| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Magee Boys Team 13 to 15 All Stars Finish in Third Place!

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Mon, 08/29/2022 - 08:51 AM

The Magee All Stars had something to be proud of finishing in third place in their division at the World Series in Arkansas. They faced teams recruited from entire states and were able to hold their own without a bunch of ringers coming in to play against them, coaches said. Team members are Shelby Bridges, Shay Smith, Ethan Norris, Conner Different, Myles Martin, Brandon Ellis, Laramie Ellis, Riley Arrans, Sawyer Chafin, Marshall Pittman, Cater Russell; not pictured - Cale Tudor, Walker Sullivan, Ayden Waldrop, Jaydee Lane.

MDE announces regional literacy meetings across state for families of kindergarten – third-grade students

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Fri, 08/26/2022 - 02:34 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will host nine regional literacy meetings beginning Sept. 8, across the state for families of students in kindergarten through third grade.

All meetings are from 6 – 7 p.m. and no registration is required. Locations include Holly Springs, McComb, Cleveland, Yazoo City, Columbus, Flowood, Jackson, Natchez, and Moss Point.

Parole Board Chairman Jeffrey Belk discusses the role of the board in an interview with MCIR. Jerry Mitchell/MCIR

MCIR: Gov. Tate Reeves tells new Parole Board chair: ‘Go fix it’

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Thu, 08/25/2022 - 11:24 AM

Meanwhile, Mississippi’s prison population is skyrocketing.

Mississippi Parole Board Chairman Jeffrey Belk said he has no plans to change the board’s approach to parole, despite the state leading the world in mass incarceration.

Applications open for teacher loan repayment program

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Thu, 08/25/2022 - 10:50 AM

Mississippi has opened applications for first-year teachers to apply for loan repayment funds on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to those in districts with a teacher shortage.

The Office of Student Financial Aid will award up to 150 first-year, full-time teachers through the William Winter Teacher Loan Repayment Program, which was created by the Legislature in 2021. The program makes loan repayment awards to teachers for up to three years.

Maati Primm, owner of Marshall’s Music and Bookstore on Farish Street in Jackson, shows a photograph of her grandmother Ora Page Marshall (third from left), and classmates in college, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. The business is the oldest Black owned bookstore in the country.

Marshall’s Music and Bookstore – 38 years of commitment

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Thu, 08/25/2022 - 10:46 AM

The hustle and bustle happening at Marshall’s Music and Bookstore is a wondrous sight. Endless customers, deliveries and phones ringing nonstop keep owner Maati Primm on her toes. And she handles all of it herself.

How Biden’s student debt relief plan will affect Mississippians

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Wed, 08/24/2022 - 04:00 PM

Hundreds of thousands of Mississippians could benefit from student debt relief plans announced by the Biden administration, as many others now face the prospect of resuming loan repayment come next year.

Under plans announced by the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday, borrowers who make less than $125,000 a year will be eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness. Those with Pell Grants could see up to $20,000 forgiven.

Happy 98th Birthday Mrs. Bea Kennedy

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Tue, 08/23/2022 - 01:45 PM

Flora Beatrice Kennedy celebrated her 98th birthday on August 20th with family and friends at Jose’s Mexican restaurant in Magee. FAITH, FAMILY, and FAJITAS were the menu of the day. A lifetime resident of the Kennedy Springs community, she now resides with her daughter, Jeanette Smith of Raleigh. Her sons Ricky and Jeff were in attendance along with her sisters and brother and her grand and great- grandchildren plus nieces, nephews and friends.

MDE: State Board of Education approves five new early learning collaboratives to serve pre-K 4-year-olds

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Mon, 08/22/2022 - 10:40 AM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted Aug. 18, to add five new early learning collaboratives (ELC) to the current list of 30 to provide high-quality early childhood education pre-K programs to 4-year-old students.

Olecia James, left, and Jasmine Shepard. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America

Cleveland student loses civil rights case over shared graduation honors

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Mon, 08/22/2022 - 09:34 AM

A decision by a panel of federal appeals judges upheld the ruling that a Cleveland Central High School student did not have her civil rights violated in the process of awarding graduation honors.

Mississippi's Education and Research where the Institutions of Higher Learning has its offices. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

IHL releases annual data on post-tenure review following controversial policy changes

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Fri, 08/19/2022 - 01:34 PM

Mississippi State University put faculty on post-tenure review at the highest rate during the 2021-22 school year, according to data released at a meeting of the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees.

Post-tenure review is a kind of periodic evaluation that “goes beyond” typical evaluations by creating a pathway for a university to revoke a faculty member’s tenured status, according to the American Association of University Professors.

MCIR: Fired Lexington police chief exposed in racist recording had a checkered past in law enforcement

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Thu, 08/18/2022 - 03:56 PM

Throughout his career in law enforcement, Sam Dobbins patrolled the streets of Mississippi with impunity, despite a history of racist remarks and policing, a reputation for violence and allegations he nearly beat a man to death.

On July 20, the Lexington Board of Alderman voted Sam Dobbins out as Lexington police chief after MCIR reported on a 17-minute recording filled with racist and homophobic slurs in which he boasted he had killed 13 people in the line of duty.

Brandon Elementary School teacher Larenda Franklin shares a giggle with her students as she guides them through the lesson for the day on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Students score near pre-pandemic levels on state tests

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Thu, 08/18/2022 - 03:24 PM

Students in Mississippi approached pre-pandemic levels of achievement on state tests this spring, showing significant growth from the previous year.

The results from the 2022 administration of the state tests, or Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP), show that 2-4% fewer students passed English, science, and math exams this year than in 2019.

First graders line up to head back to class on their first day back to school at Pearman Elementary. Masks are required for students and staffers. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Health department reviewing COVID-19 guidance for schools after CDC updates recommendations

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Thu, 08/18/2022 - 02:56 PM

The Mississippi Department of Health is reevaluating its COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosening its own recommendations on Aug. 11.

The new CDC guidance further emphasizes individual risk mitigation over population-level precautions.

The Mississippi Department of Education, located in the former Central High School at 359 N. West Street in Jackson, Friday, Mar. 11, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Charges dropped against three defendants in MDE kickback scheme

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Tue, 08/16/2022 - 02:38 PM

The U.S. District Court has dismissed all charges against three co-defendants in a kickback conspiracy involving money from the Mississippi Department of Education. Charges against the former MDE employee and lead defendant are still pending.

Back to Campus Prayer Session

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Tue, 08/16/2022 - 02:15 PM

A Back to Campus Prayer Session was held August 15, Monday morning at Copiah-Lincoln Community College Simpson Center in the courtyard between the academic and career tech buildings. Bro. Darnell Moffett of Calvary M.B. Church along with Bro. Jim Taylor and Bro. Lance Word of First Baptist Church of Magee offered prayers for the students, staff and faculty. Dr. Anika Floyd, vice president of the local campus prayed using several Scriptures including 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing.

One University Place, apartment complex on the campus of Jackson State University. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

JSU delays student move-in due to low Jackson water pressure

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Mon, 08/15/2022 - 10:24 AM

Jackson State University announced it has postponed move-in dates this fall as the capital city’s “unprecedented water pressure issues” are affecting water flow on the upper floors of student housing.

Gov. Tate Reeves inspired welfare payment targeted in civil suit, texts show

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Fri, 08/12/2022 - 10:46 AM

In 2019, then-Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves met with his personal trainer Paul Lacoste, a target in the state’s ongoing civil suit, and John Davis, the now-indicted state welfare director, to discuss their welfare-funded fitness initiative. Two days later, text messages obtained by Mississippi Today show, Davis asked his deputy to covertly transfer money to the project, which he called “the Lt. Gov’s fitness issue,” and said Reeves was “very supportive of what we are doing.”

SOS: Secretary Michael Watson Welcomes SOS Student Ambassadors

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Thu, 08/11/2022 - 11:24 AM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Secretary of State:

Secretary of State Michael Watson welcomed the first class of the newly created Student Ambassador Program in Jackson on Tuesday. Students and parents participated in various sessions throughout the day with Secretary Watson and Secretary of State representatives at the Mississippi Capitol.

After Ole Miss student’s killing, many LGBTQ students no longer feel safe

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 02:46 PM

Lindsey Trinh wiped her tearful eyes with the collar of her navy blue Ole Miss T-shirt as she described the fear and anxiety she has experienced in the month since police announced a student had been charged with the murder of Jimmie “Jay” Lee.