| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Army veteran and Braxton Planners treasurer Virginia Montgomery led the ceremony as citizens from the Town of Braxton observed Memorial Day Monday.

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 08:01 AM

Braxton is the home of several veterans and many other supporters of veterans who attended the recent Memorial Day service held there on May 26.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
The Braxton Planners organized the event to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Breakfast was served to the veterans prior to the start of the ceremony in Mable Everett Park.

Just over half of JPS third graders reading on grade level

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Wed, 05/21/2025 - 12:18 PM

Just over half of the third graders in Jackson Public Schools are reading on grade level, according to test results released last week by the Mississippi Department of Education.

Labor union reports teacher pay lags in Mississippi as lawmakers weigh obligations

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Wed, 05/21/2025 - 11:02 AM

House Education Chairman says while teachers and their pay are always a concern, keeping all state employee pay at fair and reasonable levels must be considered.

A new report from the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the U.S. representing teachers, shows Mississippi has dropped from 48th in the nation in average teacher pay to 51st.

Nursing Home Week 2025 Balloon Release

sfairchild

Wed, 05/21/2025 - 08:12 AM

Proclamation read by Robert Martin, Bedford Care Center of Mendenhall Administrator. This week’s theme is Tapestry of Life.

John Ready has a heart for servanthood. “Whether it’s volunteer or paid, it doesn’t matter. I just want to get out and help people.”

John Ready is always ‘ready’ to help

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sfairchild

Wed, 05/21/2025 - 08:06 AM

John Ready wears many hats in Magee. He is a part-time employee at the Magee Volunteer Fire Department, a volunteer fire fighter, a full-time EMT with Covington County Hospital Ambulance Service, and he assists City of Magee Zoning Director Penny Aguirre with emergency management issues as they arise.

Community Calendar 5-22-25

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Wed, 05/21/2025 - 08:00 AM

May 25
Everyone is invited to the annual Women’s Day Program at St. Peter M. B. Church on Hawpond Church Road on Sunday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. The theme is “The Need for Laborers,” and the scripture is Matthew 9: 37-38. Guest speaker is Sis. Carolyn Hines.

MDE approves proposed DEI policy

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Mon, 05/19/2025 - 04:50 PM

Board members also heard about improvements in the state’s third grade reading assessment.

Mississippi’s State Board of Education approved a proposed policy to help local school districts remain in compliance with the state’s new anti-DEI law. The Board also heard an update on the state’s third grade reading assessment results.

Ballard: Researcher - Mississippi may lose its education gains unless Legislature takes additional action

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Wed, 05/14/2025 - 12:36 PM

Below is a political opinion column by Toren Ballard:

For the past six years, I’ve had a front row seat to some stunning achievements in Mississippi public education.

I moved from New York City to Jackson in 2019, which was just in time to witness Mississippi trailblazing a new approach to literacy instruction and becoming number one in the nation in fourth-grade reading gains.

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

‘Three strikes and you’re out’: Jackson State alums and lawmakers urge transparency with IHL board

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Wed, 05/14/2025 - 12:18 PM

Graduates and Mississippi lawmakers of the state’s largest historically Black university say they’re frustrated with the college board after its third leadership turnover.

After Marcus Thompson’s announced resignation last week, Mississippi lawmakers and Jackson State University alumni are calling for more transparency and accountability from the state’s governing board that oversees and selects its college presidents.

Congratulations Simpson Academy Class of 2025

sfairchild

Tue, 05/13/2025 - 03:32 PM

Jackson State President Marcus Thompson resigns

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Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:38 PM

For the second time in three weeks, the state’s universities governing board met to discuss a personnel matter related to the historically Black university.

After nearly two years, Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson has resigned.

No reason was given.

The news came after the Institutions of Higher Learning Board, Mississippi’s governing body that oversees the state’s public universities, met Wednesday to discuss a “personnel matter” regarding an employee at Jackson State University.

MDE to present policy to State Board of Education to ensure compliance with new anti-DEI law

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Wed, 05/07/2025 - 11:28 AM

The Mississippi Department of Education plans to propose the new policy to the Board and then allow for public comment.

A policy that would ensure Mississippi’s public schools are in compliance with the state’s new law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices is expected to be presented to the State Board of Education this month.

This legislative session, lawmakers passed HB 1193, a bill that prohibits DEI practices in the state’s public K-12 schools as well as in Mississippi’s public colleges and universities.

Crockett reminds Tougaloo grads “how to use a chair” in commencement address

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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 07:48 AM

Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson presented the Texas Congresswoman with an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mater.

Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas told graduates of Tougaloo College that they must make room at the table for themselves during the school’s Spring graduation.

Harrison: How state law allows private schools to ‘double dip’ by using two public programs for the same students

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Mon, 05/05/2025 - 11:56 AM

Below is a political opinion column by Bobby Harrison:

The Mississippi Legislature’s insistence of not requiring oversight has resulted in a way for private schools to “double dip,” or receive money from two separate state programs to educate the same handful of students.

There is currently no mechanism in state law to allow state officials to determine whether double dipping is occurring. More importantly, there is nothing in state law to prevent double dipping from occurring.

Happy Birthday Head Start!

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sfairchild

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 01:41 PM

Head Start has been in the news a lot lately.
The program promotes school readiness and overall well-being in children from low-income families. Head Start provides comprehensive educational, health, and social services, while also engaging parents as partners.
Simply put, according to studies, children enrolled in Head Start programs are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college; have improved social, emotional, and behavioral development; and are better prepared to be parents themselves than similar children who do not attend the program.

Salute your 2025 Graduate

sfairchild

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 08:49 AM

Tate Clayburn Fundraiser

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sfairchild

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 08:17 AM

The Magee Volunteer Fire Department once again rallied the community in support of one of its own, Tate Clayburn, who has been battling brain cancers since 2017. Now with new tumors appearing, chemotherapy options are limited, and he is trying to get into a clinical trial. Clayburn is also on holistic treatments. The Magee VFD’s goal for their fundraiser was to sell 1,000 chicken plates at $10 each. Once it was underway, those with and without tickets made their way to the drive-through at the 5 way stop, a steady stream of vehicles from 10 a.m. to nearly 2 p.m.

Mississippi recognized as one of five states to reach all pre-K benchmarks, according to NIEER

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Tue, 04/29/2025 - 04:58 PM

A few of those benchmarks include early learning standards, educator qualifications, the size of classrooms, and program assessments.

This week, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) issued a report showing Mississippi as one of five states in the U.S. to meet all of the recommended benchmarks in early childhood education.

A few of those benchmarks include early learning standards, educator qualifications, the size of classrooms, and program assessments.

Students pictured Emily Baucus, Gabrial Bishop, Tylan Collins, Jamollia Dampier, Terrianna Parker, Cedrick Williams, Chloe Woodard, Austin Grimes, Jakiya Shaw, Jadarius McClain, Addison Warrell, Brian Miller, Frank Coleman, and Markala Floyd

Not pictured: Vincent Dixon, Kaylyn Johnson, Makayla Jones, Dalton Jennings, and Tyler McGill

Mendenhall Students Score Above State Average on ASVAB

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sfairchild

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 12:48 PM

Several Mendenhall High School (MHS) students recently earned high scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB), scoring above the Mississippi state average of 16.

The ASVAB is a comprehensive test used by the military to assess a student’s strengths and potential for success in various career fields. In addition to its role in military recruitment, the assessment is widely recognized as a valuable career exploration tool for students interested in both civilian and military pathways.

Board of Election Commissioners proposes new Senate districts for DeSoto County area

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Thu, 04/24/2025 - 11:58 AM

Changes were also proposed to the pre-special election timeline as the legal wrangling over the new districts continues.

The Mississippi State Board of Election Commissioners has submitted a new legislative redistricting plan for the DeSoto County area, complying with an order from a three-judge panel that said the Senate map adopted this session failed to remedy the dilution of black voting strength.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R), Governor Tate Reeves (R), and Secretary of State Michael Watson (R) make up the Board of Election Commissioners.

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April 09, 2026

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Do you agree with the Mississippi State Board of Education's decsion to no longer require the U.S. History State Test?

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April 09, 2026

The Source

Community Polls

Do you agree with the Mississippi State Board of Education's decsion to no longer require the U.S. History State Test?

If you had to listen to only one genre of music for the rest of life, which would you prefer?

Current Temp

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