Mississippi

‘American Idol’ winner Jamal Roberts releases single ‘Mississippi.’ See when

Published

9 months ago

July 24, 2025

Press Room

‘American Idol’ winner Jamal Roberts releases single ‘Mississippi.’ See when

“American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts is releasing a new single, “Mississippi,” on July 24.
Roberts won Season 23 of “American Idol” and his first single, “Heal,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
The Meridian native has been touring and recording since his win in May.
Roberts will join Brandy and Monica on their “The Boy is Mine” tour in the fall.

Meridian native and “American Idol” reigning champion Jamal Roberts is releasing his newest single, “Mississippi,” as a tribute to the state that shaped his career.

In May, Roberts won “American Idol” in a record-breaking vote. In the months since the confetti fell and Ryan Seacrest called his name, Roberts has kept busy touring and recording. His single “Heal” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.

“Mississippi” will be available to download starting at 11 p.m. central DST on Thursday, July 24, on all major streaming platforms.

The single, a blend of gospel and R&B, was recorded at Electric Blue Studios in California and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Emile Ghantous, who is also credited as a co-writer. Daniel J. Capellaro and Christian Stalnecker are also credited as co-writers alongside Roberts.

From Meridian to Hollywood and back

Roberts, a 27-year-old P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary, started his “American Idol” Season 23 journey when he won a golden ticket singing “Mary Jane” by Rick James in audition rounds.

Before competing on “American Idol,” Roberts grew a following singing covers on TikTok.

In the weeks following his audition, Roberts traveled throughout the U.S. with his fellow contestants, eluding elimination rounds with his raw, soulful performances.

On May 12, Roberts became the fourth Mississippian in “American Idol” history to break the Top 3.

When Roberts first auditioned, judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood were impressed, but agreed Roberts could use some more confidence. The singer gradually grew his stage presence, and by the finale, Roberts easily commanded the room.

Days before the finale, Roberts returned to Meridian for a massive homecoming celebration, including a parade. The concert that followed drew a crowd of 20,000. The entire population of Meridian is just over 33,500.

Shortly after his “American Idol” victory, Roberts told the Clarion Ledger that the following months were already booked with performances, interviews, appearances and recording sessions.

In between the busy days, Roberts planned to spend as much time as possible with his three daughters, Harmoni, 6, Lyrik, 4, and Gianna, who was born just two weeks before the “American Idol” finale.

Roberts has faced his fair share of adversity in the months following his victory as well. In late June, the singer received backlash after the Laurel mayor offered Roberts a key to the city. Laurel residents felt Roberts did not deserve the key since he was not from the town, with some people even threatening to bring guns to his upcoming performance.

Roberts addressed the backlash in a Facebook Live after declining the key and still plans to perform in Laurel in August.

In September, Roberts will perform at the Jackson Convention Complex in a concert benefitting Alcorn State University Athletics.

Starting in the fall, Roberts will be joining Brandy and Monica on their “The Boy is Mine” tour.

Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com

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Mississippi

Dr. Clyde Muse remembered as ‘godfather’ of Mississippi community colleges

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Dr. Clyde Muse remembered as ‘godfather’ of Mississippi community colleges

RAYMOND, Miss. — Dr. Clyde Muse, known as “the godfather” of community colleges in Mississippi, left a legacy that reached students and staff across Hinds Community College’s campuses.

Dr. Clyde Muse is the longest serving community college president in Mississippi history.(Hinds Community College)

Six years ago, Dr. Muse walked out the door for the last time as president of Hinds Community College. Hinds Community College President Dr. Stephen Vacik said he benefited from Dr. Muse’s guidance.

“Essentially what he said to me was, ‘Call me if you need something, call me, but otherwise I’m not going to bother you,’” Dr. Vacik said. “He was always very good about giving space to be me. I really appreciate that, and I hope that I’ve done the same for the people who work with me.”

Dr. Muse’s retirement was known as “Celebrating the Muse Legacy,” something that stretches back generations for alumni like Myra Beard, class of 1984.

“I’m number six of seven kids that went through Hinds with Dr. Muse,” Beard said. “He was so caring about his students.”

“He wanted us to come and trick or treat at his house and we said you’ve got to be kidding, and he said no,” Beard said. “He invited us in to come to a big Halloween Party. He did the same thing at Christmas.”

Dr. Muse’s impact can also be felt in the local workforce. Paige Hataway, a native of Raymond, stayed because Dr. Muse grew Hinds Community College’s nursing program.

“We had a lot of remodeling on the building. It is an older building, but he made sure everything was being worked on,” Hataway said. “And we also had funds and stuff for books. So, he definitely made a difference.”

Dr. Muse’s service will be held at Hinds Community College on Monday at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the service begins at 3 p.m.

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Mississippi

4-star RB Christian Alexander commits to Mississippi State to top 2027 class

Published

19 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

4-star RB Christian Alexander commits to Mississippi State to top 2027 class

This story has been updated with new information

Mississippi State football has added its highest-ranked player in its 2027 recruiting class

Class of 2027 running back Christian Alexander committed to coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs on April 16. He announced the news on social media.

Alexander is a four-star recruit in the 2027 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. His commitment is an in-state recruiting win for the Bulldogs. Alexander is from Rosa Fort High School in Tunica County.

He showed his versatility as a junior last season. Alexander used for more than 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also throwing 40 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns according to Max Preps.

Alexander is 5-foot-8, 195-pounds, ranked as the No. 20 running back in the 2027 class, and the No. 10 player in Mississippi. He chose MSU over offers from Colorado, UCF, Cincinnati and Minnesota.

The Bulldogs are up to six commitments in their 2027 class. Alexander is the first four-star player, and the others five players are three-star prospects.

Sam Hutchens covers sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

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Mississippi

Mississippi lawmakers fail to override governor’s vetoes

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi lawmakers fail to override governor’s vetoes

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi lawmakers returned to the State Capitol expecting to override one or more of the governor’s vetoes, but after hours of discussions, many behind closed doors, all vetoes remained in place.

The House voted to override two of Gov. Tate Reeves’ vetoes: one involving opioid settlement money and another for the Gulf Coast Restoration Revolving Loan Program. The Senate was not successful in any of their votes.

“At the end of the day, when you look at the votes – which is what’s the record – then it was Democrats who sustained his vetoes,” said Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Jackson County.

Senate brings one bill to vote

The Senate brought up only one bill for a vote: the attempt to override the partial veto on the opioid settlement money. The House had already voted to override but needed at least a two-thirds vote in the Senate to make it official. The vote failed.

Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons said Democrats did not side with the governor when they cast their nay votes.

“We wanted to take up Senate Bill 2477, the rule of health transformation bill, first…because we did not take that bill up, unfortunately, Democrats were not interested in anything else,” Simmons said.

Governor urged lawmakers not to override rural healthcare veto

Leading up to the session, Reeves urged members not to override the veto on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program. He said it would jeopardize federal funds.

“I certainly think it made a difference. And look, you know, if you’re a governor, you’re gonna do that. It’s your veto. You don’t want it to be overridden,” Wiggins said.

Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-House Public Health Chairman, said the House was prepared to vote to override. The language in the Senate bill was theirs, and they believed it was an oversight to ensure funds ended up in the most impactful locations.

“I truly believe they had the votes. For whatever reason, politically or whatever, it did not come up,” Creekmore said.

The lack of action from the legislature will not prevent funds from coming into the state.

The Senate also brought forward one resolution the House had already passed earlier in the afternoon. It would have helped in getting a repealer placed on a youth court bill. That vote failed in the Senate.

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