2 months 2 weeks ago
Similar bills were introduced during the 2025 legislative session but did not gain enough support from both chambers to make it to the governor’s desk.
In the first week of the 2026 legislative session, four bills were filed to ban cell phone use in Mississippi public school classrooms.
Two of those bills came out of the Senate, where SB 2099 was authored by State Senator Briggs Hopson (R) and SB 2069 was authored by Senator Dennis DeBar (R).
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Colonel Chris Cooksey, Commander of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team for the Mississippi National Guard, told lawmakers that chaplain support is plays a major role in reducing service member suicide rates.
Legislators on the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force heard Monday of the importance of having someone to talk to when dealing with mental health issues, particularly for members of the military and the nation’s veterans.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Senator Lydia Chassaniol believes the measure will pass again this session and Governor Tate Reeves will support the legislation with the accompanying budget bills.
State Senator Lydia Chassaniol (R), chair of the Senate Tourism Committee, brought back a bill on Tuesday that aims to create a standalone Mississippi Department of Tourism.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Below is an opinion column by Kimberly Ross:
Neither Renee Good nor Jonathan Ross should be political pawns. One person is dead, the other person has to live with the knowledge he took her life, and a country that has been sitting on a tinderbox inches ever closer to explosion.
By Kimberly Ross - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
The FBI’s affidavit against Spencer Pittman in the Beth Israel fire lays out damning details and also provides clues as to Pittman’s motives. A particular phrase used by Pittman appears frequently in anti-semitic propaganda from internet provocateurs like Nick Fuentes.
Jackson, Miss. — On Monday, Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, appeared via Zoom from a hospital bed, for his initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
By Russ Latino and Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Higgins, who was abruptly removed from his longtime position with the Golden Triangle Development LINK in August, said his role is to help provide a road map that will lead to exponential growth of Tate County.
On Monday, the Tate County Board of Supervisors and the Tate County Economic Development Foundation announced an agreement with 2EQLAST Consulting, led by Joe Max Higgins, to head the Tate County EDF team.
2EQLAST stands for “Second Equals Last.”
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
In a state known for storytelling, it feels fitting that one of Mississippi’s most meaningful businesses isn’t about writing new stories—but about making sure the old ones are never lost.
There are places in Mississippi where time doesn’t rush you. Where history isn’t tucked behind glass or sealed away in archives, but still shows up every morning for work. Where stories aren’t just told—they’re repaired, rebound, and sent back into the world to keep living.
By Meredith Biesinger - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
“If our Congressman’s 33 years in office had helped build up this district, built wealth and health in this district, there’d be no need for change,” Turnage asserts.
Evan Turnage, the former chief counsel to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), has teamed up with the same ad team that helped Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, win the New York mayor’s race in 2025.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Below is a political opinion column by Russ Latino:
Republican lawmakers will have to decide whether to stand with the president popular among their voters or buck Trump in favor of groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center.
By Russ Latino - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Robert St. John talks Carnival. He says king cakes are subjective. Everyone has an opinion. He has several strong ones.
Most people who aren’t from around here don’t realize how much Mardi Gras matters in my hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
By Robert St. John on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Below is a religion column by Matt Friedeman:
Completeness can’t be constructed by human effort; it is a gift of God. It is divine power via grace.
Imagine having your whole life before you; you and your friends are the best and brightest in all the land. Suddenly, your nation is toppled and you are enslaved, forced into serving pagans.
What to do?
By Matt Friedeman - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
The congregation at Beth Israel must rebuild after an arsonist’s fire damaged large portions of the largest Jewish synagogue in Mississippi.
Jackson, Mississippi — Before the sun rose on Saturday, January 10, 2026, fire and billowing smoke spread through the Beth Israel synagogue. Fire crews responded to an emergency call after 3 a.m. After extinguishing the blaze, they determined it had been set by an arsonist.
Founded in 1860, Beth Israel is the capital city’s only synagogue. It is the largest Jewish house of worship in Mississippi.
By Russ Latino - Magnolia Tribune on
2 months 2 weeks ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
2 months 3 weeks ago
One of the Southeast's top economic development executives will take the reins of the Tate County Economic Development Foundation.
The Tate County Board of Supervisors and the Tate County Economic Development Foundation have announced the hiring of Joe Max Higgins to fill the vacancy in the community’s community’s economic and industrial development organization.
The announcement was made Monday night following a meeting of the EDF Board and community stakeholders.
By Floyd Ingram on
2 months 3 weeks ago
One of the Southeast's top economic development executives will take the reins of the Tate County Economic Development Foundation.
The Tate County Board of Supervisors and the Tate County Economic Development Foundation have announced the hiring of Joe Max Higgins to fill the vacancy in the community’s community’s economic and industrial development organization.
The announcement was made Monday night following a meeting of the EDF Board and community stakeholders.
By Floyd Ingram on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Brittney Mangum, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
“Don’t spend your life being driven by the things this world can offer,” advised Eric Waddell. “Instead, focus on a life lead by Christ and honor Him in all you do, and love on your family. That is more important than anything!”
Eric Waddell values his relationship with Christ above all else because he knows just how important God is in his life. In fact, the day he got saved is one of the days that stands out in his mind the most.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Photo by Brittney Mangum, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
“Don’t spend your life being driven by the things this world can offer,” advised Eric Waddell. “Instead, focus on a life lead by Christ and honor Him in all you do, and love on your family. That is more important than anything!”
Eric Waddell values his relationship with Christ above all else because he knows just how important God is in his life. In fact, the day he got saved is one of the days that stands out in his mind the most.
By Brittney Mangum on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Edward N. "Nick" Kramer III, 77, of Quitman, Mississippi, passed away on January 9, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on February 24, 1948, to Edward and Maudine (Webb) Kramer in Quitman, MS.
Nick was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church of Quitman, MS. He served his community as a member of the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce and Historic Clarke County. Nick was a longtime attorney, and he was honored by the Mississippi Bar Association for over 50 years of practice.
By Submitted on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Edward N. "Nick" Kramer III, 77, of Quitman, Mississippi, passed away on January 9, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on February 24, 1948, to Edward and Maudine (Webb) Kramer in Quitman, MS.
Nick was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church of Quitman, MS. He served his community as a member of the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce and Historic Clarke County. Nick was a longtime attorney, and he was honored by the Mississippi Bar Association for over 50 years of practice.
By Submitted on
2 months 3 weeks ago
Edward N. "Nick" Kramer III, 77, of Quitman, Mississippi, passed away on January 9, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on February 24, 1948, to Edward and Maudine (Webb) Kramer in Quitman, MS.
Nick was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church of Quitman, MS. He served his community as a member of the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce and Historic Clarke County. Nick was a longtime attorney, and he was honored by the Mississippi Bar Association for over 50 years of practice.
By Submitted on
