1929: Elston Howard is born

'Mother Nature gave me ice': Fern’s systemic turmoil, the holes it revealed, and how Mississippi is reconciling with its response to winter disasters

Winter Storm Fern delivered a force and persistence Mississippi hadn’t seen in decades. Months later, as north Mississippians still search for their footing, public officials are wondering what to take away from the catastrophe. 

The West Bolivar school board didn’t meet for roughly two months — disrupting food and transportation services for summer school students

West Bolivar’s school board governance woes come at a time when state lawmakers are debating measures to increase qualifications for school board members and allow members to be removed for misconduct and poor meeting attendance.

Law enforcement uses tear gas after hundreds in Senatobia protest following police shooting of toddler

Law enforcement officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd Tuesday in the north Mississippi city of Senatobia as people protested the police shooting Sunday that killed a 1-year-old boy and wounded an adult. National civil rights attorney Ben Crump is part of the legal team representing the child's family. 

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson informs legislative leaders of ‘redistricting preparations’

Watson said he had to send a letter to inform lawmakers what timeline they face if they intend to redraw districts before the 2027 legislative elections. This is because no redistricting changes may be made to the statewide election system while an election is in progress.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn hoping to stave off JTRAN strike

Jackson Mayor John Horhn is hoping to stave off a strike of city bus workers that could leave low-income and disabled Jacksonians stranded in the summer heat amid stalled contract negotiations with the third-party company that manages JTRAN.