News

Judge: Mississippi Violates Civil Rights of Those With Mental Illness

Mississippi must make sweeping changes to its mental-health system so that people with severe mental illness have access to treatment in their own communities rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized in state hospitals, a federal judge in Jackson ruled Wednesday morning.

Jim Hood, Tate Reeves: Real Issues on Center Stage in Governor’s Race

Tate Reeves pushed typical conservative buttons on his way to primary victory. Tammy Pearson said he spent too much time "relying on his name-dropping of Trump," adding, "This is a state election, not a national election. This is Mississippi."

City’s Water Crisis: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Jackson City Council passed an ordinance to allow administrative hearings for water-and-sewer bill complaints. The City will hire a hearing officer to consider evidence and findings from both customers and the water and sewer business administration manager.

‘Hispanic Project’ Seeded Dangerous Poultry Jobs

In the mid-1980s, Shannon Evans took a job at a rural poultry plant in Mississippi. There, she witnessed a parade of slime-soaked horrors, including amputations.

Emelie Hebert

Artist and massage therapist Emelie Hebert has a lot of land—almost 3 acres to be exact—where she creates her artwork, glass beads and ceramics, and also hosts workshops, demonstrations and other events.

Innovate Mississippi New Venture Challenge

Innovate Mississippi will host its 11th-annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge Pitch Competition on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Clyde Muse Center on the Hinds Community College campus in Pearl.

Mississippi Sex Traffickers Target Children, Homeless LGBT Kids

Young people in Mississippi are among the most vulnerable targets and least visible victims of trafficking, the executive director of Mississippians Against Human Trafficking said.

Reducing City's Health-Care Costs Is Priority for Jackson City Council

Rising health-care costs prompted the Jackson City Council to focus on ways it can help at its Aug. 22 budget meeting.

Kenneth Vance

Kenneth Vance acknowledges the value of serving others. As an outreach worker for Grace House, a nonprofit organization that focuses on housing those in need, he is able to do just that.

ICE Raids 'Fire From Our Hellish Past,' Rights Leader Says in Canton

Daisy Martinez fought back tears as she told an audience at a Mississippi church, including Rev. William Barber of the Poor People's Campaign, about her mother Maria, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who could be forced to leave the country and not allowed to return.

Joanne Bell Wright

A few years ago, Joanne Bell Wright hit a rough spot in her life and was having issues with things like relationships and finances.

Mississippi House Speaker Gunn Doubles Down on Call to Change State Flag

During his appearance at Tuesday's Columbus Rotary Club, a Rotarian asked Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn about his view on changing Mississippi's state flag, which bears Confederate imagery in its canton and has long been the subject of debate, if not action.

Hood Criticizes 'Legal Corruption,' Pushes for Medicaid, Mental-Health Reform

On the heels of Tate Reeves' victory in the Republican runoff for Mississippi governor, Democratic nominee Jim Hood emphasized the urgency of health-care reform for Mississippians at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, saying it would remain a top issue in his campaign.

JSU Crop Drop, MSU 'Unframed Images' Moving and Belhaven Transfer Recognition

Jackson State University hosted its annual Crop Drop event, which provides free sweet potatoes to the Jackson community, on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Google Visit Highlights Digital Divide, 'Brain Drain' Causes in Mississippi

"Grow with Google," part of Google's nationwide initiative to equip Americans with skills needed to thrive in today's digital economy, highlighted ongoing concerns around statewide and Jackson-area disparities in broadband and digital literacy.

Hood Vows to 'Prosecute' on Issues as Reeves Wins GOP Gov Nod

Just moments after Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves clenched the Republican nomination for governor in Tuesday night's runoff, his Democratic opponent in the November general election vowed to mount a tough challenge centered on health care, education, and fixing the state's roads and bridges.

Dominique McClellan

What began as a childhood pastime for Dominique McClellan has developed into his life's work.

Mayor Touts 'Dignity Economy' as Refill Cafe Opens In West Jackson

Jacksonians, businesspeople, cafe staff and local leaders filled Refill Cafe to capacity in celebration of the opening of the city's newest local eatery.

Bryce Mullican

Jackson resident Bryce Mullican has served as a coding instructor for the Mississippi Coding Academies' Jackson site since June 2018 after Innovate Mississippi launched the academy in October 2017.

Under Reeves, Mississippi Now the Last State With No Equal-Pay Law

Under Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Mississippi became the only state without an equal-pay law. Three equal-pay bills died this year in the Mississippi Senate, where Reeves has significant say over which bills make it to a vote.

Men and Corporate Donors Dominate in GOP Runoff for Governor

More than $3 million has flowed to the two candidates in Mississippi's Republican primary runoff since July 27—and the bulk of that money came from political action committees, corporations and men.

Sophomore Spanish Club, District Drugs & Mercantile and The Mighty Crab

The Mighty Crab, a Cajun-style seafood restaurant in Jackson, had its soft opening on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Leshundra Young in the Running for Teaching Award

Few leave as large an impact on the lives of students as do teachers. Leshundra Young of Germantown High School embodies this sentiment, as she has recently been named as one of four state finalists for the Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Jackson Opts for Hearings for Water-Bill Complaints

Residents now have a new process for appealing their water bills after the Jackson City Council passed an ordinance at the Aug. 20 meeting to allow administrative hearings for water- and sewer-bill complaints.

JSU Outstanding Airman, Millsaps/MSU Dual-Degree Program and MSU Applied Science Program

The United States Air Force recently named Justin A. Starks, a Jackson native and 2015 graduate of Jackson State University, as one of its "12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year."

Evelyn Edwards

Tchula, Miss., native Evelyn Edwards grew up in poverty, but she did not have the mentality of one who grows up that way, she said. She was her mother's, Annie Waddell, 10th child, and Waddell did not resent their circumstances.

Jackson Repaving to Turn ‘Crumbling’ Roads Into ‘Frontier,’ Mayor Says

Standing in a church parking lot near the intersection of Northside Drive and Manhattan Road, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced the start of a street repaving project that will help turn the city into an “economic frontier,” he said.

Eric Sadler

Senior defensive lineman Eric Sadler earned Preseason All-GSC honors, as voted on by the league's head coaches; however, GSC also projects that Delta State will finish sixth in the conference, signifying that the rest of the coaches do not believe this is a rebound year.

Meet the Runoff Candidates

On Aug. 27, these candidates will compete in the 2019 party primary runoffs. Learn about each candidate for statewide office and in Jackson metro-area legislative races.

Medicaid Expansion Debate at Center of Waller v. Reeves Runoff

Bill Waller Jr. supports what he calls "Medicaid reform," which would bring affordable health-care options to about 300,000 working Mississippians whose households make too much for traditional Medicaid, but not enough for subsidized private insurance.

Ellington