News

Azia’s Picks 12-27-19

Good tidings fellow Jacksonians! I cannot believe this is the very last Friday of the decade. Christmas 2019 has been archived for the books and New Year’s Day 2020 is looming on the horizon. I sincerely hope you all thoroughly enjoyed your holidays and that positive energy continues to carry you through the rest of this season.

ICE Raids Show ‘Christian Crisis in America,’ Guatemalan Cardinal Says in Jackson

Guatemalan Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini called for a renewed humanity in the nation’s treatment of immigrants in Jackson last week before going to Carthage to meet people affected by massive, statewide Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids in August. Ramazzini issued the call alongside Father Roberto Mena, pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Forest, and Jackson’s bishop, Reverend Joseph Kopacz.

Hyde-Smith Bill Targets Medication Abortions with 'SAVE Moms and Babies Act'

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is joining other anti-abortion politicians who are increasingly prioritizing legislative efforts designed to restrict access to federally approved abortion medication.

JSU Cook-off, MSU Community Engagement, USM Physics Honors

The national office of the Society of Physics Students, a professional association for students interested in physics and related fields, recently awarded the University of Southern Mississippi its Outstanding Chapter Award for 2019.

Brian Cole II

MSU safety Brian Cole II has an extra game on film to show off his abilities to scouts. After Cole finishes the Music City Bowl, he will start preparing for the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl.

New Stores and Holiday Pop-up Shop at The District, Energy Donation

The District at Eastover recently announced the opening of two new stores, as well as the launch of a pop-up shop at District Drugs & Mercantile.

The Most Intriguing of 2019

These are not necessarily people who did positive things, although many did. They are Mississippians who emerged as the most interesting and who caused a lot of conversation in the capital city and beyond.

Abortion Inches Closer to Supreme Court

Earlier this year, Mississippi House Rep. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, told the Jackson Free Press that part of the goal of bills like the heartbeat bill and the 15-week ban is to get a case to the Supreme Court.

Long Sentences, Broken Lives

Paul Houser is one of 2,635 Mississippians currently serving lengthy prison terms under Mississippi's so-called "habitual laws," the state's version of "three strikes laws." Mississippi's habitual laws drive the state's high incarceration rate, the third highest in the country.

Jay Fletcher

Serving as the executive director of Young Business Leaders Jackson since 2016, Jay Fletcher works to help young businessmen grow in their faith and leadership.

Azia's Picks 12-20-19

Let's try to prepare for the upcoming inclement weather and see if we can stay dry while indulging in some much-deserved merriment. Check out my event lineup to get you started!

City to Provide 500 Meals to Jackson Children Over Holidays

Several local nonprofits will unite this holiday season to provide 500 free meals to young people in Jackson as part of ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity in the city and state, which currently ranks first nationwide in food insecurity.

Whitney VanGorder: Photographer

Flowood resident and professional photographer Whitney VanGorder uses her past to motivate herself to be a positive influence for those around her.

'Evict Gangsterism': State Dems Praise Impeachment as GOP Backs Trump

President Donald Trump's "overt gangsterism" made his impeachment necessary, Mississippi Democrat Jacqueline Amos said in a statement the day after only one member of Mississippi's delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve articles of impeachment.

Teacher Pay Raises a Top Priority for New Session, Reeves and Hosemann Say

Teacher pay raises could be one of the first big achievements of the 2020 legislative session, multiple lawmakers say.

Belhaven Professor Honored, SEC Faculty Travel Program and MSU iPad Donation

The Mississippi Humanities Council gave Kristen K. White, chair and assistant professor of Belhaven University's Intercultural Studies Department, its 2020 MHC Teacher Award on Monday, Dec. 16.

Benito Jones

Senior defensive tackle Benito Jones will represent the University of Mississippi in the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl. He is the fifth Rebel in the last four years to be invited to play in the game.

Entire Affordable Care Act May Be Invalid With Mandate Gone, Court Says

A three-judge panel in New Orleans wants a lower court to decide whether or not the entire Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature achievement, should be struck down.

Medicaid Expansion 'On the Table,' Says Incoming Lt. Gov. Hosemann

The Mississippi Senate could still expand Medicaid access to as many as 300,000 residents who currently have no health-care access, Delbert Hosemann, the State's incoming lieutenant governor, told members of the press Tuesday.

Elvis Mujic

Don't be surprised if you step into a Waffle House and find Elvis Mujic, 30, telling jokes and interacting with everybody like he would in any comedy club.

Hinds County Jail ‘In Crisis,’ Still Violates Federal Consent Decree

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors dodged a bullet Monday, narrowly avoiding a federal contempt trial for ongoing conditions at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond.

Angie Thomas Producing 'On The Come Up' Film, Happy with Fox 2000 Team

Jackson native and author Angie Thomas is on a roll as her second novel "On The Come Up" is set to be adapted to film. She announced last week that "This Is Us" producer and writer Kay Oyegun will write the screenplay.

Girmay Berhie

Jackson resident Girmay Berhie became Jackson State University's new dean of the School of Public Health and Social Work in August 2019.

Curtis Flowers Released on Bail from Parchman for First Time Since 1997

Curits Flowers will leave Mississippi's Parchman prison and return home for the first time in more than two decades after Montgomery County Circuit Judge Joseph Loper granted him a $250,000 bail on Monday morning.

Espy: Hyde-Smith Betrays 'Sacred Oath' With Vow to Protect Trump at Trial

Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is failing to uphold her "sacred oath to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law in this country" with her vow to protect President Donald Trump from impeachment, potential Democratic opponent Mike Espy claimed in an email missive to supporters on Dec. 12.

Ellington