OPINION: "Trump’s Sept. 18 announcement that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House is not a personality clash or a disposable social-media provocation. It is an attack on the machinery by which Americans learn whether their government is telling the truth," Abbott writes.

Opinion | Trump Continues to Weaken Independent Journalism

Van Abbott writes about President Donald Trump’s assault on independent journalism through banning several news outlets from the White House.

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"After I saw that the company was hacked, I’m not going to click on any links (on the Bolivar County circuit clerk’s website), and there’s lots of links and lots of links that don’t go to where they’re supposed to," Andy Hawkins said. www.mississippifreepress.org/bolivar-coun...

Bolivar County Circuit Clerk Website Designer Hacked By Foreign Gambling Company

Voter Andy Hawkins discovered Bolivar County circuit clerk’s website designer has been hacked by a foreign gambling company.

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Ben Crump’s Sept. 24 press conference focused on the forensic examination of Nolan Wells’ phone, which has been scrutinized in an attempt to recreate Wells’ whereabouts during the last hours of his life. buff.ly/9FOaRrl

Expert Who Examined Nolan Wells' Phone Clarifies 'Misinterpreted' Claims About 'Deleted' Messages

Andrew Garrett, a digital forensics expert, said no one physically accessed or deleted data directly from Nolan Wells’ phone.

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Artificial intelligence giant xAI is offering buyouts to residents of Southaven, Mississippi, if they agree not to join a class-action lawsuit brought against the company for alleged “nuisance-level harms.” buff.ly/VKQtPHI

xAI Looks to Buy Out Southaven Residents Who Agree Not to Sue It, Letter Shows

Artificial intelligence giant xAI is offering buyouts to residents of Southaven, Mississippi, if they agree not to join a lawsuit against the company.

mississippifreepress.org

Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes questioned the legality of demonstrations by armed protesters of Tasia Fortune's death and the deaths of other Black people over the past year. But Police Chief RaShall Brackney told the council that the protesters followed the law. buff.ly/9EFO23F

Armed Demonstrators Protesting Tasia Fortune’s Murder Were Peaceful, Jackson Police Chief Says

Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney told the Jackson City Council that recent demonstrations by armed protesters were peaceful.

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OPINION: "Charter schools have increased inequality and racial and socioeconomic inequality within school systems, some research shows," William McCorkle and Beth Lloyd write. www.mississippifreepress.org/opinion-scho...

Opinion | School Choice Options Don’t Always Extend to Immigrant Students

William McCorkle and Beth Lloyd write about how school choice policies often leave immigrant and low-income students behind.

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OPINION: "Many of these facilities are in rural communities where federal funding cuts have hollowed out social services, from healthcare to food stamps, leaving them desperate for economic relief," Ella Siegrist writes. buff.ly/KLIHsk2

Opinion | Immigration Enforcement Is Supplying an Economic Market for Prisoners

Ella Siegrist writes about how several states are using immigration enforcement and detention as a revenue stream.

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“We understand this situation has caused concern and sadness throughout the community, and we appreciate your continued patience and understanding as the investigation proceeds,” Senatobia Police Chief Angelica Maze said in a press release. www.mississippifreepress.org/kohen-wiley-...

Kohen Wiley Investigative Findings Now in the Hands of Mississippi Attorney General

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has handed its findings in the police shooting of Kohen Wiley to the Mississippi Attorney General.

mississippifreepress.org

"I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to exceed all our limitations every single time," Jackson rapper Dear Silas said. "Sometimes you gotta think, ‘Nah, it's OK to fall short sometimes,' especially if you was giving your all.” buff.ly/b2XiQlf

Jackson Musician Dear Silas’ New Double Album Combines His Rap and Trumpet Skills

Jackson-native rapper Dear Silas’ new double-disk album “SophistiRatchet” combines his love for hip-hop and the trumpet.

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Attorneys representing the 18-year-old Wells' family have called for transparency, asking that the grand jury investigative materials and the official autopsy report be publicly released. www.mississippifreepress.org/lawyers-for-...

Lawyers for Nolan Wells’ Family Highlight Cellphone Data and Push for Investigation

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released details from a forensic examination of Nolan Wells’ cellphone as well as on the official autopsy on Sept. 24.

mississippifreepress.org

Police in Mississippi have arrested a second man in the death of Tasia Fortune, who was found dead behind an abandoned home in Jackson on Aug. 3. Police have also issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect. buff.ly/mSzRMGs

Mississippi Police Make 2nd Arrest in Death of Tasia Fortune, Seeking 3rd Suspect

Police in Jackson, Mississippi, have arrested a second man in the death of Tasia Fortune and have issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect.

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Despite one call to the police suggesting one of the deaths may be related to some form of overdose, there is no evidence yet available suggesting that the kratom recovered from both scenes was the cause of the deaths. www.mississippifreepress.org/2-university...

2 University of Mississippi Students Found Dead, Causes of Death Unknown

Two University of Mississippi students were found dead in separate incidents on Sept. 21. Causes of death for each student are pending.

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The City of Diamondhead is presenting the first city-run iteration of the Hancock County city’s traditional Fall Festival, after previous organizers decided to not plan one. buff.ly/OftaSTN

City of Diamondhead Continues a Hancock County Tradition, Organizes Fall Fest

The City of Diamondhead has arranged the first city-run iteration of its traditional Fall Festival, after previous organizers decided to not plan one.

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The MFP and Mississippi Youth Media Project are celebrating 18 first place and finalist honors in three 2026 journalism competitions. That includes Environmental Reporter Illan Ireland, named Emerging Journalist of the Year at the Society of Professional Journalists Diamond Journalism Awards.

MFP, YMP Earn 18 Journalism Honors in 2026 Awards

The Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Youth Media Project received a combined 18 awards in three 2026 journalism competitions.

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OPINION: "It’s common knowledge here in the capital city and its suburbs that we, a ragtag group of native and transplant Mississippians, defiantly started the Jackson Free Press on September 22, 2002, on my mother’s birthday," Donna Ladd writes. buff.ly/sAIh1xd

Editor’s Note | Real Talk: Lessons I’ve Learned as Free Press CEO & Editor for 24 Years

Donna Ladd writes about founding the Jackson Free Press 24 years ago to coincide with her mother’s birthday, and the lessons she has learned.

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Itta Bena Mayor Mary Tyes-Williams told the committee that the state's resources are better served elsewhere. "Taxpayer dollars should not be spent unnecessarily on this attempt to offer mid-decade redistricting.” buff.ly/NG8vyOj

‘Leave Us Alone’: Speakers Push Back at Mississippi Redistricting Hearing in Cleveland

Lawmakers found lots of opposition and scattered support for potential redistricting plans at a hearing in Cleveland, Mississippi, on Sept. 1.

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The new rules for gasoline-powered vehicles were released shortly after President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring. buff.ly/ayFdrZR

Trump Administration Lowers Fuel Economy Standards, Critics Say at an Environmental Cost

The Trump administration on Monday released new fuel economy standards that relax requirements for automakers to control pollution.

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Tasia Fortune was apparently killed in a drug dispute before her body was secured to a tree in a “staged” lynching behind an abandoned home in Jackson, Mississippi, this summer, a detective testified Friday. buff.ly/mGCM5dj

Tasia Fortune Was Secured to Tree After Her Death in Drug Dispute, Police Say

Tasia Fortune was apparently killed in a drug dispute before her body was found dangling from a tree in a “staged” lynching in Jackson.

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Andy Hawkins went to check his voter registration status on the Bolivar County circuit clerk website and found that the website's designer, Magnetic Arrow Designs, has been hacked. He's concerned that the circuit clerk's website itself has been compromised. buff.ly/AwuofO9

Bolivar County Circuit Clerk Website Designer Hacked By Foreign Gambling Company

Voter Andy Hawkins discovered Bolivar County circuit clerk’s website designer has been hacked by a foreign gambling company.

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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump’s own digital expert in the Nolan Wells case has refuted the suggestion that Wells’ phone was accessed and had data deleted from it after Wells last locked the phone before his death. He also clarified a misinterpretation surrounding claims of “deleted” messages.

Expert Who Examined Nolan Wells' Phone Clarifies 'Misinterpreted' Claims About 'Deleted' Messages

Andrew Garrett, a digital forensics expert, said no one physically accessed or deleted data directly from Nolan Wells’ phone.

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“After executing the Release Agreement, you will be unable to recover any damages or other relief from the … lawsuit, and you will also be unable to bring claims on your own behalf,” the letter states. buff.ly/VKQtPHI

xAI Looks to Buy Out Southaven Residents Who Agree Not to Sue It, Letter Shows

Artificial intelligence giant xAI is offering buyouts to residents of Southaven, Mississippi, if they agree not to join a lawsuit against the company.

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What voting concerns are on your mind? Let’s talk about them. At our last virtual Solutions Circle, Mississippians raised questions about registration and polling place access. We’ve already followed up on one concern. Join tonight’s participant-led conversation at 6 p.m.: buff.ly/ElUEIxQ

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has announced a special election for Senate District 34 on Dec. 22 to fill the vacancy left by former Sen. Juan Barnett, who resigned from the Senate and retired on Aug. 31. District 34 includes Forest, Jasper and Jones counties. buff.ly/Wht8hHE

Mississippi Governor Sets Special Election After State Senator Retires

Forest, Jasper and Jones county voters will have a special election on Dec. 22 to fill a vacancy in Mississippi Senate District 34.

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Senatobia Interim Police Chief Angelica Maze announced on Sept. 17 that the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation handed the case to state prosecutors to determine what, if anything, comes next. www.mississippifreepress.org/kohen-wiley-...

Kohen Wiley Investigative Findings Now in the Hands of Mississippi Attorney General

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has handed its findings in the police shooting of Kohen Wiley to the Mississippi Attorney General.

mississippifreepress.org

OPINION: "Some of the school choice debate has focused on whether charter schools ... offer students more equitable educational opportunities and better academic outcomes than traditional public schools. buff.ly/dXKn4F0

Opinion | School Choice Options Don’t Always Extend to Immigrant Students

William McCorkle and Beth Lloyd write about how school choice policies often leave immigrant and low-income students behind.

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OPINION: "The truth is the first casualty of war, and President Donald Trump’s White House is determined to make independent journalism the second," Van Abbott writes. buff.ly/BnPVvMn

Opinion | Trump Continues to Weaken Independent Journalism

Van Abbott writes about President Donald Trump’s assault on independent journalism through banning several news outlets from the White House.

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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released information from a forensic examination of Nolan Wells’ cellphone as well as details of the official autopsy Thursday, just days after a Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend anyone be charged in the teen's death.

Lawyers for Nolan Wells’ Family Highlight Cellphone Data and Push for Investigation

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released details from a forensic examination of Nolan Wells’ cellphone as well as on the official autopsy on Sept. 24.

mississippifreepress.org

"If you want sh-t to happen in life, man, you really gotta be action-oriented, and you can't wait on everything to become perfect all the time. There's no such thing as the perfect time, the perfect day, and the perfect way," Jackson-native rapper Dear Silas said. buff.ly/sogIHkT

Jackson Musician Dear Silas’ New Double Album Combines His Rap and Trumpet Skills

Jackson-native rapper Dear Silas’ new double-disk album “SophistiRatchet” combines his love for hip-hop and the trumpet.

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A free expungement clinic, held in Jackson, Mississippi, on Sept. 11 helps people with prior misdemeanor or felony convictions apply for expungement, which would remove the charge from their records and provide them more opportunities in society through jobs and housing. buff.ly/7u7RZJE

Free Expungement Clinic Offers Mississippians Chance to Clear Records and Move Forward

About 40 people attended a free expungement clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, to help them expunge prior convictions from their records.

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Jackson, Mississippi, police said on Sept. 22 that they arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was found hanging behind an abandoned home in the city on Aug. 3. buff.ly/mSzRMGs

Mississippi Police Make 2nd Arrest in Death of Tasia Fortune, Seeking 3rd Suspect

Police in Jackson, Mississippi, have arrested a second man in the death of Tasia Fortune and have issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect.

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