Students participate in class during the first day of school at Neshoba County Central Middle School on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

Teachers union calls on Reeves to mandate masks in schools

By Kate Royals - Mississippi Today, 975 Reads
Mon, 07/26/2021 - 1:48 PM
The state’s teachers union is calling on Gov. Tate Reeves to mandate masks in schools in the fall.
- Click Here to Read More about Teachers union calls on Reeves to mandate masks in schools
Legislators hold meetings to review marijuana options

By Steve Wilson, 828 Reads
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 10:18 AM
Lawmakers met for the second time as they evaluate the possibility of medical and even a recreational marijuana program in Mississippi.
- Click Here to Read More about Legislators hold meetings to review marijuana options
Editorial: Delta variant - Heed the warning

READ MORE > 734 Reads
On Sat, 07/24/2021 - 9:24 AM
We have been warned. Health officials in Mississippi, around the country and even around the world are telling residents in the state the delta variant of COVID-19 is here. It’s more contagious than any strain of the coronavirus this country has experienced to date.
- Click Here to Read More about Editorial: Delta variant - Heed the warning
MDOC pressures prisoners to renounce gangs as parole eligibility is expanded

By Brittany Brown - Mississippi Today, 666 Reads
Fri, 07/23/2021 - 5:12 PM
The Mississippi Department of Corrections is asking people in prison to renounce gang membership as a part of the department’s Security Threat Group Management Unit.
- Click Here to Read More about MDOC pressures prisoners to renounce gangs as parole eligibility is expanded
Editorial: Hard truths about Amtrak

READ MORE > 663 Reads
On Sat, 07/24/2021 - 10:00 AM
Maybe it’s time for all Americans — even those who cringe at the trillion-dollar budget deficits of recent years — to admit that there really is no political or popular will to do anything substantial about our runaway spending.
- Click Here to Read More about Editorial: Hard truths about Amtrak
‘It’s not an individual decision’: Parents sound off on mask, vaccine requirements in schools

By Kate Royals and Julia James - Mississippi Today, 634 Reads
Fri, 07/23/2021 - 5:30 PM
Florance Bass of Brandon kept her kindergarten son home last year.
Nicholas, who has Down syndrome and a repaired congenital heart defect, wasn’t able to participate in virtual school because of vision issues, but he did receive about one hour of instruction a day via Zoom.
- Click Here to Read More about ‘It’s not an individual decision’: Parents sound off on mask, vaccine requirements in schools
Scott Petroleum Corp., a three-state fuel distributor headquartered in Leflore County, has been sold to an Arkansas company. The purchase ends 86 years of the Scott family’s ownership. (By Tim Kalich)

Scott Petroleum sold to Arkansas company

By Tim Kalich, 616 Reads
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 11:42 PM
GREENWOOD, Miss. -- A longtime Leflore County fuel distributor has been sold.
Scott Petroleum Corp. announced Thursday that it has been purchased by C&S Fuels LLC of Newport, Arkansas.
The sale was completed July 15 for an undisclosed price.
- Click Here to Read More about Scott Petroleum sold to Arkansas company
Opinion: Wise and Dzielak discuss Delta variant

By Robert Wise and David Dzielak, 611 Reads
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 9:42 AM
Robert Wise: David, we got our most hits on the article about the Delta variant. People are concerned. What’s your update?
- Click Here to Read More about Opinion: Wise and Dzielak discuss Delta variant
A photo of the 2019 south Delta flooding, courtesy of the Forgotten Backwater Flood Project.

Videos

Thompson Talks Yazoo Pumps Project

READ MORE > 610 Reads
On Fri, 07/23/2021 - 4:42 PM
With all of the disagreement in Washington today, there’s one high-dollar project the entire Mississippi delegation seems to be in favor of, and that is the completion of the Yazoo Backwater Pumps project.
- Click Here to Read More about Thompson Talks Yazoo Pumps Project
Opinion: Quality journalism is very valuable to our country

By Wyatt Emmerich, 550 Reads
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 12:36 AM
I just returned from the 155th meeting of the Mississippi Press Association (MPA) held at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi.
- Click Here to Read More about Opinion: Quality journalism is very valuable to our country

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Lewis to do annual ride

READ MORE > 17,343 Reads
On Fri, 07/02/2021 - 4:05 PM
For eight years, Randall Lewis has taken his love of cycling to another level to raise funds for charity. This Saturday will be no different as he is doing it again.
- Click Here to Read More about Lewis to do annual ride
Newspapers, journalists honored for excellence

READ MORE > 8,887 Reads
On Sat, 07/10/2021 - 5:30 PM
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Public Service Commission nearing approval for Cooperative Energy's planned distribution grid upgrade

By Steve Wilson, 7,335 Reads
Fri, 07/09/2021 - 11:56 AM
The Mississippi Public Service Commission voted at its Thursday meeting to refer a planned improvement to Cooperative Energy’s distribution grid to Chairman Dane Maxwell, who represents the Southern District.
- Click Here to Read More about Public Service Commission nearing approval for Cooperative Energy's planned distribution grid upgrade
Attorney general candidate Lynn Fitch speaks during the Madison and Hinds County Republican Women candidate forum at The Lake House in Ridgeland, Miss., Monday, August 26, 2019. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

New boss same as old boss when it comes to AG using private lawyers

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, 6,887 Reads
Mon, 07/05/2021 - 12:37 PM
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” — Pete Townshend in The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
- Click Here to Read More about New boss same as old boss when it comes to AG using private lawyers
This is part three in a five-part series about Philip Gunn’s influence in changing the Mississippi state flag.

‘This thing’s got a chance’: As outside pressure mounts, Philip Gunn sees legislative path to changing state flag

By ADAM GANUCHEAU - Mississippi Today, 5,809 Reads
Wed, 06/30/2021 - 4:01 PM
Speaker of the House Philip Gunn was watching his son play baseball in Louisiana on June 20, 2020, when he got a call from Rep. Jason White, the second highest-ranking House member and a top lieutenant of Gunn’s.
“Mr. Speaker, you’re never going to believe who I just got off the phone with,” White told Gunn.
- Click Here to Read More about ‘This thing’s got a chance’: As outside pressure mounts, Philip Gunn sees legislative path to changing state flag
Mississippi casinos are setting revenue records, outpacing pre-COVID numbers

By Sara DiNatale - Mississippi Today, 5,258 Reads
Thu, 07/01/2021 - 4:34 PM
Mississippi casinos are making more money now than they were before the pandemic, and the Gulf Coast is leading the spike.
Mississippi casinos are reporting a nearly 21% increase in gross gaming revenue so far this year compared to the same period in 2019, according to data from the state Gaming Commission.
- Click Here to Read More about Mississippi casinos are setting revenue records, outpacing pre-COVID numbers
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : June 29, 2021

By Press Release - MSDH, 4,593 Reads
Tue, 06/29/2021 - 9:24 AM
Listed below is the daily COVID-19 update for the state of Mississippi.
- Click Here to Read More about Mississippi Covid-19 Update : June 29, 2021
W. L. Hightower, pastor of New Zion Baptish Church in Louisville, receives the Moderna vaccine, administered by Mississippi State Department of Health Phamacist Kathryn Ward at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. Hightower was among a number of African American faith leaders from across the state to receive the COVID-19 vaccination Monday at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Tower

Delta variant now dominant COVID-19 strain in Mississippi

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 4,372 Reads
Thu, 07/08/2021 - 5:02 PM
As public health experts have warned for weeks, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain circulating in Mississippi, causing a spike in cases and hospitalizations.
- Click Here to Read More about Delta variant now dominant COVID-19 strain in Mississippi
FDA opens purse to unproven drug

READ MORE > 4,196 Reads
On Wed, 07/07/2021 - 9:25 PM
Prescription drug costs in the United States are high. They are one of the leading factors that keep health care costs routinely rising faster than the general inflation rate.
As a result, Americans spend more on prescription drugs annually than those who live in other developed nations. The reasons are varied.
- Click Here to Read More about FDA opens purse to unproven drug
College kids are COVID risks

READ MORE > 3,625 Reads
On Tue, 07/06/2021 - 9:01 PM
It’s not surprising that a letter is circulating asking Mississippi’s College Board to require students at all of the state’s eight public universities to be vaccinated before the fall semester begins.
What’s surprising is how few have signed the letter.
- Click Here to Read More about College kids are COVID risks

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Lady Eagles shortstop Adrinae Aikens is among the nominees for both Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year.

West Marion’s Olivia Miller is nominated for both Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Columbia Academy first baseman Allie Watts is in the running for both Offensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Lady Wildcats senior Kacey Stampley is nominated for Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.

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Softball’s player of the year nominees

By Joshua Campbell, 27,904 Reads
Fri, 05/21/2021 - 1:43 PM
Now that high school baseball and softball has wrapped up in Marion County, it’s time to hand out some hardware to the county’s biggest stars. Nominations for baseball’s awards will be in Thursday’s edition of The Columbian-Progress, but it’s time now to get into softball’s best players.
- Click Here to Read More about Softball’s player of the year nominees
Mississippi senators help block Jan. 6 riot investigation

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 26,619 Reads
Fri, 05/28/2021 - 4:39 PM
Senate Republicans, including Mississippi’s delegation, on Friday blocked the creation of an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Six Republicans voted to advance debate on the commission, but the final 54 to 35 vote fell six votes shy of the 60 votes needed to prevent a procedural filibuster.
- Click Here to Read More about Mississippi senators help block Jan. 6 riot investigation
Daquarius Wright is pictured here after he was arrested this week for the murder of Paul's Jewelry owner Jamie Iverson.

"I Could Not Believe He Walked On This One": Officer Was Stunned Daquarius Wright Was Acquitted In Armed Robbery Case Last October

By Bryan Davis, 26,618 Reads
Fri, 04/30/2021 - 5:19 PM
One of the men charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Paul’s Jewelry owner Jamie Iverson was acquitted in an April 2019 armed robbery of a Family Dollar store in the Jackson area, but according to one of the arresting officers, it was one of the strongest cas
- Click Here to Read More about "I Could Not Believe He Walked On This One": Officer Was Stunned Daquarius Wright Was Acquitted In Armed Robbery Case Last October
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Remembering this special time

By Susan Amundson, 26,423 Reads
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 3:19 PM
It is hard to believe that graduation is upon us, and yet it is. I, among many other parents, have asked myself repeatedly where the time has gone. All I know is, yesterday, these soon-to-be graduates were babies, and now they think they are ready to conquer the world, and rightfully so.
- Click Here to Read More about Remembering this special time
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs discusses distribution of COVID-19 vaccines during a press conference at the Woolfolk Building in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Dr. Dobbs: Get vaccine or get COVID-19

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 26,354 Reads
Fri, 05/14/2021 - 3:45 PM
As Mississippi continues to rank last in the nation in the share of its population that has been vaccinated, the message from the state’s top health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs is clear: get vaccinated or get COVID-19.
COVID is not gone.
- Click Here to Read More about Dr. Dobbs: Get vaccine or get COVID-19
Columbia guard signs with Hinds

READ MORE > 26,348 Reads
On Fri, 03/12/2021 - 2:09 PM
The first domino of the college basketball signing period fell Tuesday as Columbia High School senior Jasmine Sheppard signed a scholarship to play at Hinds Community College next season.
Sheppard said it’s a blessing to have an opportunity to continue her basketball career at the collegiate level.
- Click Here to Read More about Columbia guard signs with Hinds
John Henry Wells has his bond set for $3 million for allegedly murdering his parents Thursday morning. | Photo by Joshua Campbell

Wells' bond $3 million for double murder

By Joshua Campbell, 26,068 Reads
Fri, 02/26/2021 - 10:04 PM
More than two months after allegedly murdering his parents, John Henry Wells made his initial appearance in Justice Court Thursday morning and had his bond set at a total of $3 million.
- Click Here to Read More about Wells' bond $3 million for double murder
Bobby Rush and Kingfish Ingram talk to reporters on Friday morning at the B.B. King Museum.

Videos

Video: Bobby Rush Talks The Importance of Youth and the Blues

By Emmerich Videos, 22,981 Reads
Fri, 06/04/2021 - 5:45 PM
Bobby Rush, who will be participating in Saturday's B.B. King Museum expansion grand opening, talks to journalists from all over the world at the museum on Friday
- Click Here to Read More about Video: Bobby Rush Talks The Importance of Youth and the Blues
Vaccine-resistant COVID-19 strain detected in Mississippi

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 20,519 Reads
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 3:50 PM
A more infectious and vaccine-resistant variant strain of COVID-19 was detected in Mississippi on Friday. One person in Harrison County was found to be infected with the B.1.351 variant, which was discovered in South Africa in December and reached the United States in January.
- Click Here to Read More about Vaccine-resistant COVID-19 strain detected in Mississippi
Mississippi to Receive $10.7 million from U.S. Dept. of Education to Address Homeless Youth

By Press Release - US Department of Education, 17,626 Reads
Fri, 04/23/2021 - 4:29 PM
Below is a press release from the U.S. Department of Education:
First round of funds to be received next week.
- Click Here to Read More about Mississippi to Receive $10.7 million from U.S. Dept. of Education to Address Homeless Youth

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Lady Eagles shortstop Adrinae Aikens is among the nominees for both Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year.

West Marion’s Olivia Miller is nominated for both Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Columbia Academy first baseman Allie Watts is in the running for both Offensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Lady Wildcats senior Kacey Stampley is nominated for Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.

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Softball’s player of the year nominees

By Joshua Campbell, 27,904 Reads
Fri, 05/21/2021 - 1:43 PM
Now that high school baseball and softball has wrapped up in Marion County, it’s time to hand out some hardware to the county’s biggest stars. Nominations for baseball’s awards will be in Thursday’s edition of The Columbian-Progress, but it’s time now to get into softball’s best players.
- Click Here to Read More about Softball’s player of the year nominees
Mississippi senators help block Jan. 6 riot investigation

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 26,619 Reads
Fri, 05/28/2021 - 4:39 PM
Senate Republicans, including Mississippi’s delegation, on Friday blocked the creation of an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Six Republicans voted to advance debate on the commission, but the final 54 to 35 vote fell six votes shy of the 60 votes needed to prevent a procedural filibuster.
- Click Here to Read More about Mississippi senators help block Jan. 6 riot investigation
Daquarius Wright is pictured here after he was arrested this week for the murder of Paul's Jewelry owner Jamie Iverson.

"I Could Not Believe He Walked On This One": Officer Was Stunned Daquarius Wright Was Acquitted In Armed Robbery Case Last October

By Bryan Davis, 26,618 Reads
Fri, 04/30/2021 - 5:19 PM
One of the men charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Paul’s Jewelry owner Jamie Iverson was acquitted in an April 2019 armed robbery of a Family Dollar store in the Jackson area, but according to one of the arresting officers, it was one of the strongest cas
- Click Here to Read More about "I Could Not Believe He Walked On This One": Officer Was Stunned Daquarius Wright Was Acquitted In Armed Robbery Case Last October
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Remembering this special time

By Susan Amundson, 26,423 Reads
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 3:19 PM
It is hard to believe that graduation is upon us, and yet it is. I, among many other parents, have asked myself repeatedly where the time has gone. All I know is, yesterday, these soon-to-be graduates were babies, and now they think they are ready to conquer the world, and rightfully so.
- Click Here to Read More about Remembering this special time
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs discusses distribution of COVID-19 vaccines during a press conference at the Woolfolk Building in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Dr. Dobbs: Get vaccine or get COVID-19

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 26,354 Reads
Fri, 05/14/2021 - 3:45 PM
As Mississippi continues to rank last in the nation in the share of its population that has been vaccinated, the message from the state’s top health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs is clear: get vaccinated or get COVID-19.
COVID is not gone.
- Click Here to Read More about Dr. Dobbs: Get vaccine or get COVID-19
Columbia guard signs with Hinds

READ MORE > 26,348 Reads
On Fri, 03/12/2021 - 2:09 PM
The first domino of the college basketball signing period fell Tuesday as Columbia High School senior Jasmine Sheppard signed a scholarship to play at Hinds Community College next season.
Sheppard said it’s a blessing to have an opportunity to continue her basketball career at the collegiate level.
- Click Here to Read More about Columbia guard signs with Hinds
John Henry Wells has his bond set for $3 million for allegedly murdering his parents Thursday morning. | Photo by Joshua Campbell

Wells' bond $3 million for double murder

By Joshua Campbell, 26,068 Reads
Fri, 02/26/2021 - 10:04 PM
More than two months after allegedly murdering his parents, John Henry Wells made his initial appearance in Justice Court Thursday morning and had his bond set at a total of $3 million.
- Click Here to Read More about Wells' bond $3 million for double murder
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Main Street receives donation

By Susan Amundson, 24,796 Reads
Fri, 01/29/2021 - 4:13 PM
Thursday afternoon Main Street Columbia received a $6,000 donation from Experience Columbia. The donation will be used in three different ways, including a $2,000 facade grant, $2,000 landscaping grant and $2,000 to be set aside for future projects.
- Click Here to Read More about Main Street receives donation
Bobby Rush and Kingfish Ingram talk to reporters on Friday morning at the B.B. King Museum.

Videos

Video: Bobby Rush Talks The Importance of Youth and the Blues

By Emmerich Videos, 22,981 Reads
Fri, 06/04/2021 - 5:45 PM
Bobby Rush, who will be participating in Saturday's B.B. King Museum expansion grand opening, talks to journalists from all over the world at the museum on Friday
- Click Here to Read More about Video: Bobby Rush Talks The Importance of Youth and the Blues
Vaccine-resistant COVID-19 strain detected in Mississippi

By Will Stribling - Mississippi Today, 20,519 Reads
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 3:50 PM
A more infectious and vaccine-resistant variant strain of COVID-19 was detected in Mississippi on Friday. One person in Harrison County was found to be infected with the B.1.351 variant, which was discovered in South Africa in December and reached the United States in January.
- Click Here to Read More about Vaccine-resistant COVID-19 strain detected in Mississippi