south
GEAR UP Gives Mississippi Students a Roadmap to College
Mississippi's GEAR UP initiative pairs mentorship and early planning to help students—especially those in rural districts—chart a clearer course toward higher education.
Mississippi Senate Race: Runoff Looms, Winner Uncertain
Mississippi's Senate race heads to a runoff as no candidate clears the threshold, leaving the winner unknown for weeks.
Entergy: Data Centers a Net Win for Mississippi Ratepayers
As hyperscale data centers flock to the Delta, Entergy argues the load growth will lower rates for everyone. Critics aren't so sure.
Hinds County Jail Release Push Exposes Deep Dysfunction
A rare court-driven effort to free detainees from Hinds County's jail lays bare a system buckling under neglect, delay, and constitutional failure.
A Walk for Nolan: Gulf Coast Marchers Demand Answers
Hundreds walked from Biloxi to Ocean Springs to press for justice in the Nolan Wells case, turning grief into a public demand for accountability.
The Vanishing Song of Southern Nights
Once the soundtrack of Deep South evenings, the whip-poor-will's call is fading. Habitat loss and fire suppression may be silencing a regional icon.
Jackson Judge Orders Grand Chateau Owner Extradited, Jailed
A Jackson judge's order to extradite and jail the Grand Chateau owner signals a hard line on chronic code violations and tenant neglect.
Snapchat Surge: A Southern Town's Digital Cry for Nolan Wells
As friends' Snapchat messages surged with worry over Nolan Wells, a Southern community's digital panic outpaced official channels.
Consolidation's Crown Jewel? Starkville's Divide Deepens
State officials tout Starkville's district merger as a model of success, but county residents see a different ledger—one written in lost identity and unmet promises.
Jackson Asthma Deaths Hit Three-Year High: A Public Health Warning
New data shows asthma mortality in Jackson at its highest point in three years, raising urgent questions about air quality, healthcare access, and prevention.
College Football's New Math: A Season of Headaches
The expanded playoff, realignment and the portal have turned Saturdays into a puzzle. Here's how to make sense of the chaos.
Mississippi Poll: Voters Back Property Tax Repeal, Accept Retail Costs
A new House speaker poll shows Mississippians favor eliminating property tax, even if it shifts the burden to higher retail prices. The trade-off signals a deep distrust of local levies.
Mississippi Sculptor Returns Home to Carve Anderson's Vision
A native son comes back to the Gulf Coast to translate Walter Anderson's flat, vibrant nature scenes into dimensional sculpture, bridging two generations of regional artistry.
Gulf's Silent Toll: Marine Life Still Reeling Years After BP Spill
New research shows a dramatic decline in Gulf marine life long after the BP disaster, raising hard questions about recovery timelines and ecosystem resilience.
After Ole Miss Deaths, Mississippi Eyes Kratom Crackdown
Lawmakers weigh stricter kratom rules after Ole Miss student deaths, reigniting debate over regulation, safety, and the herb's growing popularity.
Judge Keeps NAACP's xAI Bias Suit Alive, Rejects White House Bid
A federal judge refused to toss the NAACP's discrimination lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, dealing a setback to the Trump administration's intervention.
Lawmaker Pushes Jackson to Sell Land for Pearl River Casino
A state lawmaker is pressing Jackson city leaders to offload municipal property to clear the way for a Pearl River casino development.
Lexington Police Reform Deal: A New Era or Same Old Story?
The DOJ settlement with Lexington PD promises structural change, but lasting reform hinges on community oversight and sustained political will.
JXN Water Pushes Independent Oversight for Jackson's Aging Systems
Jackson's water utility is pressing for outside oversight of its long-troubled water and sewer networks, a shift with deep implications for the capital city.
Tindell exits DPS; Capitol Police chief tapped for top post
Commissioner Sean Tindell steps down as Reeves names the Capitol Police chief to lead public safety — a shift signaling tighter executive control.
Disbarment Dims Lumumba's Legal and Political Future
The disbarment of former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba strips him of a key platform and reshapes the Deep South's progressive landscape.
Southern Groups Fight 'Unnecessary' Data-Center Gas Pipeline
Environmental and community groups argue a proposed gas pipeline serving data centers is unnecessary, urging regulators to weigh climate and ratepayer costs.
Trump Ally's Fundraiser Boosts White's Governor Bid
A former Trump official will host a fundraiser for Shad White as the Mississippi auditor weighs a gubernatorial run, signaling early national support.
GOP States Tighten Voting Rules, Echoing Trump's Midterm Playbook
From ID requirements to absentee limits, Southern legislatures are reshaping election law — and the changes track closely with proposals the former president pushed for the midterms.
Delta Blame Game: Is White's Thompson Attack Fair?
Mississippi's auditor blames the Delta's congressman for regional decline, but structural forces—not any single politician—shaped this crisis.
Isaias Weakens, But Flooding and Outages Linger Across the South
The storm has lost its punch, yet swollen rivers and downed lines keep the region on edge.
Nell Grace Plants New Roots in Jackson's Historic Farish Street
A familiar name returns to Jackson's storied Farish Street corridor, bringing fresh energy to a district long awaiting its second act.
Grisham: Journalism's Duty Is Exposing Systemic Corruption
Bestselling author John Grisham argues the press remains the essential check on power, a view resonating across the Deep South's newsrooms.
Mississippi Blood Services Sounds Alarm as Donor Supply Runs Thin
Regional blood center urges Mississippians to roll up a sleeve as reserves dip, a familiar seasonal crunch with real consequences for hospitals across the state.
Nolan Wells Case: Grand Jury Report Isn't the Final Word
A human rights advocate argues the grand jury report on Nolan Wells should open a new chapter, not close the book on accountability.
Mississippi's Budget Merry-Go-Round: A Cycle of Promise and Pinch
Lawmakers return to Jackson to balance the books once more, weighing tax cuts against the state's perennial needs.
Buddy Guy's Radio City Triumph: A Blues Legacy Cemented
The sold-out 'Buddy's Got the Blues' show at Radio City Music Hall was more than a concert—it was a passing of the torch for the genre's living legend.
Grant Expands Fannie Lou Hamer Digital Tour
New funding broadens the digital driving tour honoring the Mississippi civil rights icon, deepening access to her rural legacy.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Science Shifts, Death Row Inmate Awaits Reprieve
Evolving medical consensus on shaken baby syndrome is reshaping old convictions, and one Southern death row case now hangs on the new science.
MDA Shakeup: Cork's Quiet Exit, Waldrop's Rise
Bill Cork's sudden resignation as MDA chief leaves questions unanswered as Gov. Reeves taps Waldrop to steer Mississippi's development agency.
A Birthday Gift That Erased a Mountain of Southern Medical Debt
A Water Valley woman turned her birthday into a quiet act of financial liberation, retiring millions in neighbors' medical bills.
Mississippi Lawmakers Push to Safeguard Contraception Access
A legislative effort in Mississippi seeks to codify the right to contraception, a defensive move amid post-Dobbs uncertainty over reproductive health care.
The Blame-Shield: How Politicians Dodge Healthcare Anger
From insurers to hospitals to 'the system,' politicians have a ready list of scapegoats — and voters keep accepting it.
Stone County re-entry program strains under demand as waitlist grows
A Stone County re-entry initiative faces mounting pressure as more returning citizens seek services, leaving organizers to weigh capacity against community need.
Hinds DA Hopefuls Clash Over Corruption and Jail Crowding
Candidates for Hinds County district attorney trade sharp attacks over office dysfunction, corruption allegations and a jail system under federal scrutiny.
From Lawn Party to Literary Landmark: Mississippi Book Festival's Rise
What began as a modest literary lawn party has grown into a defining cultural event for the South, reshaping how the region celebrates the written word.
Can Mississippi's Rivals Recapture 2014's Shared Glory?
A decade after both programs soared into the national spotlight, the question lingers: can the Magnolia State's flagship rivals repeat that magical autumn?
UN: Safe Water Is a Human Right, Despite 5th Circuit Ruling
The UN reaffirms clean water as a human right even as the 5th Circuit narrows remedies in Jackson's water crisis, deepening a regional divide.
Thompson's Push: National Dems Can't Ignore Mississippi
Rep. Bennie Thompson's call for deeper national Democratic involvement in the Colom Senate race signals a shift in how the party views the Deep South.
Rebels Turn the Page: Chambliss Carries Ole Miss Past Kiffin Era
With Lane Kiffin in the rearview, Trinidad Chambliss embodies a new Ole Miss identity built on grit, discipline, and homegrown pride.
Sky-High Jab: Banner Targets Hyde-Smith Ahead of Ole Miss Game
Aerial protest over Oxford's stadium turns a football Saturday into a political stage, testing how Mississippi's conservative base receives a public rebuke of its senior senator.
WWI Letters, Modern Classrooms: Ole Miss Project Shows Why Education Matters
A translation project at Ole Miss turns century-old soldier letters into a lesson on the enduring value of the humanities and higher education.
Mississippi's Disaster Playbook Draws Uzbekistan Delegation
Central Asian officials study Mississippi's hurricane-tested emergency response systems as both regions face intensifying climate threats.
South Braces as $177B in Federal Grants Frozen
Analysis: The White House's sweeping freeze on federal grants hits Southern states hard, threatening rural hospitals, roads, and schools.
The Other Side: Michael Chiaradio and the Value of Dissent in the South
A profile of Michael Chiaradio, whose contrarian voice challenges the Deep South's political consensus — and why that matters for regional discourse.
Taylor's Spark vs. Ole Miss Secondary: Week 2 Reality Check
Kamario Taylor gives MSU a jolt, but Ole Miss's pass defense shows cracks. A week 2 analysis of the state's two SEC programs.
25 Years Later, the Smallest 9/11 Moments Still Linger
A quarter-century on, it's not the towers or the smoke that haunt the South — it's the quiet details: a phone call, a school hallway, a flag folded at dusk.
Mississippi Teen's 12-Foot Alligator Harvest Caps Fight Through Health Ordeal
A Mississippi teenager's record-style alligator harvest is drawing attention not just for the catch, but for the health battle that preceded it.
Canton Charter School's Fate Hangs in Limbo
State and local officials remain at odds as an embattled Canton charter school awaits a final ruling, leaving families and staff in an uneasy holding pattern.
Hinds County Jail Denies Beating; Inmate Says He Can't Walk or Talk
Former inmate says he was left unable to walk or talk after an alleged beating; Hinds County jail officials deny the claim.
Crooked Letter Sports: First Weekend, First Takes
The opening weekend delivered early signals across the Deep South — quarterback questions, defensive flashes, and the danger of reading too much into one Saturday.
Pell Grants Vital for Mississippi Students, Advocate Warns
A college access advocate urges Congress to protect Pell Grants, warning that cuts would hit Mississippi's low-income students hardest.
Manning's Batson Challenge Reaches Mississippi High Court
Death row inmate Willie Manning asks Mississippi's top court to revisit racial bias in jury selection, reviving a decades-old Batson dispute.
New Leland Clinic Widens Delta Healthcare Reach
A new clinic in Leland brings primary care closer to Delta residents, chipping away at a long-standing rural access gap.
When Doctors Say No to Insurance
Across the South, a growing number of physicians are dropping insurance contracts, trading paperwork for direct pay — and reshaping who gets care.
Tension flares as redistricting fight lands in Thompson's district
A public hearing on Mississippi's new congressional map turned combative, spotlighting the high-stakes battle over Black voting strength in Bennie Thompson's own backyard.
Tindell Pledges Public Safety, Corruption Crackdown in AG Bid
Sean Tindell stakes his attorney general campaign on public safety and rooting out corruption, signaling a shift in tone for the region.
Biotech Researcher Touted as Next MUW President Signals STEM Pivot
A coalition's push for a biotechnology researcher to lead Mississippi University for Women hints at a strategic shift from tradition toward research and workforce development.
Colom's 'Puncher's Chance' Against Hyde-Smith
Scott Colom's prosecutorial record gives Democrats a rare opening in Mississippi, but Hyde-Smith's incumbency and the state's partisan gravity loom large.
Black Bears Return to the Mississippi: A Slow Comeback
After decades of decline, black bears are reclaiming the lower Mississippi basin—a quiet sign of ecological recovery and new challenges for the region.
Mississippi's Rural Mental Health Crisis Demands Urgent Response
A Mississippi social worker warns that rural communities face a deepening mental health emergency, urging lawmakers and local leaders to act now.
Mississippi Providers Target Overdose Risk in Maternal Care
Mississippi healthcare providers are weaving substance-use support into maternal care to curb overdose deaths tied to pregnancy and postpartum.
Mississippi Ranchers Cry Foul Over Imported Beef Plan
Mississippi cattle producers and lawmakers push back against a federal plan to expand imported beef, warning it could undercut local herds and rural economies.
Back-to-School Savings: McRae Pitches Future Over Notebooks
Treasurer David McRae urges Mississippi parents to pair school supply shopping with a savings habit, framing small deposits as a long-term investment in a child's future.
Rankin County Desegregation Order Ends, Black Residents Worry
As a federal desegregation order lifts in Rankin County, Black families fear a quiet return to separate and unequal schools.
Gipson's Anti-Muslim Stance Clashes With Guthrie's Inclusive Anthem
Mississippi's agriculture commissioner sings Woody Guthrie's ode to unity while pushing rhetoric that divides. A look at the contradiction.
Chambliss Embraces the Heat: Fame Is Fuel for Ole Miss QB
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss isn't shying from the spotlight — he's using it to sharpen his craft as expectations rise in Oxford.
Hosemann's Redistricting Shake-Up Reshapes Senate Power
The lieutenant governor's removal of the Senate's top Democrat from the redistricting panel signals a sharper partisan turn in how Mississippi draws its political lines.
PSC Challenges Holly Springs Ruling as Receiver's Role Takes Shape
The Mississippi PSC is contesting a Holly Springs decision while a new court order defines the receiver's authority over the troubled utility.
Prado's Jackson YMCA Plan: Housing Meets Recreation
Prado's proposal to transform the vacant Jackson YMCA into mixed-use housing and recreation signals a new chapter for the city's core.
Reeves Picks Oxford Attorney Tollison for State Supreme Court
Gov. Reeves names Oxford attorney Amanda Tollison to the state's highest bench, a move that reshapes the court's makeup and signals continuity in judicial philosophy.