Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi, got $102K in water crisis donations. They’ve yet to spend a penny
![Jackson, Mississippi, got 2K in water crisis donations. They’ve yet to spend a penny Jackson, Mississippi, got 2K in water crisis donations. They’ve yet to spend a penny](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/jackson-water-1-ap-bb-230213_1676319779605_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg)
With disaster after disaster plaguing the water infrastructure in Jackson, Mississippi, the town authorities has, for months, included a message on its web site’s water data web page explaining the place folks can ship personal donation checks in the event that they need to assist.
But regardless of points starting from a scarcity of water stress in metropolis colleges final month to a winter storm fully knocking out operating water for some residents through the holidays, ABC Information has realized that Jackson’s municipal authorities has acquired greater than $100,000 in donations — however has but to spend a penny of the cash.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba says the town may use the funds to purchase water filters sooner or later this 12 months, although when that may occur stays unclear.
“Presently, the cash nonetheless sits there,” Lumumba advised ABC Information in an interview final month. “It has not been touched.”
The water issues in Jackson date again years, however 2022 and the start of 2023 have seen residents of Mississippi’s largest metropolis undergo from a number of incidents in a row.
As ABC Information reported final week as a part of the “By means of the Cracks” sequence, along with greater than $814 million being offered to Jackson by federal funds, Mississippi acquired over $400 million in 2022 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Invoice to handle water infrastructure. Nevertheless, the total restore of the long-troubled water system will take years to finish.
“We now have gotten to the purpose of tying a bag over the tap to remind you to not use it,” stated Glenda Barner, a 70-year-old Jackson resident who owns a small enterprise within the metropolis. “I do not maintain out an entire lot of hope on it being fully repaired in my lifetime.”
Within the meantime, some residents should take care of short-term options like utilizing bottled water and filtered water.
‘A optimistic affect’
Amid the water crises, Jackson’s water data webpage continues to say that donation checks will be made payable to a gaggle referred to as the Central Mississippi Development Basis and mailed to Jackson Metropolis Corridor. However the web page doesn’t specify what the donated funds are used for.
Nor does it say that funds which have already been contributed to the muse have but to be spent — regardless of a earlier message on the town webpage saying that “The Metropolis of Jackson want to thank the entire fantastic individuals who have leaned in to assist in our time of want. We admire your choice to be a optimistic affect in these difficult occasions.”
The Central Mississippi Development Basis is a decades-old financial improvement group organized by the Better Jackson Chamber Partnership. It’s separate from the Mississippi Fast Response Coalition, a extremely publicized collaborative group that has collected donations and distributed objects equivalent to bottled water.
The muse doesn’t have any workers, based on chamber vp Debi Inexperienced, although it does embody what is called the “Mayor’s Fund” to deal with contributions equivalent to those acquired in response to the water disaster. “Because it pertains to donations acquired in 2022 to the CMGF for the ‘Mayor’s Fund,’ and any bills paid out, we are going to defer these inquiries to the Metropolis of Jackson for evaluate and reply,” Inexperienced advised ABC Information.
Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, on the speaker’s effectively, is surrounded by Democratic lawmakers as he speaks towards the prompt water system laws, Feb. 7, 2023, on the Capitol in Jackson, Miss.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Nevertheless, when requested in regards to the Mayor’s Fund, Mayor Lumumba advised ABC Information, “As I perceive it, one who has quick entry and management and dominion over the account could be the Chamber of Commerce, which isn’t a division of the town. I consider that when requests are made, then they may remit a test for these requests.”
Dr. Hyunseok Hwang, an assistant professor who research nonprofit administration and neighborhood useful resource mobilization on the College of Houston, stated the Jackson metropolis authorities’s strategy of accepting crisis-response donations by a separate basis — as a substitute of by direct contributions to the town, a activity drive, or nonprofit teams like United Means — will not be the standard means of conducting enterprise.
Hwang reviewed IRS filings from the muse and stated that since it’s categorised as a 501(c)(6), a company class typically utilized by chambers of commerce and enterprise leagues, contributions to it may not be tax deductible.
“Proper now, will probably be higher for the town and the mayor by themselves to offer higher accountability and transparency to the donors and the residents,” Hwang advised ABC Information.
$100K raised however $0 spent
By means of a request filed beneath the Mississippi Public Data Act, ABC Information has realized that the Central Mississippi Development Basis acquired $102,879.61 in “water disaster donations” between August and November 2022.
Though contributions got here from church buildings and people, the overwhelming majority of the funds got here from UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest medical health insurance company and the agency listed by the Metropolis of Jackson’s as its medical health insurance contractor for municipal workers.
“In the course of the Mississippi water disaster in October 2022, we donated $99,000 to the Central Mississippi Development Basis to offer water filters to members of the neighborhood in want,” stated an announcement offered to ABC Information by UnitedHealth Group spokesperson Christina Witz.
Witz didn’t reply further questions submitted by ABC Information. She didn’t say whether or not the corporate is conscious that the funds haven’t been used or whether or not they have been conscious of any timetable for offering water filters to residents.
“I do know that the cash, from what I have been advised just lately, will not be an account that I test on,” Mayor Lumumba stated. “It is not an account I’ve ever personally drafted from.”
Lumumba stated that UnitedHealth Group’s contribution got here after a dialogue with the insurer about each water and the corporate’s relationship with the town.
“We had plenty of dialog about what have been the very best filters. We have been advised of a selected filter that’s authorized and has a sure grade by way of what it is ready to filter out inside water programs,” Lumumba stated.
‘This can be a marathon’
The excellent news for Jackson residents is that crews are planning main enhancements to the town’s water system, and a citywide advisory to boil water is not in impact — although rehabilitating the water infrastructure within the capital metropolis can be a prolonged and arduous activity.
In the meantime, it is unclear precisely how or when the filters sought by the town on the peak of the disaster can be made obtainable to residents.
Lumumba stated he expects filters to be bought and distributed inside this calendar 12 months after a vendor is chosen.
“The people who find themselves trying and attempting to establish a vendor are additionally endeavoring to do different efforts and goals of restoration, and in order that’s not the factor that they are completely engaged on — so no, a vendor has not been chosen,” the mayor stated, including that there are challenges find a stockpile of filters.
![Jackson, Mississippi, got 2K in water crisis donations. They’ve yet to spend a penny Jackson, Mississippi, got 2K in water crisis donations. They’ve yet to spend a penny](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/jackson-water-1-ap-bb-230213_1676319779605_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg)
Clouds are mirrored off the Metropolis of Jackson’s O.B. Curtis Water Remedy Facility’s sedimentation basins in Ridgeland, Miss., Sept. 2, 2022.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
“This can be a marathon. This isn’t a dash in any regard for the Metropolis of Jackson,” Lumumba stated.
The mayor additionally stated he didn’t know what number of filters could be offered, however he doesn’t consider the funds can be sufficient to offer a filter for everybody in Jackson.
Barner, a lifelong Jackson resident, stated clear consuming water needs to be each particular person’s proper and that the filters needs to be offered to low-income or disabled senior residents.
Lately, a local people group organized to have primary Brita faucet water filter programs handed out to some residents, Barner stated — however this initiative seems to be separate from the municipal one described by Lumumba.
“We now have such an extended solution to go and a lot that needs to be executed,” Barner stated. “In a metropolis this measurement and a metropolis who has leaders who’re presupposed to be competent and good folks, we should not should undergo this.”
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Mississippi
Arizona State eyes first win against an SEC opponent vs. Mississippi State
Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Arizona State by 6 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Arizona State and Mississippi State both had dominant wins in the season-opening weekend and now have a tougher challenge when they face each other on Saturday night. The Sun Devils are trying to build off an impressive 48-7 win over Wyoming and prove they might be a factor in the Big 12 race. Arizona State has never beaten an SEC opponent. Mississippi State plays its second game under new coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs beat Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in their season opener..
KEY MATCHUP
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen vs. the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the second play of their opener when Zyrus Fiaseu picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone. It was one of two interceptions on the day for Arizona State. Shapen had a great debut against Eastern Kentucky but will face a much tougher defense on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: Shapen had a terrific first game with the Bulldogs, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 44 yards and a TD against Eastern Kentucky. The 6-foot-1 senior played the previous three college seasons at Baylor with mixed success. Shapen has thrown a TD pass in 12 consecutive games dating to this time at Baylor in 2022.
Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo led a balanced rushing attack against Wyoming, gaining 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. Skattebo was a do-it-all player for Arizona State last year, spending time at quarterback, running back and receiver. The Sun Devils might not need him to be as versatile this season, but he’s still a threat from just about anywhere on the field.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi State had six different players score touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. … The Bulldogs’ 93.7 passing grade in the opener was the second-best mark in all of the FBS, trailing only Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. … Mississippi State’s Kevin Coleman Jr. returned five punts for 117 yards last week. … Arizona State was credited with just two missed tackles on defense in the opener, tied for the third-lowest tally among FBS schools. … Skattebo is 270 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career. He is 342 all-purpose yards away from reaching 4,000 and 202 receiving yards away from reaching 1,000.
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Mississippi
How Mississippi State football is preparing for Arizona State weather, late kickoff
![How Mississippi State football is preparing for Arizona State weather, late kickoff How Mississippi State football is preparing for Arizona State weather, late kickoff](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/03/PNAS/75060541007-usatsi-24129028.jpg?auto=webp&crop=5472,3078,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is preparing to play a team that, at least through one game, looks vastly improved from last season.
Coach Jeff Lebby admitted on Monday, and Bulldog players have noticed it too after Arizona State (1-0) thumped Wyoming 48-7 in its opener.
MSU (1-0) must also factor in the late kickoff that is scheduled Saturday (9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mississippi is hot, but so is Arizona — a different kind of hot, too.
Modifications and remedies are being made, such as the team leaving Starkville on Thursday instead of how it normally would on a Friday for a Saturday game.
“For our guys, just knowing exactly what we are getting into,” Lebby said. “We continue to talk about that through yesterday and this morning and (are) having those conversations to understand what it’s going to look like late in the week. We got to do a great job from a preparation standpoint of how we are hydrating, how we are eating and how we are resting to give us the ability to go on the road on this flight and be able to be at our best Saturday night.”
Just this week, Phoenix broke a record with its 100th straight day of 100-degree temperatures. According to AccuWeather, the high on Saturday in Tempe will be 107 degrees with a low of 86. The temperature should dip to around 91 near kickoff with a humidity of 24%.
“Coach Lebby has already been harping on that,” tight end Justin Ball said. “We’ve already been hydrating and making sure we are getting rest every single day. We leave on Thursday, so we already talked about the plan to make sure we are hydrating the entire plane ride there, making sure when we get there we get acclimated as quickly as you can and just staying together. Making sure we’re focused, make sure we keep the goal first and then execute the game plan.”
MORE: Jeff Lebby says Mississippi State football didn’t put on a good enough show. Here’s how he’s wrong
Mississippi State played well the last time it played in Arizona
The Bulldogs played Arizona in Tucson two seasons ago. They squandered a pedestrian Wildcats team 39-17. Kickoff for that game was at 8 p.m. PST though the temperature was 84 degrees at game time.
Not many players remain on Mississippi State’s roster from that 2022 season. But the ones who are, like linebacker Nic Mitchell, can benefit from the experience and also share it with teammates.
“We know it’s going to be a long flight, so we know we got to be hydrated,” Mitchell said. “It gives people experience that have done it before and they can tell the young guys how it’s going to be in the flight, how you got to hydrate and stuff like that.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
Playing for Mississippi State not an option for Arizona State back Kyson ‘Sipp’ Brown
Arizona State forces 3 turnovers in win over Wyoming to start 2024
All offseason, coach Kenny Dillingham preached getting turnovers. Forty seconds into the season’s first game, the defense produced its first one.
Sophomore running back Kyson Brown is one of the faster players on the Arizona State football team. But Brown seems to have a little more pep in his step this week. Why? Well, the Sun Devils (1-0) are set to take on Mississippi State (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Mountain America Stadium.
Sure an SEC opponent is enough to get any athlete fired up. But the 6-foot, 200-pounder hails from Tupelo, Mississippi, which is where he got his nickname, Sipp. Tupelo is 67 miles north of the Mississippi State campus in Starkville that Sipp has visited a handful of times.
“I have family, growing up they were all Mississipp State fans and some Ole Miss fans,” he said. “Some of my family are debating whether they want to cheer for me or not. It’s going to be good. A lot of hometown friends. Got a couple guys I went to high school with there. It’s going to be good seeing those guys and hopefully, we compete at a good level and get the W.”
Brown, a mechanical engineering major, is enrolled in ASU’s Barret honors program, He emerged as one of the team’s most improved players. He saw some time on special teams as a true freshman in 2023 and has set himself up for a bigger role, although the ASU backfield has a lot of depth.
In the last week’s 48-7 win over Wyoming, Brown pitched in with six rushing attempts for 25 yards and two receptions for 73 yards. His 68-yard touchdown reception was the longest play from scrimmage that ASU had on the night.
“It felt amazing just to get back in the end zone again,” Brown said. “You come out of high school, you know I’m used to being in the end zone every game, all the time. That play, I knew — once I made the first guy miss — I knew I wasn’t going to let anybody catch me.”
Brown lived in Mississippi until moving to Lancaster, Texas, outside of Dallas, after his sophomore year of high school. He sat out junior year after the transfer. As a senior he averaged 9.5 yards per carry, finishing with 707 yards and 11 touchdowns on 74 carries while adding 14 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Sitting out his junior year hurt his recruiting, but he still had notable offers from Purdue, Missouri and Houston. The balance of his options were lower-profile schools. Mississippi State didn’t offer.
He is happy with the end result. A place on the ASU football roster. In the offseason, he worked on his agility, flexibility and catching the ball, which was evident in his recent scoring play.
“We all have the big-play potential,” he said of his fellow running backs. “I feel my role is to make plays, wherever they put me be able to perform.”
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