Mississippi

Suit: Mississippi high court districts dilute Black voting – The Vicksburg Post

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2022

Suit: Mississippi high court districts dilute Black voting – The Vicksburg Post

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS | Related Press
JACKSON — Mississippi must replace its state Supreme Courtroom districts to make sure Black voters have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their alternative in a state with a historical past of racially polarized voting, Black plaintiffs mentioned in a lawsuit filed Monday.
Mississippi’s three Supreme Courtroom districts are all majority-white, they usually have been final up to date in 1987 over the objection of Black legislators. The lawsuit mentioned the districts violate the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Structure by diluting Black voting energy.
About 38 % of Mississippi residents are Black. Eight of the 9 present justices are white, and one is Black.
4 Black justices have served on the Mississippi Supreme Courtroom — by no means greater than one after the other.
The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Mississippi, Southern Poverty Legislation Middle and the New York-based legislation agency Simpson Thacher & Bartlett filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of 4 Black residents of Mississippi.
Ty Pinkins of Vicksburg, one of many plaintiffs, is an legal professional who works within the majority-Black Mississippi Delta. He mentioned it’s essential that his kinfolk and neighbors really feel they’re pretty represented on all ranges of presidency, together with within the judicial system.
“I need to be sure that these relations can see themselves on the court docket, these neighbors that I grew up subsequent to, they will see themselves on the Supreme Courtroom — they will see people who appear like them they usually can really feel assured that the justice system if truthful to them,” Pinkins mentioned.
Mississippi legislators adopted plans this yr to replace the state’s congressional and legislative district boundaries to account for inhabitants adjustments revealed by the 2020 census.
The lawsuit asks a federal choose to order an replace of the Supreme Courtroom districts, that are for the northern, central and southern elements of the state.
The Black voting-age inhabitants within the central district is now about 49 %, which is the best in any of the three districts, in response to the swimsuit. A Black candidate misplaced to a white candidate within the central district in 2012 and 2020.
“Time for these districts to alter has come,” Ari Savitzky, an legal professional for the ACLU Basis, mentioned Monday throughout a information convention in Jackson.

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Mississippi

WTVA’s chief videographer has covered Northeast Mississippi for more than two decades

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Press Room

WTVA’s chief videographer has covered Northeast Mississippi for more than two decades

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Mississippi

Mississippi sales tax holiday helping parents shop for back to school

Published

11 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi sales tax holiday helping parents shop for back to school

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – Shoppers across Mississippi can look forward to cheaper prices July 12 through July 14 as the state observes a sales tax holiday.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. next Friday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, there will be a hold on sales taxes for clothing, footwear and school supplies under $100.

The holiday is earlier than usual this year, helping out some Pine Belt parents whose children return to school as soon as July 22.

“I think it’s helpful for sure,” April Jordan said. “With two children, it definitely helps out, and moving it up a little earlier since the start of school is a little earlier is definitely an advantage, for sure.”

Families with multiple children especially are grateful as the cost of living rises and school supply lists grow longer.

“We have four kids, so anytime we can go clothes shopping for them, we look forward to any kind of discount we can get,” said Bryce Hantla.

Other parents are on the fence about hitting the aisles during the sales tax holiday because of large crowds.

“It’s kind of like Black Friday, where it’s like ‘Hey you can save 10 percent’ and I’m like ‘OK …’” said Chris Jordan.

Even grandparents, who can remember fondly this time of year with their own children, said they also were happy to see things get a little easier for parents.

“We loved school shopping,” Valerie Craig said, “We liked getting all the supplies for the kids and it was fun for us.

“I’m kind of sad we’re not doing it this year. But, we’ll definitely take advantage when it’s our time again.”

Eligible items this holiday include: baby clothes, backpacks, most athletic wear, shoes, scout uniforms, and casual footwear or boots.

Other deals in stores, like buy one, get one free items, also will be tax free if the full priced item is less than $100.

For a full break down of eligible items and restrictions, click here.

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Mississippi

Two Murder Suspects Escape Mississippi Jail

Published

17 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Two Murder Suspects Escape Mississippi Jail

Authorities in Mississippi are asking the public to keep an eye out for two murder suspects who escaped from custody on Friday morning, reports WTVA. The men are identified as Tyrekennel Collins, 24, and Dezarrious Johnson, 18, in a news release from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office. They escaped from the county detention center during “repair issues,” reports CNN, but authorities haven’t provided more details about what happened.

“These suspects are considered to be dangerous,” per the release. “Authorities urge all citizens to take necessary precautions.” Johnson reportedly suffered an injury to his right leg during the escape and would likely be limping, says the sheriff’s office. The men were being held as suspects in separate murders. (More prison escape stories.)

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