Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Murdering Transgender Woman for Her Gender Identity
The following was released by the Department of Justice and reprinted here verbatim: First Case Prosecuted under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Where Victim was Targeted Because of Gender Identity WASHINGTON – Joshua Brandon Vallum, 29, of Lucedale, Mississippi, pleaded guilty today to a …
DOJ: Aryan Brotherhood of Mississippi Member Sentenced to Life
From the U.S. Department of Justice, verbatim: ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF MISSISSIPPI GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY AND RELATED OFFENSES WASHINGTON – A member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Mississippi (ABM) gang was sentenced to life in prison for his participation in a variety of violent …
Board Calls for Nominations for JSU Campus Search Advisory Committee
The following was released, verbatim, from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has issued a call for nominations for members of the Jackson State University Campus Search Advisory Committee. Representatives from all stakeholder groups, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and …
States and Feds Reach Settlement With Ashley Madison Owner
Mississippi will receive over $52,000 after state and federal officials settled with Ashley Madison, an online dating website that caters primarily to married men, after a July 2015 data breach that led to leaks of users who had accounts on the site in 13 different states. In a press release, …
Ronnie Crudup Jr. Announces Mayoral Candidacy
Local nonprofit executive director and community activist Ronnie Crudup Jr. has announced his candidacy for mayor of the city of Jackson. The Jackson native is set to make a formal announcement tomorrow morning. In a press release, Crudup Jr. said he is running to bring hope back to the city. …
Council to Consider Settlement for Mayor's Lawsuit
The City Council's agenda for their regular meeting tonight, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. in City Hall includes a possible settlement with the former executive assistant to Mayor Tony Yarber, Kimberly Bracey, alleging the mayor of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and a hostile workplace. Bracey alleged in a lawsuit filed …
Variety Says Trump to Remain Executive Producer of Celebrity Apprentice
In today's edition of "lowering the optics of the American Presidency," Variety is reporting that President Elect Donald Trump will keep a credit on Celebrity Apprentice, despite the "cutting of ties" that the show's network, NBC, made with Trump after comments he made about Mexican immigrants in 2015.
Lieutenant Governor Tourism Meet-Up
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves met with Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, both Republicans, in Cleveland, Miss., today to talk tourism. The lieutenant governors met with members of the Mississippi Tourism Association to discuss tourism possibilities in the area and between the two states. The Delta Regional Authority is working with …
Gov. Bryant Announces Opioid and Heroin Abuse Task Force
Gov. Phil Bryant created a task force today to address drug abuse in the state, specifically for the abuse of opioids and heroin. Opioid abuse is up nationally and has been for the past two decades. Opioids include prescription pain killers, some nervous system depressants and some stimulant drugs, according …
U.S. Justice Dept. Announces (More) Federal Prison Reforms
The Department of Justice announced a series of reforms for federal prisons today. Reforms include building a school district within the system and improving the halfway houses that serve as re-entry homes for inmates in the system. The DOJ also announced plans to improve programs for women in prison and …
Welcome Brian Stauffer to Jackson
If you're driving around Jackson today, consider tuning in to Mix 98.7 for a special "telethon" program they're doing for Batson Children's Hospital. And, when you do, listen closely to the new voice you're hearing at that remote alongside Shannon Steele -- that's Brian Stauffer, my (Todd Stauffer's) brother. Brian's …