Clarion Ledger
Mississippi College celebrates 200 years
Mississippi College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state and the second oldest Baptist university in the nation, will celebrate its 200th anniversary on Jan. 21, 2026. The institution has endured through 47 presidencies with 44...
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Kamala Harris makes stop in Jackson for book tour
Former Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage inside newly reopened Thalia Mara Hall, not as a political candidate but as a best-selling author, as she spoke Jan. 14 at her book tour event in Jackson. By 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the lights began to...
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Thalia Mara Hall reopens after delays
After 17 months of repairs, delays and false starts, Thalia Mara Hall is finally open again. The venue welcomed guests for the first time in months Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 13. Approximately 100 city officials and community members stepped through...
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WAIVER DENIED
OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was denied a waiver to play in 2026 by the NCAA on Jan. 9. Chambliss had agreed to return to the Rebels in 2026 if his waiver was approved. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said the...
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HONORING THE KING
Prince had purple rain; Elvis had purple suede. With its wide lapels and flared trousers, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s outré mauve outfit was a 1971 Christmas gift from his wife, Priscilla. Now, it’s available to all — to eyeball if not to wear — as...
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A surprising winner in building auction
After initially bidding in an online auction last month to buy the former Marriott building in Downtown Jackson, one developer finalized a deal to buy the building on Jan. 2. In the original auction Dec. 8-10, it was believed there were approximately...
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‘ALWAYS SMILING’
OXFORD − As Ole Miss football prepares for the CFP semifinals vs Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, the Rebels are refocused on what matters. How could they not be, considering the location of their most recent game? Ole Miss players have mentioned last...
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‘Super’ lineup
Every year, fans of all different media types — film, television, comics, anime and more — come together in the Mississippi Trade Mart for Mississippi Comic Con. Many cosplay as their favorite characters to attend panels, compete in costume contests...
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Students struggle with homelessness
For thousands of Mississippi students, back-toschool season involves more than shopping for clothes and supplies — it means grappling to meet basic needs like a nutritious meal, clean shower and stable housing, all while striving for academic...
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MS healthcare gets boost from feds
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced on Monday, Dec. 29, that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded the state more than $200 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program for healthcare in rural communities. The...
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Surveillance underway in Nigeria
A Mississippi-based contractor is operating aircraft used for the surveillance operations over Nigeria, Reuters news service reported. The aircraft used for the surveillance operations typically takes off from Ghana and flies over Nigeria before...
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Water rate decision could arrive soon
Jackson residents may learn early next year if they will face a water bill rate increase, as a federal court ruling on a proposed hike still looms. The City of Jackson and JXN Water have been locked in a months-long dispute about a proposal to raise...
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Napiers won’t host next ‘Home Town Takeover’
Fans of “Home Town” can get ready for a new spinoff of the HGTV show, but be warned: Erin and Ben Napier won’t be the hosts. “Home Town,” which started in 2016 and launched the couple to fame, has had several offshoots, including “Home Town Takeover,”...
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City seeks imput on grocery stores
The Jackson City Council will hold a public hearing next month focused on grocery store access and the health of the city’s grocery market. According to a council press release, the special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, in the...
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A ROLLING STOP
More than two years after it was approved, the first phase of Jackson’s long-delayed Street Resurfacing Project is officially complete. At its Dec. 16 meeting, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved the final change order for Phase 1A,...
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Developer promises luxury living
The idea for a development off County Road 202 in Oxford is not new, but developer Todd Sandridge is making this version happen. As the last decade has seen exponential growth in the housing market and general economic development in and around...
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‘One of the most ambitious restaurants in the region’
Want to try the best restaurant in Mississippi? It’s not your standard steak, catfish, po’boys or tamales. And there’s certainly not a sports bar vibe. LoveFood has selected the best restaurants in all 50 states. “Competition is tough – and what...
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Christmas song 1st recorded by Mississippi-born singer
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” is a holiday standard. The cheeky tune implies a child is watching their mom kiss the jolly old elf, who happens to bear a striking resemblance to his dad. The now-Christmas classic was an instant hit when the first...
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JACKSON RISING
Jackson Rising is the newest member of the Downtown Jackson community. While the organization is occupying a space in a building on Capital Street that needed a tenant, the organization’s goal is seeing a rebirth in the business development of the...
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American Airlines flight to Miami coming soon
Travelers in Mississippi will soon have a new nonstop option to the Sunshine State. The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority announced Dec. 18 that American Airlines will launch a weekly nonstop flight from Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International...
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Traveling taste
From mom and pop gas stations to giant travel centers such as Buc-ee’s, food is a big part of the gas station culture. In Mississippi, you can find local favorites such as hamburgers, fried chicken, fried catfish, shrimp po-boys, and even egg rolls. h...
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Ocean Springs: A city made for Hallmark
Travel site Exoticca surveyed people in November, asking them about America’s most festive Christmas towns. “When we asked more than 3,000 Americans which real-life towns most deserve to be the setting of a Hallmark Christmas movie, the results...
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AI spoof turns to Ole Miss anthem
OXFORD − Trinidad Chambliss was surprised to hear his signature song played at Ole Miss football’s VaughtHemingway Stadium on Nov. 8 for two reasons. First off, who expects a song about themselves to play at a football game? Second, it was after he...
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Hike, bike and much more on the new Nature Trail
The State of Mississippi has created the Great Mississippi Nature Trail, and it’s an open invitation to get outdoors and explore some of the most beautiful areas the state has to offer. “This trail is more than a collection of pins on a map,” said...
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‘Majesty, spectacle and drama’ is back
Broadway in Jackson has announced the return of touring Broadway productions to downtown Jackson, ending an 18month absence from the city’s main performing arts venue at Thalia Mara Hall. To mark the return, Broadway in Jackson is offering a...
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INVESTING IN MISSISSIPPI
In his annual press conference to tout Mississippi’s investment into economic development infrastructure, Gov. Tate Reeves said he and the Mississippi Development Authority are rewarding agencies and communities that have prepared and have been...
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The secret of Ole Miss coach Pete Golding
New Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding is taking over the Rebels at a critical juncture heading into the College Football Playoff after he replaced the previous hot yoga coach who left to work for a Louisiana school not in the playoff. As is well...
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Mississippi to warm briefly, then freeze
High temperatures in Mississippi are expected to reach into the 60s going into the weekend, but don’t put away that winter coat and scarf just yet. Cold, Arctic air will move into the area over the weekend and cause a deep freeze for the state Monday...
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Kamala Harris coming to Jackson for book signing
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will continue her book tour for her book “107 Days” into 2026, including a stop at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson on Jan. 14, according to a press release by Visit Jackson. Following her 17-city international book...
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STAYING IN OXFORD? PREPARE TO PAY UP
If you are planning to stay in Oxford for the Ole Miss playoff weekend in what has been billed as one of, if not the biggest sporting events in Mississippi history, get ready to shell out some big dollars. As anticipation builds for the Ole Miss...
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Celebrate Christmas at these events, light displays
The holidays are here, and they wouldn't be the same without lights. Fortunately for people living in the greater Jackson metropolitan area, there are several places to see some of the best light displays around. No matter where you live in the...
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Man sentenced to 40 years for murder
Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther sentenced Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. to 40 years in prison Tuesday, Dec. 2, one day after Herrington pleaded guilty to killing University of Mississippi student Jimmie "Jay" Lee in July 2022. The...
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Answering the call
D’Lo is a small town in Simpson County that isn’t talked about a lot. It has a population of about 400 people and other than the D’Lo Water Park, there aren’t many reasons for outsiders to go there. h But for many people who have roots in D’Lo, there...
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COMEBACK TOUR?
In February, officials with Memphis in May announced Beale Street Music Festival would return in 2026. The prospective resumption of the fest would follow a two-year absence, with the event having been put on hold in 2024 and 2025 as Memphis in May...
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Shady Nook preps for another reinvention
Built in the late 1920s, Shady Nook, 944 Poplar Blvd., Jackson, began as a neighborhood filling station serving Belhaven’s early residents. Through the 1930s and ’40s, it weathered ownership changes, a full rebranding as the “Hines Shady Nook,” and...
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Jackson State coach excited to host SWAC title game
Sitting behind his usual table for press conferences with a Jackson State backdrop behind him and a handful of microphones in front of him, a straightfaced T.C. Taylor answered a series of questions about the Tigers’ preparation for the SWAC...
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VOTES CAST ON MS SENATE RUNOFF
Marilyn Collins Katz votes on Election Day at Precinct 206, China Grove AME Church, in Madison on Tuesday, Dec. 2. “I’ve always thought voting was very important, and I majored in history when I went to college in the ’60s,” she said.
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‘HE HAS EARNED THIS OPPORTUNITY’
When it was announced on Nov. 30 that Pete Golding would take over the Ole Miss football program after Lane Kiffin’s erratic exit, there probably wasn’t a louder roar outside of Oxford than in his adopted hometown of Cleveland, Mississippi. As is well...
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Airport director gives update on the future
As the holiday season continues, travel opportunities are more prevalent. The Thanksgiving holiday is was billed as the busiest travel week of the year. It will be busy again through the new year. That is also the case at the Jackson Medgar Wiley...
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ECONOMY
Hunting is a way of life for many Mississippians and likely always has been. After all, there are many opportunities for hunters to choose from. Mississippi is rich in deer, ducks, squirrels and other game animals that are prized by hunters. h What...
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Tribes
recognized tribe with a presence in Mississippi. The tribe was officially recognized by the federal government in 1945. Today, it says it’s “a federally recognized, selfgoverning tribe with over 10,000 members living on or near reservation land.” All...
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Elvis’ rise to rock royalty
TUPELO – The distance from here to Memphis, Tennessee, is about 115 miles – an easily traveled span of wooded hills and sunbaked asphalt, churches and truck stops, strip malls and at least one strip club. But the space between the two-room shotgun...
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Two Jackson giants meet at City Hall
What began as a Jackson City Council resolution supporting a new Jackson State University football stadium opened up into new details about UMMC’s long-planned cancer center across the street. The resolution, introduced by Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth...
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The perfect gift
The holiday season is here once again, which means gift-giving season is here again, too. If you’re looking for something unique to give your loved ones this year, the Jackson Metro area has several holiday craft markets and shopping events featuring...
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IHL OKs Search Advisory Committee to assist in JSU presidential search
A Search Advisory Committee will join the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees members in the search for a new Jackson State University president. The IHL approved the committee during a regular board meeting held on the...
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From Hollywood to Fondren
Tom Rice has found plenty of success in his life as a Hollywood producer. The Jackson native, however, found a time and place in his life when he can live wherever he wants and moved home. After being in Hollywood for 28 years, the producer of such...
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LOOKS LIKE FALL, FEELS LIKE WINTER
Fall colors are reflected on Chautauqua Lake in Crystal springs on Tuesday morning when temperatures fell into the mid-20s and frost blanked much of the landscape.
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Some fine folk
The 82nd National Folk Festival, the first in a three-year Jackson residency, has come and gone. As the city woke up on Monday morning, the downtown streets still held evidence of the cheering crowds and live performances. Jackson is the first city in...
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CLIPPED WINGS
Flying out of Jackson likely has gotten more difficult for the foreseeable future, including for the Thanksgiving holiday. Because of the government shutdown that continues, airports throughout the nation are slated to see flight reductions. It has...
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‘Alarming’ decline cited at MS School for the Blind
Elise Corbin’s son Landon enrolled at the Mississippi School for the Blind in 2022, and during his first year, she said the school felt like a community. h By the next year, she said, much of that had changed. h Teachers left, online instruction...
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Fox News doc covers Erika Kirk at Ole Miss
Fox News will highlight a Turning Point USA speaking tour stop at Ole Miss in a new documentary and an exclusive interview with Erika Kirk. Jesse Watters spoke with the widow of Charlie Kirk and the new head of Turning Point USA. It’s her first since...
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‘It means a lot that they’re willing to support me’
Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin and his son Knox Kiffin were huddled together, bundled up in hoodies and beanies, during the fourth quarter of Oxford’s 42-0 win over Murrah on Oct. Knox Kiffin was already out of the game with Oxford well ahead in...
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District 26 heads to runoff as GOP supermajority ends
Nearly 9,500 voters in northwest Jackson and parts of Hinds and Madison counties went to the polls Tuesday to choose a new state senator for District 26. The seat was left vacant after longtime Sen. John Horhn became Jackson’s mayor earlier this...
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Election Day in Jackson area sees small ballot of races
Political races were sparse on Election Day, for Tuesday, Nov. 4. In parts of Hinds County and Madison County, one state senate race was held for Senate District 26 to replace John Horhn, now Jackson mayor. In Madison, there was also the race for...
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Mayor Horhn leads city response to SNAP freeze
With the federal government shutdown halting food assistance nationwide at the end of October, Jackson Mayor John Horhn announced Friday that the city is stepping in to help thousands of local families now losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance...
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What’s in a name?
Names of towns, villages, cities and communities are generally straightforward. Some are named for famous, respected people. Some are named after other places that are far, far away. Some are named after native people who once lived there or take words...
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National Folk Festival could have lasting impact
The 82nd National Folk Festival kicks off a threeyear Jackson residency on Nov. 7, potentially transforming the capital city into a premier outdoor music venue for decades to come. Jackson is the first city in Mississippi to serve as a host city. The...
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Elementary, middle schools in MS ranked
Does your child attend the best school? U.S. News and World Report recently released its ranking for 6,998 elementary schools and 23,328 middle schools across the U.S. (There’s some overlap. 5,411 campuses ranked in both lists.) The site used data...
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Thousands attend Ole Miss Turning Point event
OXFORD — Vice President JD Vance and Erika Kirk headlined a Turning Point USA event Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the University of Mississippi, part of the conservative group’s “This Is the Turning Point” tour. It was among the organization’s first public...
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Last chance to Hobnob as MS Economic Council
The Mississippi Economic Council annual Hobnob Thursday, Oct. 30, will be the last large event for the organization, at least under that name. The MEC, the state chamber of commerce, has been the self-proclaimed voice of Mississippi business since...
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SNAP Shut
If the government shutdown rolls into November as is expected, one sector of the Mississippi economy stands to suffer more than any other as SNAP benefits are not expected to be paid. The grocery sector could lose as much as $2 million a day, and many...
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SPOOKY SWEETS CLOSE TO HOME
Halloween is right around the corner, which means candy is flying off the shelves in preparation for trick-ortreating. If you’re looking for a sweet treat to celebrate the spooky season beyond the typical chocolate bars and candy corn, these...
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‘You’re trying to rebuild your life’
Mari Hanson worked hard all her life to make ends meet and provide for herself and her family, but two devastating hurricanes in 2024 made it impossible for her to go home. “I came here from Florida after Helene but before Milton,” she said. “And I’ve...
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2 MS cities among best places to live in South
Thinking of moving? Mississippi has a lot to offer, and two cities were recently named some of the best places to call home in the Southeast. “The American South stands out as one of the most diverse regions in the United States, offering a unique...
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New building will expand Fondren retail from end to end
Duvall Decker is making a big splash in Fondren, and it shouldn’t take long to see the results. The architectural firm is building on the site of the former Kolb’s Cleaners at the corner of Mitchell and State Street on a 22,000 square foot...
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‘JACKSON IS RISING’
Mayor John Horhn used his first State of the City Address on Tuesday, Oct. 21, to declare that “Jackson is rising,” the theme of his speech and a twist on his campaign slogan, “Jackson is ready.” The message running through the speech was clear:...
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A good day to play
Children enjoyed playing at the LeFleur’s Bluff Playground in Jackson on Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, before afternoon rains set in the area. Cooler temperatures have finally arrived in the area and the forecast for the rest of the week is mostly sunny.
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Medgar Evers Library getting new HVAC after long delays
After two years of relying on costly temporary air conditioning and closing during summer heat, Jackson’s Medgar Evers Library is finally set to get a new HVAC system. The Jackson City Council approved the project last week. Jeanne Williams,...
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Lemuria Books still iconic at 50
On, Monday, Oct. 20, one of the most successful independent bookstores in the United States turns 50 years old. Lemuria Books, the brainchild and baby of owner John Evans got its start in a converted apartment behind the old Poets restaurant and bar...
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‘Five years, maybe’
Rodney, Mississippi, is all but a ghost town with only a few reminders of the days when it was a flourishing port on the Mississippi River during the 1800s. It is best known for the Rodney Presbyterian Church that has a cannonball stuck in the front of...
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What to know about October boycotts
New economic protests are focusing on major brands this month. Amazon, Target, Walmart, Disney and Ben & Jerry’s are in the crosshairs. The People’s Union USA also is calling for an economic blackout this weekend to pair with No Kings Day protests...
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Charles Crawford is second MS inmate executed this year
For the second time this year, the curtain inside the Mississippi State Penitentiary’s Unit 17 execution chamber lifted at 6 p.m. Behind the glass, Charles Ray Crawford, a Mississippi death-row inmate for the past 30 years, lay strapped to a gurney, a...
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MS native Kayleigh Clark wows judges on ‘The Voice’
Mississippi’s Kayleigh Clark and Camille Tredoux, who gre up around the globe, faced off in a duet on “The Voice” Tuesday night and their powerful performances left judges with a difficult decision. “What a great duo,” said Reba McEntire. “Both of you...
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Foundation rises from loss
Hinds County Deputy Martin Shields Jr. was killed earlier this year while serving the community. Now, the people who knew him best are carrying on his mission through a foundation that bears his name. The Deputy Martin L. Shields Jr. Foundation was...
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