News

With ICUs Full, MSDH Restarts System of Care

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor and dean of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, addressed the media Tuesday in a press event both familiar and dire, another warning from the state’s flagship hospital in the depths of a wave of COVID-19.

JSU NSF Grant, MSU CYBERCOM Partnership and USM Center for Digital Humanities

The National Science Foundation recently gave Jackson State University political science professor D’Andra Orey a $509,000 multi-year grant for research exploring the intersection of race, exposure to trauma and politics on urban residents compared to individuals residing in rural areas.

Mississippi Supreme Court Extends Emergency COVID-19 Order

An emergency order extending the time for COVID-19 safeguards in all courts and giving judges discretion to postpone jury trials scheduled through Jan. 28 has been issued by Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph.

Medical Marijuana Advances With Mississippi Senate Vote

Mississippi senators voted Thursday to advance a bill that would create a medical marijuana program, sending it to the House for more work.

Poor People’s Campaign Offers Free COVID-19 Testing as Cases Rise

COVID-19 infections continue to climb across the state, with the Mississippi State Department of Health reporting 8,204 new cases today along with 26 fatalities and continually increasing outbreaks across the state’s long-term care facilities.

Snoop Conner

The University of Mississippi enjoyed its first 10-win regular season in school history. Head coach Lane Kiffin brought his high-powered offense to Oxford and retooled the defense in just this second season.

Thousands Jailed Long Periods Before Trial in Mississippi

Thousands of people in Mississippi continue to be jailed for long periods while waiting to go on trial because they are too poor to afford bail, judges may deny bail altogether or public defenders might not be available when they're needed, according to a new report from a group that advocates for the rights of the incarcerated.

Mississippi Senate OKs Revisions to 4 US House Districts

The Republican-controlled Mississippi Senate on Wednesday passed a plan to redraw the state’s four congressional districts, sending it to Gov. Tate Reeves for his expected approval.

City Council Votes on 2022 Legislative Agenda, Wants Land Bank, Water-Sewer Debt Forgiveness Extension

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Jackson City Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay called a special city council meeting for members to vote on six resolutions on the City's legislative agenda for 2022.

Talamieka Brice’s Film Honors Her Children, Faces Brutal History of Race Violence

Talamieka Brice wrote, directed and illustrated “A Mother’s Journey,” a film that follows her process in addressing traumas of the past in a quest to seek healing.

Mississippi Senate Set to Vote on Revamped U.S. House Map

The Mississippi Senate on Wednesday is expected to approve a plan to redraw the state’s four congressional districts.

Mayor Lumumba Calls for Increased COVID-19 Vaccinations amid Early 2022 Surge

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba called for increased vaccination among Jackson residents—especially those most vulnerable, such as the elderly—this week, citing high case numbers in Hinds County.

Tanya Funchess

The Mississippi Public Health Association named Tanya Funchess, an assistant professor of public health at the University of Southern Mississippi, as president-elect for the organization in November 2021.

Mississippi Senate Leaders Propose Teacher Pay Increase

Mississippi Senate leaders are proposing a plan to increase teachers' pay an average of $4,700 over two years to try to move the state away from its perpetually low national ranking for educators' salaries.

Mississippi Tax Revenue Jumps During 1st Half of Budget Year

Mississippi government collected more money during the first half of this budget year than it did during the same period a year earlier.

Who Is the Hinds County Board of Supervisors’ President?

The question regarding who will chair the Hinds County Board of Supervisors meeting next week, Monday, Jan. 17, remains unclear as two supervisors both claim to be the president—District 2 Supervisor David Archie and District 3 Supervisor Credell Calhoun.

Family Fun Science Day and Game Changers at the Science Museum, Oops! All Vegan Restaurant

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is hosting a Family Fun Science Day event on Saturday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Doc: Most Mississippi Nursing Homes Have COVID Outbreaks

There are active COVID-19 outbreaks in 91% of Mississippi's nursing homes, mostly involving staff, a top health official said Friday, as the omicron variant of the virus continues to surge.

Analysis: Redistricting Not as Tough as It Was Two Decades Ago

Mississippi’s current congressional redistricting effort is much less contentious than the effort was 20 years ago, when the state dropped from five U.S. House seats to four.

JSU COVID-19 Protocols, MSU Outstanding Achievement Awards and USM MLK Prayer Breakfast

Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly the omicron variant, Jackson State University recently announced new health and safety protocols for the upcoming spring 2022 semester.

Seeking Solutions to Protect Mississippi Children from Lead Poisoning

Though cases of lead poisoning have been declining over decades in the United States, more still needs to be done. It is a serious threat to children’s futures and health.

Mississippi House OKs Congressional Remap Amid Objections

The Republican-controlled Mississippi House on Thursday approved a plan to redraw the state's four congressional districts.

COVID-19 Breaks Highest Case Total Twice This Week

For the second day in a row this week, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported a record number of COVID-19 cases throughout the state. At 7,079 new infections, the number tops what was only yesterday the previous record at 6,592 cases.

Auditor Targets Anti-Racism Books in Mississippi Libraries: ‘A Cancer On Our Society’

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is endorsing proposed legislation to ban educators from teaching “anti-racist” ideas in schools and accused libraries in the state of stocking “racist” books that criticize “whiteness.”

Mississippi House Poised to Vote on Congressional Remapping

The Republican-controlled Mississippi House is expected to vote Thursday on a plan to redraw the state's four congressional districts.

Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Tests Positive for COVID-19

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has tested positive for COVID-19 after the opening day of a legislative session when Hosemann and many other people were walking around the Capitol without wearing masks.

JPS Starts In-Person Learning Tomorrow, Enhanced COVID-19 Protocol

Students at Jackson Public School will resume in-person learning tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 6, with the district leadership sticking with the resumption plan announced in December amidst an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Elayne Hayes Anthony

The Mississippi Association of Broadcasters recently named Elayne Anthony, chairwoman of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Jackson State University, as the next president of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.

Judge Orders Mississippi City to Allow Mosque Construction

A new federal court order says a Mississippi city must allow construction of a mosque, two months after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city on behalf of two Muslim men who want to develop the place of worship.

Mississippi Legislators Begin Session, Face Marijuana Debate

Mississippi legislators began their three-month session Tuesday, and the mother of a man with chronic medical problems implored them to create a medical marijuana program, despite objections from Gov. Tate Reeves.

Ellington