspired him to push for parole reform in his new position as chairman of the Senate Corrections Committee.

Benjamin Luckett

When Benjamin Luckett graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018, he returned to his hometown of Greenville, Miss. He soon realized, however, that he "wanted to explore the world a little bit," and he began searching for jobs in other areas of the state.

Hoax Warning: Mask Mandate Still in Place as COVID-19 Cases Stable in Mississippi

Mississippi is still under a statewide mask mandate, per Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive orders, in spite of a hoax circulating on social media claiming a new order supersedes them, officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are warning.

Ellington