| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

The Source - A Pastor, A Leader, A Neighbor: Grantham’s Mission to Strengthen Harrisville

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 08:43 AM

Harrisville native son Trent Grantham is a “let’s get it done, no holds barred” kind of man. He pastors New Covenant Church in Harrisville, where he is also a member of the Harrisville Economic Committee.
Wearing all three of those monikers puts Grantham in a prime position to see a need in the small community and fill it. New Covenant Christian School opened the Tuesday after Labor Day, September 2. “We really think our community needs to do this and the surrounding areas, trying to cater more to our community.”

Bob Laird, center, dressed as a clown, and daughters Jordan Vanderford, left, Ashley Rhodes, dressed as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb to cheer not only patients but staff at his chemotherapy appointments. They were a hit, producing smiles and laughter. "Had to go to four different nurses stations and had numerous pictures taken. Then I realized just what a blessing it was for me,” Laird said.

A Survivor’s Story - Bob Laird

sfairchild

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 08:10 AM

*This is the final in a series of articles on breast cancer in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Bob Laird is currently taking chemotherapy treatments.
According to the American Cancer Society statistics are very low for a diagnosis of breast cancer in men, 2,800 in 2025. Bob Laird from Morton, MS, happens to be one of those 2,800.

Lieutenant Governor Hosemann Recognizes Schools With High Attendance Rates

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 04:58 PM

Below is a press release by Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann:

Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann today announced that 130 Mississippi schools have been recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Attendance Award for maintaining strong student attendance and chronic absenteeism rates 15% or below.

School choice debate: Should private schools have to meet state standards if they take public money?

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 04:14 PM

The latest meeting of the House committee studying school choice opened with a bold statement: Private schools could be convinced to support “school choice” and take public dollars — as long as there are no strings attached.

Student Center on the campus of Jackson State University. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Campus listening sessions are set for Jackson State president search

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 04:10 PM

Jackson State University students, faculty, staff and alumni have the opportunity to sound off on qualities and qualifications they want to see in their next university president.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board announced this week that trustees and AGB Search, an executive search firm IHL hired to assist with the presidential process, will hold listening sessions Monday and Tuesday at the Jackson State Student Center.

MAIS, MHSAA leaders share perspectives with House Education Freedom Committee

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 04:06 PM

As lawmakers continue discussions on expanding school choice, MAIS warns not to “destroy the agility” of independent schools while MHSAA expresses concern unethical athletic recruiting.

The Mississippi House Education Freedom Select Committee held its third hearing on Thursday at the state Capitol as lawmakers continue to consider ways to expand school choice in the state.

The information gained through the hearings will be used to draft legislation during the 2026 legislative session.

Employee sues Ole Miss chancellor after being fired over Charlie Kirk post

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 12:04 PM

A former University of Mississippi employee fired in September over social media commentary she reposted about the assassination of Charlie Kirk has filed a federal lawsuit against the university’s chancellor, claiming the chancellor violated her First Amendment rights.

Charter school battle: Ambition Prep says it doesn’t need JPS approval to expand into high school

brandonsup

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 11:52 AM

Jackson Public Schools says it will ‘pursue all available options’ to oppose Ambition Prep’s expansion into high school grades.

The Jackson Public Schools board voted unanimously to deny a charter school’s request to expand into high school grades — but that isn’t stopping Ambition Prep’s plans, its leader said.

Federal judge sides with Mississippi, 14 other states in ruling against Biden-era attempt to broaden Title IX

brandonsup

Fri, 10/24/2025 - 03:34 PM

Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services tried to broaden Title IX to prohibit discrimination based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”

U.S. District Court Judge Louis Guirola has ruled that the Biden-era Department of Health and Human Services exceeded its statutory authority when it interpreted Title IX to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and then implemented regulations concerning gender identity and “gender affirming care.”

Ole Miss program builds teacher pipeline in rural schools

brandonsup

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 09:18 PM

More than 60 Mississippi Teacher Corps alumni have filled teacher vacancies in Marshall County since 1997.

A partnership launched in 1997 between Marshall County Schools and the Mississippi Teacher Corps at the University of Mississippi has transformed into a pipeline for educators reshaping classrooms and leadership across the district.

Mississippi Board of Education hears update from school districts under state control

brandonsup

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 09:12 PM

The appointed Superintendents from Humphreys County, Noxubee County and Yazoo County speak on teacher shortages, absenteeism and student population declines.

Superintendents from three of the four school districts currently under state control recently updated the Mississippi Board of Education about efforts to return those districts to local control.

Callen: If lawmakers are trying to defund public education, they aren’t very good at it

brandonsup

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 05:28 PM

Below is a political opinion column by Grant Callen:

Grant Callen says the notion that Mississippi lawmakers are “defunding” public schools is pure political spin, flatly contradicted by a decade of rising budgets and record spending.

You’ve probably heard the claim that Mississippi’s Republican leaders are “defunding” public education, and that school choice is just another way to siphon dollars away from public schools. But if that’s true, they’re doing a remarkably bad job of it.

House Education Freedom committee set to hear from MAIS, MHSAA

brandonsup

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 02:38 PM

Speaker Jason White said earlier this week that “momentum is building for Education Freedom in our state.”

The third meeting of the Mississippi House Education Freedom Select Committee is scheduled for Thursday, with four speakers set to testify before lawmakers regarding the expansion of school choice in the Magnolia State.

The Berch family at Molly’s wedding, from left, Aaron and Katelyn Lindsey; Michael and Molly Allan; Allyson and Dennis Berch; and Ben Berch.

Berch siblings all choose home and family

497

sfairchild

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 09:05 AM

In today’s culture, Simpson County included, high school graduates leave for college or trade school often never to return to their hometowns. But the three adult children of Dennis and Allyson Berch have opted to remain in Magee, at least for now.

Simpson Central Term One Honors

103

sfairchild

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 08:53 AM

Superintendent Scholars:
Eighth Grade: Lydia Booth, Adalyn Boykin, Brooklyn Carter, Madelyn Hudson, Shelby Mohon, Spencer Myers, Addalay Snow, Kae’lynn Sterling, Triniti Williams
Seventh Grade: Sebastian Brown, Makari Sanders, Harlowe Vu
Sixth Grade: Fayelan Bynum, MaKylie Craft, Callan Jenkins, Garrison Lewis, Roslyn Lewis, Alijah McCollum, Khloe Moore
Fifth Grade: Sadie Fields, Aiden Martin, Braylen Thornton
Fourth Grade: Addilyn Beaube, Thomas Copeland, Kodi Ray, Presley Sanders
Third Grade: Brodie Cook, Olivia Martin, Ezekiel Slater

A Survivor’s Story - Jeannette Gregory

sfairchild

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 08:49 AM

*This is the fourth in a series of articles on breast cancer survivors in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Jeannette Gregory is a soft spoken woman with a gentle laugh, sweet smile and quiet demeanor. She still lives in the house she and her husband Billy built in Magee in 1967.
Gregory is also a six-year breast cancer survivor of six years who will celebrate birthday number 84 in November.
She says she forgets a lot these days, including the actual date of her diagnosis, which some may consider a blessing.

Erma Lou Rogers was surrounded by her family and friends as she celebrated her 100th birthday. She said, “I’m a little piece of leather but I’m well put together.”

Rogers honored at age100

sfairchild

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 08:28 AM

Surrounded by more than 100 family members, friends, and church members, Mrs. Erma Lou Rogers recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a special dinner in her honor.
Mrs. Rogers officially turned 100 years old on October 21, marking a century of faith, perseverance, and devotion to family. Born in Marion County in 1925, Rogers moved to Simpson County in 1943 at the age of 18.
“I came up here when I was just a young woman,” she recalled with a smile. “There were three girls and one boy in my family, and we all had to work hard to stay alive.”

The Magee Lions Club hosted Pastor Dr. Ryan Wade and Family and Children Pastor Will Brown from First Baptist Church in Magee. Dr. Wade challenged the Club to Gather and share ideas, Grow in knowledge and skills, Get a renewed vision, and Go forth and accomplsh their goals. Will Brown shared his experiences with the State Lions Band as a youth and current outreach efforts to engage the youth of our community.

Lions Club News

sfairchild

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 08:04 AM

IHL Board approves degree program changes, establishment of new university centers

brandonsup

Tue, 10/21/2025 - 03:02 PM

One of the new university centers approved Thursday was the National Center for Tactical Readiness the Oxford campus at Ole Miss. The center looks to improve the operational readiness of first responders and military personnel.

Adjustments were made to several degree programs by the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, including additions, suspensions and deletions, during Thursday’s meeting. The establishment of three new centers and one institute were also approved by the IHL Board.

As the search continues for Jackson State University's new president, a panel of educators including (from left) Board of Trustee member Gee Ogletree, Commissioner of Higher Learning Al Rankings, Jr., search committee chair Steven Cunningham and board of trustee member Dr. Ormella Cummings, conducted a listening session on campus to allow feedback from faculty and students, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

IHL board begins selection of Jackson State president search advisory group

brandonsup

Mon, 10/20/2025 - 03:18 PM

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board indicated Thursday it has heard the clamor for more transparency in the selection of Jackson State University’s next president.

The board unanimously approved the request by Steve Cunningham, chair of the Jackson State search committee, to begin gathering a proposed list of potential members to serve on a Search Advisory Constituency.

Community Polls

Contact Information

Follow Us

Our Apps