Mississippi

Federal judge rules in favor of creating Mississippi state-run court in capital city

Published

8 months ago

January 2, 2024

Federal judge rules in favor of creating Mississippi state-run court in capital city

A federal judge ruled Sunday that Mississippi officials can create the planned state-run court in Jackson, the state capital, where the majority of residents are Black, despite objections from the NAACP. The decision is part of a more significant legal battle over Mississippi’s expansion of state power in Jackson, which the NAACP has sued against.

US District Judge Henry Wingate dismissed requests to block the new court, stating that the NAACP and the citizen plaintiffs could not prove “concrete and particularized injury” and had no alleged threatened harm by the future judicial appointments. Legal precedent establishes that to have standing, the plaintiffs must prove “sustained or [that they are] immediately in danger of sustaining some direct injury as the result of the challenged statute or official conduct.” In the oral argument, the lawyer for the NAACP, Brenden Cline, admitted that the organization did not suffer direct injury but claimed that the fellow plaintiffs did because they are citizens who voted in Jackson. The court was not persuaded that the citizens had standing simply because they lived in Jackson, were registered voters and were African American. Wingate emphasized that the case thus could not bring a “particular motion for injunctive relief either individually or collectively.”

The original lawsuit accuses Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and other state officials of unfairly singling out Jackson. The civil rights organization said the legislation is undemocratic because it takes away the power of residents to elect their judicial officials. All-white state conservative officials will appoint judges for the Black district, and state police jurisdiction will expand throughout the city. Yet, the Mississippi Constitution directs that circuit court judges “be elected by the people” for four-year terms. The new system would bypass this requirement and would not apply to the rest of Mississippi.

Reeves released a statement after approving the legislation stating, “As long as I’m Governor, the state will keep fighting for safer streets for every Mississippian no matter their politics, race, creed, or religion – regardless of how we’re portrayed by liberal activists or in the national media.”

The court in question is the Capitol Complex Improvement District Court (CCID), which a state-appointed judge and prosecutors will lead. The NAACP has argued that the new court would take power away from Jackson citizens, impede citizens’ Fourteenth Amendment rights and cause procedural irregularities and bias. The Republican state legislators argued that the high crime rate in Jackson requires state intervention and greater policing. Violent crime exceeded the national average by 115.96 percent, according to the latest crime data submitted by the Jackson Police Department to the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, in support of the NAACP, announced, “Mississippi House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 2343 represent a disturbing regression, rolling back decades of progress by stripping Jackson residents of their fundamental right to democratically elected leaders.”

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a stay on the matter until Friday, and the district court is directed to issue a final appealable order by noon on Wednesday.

Source link

Mississippi

Vote for Mississippi boys high school athlete of the week Sept. 2-7

Published

3 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

Vote for Mississippi boys high school athlete of the week Sept. 2-7

There were several top performers across the state in boys high school sports, but only one can be voted athlete of the week for Sept. 2-7.

Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.

To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.

Nominations

Kendetryon Backstrom, Kemper County: Backstrom had 247 passing yards, going 13-of-16 on completions for with two touchdowns and had six carries for 45 yards and three touchdowns in Kemper County’s 46-8 win over Noxapater.

Ronde Baker, Terry: Baker produced 171 rushing yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns in Terry’s 57-6 win over Pure Academy.

Wyatt Bond, Lamar School: Bond recorded 320 passing yards, going 24-of-37 with three touchdowns, and had 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Lamar’s 35-34 loss to Winston Academy.

Coby King, Greene County: King was 24-of-35 passing for 418 yards with a touchdown and had 11 carries for 137 rushing yards with four touchdowns in Greene County’s 51-36 loss to George County.

Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs: Kinkle produced 10 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns in Holly Springs’ 33-0 win over Byers.

Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson: Willis had 15 carries for 203 rushing yards with a touchdown, four receptions with 59 receiving yards, and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded four sacks, 8.5 tackles and three tackles for loss in Velma Jackson’s 24-22 win over Yazoo County.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

Source link

Mississippi

Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County

Published

10 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County

GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi woman was killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County.

Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said the crash occurred on Highway 7 just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.

Mississippi woman killed in head-on crash in Louisiana

According to MHP, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes van that was also traveling north.

The driver of the Mercedes, 53-year-old Loretta Hopkins, of Winona, died at the scene.

This crash remains under investigation by MHP.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.

Source link

Mississippi

Mississippi State’s Loss Doesn’t Stop SEC from Owning Week Two in AP Top 25

Published

17 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi State’s Loss Doesn’t Stop SEC from Owning Week Two in AP Top 25

Outside of Mississippi State, Arkansas and Auburn, the SEC had a very successful Week Two of the college football season. The latest AP Top 25 poll reflects the strength of the SEC with 6 of the top 7 spots belonging to SEC teams.

Here’s a recap of how the ranked SEC teams fared in the second full week of the college football season:

Click here for a recap of the unranked SEC teams.

Scenes from the game between the Georgia Bulldogs against Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Sanford Stadium. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

With the exception of giving up three points, this was probably exactly how Georgia expected this game to go. Carson Beck threw five touchdowns and the defense held Tennessee Tech to less than 150 yards of total offense. Anything less would be a surprise.

Matthew McConaughey looks on from the sideline during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas Longhorns at Michigan Stadium. The Academy Award-winning actor had a lot be happy about in Saturday’s game. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

More than 100,000 people saw Texas come into Ann Arbor, Mich. and leave with a huge win. The Longhorns looked like the better team from the first drive of the game where they easily marched down the field. That Oct. 19 game in Austin against Georgia is looking better and better.

Alabama fans hold up a sign reading “Hollywood” for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. / William McLelland-Imagn Images

It was a lot closer than Alabama would’ve liked, but it’s a win that will fend off the “Nick Saban is gone, we’re doomed” crowd. At the same time, though, there were some things that crowd could point to at a later time.

Juice Kiffin makes his way down the Walk of Champions prior to the game between Ole Miss and the Middle Tennessee.

Juice Kiffin makes his way down the Walk of Champions prior to the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Two games against inferior competition and Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 129-3. They’ll take a slight step up in competition next week against Wake Forest, but the Rebels are still about a month away from playing a team that will truly test them.

Missouri Tigers fans apply body paint against the Buffalo Bulls prior to a game Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Missouri’s schedule just took an unexpected bump in its level of difficulty with No. 24 Boston College joining the top 25. Bill O’Brien is brilliant at game planning and calling plays (not so much with making trades, but that hasn’t reached the college ranks yet). Missouri needs to be on upset alert (and ready to stop the run).

Tennessee Volunteers mascots the Volunteer and Smoky celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the NC State.

Tennessee Volunteers mascots the Volunteer and Smoky celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

This happens every year. Tennessee looks really good to start the season and by the end Volunteer fans are saying next year is their year. But maybe this year is their year with the way Nico Iamaleava has been playing.

Oklahoma fans watch during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Of the two SEC newcomers, Texas is getting most of the attention which makes sense based on the current teams. But folks, don’t sleep on the Sooners. They ruined many of my own childhood memories growing up in Texas. This week’s way-too close game doesn’t help that argument, but think long term.

LSU Tigers student section fans paint their chest Back In the Bayou during pregame before the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Tiger Stadium. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

LSU was one of three SEC teams to play FCS schools after playing top 25 teams last week. The Tigers and Texas A&M both lost, while Georgia won. So, it’s not surprising to see each of them play FCS teams and neither were any of the results.

SEC Week 2 Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Contenders or Pretenders?

WATCH: Mississippi State’s Bowl Hopes Take a Hit with Arizona State Defeat

Mississippi State Crumbles in the Trenches: What Went Wrong Against Arizona State?

Source link