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1 month 1 week ago
John Davis, former Mississippi Department of Human Services director, heads to the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
A former adviser to President Donald Trump took his first stab Monday at questioning Mississippi’s former welfare director, the federal government’s star witness in an ongoing trial of a former pro wrestler accused of theft.
Eric Herschmann, the Austin-based ex-Trump adviser who recently took over as lead attorney for defendant Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr., didn’t grill John Davis so much as paint the disgraced ex-welfare director as a well-meaning bureaucrat surrounded by enablers.
By Anna Wolfe - Mississippi Today on
1 month 1 week ago
Sens. Kamesha Mumford of Jackson and Justin Pope of Pope (yes, Pope) share their insight and experiences as freshmen lawmakers, at the halfway point of their first legislative session. The two say they’ve quickly realized legislating centers around relationships made at the Capitol and how one works with others
By Geoff Pender - Mississippi Today on
1 month 1 week ago
The former pro wrestler’s defense asked for another delay or mistrial, which U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves denied for a fourth time.
The federal trial of former pro wrestler Ted DiBiase, Jr. resumed on Monday after over a month delay which was caused by his defense attorney Scott Gilbert checking himself into the hospital.
DiBiase’s new lead attorney, Eric Herschmann, sought another delay this week and also suggested a mistrial, which U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves denied for a fourth time.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Within six months, five staff members in the Hinds County Public Defender’s office left for better paying jobs.
The Hinds County Public Defender’s Office is seeking $350,000 in emergency funding from the Board of Supervisors to address a chronic staffing shortage, officials said Tuesday morning during a press conference.
Hinds County Public Defender Gail Wright Lowery said the office has 14 slots for staff attorneys, with 12 filled and two vacant. Within six months, five staff members left for better paying jobs.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
“This superseding indictment shows that we will investigate and we will prosecute such vicious attacks that strike at the core of our country’s long tradition of religious liberty,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.
Stephen Spencer Pittman, the 19-year-old accused of setting fire to the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, pleaded not guilty to two new charges last week.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said the Court was at a “crossroads where judicial oversight must meet the stark, unyielding math of municipal survival.”
A federal judge ruled Monday that JXN Water can raise its rates 12% after a year-long battle with the City of Jackson, saying the Court was at a “crossroads where judicial oversight must meet the stark, unyielding math of municipal survival.”
The average water customer will see an estimated bill increase of $9 per month.
By Daniel Tyson - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
The Institutions of Higher Learning Board also recognized Governor Tate Reeves with the Karen Cummins Award for his efforts to improve education in the state.
A new nursing program and two new degree paths were approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher learning Board of Trustees during their meeting last week.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
This is a home that has stood since 1859, been restored, and now exists for a purpose: to hold people together in the moments that matter most.
There are some places in Mississippi that feel like they’ve been waiting on you.
Not in a spooky way — more like in a soft, romantic, “how have I never been here before?” kind of way.
Tucked into the northeast corner of the state, the Painted Lady in Iuka is one of those places.
By Meredith Biesinger - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
In Mississippi
UMMC keeps clinics closed through Wednesday
University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics will remain closed through Wednesday, the hospital system said Monday evening. Work to ensure a safe network environment continues following last week’s cyberattack.
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
1 month 1 week ago
University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics will remain closed through Wednesday, as work to ensure a safe network environment continues following last week’s cyberattack.
The UMMC Triage Line has been established to allow patients to leave a message through a secure, automated voice system. Requests for time-sensitive needs, such as medication refills or postoperative care visits, will be prioritized.
Published on
1 month 1 week ago
Mayors throughout the Delta and hill country took part in a panel discussion about economic development, held Thursday morning at Mississippi Valley State University. From left are Lesia Williams-Hemphill of Vaiden, Kenneth Featherstone of Indianola, Alfonzo White of Duck Hill, Mary Tyes-Williams of Itta Bena and Kenderick Cox of Greenwood.
Collaboration with other municipalities, bolstering infrastructure and ensuring that young professionals stay to build careers were among some of the solutions that area mayors proposed to help reinvigorate their towns during a panel discussion Thursday.
By GERARD EDIC - The Greenwood Commonwealth/Report for America on
1 month 1 week ago
Below is a religion column by Matt Friedeman:
“Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” Designating a special time every year to remind ourselves what that means for our lives may not be such a bad idea.
With the rhythm of the church year also comes a rhythm of personal editorials on social media about these ecclesiastical seasons.
For instance, Lent.
By Matt Friedeman - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
The Mississippi House has sent the Senate appropriations bills that seek to provide $5,000 in teacher pay raises as well as raising the base student cost nearly $500 per student, among other provisions.
Two appropriation bills were passed in the Mississippi House on Thursday concerning the state’s K-12 education system. Combined, the bills provide just over $5 billion in funding for education in Mississippi.
By Jeremy Pittari - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Robert St. John reflects on his son’s choice to build a life in the business his father gave his life to.
Most people know they need to try other restaurants when they’re in a great food city. So do I. And yet every time the tortilla soup arrives at Frontera Grill, that plan is out the window.
By Robert St. John on
1 month 1 week ago
How they get there is up for debate, as competing bills have been offered in the House and Senate. The Senate bill took two attempts before passing on the floor.
Lawmakers in both chambers would like to see the process of placing an absentee ballot in an envelope changed in favor of simply casting a completed absentee ballot into a secure voting machine as is done on Election Day. However, there are competing bills on how to make that happen.
By Frank Corder - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Below is a political opinion column by Josh Harkins:
State Senator Josh Harkins says when taxpayer dollars are invested, Mississippi has the right to define the terms of that partnership — including the expectation that workers’ choices about representation are made through a private ballot.
By Josh Harkins - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Below is an opinion column by Laurie Cox:
Communities flourish when all their children can learn in an environment well-suited to their individual needs.
I am a former public school teacher of more than 30 years and a member of the school board in the Florida county where I live. Public schooling is in my blood; I am a product of our public schools and I’m very proud of the many, many students who’ve benefited from the public schools where I grew up and taught.
By Laurie Cox - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Below is a political opinion column by Justan Rice & Starla Brown:
The concept is straightforward: let hiring parties make voluntary contributions to portable benefit accounts owned by independent contractors.
By Justan Rice & Starla Brown - Magnolia Tribune on
1 month 1 week ago
Important state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion
In Mississippi
1. UMMC clinics remain closed Monday, Tuesday from cyberattack
The University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics will remain closed statewide Monday and Tuesday, the system said Sunday.
By Magnolia Tribune Staff on
1 month 1 week ago
Michael James, a transfer from Meridian Community College, had the game-winner for Mississippi Valley State on Saturday against Texas Southern at home.
Michael James, a transfer from Meridian Community College and product of H.W. Byers High School in Byhalia, has emerged as the leader of the Mississippi Valley State University men’s basketball team this season.
The 6-foot-1 junior lifted the Delta Devils to victory Saturday, only their second of the season, as he stole the in-bounds pass with seconds remaining on the clock to help MVSU claim a 72-71 Southwestern Athletic Conference win over visiting Texas Southern at the Harrison HPER Complex in Itta Bena.
By Calvin Stevens on
