Mississippi
Jackson City Council presses Judge Wingate on JXN Water ahead of rate ruling
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The Jackson City Council approved a resolution Tuesday morning urging U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to “consider” taking a series of actions related to JXN Water operations, billing practices and financial oversight.
The vote occurred one day before Wingate is set to rule on whether Jackson residents will receive a second water rate increase, something that Interim Third Party Water Manager and leader of JXN Water Ted Henifin has been pushing for nearly a year now.
While the vote carries no legal force — only Wingate can issue binding orders governing JXN Water — it formally lays out the council’s priorities and frustrations as the seemingly never-ending dispute between the city and JXN Water intensifies.
The council voted 4–1 to approve the resolution. Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote voted against it, while Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay and Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes were not in attendance.
The resolution urges Wingate to:
- Extend the court’s billing amnesty order through April 30, 2026.
- Require walk-in, in-person customer service without appointments, Monday through Saturday.
- JXN Water currently handles most customer service issues through its call center.
- Direct JXN Water and the city to assign staff to address billing system problems.
- Order an affordability study, rather than a rate study, to guide future decisions.
- Compel JXN Water to immediately remit sanitation fees owed to the city and to do so on a quarterly basis going forward.
- City officials say JXN Water is withholding roughly $14 million in sanitation fees that are typically transferred monthly to help pay the city’s long-term residential garbage collection contract with Richard’s Disposal Inc. The utility has held the funds since spring 2025.
- Credit the city for bond debt and water loss charges the council says should be the responsibility of JXN Water.
- Prohibit the court-appointed monitor from publicly commenting on the city’s efforts to secure alternative funding sources.
- Ensure equitable billing for Byram and other non-Jackson users.
- Those areas receive water from Jackson, but any rate increase would require approval from the Mississippi Public Service Commission, which has not occurred.
- Remove JXN Water employees from the city payroll.
- Align JXN Water’s fiscal year with the city’s Oct. 1–Sept. 30 budget cycle.
One amendment was made to the resolution to soften its language. According to Ward 7 Councilman Kevin Parkinson, the title was changed from urging Wingate “to take certain actions” related to JXN Water instead to urging him “to consider” those actions.
Parkinson said the council made the change “out of deference to the judge.”
“We believe in the substance of the issue, but we don’t think it’s our place to tell a federal judge anything,” Parkinson said. “We ask the judge to please consider the items.”
JXN Water’s response
In a Tuesday afternoon statement to the Clarion Ledger, JXN Water Spokesperson Aisha Carson said the utility “is aware of the resolution introduced by the City of Jackson and believes it is important to provide context as the matter proceeds in court.”
“For years, the City of Jackson and members of the City Council had the opportunity to responsibly manage and invest in the water system and failed to do so. JXN Water exists because of that failure,” the statement reads. “Now, after the system is working well — delivering water and keeping raw sewage off the streets — and after the system was removed from the City’s control by the federal courts, the Council is attempting to direct the very entity tasked with fixing what they did not.
“In addition, the unfounded and erroneous claims made about JXN Water’s billing system undermine public trust and weaken collection efforts without acknowledging the conditions we inherited or the progress already made. While Council members continue to advocate on behalf of their constituents, JXN Water must apply its policies consistently to sustain the system for all customers. The full record and legal arguments will be addressed in court.”
The looming decision on water rates
It’s unclear whether Wingate will take up any of the council’s requests or keep the hearing focused on the proposed water rate increase. But anyone who has spent time in Wingate’s courtroom knows the discussion can veer wherever the judge sees fit. As Henifin put it last week, “there is no predicting what will come up during the hearing.”
The proposed water rate increase would raise the average residential water bill from about $76 to $85 per month — roughly a 12% increase — to help cover operating costs and debt service. Henifin has argued the increase is necessary to stabilize the system financially.
Henifin wanted the increase rate to take affect in Dec. 15, 2025, but Wingate temporarily blocked the rate increase in November.
In a Dec. 22 filing, City Attorney Drew Martin argued that a second increase would unfairly burden paying customers, noting that tens of millions of dollars remain uncollected each year.
“The City simply asks that the Court order JXN Water to do what the City must do and what every citizen and ratepayer must do: live within its means,” Martin wrote.
Along with the council, Jackson Mayor John Horhn is opposed to the rate hike. He previously told the Clarion Ledger that JXN Water should first improve collections and cut costs. Roughly 20-30% of customers remain delinquent, according to city estimates.
Horhn could not be reached for further comment regarding the council’s resolution. Jackson spokesperson Nic Lott did not respond to a request for comment.
The council’s action also follows last week’s vote to temporarily cover more than $2 million in trash-collection bills from the city’s general fund after JXN Water withheld sanitation fees residents already paid on their water bills. Henifin has said the utility is withholding the money because the city owes millions in unpaid water bills, largely tied to leaks at the Jackson Zoo.
Wingate previously pressed Henifin on his legal authority to withhold those funds. Henifin acknowledged he had none but said the money would be released once the city settles its debt.
Why Foote voted no
Foote was the lone vote against the resolution. While he has voiced some criticism of JXN Water in the past, Foote has generally declined to support council resolutions aimed at the federally managed utility.
In October, when the council approved another resolution stating that Jackson’s water and sewer systems should be returned to the city and out of JXN Water’s hands, Foote was also the lone vote against.
He explained his reasoning after the meeting.
“I thought the City was better off not making a big news headline with a Resolution confronting a Federal Judge about the operations of JXN Water during the opening week of the Legislative Session, when our focus needs to be the many issues the City has with things we control such as crime, blight, squatters and the ongoing exodus of citizens out of Jackson,” Foote said.
He used one of his familiar lines that “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
“Squabbling publicly with JXN Water distracts from the Mayor’s narrative of Jackson Rising,” Foote said.
Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.
Mississippi
Mississippi high school addresses social media post, says it won’t tolerate racism or harassment
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – A Mississippi high school has made a statement after a social media post involving a student surfaced.
Northeast Lauderdale High School officials say they’re reviewing a social media post involving a student.
In a statement, the school said administrators are aware of the post and are “reviewing the situation.”
The school said it is committed to maintaining a safe, orderly and respectful environment for students and staff.
“Neither our district nor our school accept or condone racism, discrimination, harassment, or behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations of our school community,” the statement said.
Officials said they are working with the appropriate parties and will address the matter in accordance with district policies and procedures.
The school added that it cannot share additional details because of student privacy laws.
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(This story was updated to add new information.)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball starting pitcher Ryan McPherson exited his May 9 return against Auburn with an ankle injury, according to coach Brian O’Connor.
McPherson tripped behind home plate while backing up a potential throw in the second inning and limped back to the mound. The MSU coaches and trainer examined McPherson before pulling him.
McPherson was making his first start since March 20 after suffering a forearm strain.
The No. 11 Bulldogs (38-14, 15-12 SEC) trailed the No. 6 Tigers (35-15, 16-11) by one run with one out in the inning before getting run-ruled 13-2 in seven innings at Dudy Noble Field.
McPherson threw 34 pitches in 1⅓ innings with one earned and one unearned run allowed, two hits, no walks and no strikeouts.
He did not throw a practice pitch while being examined, and he didn’t limp as he walked into the dugout, either.
Ryan McPherson injury update from Brian O’Connor
O’Connor revealed after the game that McPherson was on a 40-pitch limit, so he was likely going to get pulled soon anyway.
“I would hate for the young man to have a setback because he goes out there and tries to throw to another batter or two and changes this delivery because of an ankle (injury),” O’Connor said. “So that’s what went into that decision. It’s unfortunate, but it was good to get him back out there.”
McPherson, a sophomore, missed six straight starts with his forearm injury. He took Charlie Foster’s spot in the pitching rotation for the Auburn series.
One series remains at Texas A&M before the SEC Tournament.
“We’ll see how he recovers from this and then to see what his availability will be for next weekend,” O’Connor said.
Ryan McPherson stats
McPherson was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
The No. 6 Auburn Tigers have evened the series with No. 11 Mississippi State thanks to a timely home run in the 9th inning.
Auburn catcher Chase Fralick stepped into the batter’s box to lead off the final inning of a tie game, needing to get on base to give his team a chance to steal a win in Starkville. He answered the call by smashing a home run over the right field wall to push his team ahead. His defense, as well as relief pitcher Jackson Sanders, followed the clutch long ball by piecing together a perfect bottom frame to solidify a 5-4 Auburn win over Mississippi State on Friday at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi, to even the series between the pair of top-five SEC squads.
Fralick’s solo home run in the 9th was an answer to Mississippi State’s game-tying single in the 8th inning off the bat of Ace Reese. Reese hit a single to right field and used deception by forcing himself into a rundown, which allowed Kevin Milewsky to score from 3rd base and to erase Auburn’s lead that was once 4-0.
There were plenty of surprising and notable moments from Auburn baseball’s win over Mississippi State on Friday. Re-live those key moments by checking out score updates, highlights, and notes from the game below.
- Mason McCraine (3-for-5, 2 K)
- Eric Guevara (0-for-3, BB, 2 K)
- Chase Fralick (1-for-4, 2 RBI, HR, K)
- Chris Rembert (2-for-5, 2 RBI)
- Ethin Bingaman (2-for-5, RBI)
- Bub Terrell (1-for-4, 2B, 3 K)
- Brandon McCraine (1-for-4, 2 K)
- Cade Belyeu (0-for-3, 2 K)
- Lucas Steele (0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K)
- Andreas Alvarez (4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 97 pitches (55 strikes)
- Jackson Sanders (4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 K, 64 pitches (37 strikes), WIN
Auburn bounces back to even the series thanks to a perfect inning by Jackson Sanders and the Auburn defense. Game three of the series is set for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.
Mississippi State in the 9th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Auburn’s prayers were quickly answered after giving up the tying run to Mississippi State in the 8th inning when Chase Fralick smashed a solo home run to right field, giving Auburn its first run since the 5th inning and putting his team in a situation to win the game in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Auburn in the 9th: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
We head into the final inning of the game with a 4-4 tie between the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Ace Reese singled through the right side and voluntarily entered a rundown to distract Auburn’s defense long enough for Kevin Milewski, who got on base by a leadoff walk, to score.
Auburn will look to regain the lead in the top frame of the 9th inning.
Mississippi State in the 8th: 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
For the second time in the game, Auburn fails to add runs despite the first two runners of the inning reaching base. Brandon McCraine led off the inning with a single, with Cade Belyeu reaching base after getting hit by a pitch. The next three batters in Auburn’s lineup were retired via strikeout by Ben Davis, bringing his total to four on the day.
Auburn in the 8th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Auburn pitcher Jackson Sanders got off to a shaky start in the 7th inning by allowing the first two batters of the inning to reach base. He appeared to be on his way out of the jam, but Bryce Chance singled through the left side to score Ace Reese from 3rd base and to trim Auburn’s lead to one run. He eventually got out of trouble by forcing Vytas Valincius to pop out.
Mississippi State in the 7th: 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
It was an easy inning for Mississippi State relief pitcher Ben Davis, who retired the first three batters he faced with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout of Bub Terrell.
Auburn in the 7th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Jackson Sanders held Auburn’s two-run lead in the 6th, his first full inning on the mound in relief of Andreas Alvarez. Mississippi State’s Ryder Woodson recorded a two-out single off Sanders in the frame, but a Gehrig Frei pop-out closed out the inning.
Mississippi State in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Auburn put two runners on base during the 6th inning on a Lucas Steele walk and Mason McCraine’s third hit of the game. However, Auburn’s good fortune ended with an Eric Guevara strikeout and a Chase Fralick pop out.
Auburn in the 6th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State is now on the scoreboard following a two-out, two-run home run off the bat of Reed Stallman, which cuts Auburn’s lead to 4-2. Jackson Sanders emerged from the bullpen following the deep drive to left field and proceeded to strike out Bryce Chance to end the inning.
Alvarez’s final line: 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 97 pitches (55 strikes) over 4 2/3 innings.
Mississippi State in the 5th: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Chris Rembert recorded his second RBI of the game with one out in the 5th, when his groundout to shortstop allowed Mason McCraine to score and to extend Auburn’s lead to three runs. The greedy Tigers were not finished, though, as Ethin Bingaman delivered an RBI single in the next at-bat to push Auburn’s cushion to four runs.
Bingaman’s RBI closed the tab on Mississippi State starter Duke Stone, who ended his outing by allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks in 4 2/3 innings and 95 pitches. Maddox Miller relieved Stone by forcing Brandon McCraine to fly out to center field after walking Bub Terrell.
Auburn in the 5th: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State is held out of the scoring column for another inning following a fielder’s choice and a line out, with Andreas Alvarez leading off the inning by logging his fifth strikeout of the game.
Mississippi State in the 4th: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
The Auburn lineup logged its first extra-base hit of the game when Bub Terrell doubled on the second pitch of the inning. However, the good vibes ended there as Duke Stone struck out Brandon McCraine, Cade Belyeu, and Lucas Steele to end Auburn’s chances of increasing its lead.
Auburn in the 4th: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
As the old Yogi Berra quote goes, “it was deja vu all over again” for Mississippi State in the 3rd inning as Bryce Chance stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. However, unlike Thursday’s opener when he hit a 1st inning grand slam, he hit a ground ball up the middle, which resulted in a fielder’s choice that forced Reed Stallman to become the third out of the frame.
Mississippi State in the 3rd: 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 3 LOB
It took Auburn a few innings to find confidence at the plate, but it struck gold in the 3rd inning when Chase Fralick popped out to center field with the bases loaded and one out to send Lucas Steele home, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Chris Rembert followed suit in the next at-bat by sending a single up the middle to advance everyone 90 feet, which scored Mason McCraine to extend the lead to 2-0.
We will now see if the two-run cushion will bring out the best in Andreas Alvarez on the mound.
Auburn in the 3rd: 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
Mississippi State stranded one runner in the 2nd inning, but that was as far as they reached as Andreas Alvarez struck out Ryder Woodson to end the frame.
Alvarez is up to three strikeouts with a walk through two innings of work. He has thrown 40 pitches, with 23 of them finding the strike zone.
Mississippi State in the 2nd: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
The Auburn Tigers appeared to gain an edge on Mississippi State as a pair of singles by Chris Rembert and Ethin Bingaman put two runners on base. However, Duke Stone rebounded by striking out the next two batters, and a pickoff play by the Bulldogs caught Bingaman in a rundown between 1st and 2nd base, killing Auburn’s threat of putting a run on the scoreboard.
Auburn in the 2nd: 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB
Mississippi State attacked Auburn starting pitcher Andreas Alvarez early with a leadoff walk, followed by a bloop single to left center field. However, Alvarez bounced back by retiring the next three batters in order, which included two strikeouts.
Mississippi State in the 1st: 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB
It was a quiet inning for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and pitcher Duke Stone, who retired all three Auburn batters in order, which included strikeouts of Mason McCraine and Chase Fralick.
Andreas Alvarez and the Auburn defense look to return the favor in the bottom frame.
Auburn in the 1st: 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB
Alabama defeats South Carolina, 8-3, which means that the broadcast of Auburn vs Mississippi State on SEC Network will not be delayed or pushed to another network. Expect a start time of 7:30 p.m. CT.
Here’s how the Auburn Tigers will line up in game two
- RF Mason McCraine
- 3B Eric Guevara
- C Chase Fralick
- 2B Chris Rembert
- 1B Ethin Bingaman
- LF Bub Terrell
- SS Brandon McCraine
- CF Cade Belyeu
- DH Lucas Steele
The bottom of the lineup will look different for the Tigers on Friday night, as Cade Belyeu gets the start in center field over Bristol Carter, and Lucas Steele assumes his familiar role at designated hitter over Eddie Madrigal.
After experiencing a flat night offensively in game one, it appears that Butch Thompson is looking for a spark in the center field slot for game two of the series. Carter has logged just two hits over his last five games and has gone 0-5 in his last three games. Steele has been used sparingly in the Auburn lineup over the last few weeks, playing in just three SEC games since April 17.
Auburn vs Mississippi State pitching matchup for game two
- Auburn: SO RHP Andreas Alvarez (8-2, 2.56)
- Mississippi State: SO RHP Duke Stone (6-1, 4.40)
Auburn baseball vs Mississippi State time today
- Date: Friday, May 8
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What channel is Auburn vs Mississippi State on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Auburn vs Mississippi State will be broadcast on SEC Network on Friday from Dudy Noble Field in Starkville. Tom Hart and Kyle Peterson will have the call from the booth. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
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