Mississippi

Mississippi Supreme court, Court of Appeals races heading to runoffs on Nov. 26

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2024

Mississippi Supreme court, Court of Appeals races heading to runoffs on Nov. 26

In-person absentee voting for runoffs begins Nov. 16

It’s official. The Mississippi Supreme Court Central District and the contested Mississippi Court of Appeals race is heading into runoffs on Nov. 26, just two days before Thanksgiving.

Though it became likely by mid-week, the Associated Press did not announce the runoffs until Friday afternoon.

In the Mississippi Supreme Court Central District race, State Sen. Jenifer Branning, R-Philadelphia, and sitting court justice Jim Kitchens will again face off. Other candidates in the race who will not be in the runoff were Ceola James, a former Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge, and private-practice attorneys Abby Gale Robinson and Byron Carter.

By Sunday, Branning had 41.8% of the votes (132,420), while Kitchens had 35.6% (112,935) of the votes cast in the supreme court race. Both candidates told the Clarion Ledger before Nov. 5 they were prepared for a runoff.

“There’s a clear choice in this Runoff because I’m the only candidate who will bring new energy and Constitutional conservative leadership to the Mississippi Supreme Court,” Branning said in a Facebook post Wednesday. “I’m the only candidate with legal and legislative experience, and I’m the only candidate endorsed by the Mississippi Republican Party.”

The races are supposed to be nonpartisan, meaning no candidate can run with a party affiliation. According to Kitchens, in the 30 years since the state enacted laws mostly to remove partisanship from the courts, he hasn’t seen a judge race without a political element.

Kitchens told the Clarion Ledger he had declined an official endorsement from the Mississippi Democratic Party, but several Democratic leaders in the state have donated to his campaign and been outspoken supporters.

“During the next three weeks, I’ll work harder than ever to inform the voters why I’m ready, willing and able to serve them better than any other candidate,” Kitchens said.

Mississippi Court of Appeals runoff

In the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Amy St. Pe’ will face Jennifer Schloegel. By Sunday, the AP reported St Pe’ to have 35.2% of the votes (84,399), while Schloegel had 33% (78,900).

“I cannot overstate how appreciative I am for everyone who voted for me on Tuesday and worked hard on my campaign to serve you as Judge on the Court of Appeals,” Schloegel said in a Saturday Facebook post. “As we head into the run-off, I will work just as hard to keep your support.”

Whether Schloegel would challenge St. Pe’ in the runoff had been a question mark since Tuesday, when the other candidate in the race, Ian Baker, was gaining on her slim lead. In the end, he was left with 2,909 fewer votes than Schloegel, according to AP results reported on Sunday.

Are absentee ballots still being counted in Mississippi?

Even though all of the races in Mississippi have been called, there are still a few absentee ballots left to tally. Election workers have until Wednesday to finish counting them.

Despite the remaining ballots, this election’s voter turnout will fall much lower than in previous years.

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office Communications Director Elizabeth Jonson told the Clarion Ledger last week voter turnout will come to about or just above 60%, meaning tens of thousands fewer of Mississippi’s electorate actually voted by the end of Election Day.

When can I start absentee voting in runoff elections?

According to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, people can begin in-person absentee voting on Nov. 16 and will have until Nov. 23 to do so at circuit clerk offices. Mail-in absentee ballots will need to be post-marked by Election Day to be counted.

Will judicial candidates continue campaigning?

Branning, Kitchens, St. Pe’ and Schloegel will all need to continue campaigning for the next several weeks.

Kitchens needs to make up a 6% lead that Branning has on him, but both candidates are likely to receive some of the support that James, Carter and Robinson did on Nov. 5. As for Schloegel, she has a less than a 2% margin to make up for on St. Pe’, with many of Baker’s voters also likely to go to either of them.

A November runoff historically has lower turnout than the general election, and with the stressful races such as U.S. President and Congress finished, there is likely to be some voter fatigue.

“Runoff elections generally receive lower voter turnout than general elections,” an elections study by USA Facts found. “Turnout rates depend on a variety of factors including which office is up for election, the competitiveness of the race, and media coverage of the runoff.”

Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Mississippi

Rapper Afroman plans 3 Mississippi shows. When, where to see new tour

Published

6 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Rapper Afroman plans 3 Mississippi shows. When, where to see new tour

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.

When will Afroman play in Mississippi?

He has three shows in Mississippi this spring, according to Afroman’s tour webpage and event organizers.

Afroman most recently drew attention following victory in a three‑day trial in Ohio after deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office sued him for using real footage from a 2022 police raid on his home in viral music videos. The videos were “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake.”

Contributing: Edward Segarra and Taijuan Moorman

Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Vote for Clarion Ledger Mississippi girls high school athlete of the week March 23-28

Published

18 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Vote for Clarion Ledger Mississippi girls high school athlete of the week March 23-28

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.

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Mississippi

When will you get your April 2026 SSI check in MS? See payment schedule

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

When will you get your April 2026 SSI check in MS? See payment schedule

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)

➤ Most Americans think Social Security won’t be there for them. Are they right?

Why will some people get paid 3 times in certain months?

People who get both SSI and regular Social Security will be paid three times in October and December.

The regular SSI payment will come on the first. The Social Security check will be paid on its usual date. Then the SSI funds for the following month will be sent near the end of the month because the next SSI disbursement date falls on a weekend or holiday.