Today's Top Stories

Work Continues: UMMC pediatric hospital still on schedule to open in fall despite slowdown from pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion of the state’s only children’s hospital is on schedule to open this fall.

At the end of the unusual school year Northsiders headed to the beach. Many ended up in the Florida panhandle. One popular destination was Watercolor on Highway 30A.

Reservoir wins war with Giant Salvinia; none found in survey

After more than a year and a half of fighting an invasive aquatic plant, Barnett Reservoir officials are optimistic that efforts to eradicate giant salvinia have been successful.

Double-hit: Closure and major exhibit postponement hits MMA hard

The Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) has been hit twice.

Change of Plans: Some summer camps canceled while others become creative with offerings and scheduling

As the school year ends, many are looking forward to summer traditions from daytime activities to sleepaway camps.

Safer at home order to expire June 1, people can return to work

By Anthony Warren, READ MORE > 754 Reads
On Wed, 05/27/2020 - 03:41 PM

Mississippi is about to reopen for business.

Gov. Tate Reeves discussed the state’s coronavirus response at his daily press conference on May 27.

Scrubber stack from Plant Daniel

Taxpayer-funded carbon capture project to be built in Kemper County

By Steve Wilson, READ MORE > 1888 Reads
On Wed, 05/27/2020 - 01:10 PM

A federally-funded carbon capture facility is planned for a site adjacent to Mississippi Power’s Kemper County Energy Facility.

Salvation Army Thrift Store to reopen

READ MORE > 714 Reads
On Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:32 AM

The Salvation Army Family Store will be reopening to the public next week, Thursday June 4, and will be open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Newspaper wins battle for Covid-19 nursing home transparency

By Wyatt Emmerich, READ MORE > 3487 Reads
On Tue, 05/26/2020 - 06:14 PM

A Hinds County judge ruled in favor of The Pine Belt NEWS Tuesday and has ordered the Mississippi State Department of Health to release the names of Forrest County long-term care facilities where 26 patients have died from COVID-19 complications.

The voice of God

By Kelley Williams, READ MORE > 596 Reads
On Tue, 05/26/2020 - 05:25 PM

Thou shall not stand closer than six feet. Thou shall not show thy face. Thou shall not shake hands. Thou shall not gather in groups larger than ten. Thou shall not go to school. Nor church. Thou shall flatten the curve. Thou shall fear the resurgence. Thou shall bow down to graven models.

Mississippi State Capitol

State economist: Mississippi economy might not recover until 2023

READ MORE > 1019 Reads
On Tue, 05/26/2020 - 02:20 PM

State economist Darren Webb told the Legislature Tuesday that the state’s economy might not return to its pre-COVID-19 recession levels until 2023.

Kelley William's Jr.

A Covid poem -- The Fleechers

By Kelley Williams Jr., READ MORE > 9579 Reads
On Sun, 05/24/2020 - 02:49 PM

By Ben Clemens a/k/a Kelley Williams, Jr.

(with apologies to Theodor Geisel)

Now, the Mask-Wearing Fleechers had faces with masks.

The Plain-Faced Fleechers did not should you ask.

Reeves Extends Safer At Home Order, allows schools to reopen weight rooms, practices to resume

By By Anthony Warren, READ MORE > 581 Reads
On Fri, 05/22/2020 - 04:28 PM

Today, Gov. Tate Reeves extended his safer at home order until June 1. However, he amended the order to allow for more openings. Among them, he is allowing schools to reopen their weight rooms for students, and is allowing sports practices to resume.

Text of the governor's news release is listed below:

Jackson Police Department eligible for $750,000 in federal COVID-19 funds

By Anthony Warren, READ MORE > 2535 Reads
On Fri, 05/22/2020 - 02:09 PM

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith's office announced on Friday that it had procured some $6 million for Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Fund grant money, which will be awarded to law enforcement offices across the state.

Arkansas never sheltered in place. Result: Fewer deaths

By Wyatt Emmerich, READ MORE > 5525 Reads
On Fri, 05/22/2020 - 12:25 PM

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in early April questioned the effectiveness of a shelter-in-place order. He said, “The question is, ‘Are you accomplishing anything by doing that order?’”
On all the website scoreboards rating states based on their COVID-19 response, Arkansas was consistently on the bottom with “F” ratings.

Two Mississippi Museums

MDAH To Reopen Museums & Library

On Tuesday, July 7, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) will reopen the Eudora Welty House & Garden, Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and William F. Winter Archives and History Building in Jackson, and the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Natchez.

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