News

Governor Reeves Extends 'Safer At Home,' Reopens Barbershops and Salons

Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced the next stage for Mississippi to continue safely reopening the state's economy while protecting public health.

As COVID-19 Cases Hit New High, Legislature Prevails Over Governor In CARES Act Battle

The same day the fight over control of $1.25 billion in CARES Act relief funds for Mississippi appeared to end, giving the legislative branch a win, Mississippi suffered its greatest increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 yet in one day.

Christopher Kochtitzky: A Good Agent, A Good Man

Jackson lost a favored son on Sunday May 3 in the death of Christopher “Chris” Kochtitzky in Atlanta. “Chris was always interested in—and promoting—Jackson. He was our ‘ambassador’ so-to-speak at the CDC,” says Scott Crawford of Jackson, a longtime friend.

Mayor Lumumba Announces Inter-local Agreement to Repave Robinson Road

On Wednesday, May 6, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba along with Hinds County Supervisor Credell Calhoun announced the Robinson Road Repaving Project.

Two Days of Record COVID-19 Deaths Precede Mississippi Reopening

Mississippi is on track to reopen its parks and restaurants today, as what Gov. Tate Reeves calls the COVID-19 “plateau” continues. This morning, MSDH reported 262 new cases of coronavirus disease detected yesterday, as well as 22 deaths

City of Jackson Sues Canadian National Railway Over Blocked Railroad Underpass

The City of Jackson filed a lawsuit against Canadian National Railway demanding that the company reopen a blocked railroad underpass at Walter Dutch Welch Drive in west Jackson.

Darryl Williams

Former Mississippi State University center Darryl Williams must have been highly sought after by teams after the draft, as he landed a major undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Virtual Graduation Events at JSU and UM, MSU JROTC-CS Computer Program

In light of official commencement ceremonies being delayed to COVID-19 related campus shutdowns, Jackson State University will hold a virtual “2020 Celebration of Graduates” on Saturday, May 9, beginning at noon.

Imani Skipwith

Belhaven University is awarding its first Angie Thomas Writers Scholarship to Imani Skipwith of Jackson, the university announced Tuesday.

COVID-19 Growing Near State’s Meat Processing Plants

Gov. Tate Reeves acknowledges that cases of coronavirus disease are spiking near the state’s meatpacking industries, and reminded Mississippians that immunocompromised and elderly residents are still under a shelter-at-home order.

2020 Session to Reconvene Thursday, Legislators Release Plan to Help Small Businesses

By agreement of Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, the Mississippi Legislature will reconvene the 2020 Legislative Session at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

UPDATE: 32 Deaths From COVID-19 Reported In One Day As State Reopens

Thirty-two more Mississippians have died as a result of COVID-19, 18 of those from yesterday alone: the largest single-day death toll in the crisis so far.

Valerie Linn

Valerie Linn, executive director of Magnolia Speech School in Jackson, has held her current position since August 2014.

Gov. Reeves Amends 'Safer At Home' Order to Reopen Restaurants and Parks

On Monday, May 4, Gov. Tate Reeves announced the next phase for Mississippi to begin "slowly and safely" reopening the state's economy while continuing to flatten the curve.

Q&A: Yung Jewelz, Mental Health and Representing Mississippi

Rapper Yung Jewelz spoke with Culture Writer Aliyah Veal about her new album, “MVP: Moods, Vices and Problems.”

UPDATED: Reeves: State Will Continue Reopening, Despite Not Meeting White House Criteria

The steady reopening of Mississippi will continue today, at odds with White House gating criteria and the concerns of many health experts in Mississippi and abroad.

Mayor Lumumba Revises, Extends Jackson Stay-at-Home Order

Last week, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba signed an executive order to extend the City of Jackson’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order to May 15.

Belhaven First Responder Scholarship, JSU Mt. Olive Grant and USM COVID-19 Testing

Belhaven University recently announced a new First Responder Scholarship to help reduce tuition for first responders during the COVID-19 crisis, along with a no-cost opportunity for people to contribute to the new program.

May 2: Mississippi Averaging Nearly 250 New COVID-19 Cases Per Day

One week after Governor Tate Reeves signed his "safer at home" order that reopened a number of retail businesses and loosened restrictions on non-essential businesses, Mississippi has a reported 7,441 cases of COVID-19 total since March 11.

Bipartisan Legislative Supermajority Takes Control of CARES Act Money

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn led a legislative supermajority to claim $1.25 billion in federal CARES Act funds today, dealing a humbling blow to the authority of Gov. Tate Reeves months into his first term.

Mayor Lumumba Extends Stay at Home Order Until May 15

On Thursday, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an Executive Order to further extend the current Stay at Home order from May 1 until May 15.

Women’s Foundation of Mississippi Awards COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants

The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi announced rapid response grant awards totaling $55,000 for eleven Mississippi-based nonprofit agencies and programs directly vulnerable women and families in wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hosemann, Gunn Lead Bipartisan Fight With Governor to Control CARES Funds

Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn and a raft of legislators from both parties returned to the Capitol today to reassert legislative control over the purse strings of Mississippi, in direct conflict with Gov. Tate Reeves, also a Republican.

Black Women Over-represented as COVID-19 Cases Jump to 397 Today

In spite of hopes for a plateau preceding a decline of new COVID-19 cases, the Mississippi Department of Health reported a record 397 new cases of coronavirus disease today, a sharp spike from previous weeks, during which the average daily increase hovered around 200.

Azia’s Virtual Picks 5/1/20

As we all desperately wait to reach the light at the end of this long, uncertain tunnel, check out a few more virtual happenings to indulge in. I hope something on this list inspires you to move, create and engage with others to share your new interests with.

Legal Aid Attorneys are Available by Phone

The Access to Justice Commission and two Legal Services agencies announced this week that free legal aid providers are available to assist low income people with civil legal needs like family law, housing and consumer issues.

State’s COVID-19 Updates Now Include Good News Among the Bad

Good news is now part of the State of Mississippi’s daily reports on COVID-19 cases and deaths. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, 3,413 patients known to be infected with the novel coronavirus had recovered, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported today.

Gov. Tate Reeves Vows Fight to Control $1.25 Billion in Federal CARES Act Funds

Gov. Tate Reeves insisted at an afternoon press conference that he possessed the authority, through state statute, to spend the federal relief money intended for COVID-19 recovery. Legislative leadership plans to challenge that authority when they reconvene Friday afternoon.

Legislature Asserts Control Over CARES Act Funds by Early Return

The Mississippi Legislature will reconvene on Monday, “if not sooner,” Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, told the Jackson Free Press today. The Legislature’s lightning-quick return comes weeks in advance of its anticipated date of May 18.

Mississippi Justice Institute Sues Mayor Lumumba for Open-Carry Order

The Mississippi Justice Institute is pursuing a lawsuit against Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba after he signed an executive order temporarily banning open carry of firearms in Jackson.

Ellington