Politics

Mississippi Mayor Challenges Medical Marijuana Initiative

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler on Tuesday challenged the petition process that put one of two medical marijuana proposals on the statewide ballot, arguing that the number of signatures gathered does not meet standards set in the state constitution.

Amid COVID’s Third Spike, Gov. Reeves Expands Mask Order to Seven New Counties

As COVID-19 continues to grow in Mississippi and across the nation, Gov. Tate Reeves has expanded the number of counties under a mask and social-distancing order.

Jackson Groups to Raise $1 Million for JPS Virtual Learning, Mental Health Services

Working Together Jackson, a coalition of dozens of local organizations, is raising $1 million in the next month to assist needy families within the Jackson Public School District for virtual learning and mental-health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hinds County Supervisors Say Nov. 3 Election Safe

Members of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors sought to allay the fears of some about voting on Nov. 3 at their meeting Monday.

Gov. Reeves Issues Mask Mandates For 9 Counties, No Election Changes

Gov. Tate Reeves reinstated a mask mandate and other restrictions in nine Mississippi counties yesterday, in the wake of a sharp uptick in transmission of COVID-19 across the state and nation.

“A Critical Piece Is Missing” In COVID Strategy, State Health Officer Warns

As Mississippi’s fragile control over the coronavirus pandemic crumbles for the third time, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs and State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers held a press event on Oct. 16 to discuss what is driving the increased spread.

Power APAC Elementary Dropping Confederate’s Name; Students to Vote for New One

Changing the name of Jackson schools that reference past Confederate soldiers is not about erasing the past but giving the students a way to be proud, Power APAC Elementary School Principal Kescher Love Rankin told the Jackson Free Press Thursday.

MSDH Reports 1,322 New Cases of COVID-19, Which Could Mean State’s Third Spike

Two weeks to the day after Gov. Tate Reeves lifted the statewide mask mandate, a massive swell in COVID-19 cases is shaping into a third spike, imperiling the people of Mississippi and threatening mass community transmission during next month’s elections.

De’Keither Stamps Wins District 66 House Seat in Runoff; Replaces Jarvis Dortch

Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps of Jackson emerged victorious in the special runoff election Tuesday to fill the District 66 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He got 65% of the vote to defeat his opponent, Bob Lee Jr.

Expanded Voting Access Still Off Table For Mississippians

As October unfolds, Mississippi State Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, is watching the rising case numbers in what threatens to be the third spike in Mississippi's COVID-19 pandemic, and he fears for the worst.

OPINION: What Will Election Day Look Like in Mississippi on Nov. 3? Prepare Now

Absentee voting is underway now. Because state law prohibits most Mississippians from voting early or by mail, long lines at crowded polling places are likely on Election Day. It didn't have to be this way.

Ward 2 Council Election on Nov. 17; Shakespeare To County Election Commission, Zoo Doing Well

After Melvin V. Priester, Jr resigned as Ward 2 councilman Monday, the City has slated a special election to fill the seat on Nov. 17 with a possible runoff on Dec. 8. Director of Communications Makani Themba said in a statement that interested candidates can pick up qualifying application packets from the Department of Municipal Clerk at 219 S. President Street from Oct. 12 to Oct. 28.

Mayor Lumumba Unloads On U.S. Attorney Hurst Over ‘Operation Legend’ Strategy

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba accused United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Michael Hurst Tuesday of politicizing crime problems in the capital city.

Statewide Mask Mandate Ends in Mississippi; School, Local Restrictions Continue

Gov. Tate Reeves allowed Mississippi’s statewide mask mandate to expire yesterday, replacing it with a “Safe Recovery” order that maintains some restrictions on large gatherings and still requires masks in schools.

OPINION: The Case for Medicinal Marijuana in Mississippi

"To my surprise, former Gov. Phil Bryant is boldly making false claims about Initiative 65, on the ballot in November to legalize medical marijuana in Mississippi if it passes. I must refute Governor Phil's ill-advised campaign to stop the sale of medical marijuana in Mississippi with these points."

Ellington