Afroman has three Mississippi shows lined up soon. The Grammy-nominee recently unveiled dates for his 2026 Freedom of Speech Tour. The first two are this week. Is one near you?

Afroman’s real name is Joseph Foreman. The 2024 presidential candidate used to live in Hattiesburg.

The rapper is best known for his hits such as “Because I Got High,” “Mississippi” and “Crazy Rap.” He was nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Because I Got High,” a comedy song about smoking marijuana.

Here’s what to know about his First Amendment court victory and when you can watch him in the Magnolia State.

Why is it called the Freedom of Speech tour?

In 2022, law enforcement in Adams County, Ohio, raided the rapper’s home. It was tied to allegations of kidnapping and drug trafficking. Afroman was never charged.

Months later, Afroman used video from his home security system in music videos. He has lyrics making fun of specific officers by name. Songs like “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake” have racked up millions of views and streams.

The deputies filed a lawsuit in 2023, arguing that he’d committed defamation and invasion of privacy.

He continued releasing police diss tracks. “Batteram Hymn of The Police Whistle Blower” was dropped this month.

A jury acquitted Afroman on March 18.

“I didn’t win, America won,” he told Cincinnati’s WCPO 9 News outside the courthouse.

His new album “Freedom of Speech,” includes the songs from the lawsuit. It drops on April 20. The date, 4-20, is popular and an unofficial holiday for weed smokers.

There were several top performers across the state in girls high school sports, but only one can be voted as the Clarion Ledger athlete of the week for March 23-28.

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

Lexie Dixon, Alcorn Central: Dixon had eight hits with two home runs and eight RBIs in Alcorn Central games against Booneville and Corinth.

Alyssa McMurtrey, Pisgah: McMurtrey had seven hits with 10 RBIs in Pisgah’s games against Morton and Quitman.

Madison Rhodes, Clinton: Rhodes had four hits with eight RBIs and a pair of stolen bases during Clinton’s games against Madison Central, Germantown and Murrah.

Abbie Robertson, Itawamba Agricultural: Robertson had two home runs and nine RBIs during Itawamba Agricultural’s wins against Amory and Pine Grove.

Addy Walker Phillips, Neshoba Central: Phillips produced six hits and six RBIs in Neshoba Central’s games against West Lauderdale and Choctaw Central.

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

People who get Supplemental Security Income checks will get paid on Wednesday, April 1.

The payments sometimes go out early. It happens when the first falls on a weekend or a holiday. Checks get sent on the last weekday before the normal send date.

Social Security recipients also will get their regular checks as scheduled in April. Benefits are typically disbursed to almost 74 million people on Wednesdays later in the month. Your payment date depends on the day of the month you were born.

Here’s what you should know about the April payment schedule, when the next time SSI checks will go out early and where to find a Social Security Office near you in Mississippi.

March 2026 Social Security payment schedule

The Social Security Administration’s 2026 payment schedules are online to help beneficiaries plan their budgets.

Regular Social Security retirement benefits will be issued according to the SSA’s standard payment schedule in March:

• March 11: Birthdates between the first and 10th of the month
• March 18: Birthdates between the 11th and the 20th of the month
• March 25: Birthdates between the 21st and the 31st of the month

When will SSI checks be sent early in 2026?

The next time checks will be sent early is Friday, July 31. August 1 is a Saturday this year.

SSI checks also will be sent out early for November because the first is over a weekend.

And the first check of the new year always gets sent on New Year’s Eve because of the holiday conflict.

SSI payment schedule for 2026

Supplemental Security Income checks will be sent out on the following dates in 2026, according to the SSA calendar.

It’s usually sent on the first of the month, but they are disbursed early if the first falls on a weekend or holiday.

• Wednesday, April 1 (check for April)
• Friday, May 1 (check for May)
• Monday, June 1 (check for June)
• Wednesday, July 1 (check for July)
• Friday, July 31 (check for August)
• Tuesday, Sept. 1 (check for September)
• Thursday, Oct. 1 (check for October)
• Friday, Oct. 30 (check for November)
• Tuesday, Dec. 1 (check for December)
• Thursday, Dec. 31 (check for January 2027)