1 month ago
Mississippi has lost nearly 70,000 public school students since the state’s student population started its downturn in 2013.
The vast majority of Mississippi’s school districts, 113, have seen enrollment declines — some as much as 40%.
Some experts link the falling public school enrollment to the state’s overall population loss.
By Devna Bose - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
State Rep. Jeff Hale, a Republican lawmaker from Hernando, was arrested and charged by the Hernando Police Department on Friday night with driving under the influence, reckless driving, speeding and disorderly conduct.
Online police records show Hale was booked into the DeSoto County detention facility, posted a bond of $1,500 and that he has been released from custody. The online records also say that this is Hale’s first DUI charge.
By Taylor Vance - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by former Jackson State University President William B. Bynum Jr. against the university and the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, ending a six-year legal battle.
By Candice Wilder - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
This article is the first in a series on Mississippians sharing their thoughts on the new gerrymandering push embroiling Mississippi, the South and the nation.
Inside a tin-roofed shed on a grassy stretch along Dentville Road in Hazlehurst, Michael Watts’ grandmother did something she had never done before – she voted.
By Michael Goldberg - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
House Democratic Leader Robert Johnson of Natchez says that as states across the nation become embroiled over racial and partisan gerrymandering of voting districts, he believes now they’ll know “what it’s like to be in Mississippi” with its long struggles with voting rights and drawing district lines. What other states see as unprecedented political battle, Johnson said, “We call Tuesday.”
By Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Rev. Robert James gives his comments during a Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality public hearing on an xAI permit application at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Southaven on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Below is an opinion column by Melissa Garriga:
Mississippi Today Ideas is a platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share their ideas about our state’s past, present and future. Opinions expressed in guest essays are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of Mississippi Today. You can read more about the section here.
By Melissa Garriga - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Rep. Cheikh Taylor, chair of the Mississippi Democratic Party, gives remarks on Gov. Reeves' cancellation of the special session and ongoing Republican redistricting efforts during a press conference at the Mississippi Democratic Party headquarters in Jackson, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
One estimate shows Democrats could lose as many as 24 seats in the Mississippi Legislature from GOP-led gerrymandering, the state party chairman said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Jackson, Rep. Cheikh Taylor, Democratic Party chairman, said he has reviewed maps Republicans might adopt in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which gutted part of the Voting Rights Act.
By Michael Goldberg - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Allison Palmer takes advantage of the Clocked In job fair at the Jackson Medical Mall by filling out an application for employment on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The workforce expo was hosted by Deep South Today, Mississippi Today and the Foundation for the Mid South.
Allison Palmer is looking to get her life back on track. She lives in a women’s shelter and is hoping to find a job to support herself and her husband, who is staying in a men’s shelter.
“I just want to be able to stand on my own two feet,” she said.
By Simeon Gates - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Sen. Daniel Sparks, R-Belmont, discussed his 2027 candidacy for State Auditor during an interview at Mississippi Today, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
State Sen. Daniel Sparks, a two-term Republican lawmaker from Tishomingo County, announced in his hometown of Belmont on Tuesday evening that he will run in the Republican primary for state auditor next year.
Sparks, an attorney with a master’s in taxation, told Mississippi Today in an interview that he would be an effective state auditor because of his experience in the Legislature, serving on the Appropriations Committee and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
By Taylor Vance - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Today’s Crooked Letter menu has several flavors: college baseball, the Ferriss Trophy, Aaron Rei’s much-deserved PGA Championship victory, another remembrance of Charlie Rugg, the NBA phenom named Wemby and much, much more.
By Rick Cleveland and Tyler Cleveland - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney, left, is introduced by Mayor John Horhn during a Pearl River Flood Risk Management Project press conference on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Pearl. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
The city’s budget is tight, and Police Chief RaShall Brackney is looking for ways to pay for crime-fighting efforts.
Jackson police could get a new ballistics unit, a small SWAT vehicle and 11 guns if the department is approved for state and federal grants.
The new chief, RaShall Brackney, is undertaking a push to bring millions in outside funding to the Jackson Police Department amid citywide budget constraints. Brackney took over the department April 1.
By Molly Minta - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
In what Clarke County Sheriff Anthony Chancelor called “an attempted coup,” six of his deputies have left the department after a majority signed a letter voicing concerns about the sheriff’s priorities and how following them has put their integrity into question.
Sgt. Andy Lafferty, Sgt. Steve Whitaker, Sgt. Kenneth Hollifield, Deputy Peyton Kennedy and Deputy Ellis Ray Dogget said they are willing to lay down their badges because of pressing issues.
By Mina Corpuz - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Dr. Dan Jones, the former chancellor of the University of Mississippi, speaks to the media about Medicaid expansion during a press conference at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 14, 2024. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Today’s column comes to you compliments of a chapter in Dr. Dan Jones’ new memoir “Medical Missionary,” an intriguing read I much enjoyed.
We begin in October 2002. Jones, later the University of Mississippi chancellor, was then the associate vice chancellor for health affairs at University of Mississippi Medical Center. Six doctors from a Pyongyang medical center were winding up a two-month visit to UMMC. Jones decided it would be a good idea to expose the North Koreans to American football.
By Rick Cleveland - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Although the public has grown more aware of mental health challenges in recent years, resources for adolescents are lacking, said Andrew Yockey, a University of Mississippi assistant professor of public health.
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adolescents experienced depression between 2021 and 2023, and those teens were significantly more likely to use substances such as alcohol, marijuana and opioids, according to a new national study.
By Clara Turnage - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month ago
President of Mississippi University for Women Nora Roberts Miller holds a sign that says "I'm a Fan of the W" before she and other MUW alumni take a photo on the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Stakeholders in the MUW community have shared their preferred traits for the university’s next leader — and named someone they would like to see in the role.
The next president of the Mississippi University for Women should prioritize listening to and understanding students, people within the institution’s community say.
That’s something Nora Miller, who retires effective June 30, did well, said Zander Hall, the university’s Student Government Association incoming president for the 2026-2027 school year.
By Candice Wilder - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
The public can now get a glimpse of 1960s Ku Klux Klan materials, including charters and lists of dues-paying Mississippi Klansmen, through collections housed at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
The department announced Wednesday that the materials can be seen in its research library in downtown Jackson. Items are also now available for viewing online.
By Jerry Mitchell - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Tamu Green, CEO of SR1, listens as Letitia Johnson, finance director for the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, answers questions during a hearing about SR1 on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Leaders of SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy spent around $800,000 in a year when the school enrolled about 15 students.
About 99 students in Canton could lose their school by August if the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board agrees to revoke its charter.
At a May 14 hearing, an attorney for the board argued that SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy should lose its charter because leadership mismanaged the school, particularly its finances, violating state law and its contract.
By Leonardo Bevilacqua - Mississippi Today on
1 month ago
Shannon Sharp, right, from the Center for Research Evaluation at the University of Mississippi, was the guest speaker for the Charleston Rotary Club on May 13. Sharp, who is pictured with Rotarian Ray Clolinger, met with Rotarians to better understand the assets, capacities, needs and barriers to successful education and workforce development in Charleston. Her visit was at the request of the SonEdna Foundation. (Photo by Dana Clolinger)
Published on
1 month ago
Where are you seeing progress in Charleston right now?
By CHERYL SWOOPES on
1 month ago
Haven Rose Dukes and Scottie Little graduated from kindergarten Friday night at North Delta School in Batesville.
Joanna Pullen graduated from K4 kindergarten and her daddy, Sam Pullen, will graduate May 22. Sam will then be a nurse practitioner. He passed his boards and will be working at the clinic in Charleston for TGH.
Faye Hartley is so proud of her three grandchildren who made all A’s for the year. Highest in History, Writing and Math. Also, Mclendon had all A’s for AR award. Way to go!
By PATCIE DECK on
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