1 week 6 days ago
Some raise questions about noise, health or other impact a large development could have.
A large crowd of residents gathered Monday evening at Clarksdale’s Civic Auditorium to ask questions about or voice their thoughts on a proposed data center development.
Many were excited about the economic benefits that such a large project could bring to the small, financially struggling Delta community.
By Katherine Lin - Mississippi Today on
1 week 6 days ago
The fate of a pilot program to provide public defenders in rural counties — called “a model for the nation” — is now in the hands of a legislative conference committee.
By Jerry Mitchell - Mississippi Today on
1 week 6 days ago
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce fired Lauren Stokes, a former executive assistant in the development office, following a social media post she shared criticizing political stances of far-right activist Charlie Kirk.
By Candice Wilder - Mississippi Today on
1 week 6 days ago
Measles hit Spartanburg, South Carolina, hard. Reuters reported last month nearly 1,000 individuals got infected in Spartanburg County since October. The outbreak hit in places like the Global Academy of South Carolina where 21% of students had not been vaccinated, then spread to the unvaccinated at places like Costco, Publix, Goodwill, Burger King, the library, a museum, and the post office, reported the New York Times.
“This is not normal,” state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said. “This is unprecedented.”
By Bill Crawford on
1 week 6 days ago
Truth can be strange, and those who think to the contrary should try reading Julian Sancton’s new book, “Neptune’s Fortune, The Billion Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire.”
At the center of the book is Roger Dooley, a Cuban American who explored the island’s waters for Castro, scoured the Spanish archives for decades, and at age 71 found off the coast of Colombia the wreck of a famous 18th century ship loaded with gold, which neither he nor anyone else has gotten to touch.
By Luther Munford on
1 week 6 days ago
JXN Water and Entergy Mississippi have something in common. They are both regulated monopolies that have failed to provide affordable water and electricity to justify their monopoly status. They are “natural monopolies” based on the premise that competition involves costly duplication of plants and pipes and transmission lines and thus higher costs. Hence, regulated monopolies to provide cheaper water and electricity.
By Kelley Williams on
2 weeks ago
Ted "Teddy" DiBiase Jr. and his wife Kristen Tynes walk to the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King, Mississippi Today
Attorneys defending Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr., the only person to face trial in a welfare fraud scandal that has rocked Mississippi over the last six years, kept their case succinct.
They began Tuesday and rested Wednesday afternoon, the 18th day of trial, after calling just four witnesses. DiBiase opted not to take the stand. On Thursday, the judge will deliver the jury’s instructions, both sides will present closing arguments and jurors will begin deliberating.
By Anna Wolfe - Mississippi Today on
2 weeks ago
Jackson’s premier culinary celebration returns March 20–22 with festival chair Chef Nick Wallace and more than 35 participating chefs.
By Susan Marquez - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
In Mississippi
Four more counties added to winter storm public assistance program
Four more counties are now eligible for Public Assistance grants to support debris removal and permanent work to repair public facilities damaged by the January winter storm.
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
2 weeks ago
After being fired following an incendiary post about Charlie Kirk’s death, former ole Miss employee Lauren Stokes argued her First Amendment rights were violated. U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson dismissed the claims Monday, setting up a potential 5th Circuit appeal.
A federal judge has dismissed former University of Mississippi employee Lauren Stokes’ First Amendment retaliation lawsuit against Chancellor Glenn Boyce, bringing an early end—at least for now—to one of the state’s most closely watched campus speech disputes.
By Russ Latino - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
Mary Ann was born in Biloxi and grew up in Brandon, with loving but strict parents. Her childhood in Mississippi shaped her outlook on life.
By Marilyn Tinnin - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
The legislation would create an additional $6 million in tax credits for special purpose schools that serve students with disabilities.
The Senate passed a strike-all amendment to a House bill that would create a third bucket for educational tax credits solely for special purpose schools under the Children’s Promise Act.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
The Jackson trio are set to go on trial in the summer of 2026.
A former Jackson mayor is asking a federal judge to dismiss bribery charges against him.
Attorneys for former capital city mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba filed the dismissal motion on February 27, but court officials told Magnolia Tribune that the filing is not available to the public because a federal judge ruled the motion to be “restricted.”
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
Once the first 300 are claimed, any vehicle owner in Mississippi will be able buy one at their local county tax collector’s office to support freedom and liberty studies at a state university.
Over 200 of the needed 300 applications has been received for the first round of the Gadsden Flag car tags which proudly declares “Don’t Tread On Me.” The 300 tags must be claimed and spoken for before the state will begin production of the new specialty tags.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
The Mississippi House of Representatives voted to concur on the measures Tuesday after the bills returned from the Senate.
Legislation allowing terminally ill patients to try medical cannabis for ailments not currently covered under the state’s program and another measure to request FDA approval to conduct clinical trials of a psychoactive drug aimed at helping people overcome PTSD and opioid withdrawal symptoms are heading to the governor’s desk.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
I prefer local issues, but the recent international topics are driving everyone’s interest, so I’ll add my two bits.
Unlike many of my friends, I am not a fan of Trump’s personality. I would prefer a more genteel leader like Ronald Reagan. But Trump is the duly elected leader of our nation.
By Wyatt Emmerich on
2 weeks ago
I prefer local issues, but the recent international topics are driving everyone’s interest, so I’ll add my two bits.
Unlike many of my friends, I am not a fan of Trump’s personality. I would prefer a more genteel leader like Ronald Reagan. But Trump is the duly elected leader of our nation.
By Wyatt Emmerich on
2 weeks ago
State Senator Lane Taylor believes the bill could help struggling rural hospitals as many are facing risk of closure.
Help could be on the way for rural hospitals after the Mississippi Senate unanimously passed a strike-all amendment to a House bill Tuesday morning.
The bill, HB 4032 originally authored by State Rep. Trey Lamar (R), would allow tax deductions to those who contribute to rural public hospitals.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
There was little discussion on the House side before rejecting the Senate proposal. However, it was heavily debated last week in the Senate.
The Mississippi House of Representatives on Tuesday morning declined to concur with a Senate version of a bill to create a Jackson Water Authority to assist in resolving the capital city’s water struggles.
The bill now heads to conference between the two chambers in hopes of hammering out an agreement.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
2 weeks ago
The Integrated Ocean Observation System plays a vital role in forecasting hurricanes, monitoring harmful algal blooms, supporting maritime navigation, and informing disaster response.
Mississippi Congressman Mike Ezell’s legislation to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS) passed the U.S. House of Representatives Monday night.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on