Mississippi
MS Senate redistricting plan prompts NAACP request for court intervention, redrawn maps
Plaintiffs agree to pushed back special election schedule
Voters in, near Jackson, MS, describe why they think voting is important
Voters in Jackson and Brandon, Miss., describe the importance of voting in municipal elections on Election Day, Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
A federal three-judge panel should reject proposals submitted by the State Board of Election Commissioners to redraw several Senate districts in the Desoto County area, Lawyers representing the NAACP and several Mississippians argued on April 29.
In the filing, attorneys said the state’s latest proposal to remedy Black voter dilution in the Northwest corner of the state falls short of the goal, which was mandated by a 2024 federal court order to redraw legislative districts and create several Black majority districts.
Among other arguments, plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote the panel should reject the election commissioners’ proposal on the grounds that it is the Legislature tasked with redrawing its lines, and the court already rejected the Legislature’s proposal.
“Any suggestion that the SBEC’s own assertions of ‘the State’s interests’ should receive deference or ‘flexibility’ as the court considers which plan to approve…is simply wrong,” plaintiffs’ attorneys argued.
In December 2022, the NAACP and several state voters filed a lawsuit claiming the Legislature’s 2022 redistricting diluted Black voting power, violating federal law. In 2024, the panel agreed and ordered the Legislature to propose a new map creating new Black majority districts.
The panel is comprised of U.S. District Court judges Daniel Jordan III and Sul Ozerden and U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Leslie Southwick.
In the 2025 Legislative Session, lawmakers passed district changes for the House and Senate, resulting in several amended districts and the creation of two Black-majority districts with no incumbent.
Once the Legislature sent its new plan to the court, the NAACP challenged the redraw in the Northeast Mississippi and Desoto County areas but not the Hattiesburg-area district changes.
Attorneys representing both parties gave arguments for and against the Legislature’s plan in mid-April at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse. Those arguments were based on whether the new districts in Northeast Mississippi and the Desoto County area realistically created an opportunity for Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.
Plaintiffs’ challenges to state’s new redistricting proposal
The defendants last week submitted their new plan, which would, if approved by the panel, create a Black majority district in Senate District 2 and maintain a slight Black majority district in Senate District 11.
The new plan does not create any Senate districts without an incumbent or place any existing lawmakers into the same district.
Plaintiffs said in their filing the state’s new proposal for Senate District 11 does provide an opportunity to remedy Black voter dilution but not in Senate District 2. They also argued their plan for SD 11, the North Delta district, would be better.
“The evidence on balance shows the State Senate candidates preferred by Black voters are likely to be defeated in that district,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote.
Also, by keeping a white incumbent in Senate District 2, David Parker, R-Olive Branch, the state’s new plan further reduces the chance of Black voters electing a candidate of their choice, they said.
The plaintiffs also argued the state’s new plan does not conform to key elements of the Legislature’s proposal such as including an open Black majority district in Desoto County.
Plaintiffs agree to new special election schedule proposed by state
In their filing, the plaintiffs agreed to a secondary proposal set forth by the election commissioners to push back the special election schedule but not change the date for voters to cast ballots.
This would give the panel a little more than two weeks from now to consider both the state’s and the NAACP’s proposals. If either party objects to the panel’s ruling, they could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
If approved by the panel, the new schedule would be:
- May 12 – Deadline to share detailed maps and address libraries with local electionofficials.
- June 2-9– Qualifying period.
- June 13 – Deadline for State Executive Committee to submit names of qualifiedcandidates.
- June 21 – Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) absentee voting begins for primary election.
- August 5 – Special Primary Election Day.
- September 2 – Special Primary Runoff Election Day.
- September 20 – UOCAVA absentee voting begins for general election.
- November 4 – Special General Election Day.
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
Wicker: Mississippi powered Artemis II
Published 4:00 pm Monday, April 20, 2026
For nine days this month, space travel captivated the world. Families gathered around their screens as four astronauts strapped into the Integrity spacecraft docked at the Kennedy Space Center. As the launch countdown ended, four Mississippi-tested RS-45 engines ignited, and the ground shook. Seven seconds later, the Integrity had liftoff. For six intense minutes, the RS-45 engines rocketed the crew into high Earth orbit, sending them on their historic lunar flyby mission.
Mississippi should take a bow. The four RS-45 engines were tested at our very own Stennis Space Center, where Mississippians have been ensuring the quality of rocket engines since the Apollo program. For eight years, engineers, safety managers, and logistics specialists from the state have tested the engines that powered the Integrity and will power future Artemis launches. Their work paid off, and the launch was a marvel of engineering. NASA leadership made special mention of the rocket engine burn, calling it “flawless.”
One Mississippian in particular helped make the mission a success. Hernando native Matthew Ramsey handled a great deal of responsibility as the mission manager for Artemis II. The Mississippi State University graduate helped set the focus for the mission and equip the astronauts and staff for the job. Matthew also served as the deputy of the Mission Management Team, the group of NASA staff that comes together just days before a launch. The team assumes the risks of the mission ahead, and they make tough calls during flight if challenges arise.
As the Artemis II journey progressed, the world could not stop watching. Our social media feeds were full of photos and videos beamed down from the heavens. They captured humorous situations, such as the astronauts adjusting to life without gravity or testing their plumbing skills.
We also witnessed moments of majesty. On the fifth day, the Integrity began using the Moon’s gravity to slingshot our astronauts back home. That trajectory led the crew around the Moon, farther from Earth than any humans have ever gone. As the explorers looked upon outer space, they captured stunning images. Among the most remarkable is Earthset, in which Commander Reid Wiseman photographed Earth as it appeared to fall below the horizon of the moon.
When their spacecraft returned to Earth’s atmosphere, the crew was traveling nearly 35 times faster than the speed of sound. Ten minutes later, a series of parachutes began opening. Eventually, the spacecraft’s speed fell to 20 miles per hour, and the crew splashed down into the Pacific Ocean.
Mississippi was once again there to assist. The astronauts were greeted by the USS John P. Murtha, a U.S. military vessel built in the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula. The ship’s amphibious design was suited to welcome the space travelers home—equipped with a helicopter pad, medical facilities, and the communications system needed to locate and recover the astronauts safely. Crucially, the USS Murtha was built with a well deck, a sea-based garage that stored the Integrity on the journey to shore.
Artemis II was a resounding success, paving the way for planned future flights. When the Artemis program returns humans to the moon, Mississippi will be there every step of the way.
Mississippi
D1Baseball rankings: Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss surge after big weekends – SuperTalk Mississippi
Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss have surged in the rankings after a big weekend on the diamond.
The Bulldogs (30-10, 10-8 SEC) jumped two spots to No. 15 in the latest poll from D1Baseball following a strong bounce back. Brian O’ Connor’s club, after having been on the wrong side of SEC sweeps in back-to-back series, earned a 10-rule win over Samford on Tuesday, then took care of business with a sweep at South Carolina.
Next up for Mississippi State is a midweek home matchup versus Memphis on Tuesday before LSU heads to Dudy Noble Field for Super Bulldog Weekend.
The Rebels (29-12, 10-8 SEC) took the biggest leap in the rankings, making an eight-spot jump to No. 17 despite not budging in the top 25 a week ago after sweeping LSU. Once Mike Bianco’s club took the first two games at Tennessee in the most recent series, D1Baseball co-owner Kendall Rogers made note that Ole Miss fans could expect to see their team catapult in his outlet’s poll. Come Monday, though the red and blue lost the series finale, D1Baseball stuck to its word.
“What a weekend so far for [Ole Miss baseball]. Cade Townsend carried a no hitter into the sixth in an 8-1 win over Tennessee to take the series,” Rogers wrote on X. “Rebs are on a heater. Safe to say they’ll be much higher than 25 on Monday.”
Next up for the red-hot Rebels is a home midweek outing versus Murray State, the team that knocked the Rebels out of the postseason last year, before No. 5 Georgia travels to Swayze Field for Double Decker weekend.
The Golden Eagles (28-12, 11-7 Sun Belt) made a four-spot jump to No. 18 after securing a much needed conference sweep to keep hopes of hosting an NCAA Tournament regional alive. Christian Ostrander’s club defended home turf over the weekend, taking all three games from a solid Texas State club.
Next up for the black and gold is a Tuesday midweek battle versus former conference foe Tulane, before making an hour and a half drive to South Alabama for the weekend.
The full top 25 can be found below:
- UCLA
- North Carolina
- Georgia Tech
- Texas
- Georgia
- Oregon State
- Texas A&M
- Florida State
- Coastal Carolina
- Virginia
- Auburn
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Mississippi State
- Kansas
- Ole Miss
- Southern Miss
- Oregon
- Nebraska
- Florida
- Boston College
- USC
- Arkansas
- Arizona State
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
01-07-11-30-34
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 7-4-6, FB: 5
Evening: 3-3-0, FB: 8
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 3-4-8-9, FB: 5
Evening: 6-2-0-4, FB: 8
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 10
Evening: 08
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Oklahoma1 minute agoDid Oklahoma Stay Atop the Polls After Tumultuous Week?
-
Oregon7 minutes ago100+ Women Who Care of Central Oregon Donates Nearly $20,000 to M Perfectly – The Source – Bend, Oregon
-
Pennsylvania13 minutes agoLeon Smith of Pennsylvania named 2026 National Teacher of the Year:
-
Rhode Island19 minutes agoRI just moved its primary elections for 2026. Here’s why, and when.
-
South-Carolina25 minutes agoSC lawmakers’ second push to ban most abortions advances
-
South Dakota31 minutes agoTim Begalka seeks re-election to South Dakota Senate
-
Tennessee37 minutes agoTennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge 2026: First Lady Lee invites students to give back
-
Texas43 minutes agoGlam influencer who drowned during Texas Ironman had battled flu but ignored pleas to ditch race