I’m packing my bag to go to the Neshoba County fair in the morning. Why do I have at least seven different outfits for a one-night trip? And why are they all necessary for me to bring?😂😅
Heather Harrison
@heatherharrison.bsky.social
Mississippi journalist @mississippifreepress.org • TikTok @HeatherRHarrison • dog and cat mom • professionally nosy & “cheerily feisty” • msstate alumna • former Reflector editor • all opinions are my own
I’ve been seeing a lot of Jeeps without a spare tire on the back. Is that a recession indicator?
Mississippians: give me suggestions. I’m looking to attend and cover a Juneteenth event. Are there any daytime historical events or shows I should go to? I’ve already done a story about Starkville’s now-annual celebration
US Supreme Court Reverses Mississippi Redistricting Order That Led to End of GOP Supermajority. reporting by @heatherharrison.bsky.social www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
U.S. Supreme Court Reverses Mississippi Redistricting Order That Ended GOP Supermajority
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed a ruling that led to Mississippi redrawing its legislative district maps to create more Black-majority districts.
mississippifreepress.org
A little break from hard news: Phoebe Bridgers did a pop-up show in Jackson last week. But get this: she didn’t advertise the show online. The day of the concert, her team and Duling Hall staff put up posters across Jackson and concertgoers had to wait in line to buy tickets.
Phoebe Bridgers Surprises Jackson Fans With Pop-Up Show Using Only Analog Advertising
Music artist Phoebe Bridgers stopped in Jackson for a surprise concert at Duling Hall that she advertised using only posters to ensure local fans could attend.
mississippifreepress.org
Eric Irvin, a veteran teacher of 35 years in Jackson, Mississippi, said the state's low salaries for educators make him wish he never chose to teach here. “It’s like these people don’t care about us and what we’re doing,” he said at a campaign event for U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom.
Mississippi Teachers Say They Deserve Higher Pay: ‘We Don’t Do This for Money’
The $2,000 teacher pay raise Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law isn’t enough to recruit and retain, teachers expressed at a Scott Colom campaign event.
mississippifreepress.org
New tattoo!!! Definitely in my top three favorites and top three most painful lol but it’s sooooo worth it! Can’t wait to see it healed and for all that redness to go away🍒
It’s always a disco in our dining room! My favorite part of our house 🪩✨💜🕺🏼⚡️
Finished our Barbie hot pink half bathroom!!! I painted and decorated it all by myself!!!💖🌷🪩
I miss my dad. I wish he could see the woman I became. Ugh it’s not fair.
“It is my sincere hope that the United States Supreme Court will reaffirm the animating principle that all Americans are created equal" and strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who last week proclaimed April as Confederate Heritage Month.
Mississippi Governor Orders Lawmakers to Return for Redistricting Special Session
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has called a special legislative session to address redistricting for the Mississippi Supreme Court.
mississippifreepress.org
Drives me crazy when Mississippi lawmakers write/say “the Democrat Party” instead of “the Democratic Party.” Adding the “ic” to the end won’t turn you liberal. It’s just correct grammar.
Does anyone know why my 2021 MacBook Pro no longer has the launchpad icon for me to look at all my apps, yet my 2021 iMac still has it? Left is iMac and right is MacBook. I don’t know how to look at all my apps that aren’t on my MacBook’s toolbar since I don’t have the launchpad icon.
LATEST: The Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously revived former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against nonprofit news site Mississippi Today over its welfare scandal reporting, putting the case on track to go before a Madison County jury. @heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
Mississippi Supreme Court Revives Ex-Gov. Phil Bryant’s Lawsuit Over Welfare Scandal Reporting
The Mississippi Supreme Court revived former Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today’s coverage of the welfare scandal.
mississippifreepress.org
It gets on my every last nerve to hear people at events I cover say “the liberal news media.” Telling the truth is neither liberal nor is it conservative: it’s fundamental for democracy. This isn’t a joke to me.
Mike Watkins, a Mississippi medical-cannabis patient and consultant, rallied protesters Monday morning after Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed two medical-cannabis bills. “This is a worthy cause, an easy win, and I believe we can get the votes, but you got to put in the work," Watkins said. buff.ly/JU2GHeg
Got on the elevator with a couple of legislators. One said, (paraphrasing), "I'm ready to go home. We're at the point in the session where we're just irritating each other." And ain't that the truth. Sine Die is on Sunday, but I'm doubtful we'll be here that long. Hopefully tomorrow is the last day.
The official portrait of former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn was unveiled on Wednesday at the Mississippi Capitol Building. Read Heather's story: buff.ly/h7HmXKx
Philip Gunn served in the Mississippi House for nearly two decades and spent more than half of his tenure as speaker. His portrait in the Mississippi Capitol Building joined those who preceded him in the role. buff.ly/h7HmXKx
Mississippi Republicans are pushing to verify the U.S. citizenship of every voter on the state’s rollbooks annually under the SHIELD Act. The bill is headed to Gov. Tate Reeves for his signature. buff.ly/N5vlzEj
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves accused the Senate clerk's office of removing language from the Winter Storm Fern recovery bill after its contents had already been approved by the Legislature. He said it "calls into question the validity of every bill that I have signed into law this session."
Follow reporter @heatherharrison.bsky.social as she continues to report on the ongoings at the Mississippi Legislature, keeping power in check and reporting the facts. Also, follow @mississippifreepress.org and please consider donating to support our non-profit, paywall-free journalism!
The Mississippi Legislature has passed several medical-cannabis bills that have the support of patients and caregivers, including ‘right-to-try’ and removing the concentrate potency cap. They now head to Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk for consideration. buff.ly/T4vq3IG
Mississippians who do not qualify for the state's medical cannabis program may be able to try the program under the sole approval of the state health officer under a bill that may soon become law.
Bills to Remove Medical Cannabis Concentrate Cap, Allow ‘Right-to-Try’ Head to Governor
The Mississippi Legislature has passed several medical-cannabis bills, including ‘right-to-try’ and removing the concentrate potency cap.
mississippifreepress.org
The Mississippi Legislature confuses me because the House has an electronic voting board on the floor but doesn't livestream committee meetings, while the Senate livestreams meetings but votes on the Senate floor via roll-call with senators having to vocalize their position when their name is called
I was tanning on a boat in 80° sunny weather yesterday. Today I’m wearing a sweater and winter coat while watching snow flurries fall in 38° weather. Only in Mississippi.
Follow @heatherharrison.bsky.social for more Mississippi Legislature updates.
The Mississippi Senate has passed a teacher pay raise with $6,000 for most K-12 teachers, $9,000 for special education teachers, $2,000 for assistant teachers and $2,000 for college educators. www.mississippifreepress.org/6000-teacher...
$6,000 Teacher Pay Raise Gains Mississippi Senate’s Approval
A $6,000 teacher pay raise gained approval in the Mississippi Senate after it amended a bill that initially dealt with unused school buildings.
mississippifreepress.org