Mississippi State News

Federal attorneys say Mississippi must expand mental health services

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Department of Justice says a federal judge should order Mississippi to expand community-based mental health services. Department attorneys filed documents with an expansion plan as part of the long-running litigation between the federal government and…

Mississippi official won't challenge court on initiatives

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A top official says he will not ask the Mississippi Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling that overturned a medical marijuana initiative approved by voters. The ruling also invalidated the state's initiative…

Mississippi Lottery Corporation names next president

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jeffrey L. Hewitt, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Mississippi Lottery Corporation, will serve as its next president. Hewitt was one of the first employees brought on to the corporation in June 2019.…

Termites swarm in the South as their mating season begins

BILOXI, Miss. — Thick swarms of termites are appearing nightly throughout South Mississippi, signaling that their mating season is underway. The Sun Herald reports that the winged insects - often called swarmers - are likely Formosan termites. The Mississippi State…

Mississippi alligator hunting season to open in August

Alligator hunting in Mississippi will open in late August. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks recently announced the 2021 Public Waters Alligator Hunting Season will open at 12 p.m. on Aug. 27 and run through 12 p.m. on…

Low-flying chopper to follow rivers, mapping aquifers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — People along rivers in seven states may see a low-flying helicopter towing a long cylinder, starting late this month and going into July. The 30-foot-long tube holds an electromagnetic instrument that the U.S. Geological Survey uses…

Inmate who was assaulted by fellow prisoners dies

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) — Officials say a Mississippi inmate has died several days after he was assaulted by fellow prisoners. Torrie Ellis, 40, died Thursday at a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, news outlets reported. Ellis had been serving a…

Judge dismisses murder charges against two Mississippi cops

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A state judge in Mississippi dismissed murder charges Thursday against two police officers accused of body-slamming and beating a Black man. The ruling by Hinds County Judge Faye Peterson ended the trial of former Jackson officers…