News

Marino Casem

A historically black college and university football coaching legend has passed away. On Saturday, April 25, Marino "The Godfather" Casem died at the age of 85 in his home.

Unemployed Mississippians Still Seeking Answers, Relief

March signaled the beginning of the unemployment crisis in Mississippi, as the first reports of COVID-19 led to the initial rounds of social-distancing guidelines.

Jackson Attorney with COVID: ‘A False Sense of Protection Here’

Since diagnosing its first COVID-19 positive patient on March 11, Mississippi had seen 6,342 cases of the novel coronavirus as reported April 28, when this story went to press. Of those people, 229 have died, the vast majority of whom are black.

Vanessa Dover

During her high school days, Vanessa Dover competed in cross country and track. Today, the mother of two aims to promote physical health in children through the local chapter of the Healthy Kids Running Series she brought to the Jackson area last fall.

Mayor Lumumba Announces Legal Action Against Canadian National Railway

Monday, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced that the City of Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Canadian National Railway to restore and reopen the underpass at Walter “Dutch” Welch Drive, at the railroad company’s expense.

Shelter Order Softens on Day of 248 New Cases of COVID-19

On Monday, Reeves recapped his “safer at home” order, replacing his April 1 shelter-in-place order for two weeks. The order went into effect at 8 a.m. on April 27 and lasts until 8 a.m. on May 11.

Mobile COVID-19 Testing Set for Madison, Hinds, Leflore, Clay, Leake and Pike Counties

Residents of Madison, Hinds and Leflore counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health set up one-day, drive-through collection sites.

Northpark’s Got Heart, Fleet Feet Essential Workers Discount and Newk's Pantry

Northpark is hosting a photography-based social media project on behalf of communities practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Lumumba Calls for Repeal of Open Carry Law

In a video released Friday, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba called for a repeal of Mississippi’s Open Carry Law, citing that the law makes it impossible for police to remove illegal guns from Jackson’s streets and stokes an environment of fear and intimidation.

SBA Application Portal for PPP Applications Reopens

The U.S. Small Business Administration will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower.

'Reopen Mississippi' Protesters Demand Governor to Reopen State Amid Pandemic

Dozens of cars bearing hand-painted messages and signs, American flags, the Mississippi state flag, the Gadsden “Don’t Tread on Me” flag and other insignia, encircled the Governor’s Mansion in downtown Jackson Saturday, April 25, to demand that Gov. Tate Reeves fully re-open the state amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.

More Than 6,000 COVID-19 Cases in Mississippi as ‘Safer at Home’ Order Kicks In

Mississippi saw 183 official new coronavirus cases and two deaths as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, bringing the total number of statewide cases to 6,094 and the death count to 229.

Chris Hyche

Sitting at home, current Harlem Globetrotter Chris Hyche is socially distancing himself as he waits for the coronavirus to pass so that he may resume his basketball career. The only exercise Hyche is able to do is running.

April 26: 193 New COVID-19 Cases, 6 Deaths on Saturday

Another 193 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the state on Saturday, with six deaths reported.

April 25: Day After 'Safer at Home' Order, 284 new COVID-19 Cases, 12 Deaths

One day after Gov. Tate Reeves signed his "safer-at-home" executive order designed to reopen some non-essential businesses, the state added another 284 cases of COVID-19 to Mississippi State Department of Health's official tally.

City of Jackson Launches Mental Health 'Warmline'

On Friday, April 24, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced the launch of the City’s first-ever Mental Health ‘Warmline’, designed to help citizens cope with the mental toll of self-isolation during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Governor Tate Reeves Signs 'Safer At Home' Order to Begin Reopening State's Economy

Gov. Tate Reeves signed a new executive order establishing a statewide Safer at Home order for Mississippi to continue protecting public health while beginning the process to safely reopen the state's economy.

Azia’s Picks: Virtual Events Roundup 4/24/20

As the days roll by during this new quarantined way of life, we all still have a desire to feel included and connected to one another. Here is a list of some virtual events I've spotted for you and your families to enjoy while practicing social distancing as we make sacrifices to stay home together.

Factcheck: Gov. Reeves’ South Korea Comparison on MSNBC’s ‘Meet the Press’

Appearing on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” last night, Gov. Tate Reeves explained to host Chuck Todd what he believes are Mississippi’s successes in emulating the South Korean model, which has so effectively contained the COVID-19 outbreak there.

Yung Jewelz

Rapper Yung Jewelz, aka the Paid Hipster, defines herself as a versatile artist, a rapper you can play on your good and bad days. Whether going to the club or looking for gospel, Jewelz said she has a song for you.

UM Online Summer Programs, JSU Waiving ACT/SAT Requirements and MCCF COVID-19 Grant

The University of Mississippi is providing scholarships and programs for 11th and 12th graders to allow them to try out college classes online in response to postponement and cancellations of its usual summer programs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Governor Tate Reeves Signs Executive Order Closing Schools for Academic Year

On Wednesday, April 22, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a new executive order implementing school closures for the rest of the academic year to slow the spread of COVID-19.

AG Fitch Backs Away from Releasing More Pretrial Detainees in Wake of COVID-19

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch is backing away from an effort to release pretrial detainees sooner to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi jails, where it is virtually impossible for inmates to practice social distancing.

Black Women May Be Hardest Hit As COVID-19 Cases Pass 5,000, 201 Deaths

Mississippi now has more than 200 deaths and well over 5,000 cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, only five days after reaching 4,000.

Governor Tate Reeves Endorses State-Wide Relief Fund

The Community Foundation for Mississippi, working with the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, established the Mississippi Community Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund as an initiative to create a state-wide pooled fund to respond to disasters in Mississippi, including COVID-19.

April 22: COVID-19 Deaths in Mississippi Now at 193, With 4,894 Total Cases

The Mississippi State Department of Health announced 10 additional COVID-19 deaths across Mississippi, bringing the total casualties to 193, as well as 178 cases, for a total of 4,894.

Cathead Comfort & Mercy Hand Sanitizer Available For Purchase

Cathead Distillery announced that its new hand sanitizer, Comfort & Mercy, is now available for purchase online as well as at select retailers across the South.

Q&A with Dr. Thomas Dobbs on Racial Inequity of COVID-19 in Mississippi

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs is leading the public-health response to the COVID-19 crisis, directing the State Department of Health and serving as Gov. Tate Reeves’ chief health adviser on the virus and the state’s attempts to stem its spread.

Mississippi Small Businesses at Risk of Permanent Closure, Households Struggle

Approximately 62% of small businesses in Mississippi are at risk of permanently closing within five months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Main Street America found.

Main Street America: 7.5 Million Small Businesses Across the U.S. in Danger of Closing Permanently

A new report published by Main Street America, founded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, reveals that nearly 7.5 million small businesses across the country are in danger of closing over the next five months as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Ellington