A suspect has been taken into custody after a historic synagogue in Mississippi was badly damaged in a fire that authorities described on Sunday as an arson case.

According to officials, the blaze broke out shortly after 3am Saturday at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. No one was hurt in the fire.

Images from the scene revealed blackened debris in an administrative office and the synagogue’s library, where multiple Torah scrolls were either destroyed or damaged. Members and leadership of the synagogue have pledged to restore the building.

Jackson’s mayor, John Horhn, said a suspect was taken into custody after an investigation involving the FBI and the joint terrorism taskforce.

“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom to worship,” Horhn said in a statement. He did not identify the suspect or say what charges might be filed.

Beth Israel Congregation is the largest synagogue in Mississippi and the only one located in Jackson. It was previously targeted in a 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing linked to the congregation’s involvement in civil rights efforts, according to the website.

“We are thankful no one was injured, but this wasn’t random vandalism – it was a deliberate, targeted attack on the Jewish community,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement.

Michele Schipper, CEO of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and a former president of the congregation, told the Associated Press that the synagogue is still evaluating the extent of the damage and has received messages of support from other faith communities.

Schipper said one Torah that survived the Holocaust was protected behind glass and was not harmed by the fire. Five Torahs kept in the sanctuary are being checked for smoke damage, while two Torahs in the library, the area that suffered the most destruction, were destroyed.

Soot coated the sanctuary’s floors, walls and ceiling, and the synagogue will need to replace carpeting and upholstered furnishings.

“We are devastated but ready to rebuild, and we are so appreciative of the outreach from the community,” said Schipper.

Jewish Federations of North America issued a statement describing the incident as an arson attack and saying the organization was “horrified and angered at the arson attack against Mississippi’s Jewish community”.

“The Jewish community is resilient and will not be intimidated. We will continue to work with law enforcement and our elected officials to ensure we can live our lives safely and Jewishly,” the organization added.

• The Viking Mississippi offers cruises along the Mississippi River, exploring cities like Natchez, Vicksburg, and Greenville.
• Onboard experiences reflect the region’s culture with local music, cuisine, and historical lectures.
• Fares are largely inclusive, covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, and at least one shore excursion per port.

During my first visit to Natchez, Mississippi, I covered nearly 200 years of history in a few hours.

A shore excursion on my nearly week-long cruise aboard Viking Mississippi took me from Magnolia Hall, an 1858 Greek Revival and Italianate mansion, to the Stratton Chapel Gallery – home to photographs of Natchez dating back to the mid-1800s – behind First Presbyterian Church. Our shuttle bus then stopped by the Proud to Take a Stand monument, honoring residents who were incarcerated following a Civil Rights demonstration, before dropping my tour group back at the bank of the Mississippi River – and I still had an entire afternoon to explore.

The tour was one of several complimentary excursions I took during my early December sailing. The ship, which is Viking’s only river vessel based in the U.S., offers an easy and almost entirely inclusive way for guests to see the American South. Here’s what to know.

Where does Viking Mississippi go?

My cruise – the eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer itinerary – traveled from New Orleans and ended in Memphis, Tennessee (though I boarded late in St. Francisville, Louisiana). I spent my days exploring small cities along the way, both on my own and under the tutelage of knowledgeable guides at each stop.

During my free time in Natchez, I trekked up a hill and through town to Wishes Sweets & Eats, where I snagged one of the last snickerdoodles before perching on a bench along the Natchez Bluff Walking Trail to enjoy views of the river (and Louisiana across the water).

The following day in Vicksburg, low water required the ship to stop at an alternate landing outside of town. The river’s fluctuating levels can impede cruise ships, but Viking Mississippi has a flat bottom that allows it to keep moving even when the river is shallow.

I hopped on a complimentary Viking coach for a roughly 20-minute ride to browse the shops on Washington Street. On a fairly sunny, 58-degree day, I grabbed a latte at Highway 61 Coffeehouse and browsed Lorelei Books, which had exposed brick and a large selection of regional titles, from Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to “Rising Tide” by John M. Barry, which details the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

The city is also home to the Vicksburg Civil War Museum and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum (the soda was first bottled in Vicksburg in 1894), which guests can visit during their stop. After returning to the ship for lunch, I boarded another shuttle for an excursion to Vicksburg National Military Park, the site of a key battle during the Civil War, where a guide detailed the events via loudspeaker.

Before arriving in Memphis, we made one last stop in Greenville. There, singer-songwriter and Mississippi Music and Culture Ambassador Steve Azar shared his love of his hometown, hosting a banquet-style concert at E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center. The event featured a catered lunch of crispy hush puppies, catfish, smoked chicken and more – with Mississippi Sherin Sauce on the table, while Azar and others told stories between songs. The building also housed a 1901 Armitage Herschell Carousel, which guests could ride after the show.

What is the ship like?

The 386-guest ship was purpose-built for the region, evident in its design. A mural at the forward stairs displays passages from “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” for example, and the ceiling of the central Living Room mimics the frets on a guitar in a nod to the area’s musical heritage (married with the signature Scandinavian look of Viking’s other ships).

Fittingly, there was live music onboard. Memphis-based musician, Memphis Jones – an apt moniker – welcomed passengers to Tennessee with two nights of shows, featuring his take on hits from Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and more. There was also a communal record player, allowing guests to spin records from artists such as Elvis Presley and Robert Pete Williams.

There was plenty of other onboard programming, including trivia, cooking and cocktail demonstrations, and seminars related to the visited regions. A lecture on slavery and Mississippi’s efforts to secede from the Union was particularly impactful.

The cuisine also reflects the ship’s destination. On cruises that start out in New Orleans, guests can expect to see more French, Cajun and Creole fare, while barbecue is likely to be on offer as the vessel nears Memphis.

I enjoyed every meal I had onboard and developed a particular fondness for The Grill on Deck 5, an outdoor venue open for lunch and dinner with made-to-order steaks, seafood and more. I visited several times and the burger – juicy and well-seasoned – was the best one I’ve had in recent memory. The pumpkin praline cheesecake from the adjacent River Café was another highlight.

Capital murder charge possible

• A 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder after six people were killed in a series of shootings in northeast Mississippi.
• The victims, including a 7-year-old girl and other family members of the suspect, were shot at three separate locations in Clay County.
• Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killings, which included an alleged attempted sexual assault.
• Prosecutors are working to upgrade the charge to capital murder and will seek the death penalty if the suspect is found eligible.

Authorities arrested and charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed, including a 7-year-old girl, in a series of shootings Friday, Jan. 9, in northeast Mississippi.

The information was disclosed by authorities during a press conference Saturday, Jan. 10.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the victims — some of whom are family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations late Friday night in Clay County.

The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, west of the county seat of West Point. Clay County is roughly 125 miles northeast of Jackson.

Scott identified the shooting shooter as Daricka Moore, 24. Moore was booked into the county jail shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday on a first-degree murder charge. Scott said prosecutors are working to upgrade the charge to capital murder with additional murder charges forthcoming.