Mississippi
Mississippi Today’s NewsMatch Campaign is Here: Support Journalism that Strengthens Mississippi
High-quality journalism like ours depends on reader support; without it, we simply couldn’t exist. That’s why we’re proud to join the NewsMatch movement, a national initiative aimed at raising $50 million for nonprofit newsrooms that serve communities like ours here in Mississippi, where access to reliable information has often been limited.
In a time when trusted journalists and media sources are disappearing, we believe the stakes couldn’t be higher. Without on-the-ground, trustworthy reporting, civic engagement suffers, accountability falters and corruption often goes unaddressed. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Here at Mississippi Today we act as watchdogs, holding those in power accountable, and as storytellers, giving a platform to voices that have been ignored for too long. And we’re committed to keeping our stories free for everyone because information should be accessible when it’s needed most.
Why NewsMatch and Why Now?
This year’s NewsMatch campaign runs from November 1 through December 31, giving us a special opportunity to make each dollar you give go even further. Through matching funds provided by local foundations like the Maddox Foundation, and national funders like the MacArthur Foundation, the Rural Partner Fund and the Hewlett Foundation, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000. Plus, if 100 new donors join us, we’ll unlock an additional $2,000 in funding, bringing us even closer to our goal. Boiled down: your donation goes four times as far.
Every dollar raised strengthens our ability to serve you with fact-based journalism on issues that impact your everyday life—whether it’s covering local election issues or reporting on decisions affecting schools, safety and economic growth in Mississippi. Your support makes it possible for us to stay rooted in the community, offering nuanced perspectives that help Mississippians understand and engage with what’s happening around them.
Special Event: “Freedom of the Press: Southern Challenges, National Impact”
As part of the campaign, we’re excited to host a special virtual event, “Freedom of the Press: Southern Challenges, National Impact.” Join Deep South Today newsrooms Mississippi Today and Verite News, along with national experts on press freedom, for an in-depth discussion on the unique challenges facing journalists in the Deep South. This one-hour session will explore the critical role local newsrooms play in holding power accountable, highlighting recent restrictions on press freedom such as Louisiana’s “25-foot law,” which affects journalists’ ability to report vital news.
We’ll examine what’s at stake if local newsrooms lose press freedoms and will discuss how you, as members of the public, can help protect it. This event is open to Mississippi Today and Verite News members as a special thank-you for supporting local journalism and standing with us in this mission. Donate today to RSVP!
How You Can Help
Make Your Gift Today
Together, let’s ensure Mississippi has the robust, independent journalism it needs to thrive. Your support fuels our ability to expose the truth, elevate marginalized stories and build a more informed Mississippi.
Thank you for believing in the power of journalism to strengthen the communities we love—not only during election season but year-round. With your help, we’ll keep Mississippi informed, engaged and connected for generations to come.
Mississippi
Absentee ballot figures higher than in 2023 statewide race. See how many
How to vote absentee ahead of Nov. 5
As of Oct. 28, the Mississippi Sec. of State’s Office has reported 119,818 absentee ballots being received by circuit clerk offices throughout the state.
That figure is more than double the number of ballots received during the statewide elections last year, when only about 56,403 absentee ballots were received.
However, the total number of absentee ballots falls to about half the number received during the 2020 presidential election, which took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. There were 231,031 absentee ballots received in that race as of Election Day.
That year saw Democrat Joe Biden beat out Republican incumbent Donald Trump, and the race also saw a record number of votes in Mississippi because of the pandemic, causing more people to vote absentee.
How to vote absentee in Mississippi
In Mississippi, people can vote absentee in-person for several qualifying reasons, such as working for a government or public office requiring time away from your home county, being a teacher or student who is not in their home county or if a voter is not in their home county on election day for any reason.
All absentee voters doing so in person must vote at the county circuit clerk’s office. The deadline for voting absentee in-person is Nov. 2.
Mississippi is one of three states not to allow early in-person voting.
How to vote via mail in Mississippi
As for mail-in absentee ballots, voters can request them if they are temporarily living outside their home county, anyone who has a permanent or temporary disability that prevents them easily and comfortably accessing the polls, incarcerated people, the parent, spouse or dependent of someone with a disability who resides outside the county or 50 miles from their listed residence, as well as people over the age of 65.
For those wanting to vote via mail, absentee ballots became available on Sept. 23, and voters need to contact their county circuit clerk’s office to see if they qualify for a mail-in ballot. If they do, the voter will be mailed an application that needs to be filled out and signed by a witness.
A witness must be someone who can administer oath, such as a notary public, or if the voter is temporarily or permanently disabled, someone at least 18 years old can sign as a witness.
Once the application is completed and signed, the voter needs to mail it back to the circuit clerk and then a mail-in ballot will be sent back. More instructions on mail-in voting can be found at the Secretary of State’s Office website.
Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by election day to be counted. Mail-in ballots can be counted at the polls for five days following election night.
Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Mississippi
Miss the speeches at this year's Hobnob? Here's a recap – SuperTalk Mississippi
Mississippi
SEC Football Week 10 Storylines: Mississippi State Gets Break in League Play
A visit from 2-6 UMass could not possibly come at a better time for Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs are physically and mentally spent, riding a seven-game losing streak that hit a new low with last week’s 58-25 loss to Arkansas.
So, hosting the Minutemen in Starkville presents all kinds of opportunities for Jeff Lebby & Co., such as getting reps for the young kids, opening up more of the playbook for QB Michael Van Buren … and, yes, experiencing winning for the first time since the opener.
Either Mississippi State or UMass is grabbing its first FBS win of 2024 this weekend. Here are 5 other storylines to watch in Week 10 of the SEC.
The Tigers are coming off their best game, beating Kentucky behind the running of Jarquez Hunter. Now, they host Vanderbilt which could be subdued after losing a close one to Texas. With Louisiana-Monroe in the on-deck circle, Auburn can claw back to .500 if it first handles business Saturday.
Arkansas’ young QB is coming his most prolific game of the year, accounting for six TDs last weekend. But that was Mississippi State and this is Ole Miss, which allows just 11 points per game and is getting outstanding play from DT Walter Nolen and LB Chris Paul Jr.
The 6-1 Vols are positioned for a playoff berth, despite averaging just 21 points in four SEC games. Tennessee is winning with defense and the running of Dylan Sampson. Coming out of a bye, has Josh Heupel figured out how to unlock Nico Iamaleava’s potential in time for this week’s Kentucky game?
Florida, and head coach Billy Napier more specifically, has a massive opportunity to use the annual game with Georgia as a turning point of the season. An upset is not as far-fetched as it seems. DJ Lagway and the Gators have won three of their last four, only losing by six at Tennessee, and the Dawgs have had uncharacteristic bouts of vulnerability this fall.
One week after rallying to beat LSU in a home thriller, Texas A&M travels to South Carolina for a night game. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer is developing a reputation for delivering in these spots. Subplot: Does Mike Elko start Conner Weigman or last week’s hero, Marcel Reed, for this road test?
ESPN Analyst Boldly Compares Mississippi State QB to Heisman Trophy Favorite
UMass Brings Bottom-10 Ranking to Starkville: 5 Key Stats About the Minutemen
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