| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

The legislative school choice subcommittee meets before a packed room at the state Capitol, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Roberson: Oxford superintendent: Education is a public good, not a consumer product

Tue, 11/04/2025 - 09:36 AM

Below is an opinion column by Bradley Roberson:

Editor’s note: This essay is part of Mississippi Today Ideas, a platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share fact-based ideas about our state’s past, present and future. You can read more about the section here.

Few topics in education stir as much passion as school choice.

Honoring Veterans - Virginia Montgomery

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Mon, 11/03/2025 - 11:47 AM

*This is the first in a series of articles to recognize veterans in Simpson County.
Virginia Montgomery says she has no accent but it is evident she is not from around here. Born in Nebraska and raised in South Dakota, Montgomery wound up here when she married a Southerner in the Army.
Montgomery, 79, enlisted in 1973 in her mid 20’s. She wanted to join right out of high school but her father, who was in the U.S. Navy, said “no” for various reasons. “I couldn’t serve on a ship because women weren’t allowed in those days.”

The Source - Riding High: The Rise of Rookie Ranch Bronc Rider Anthony Floyd

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Mon, 11/03/2025 - 11:25 AM

At just 21 years old, Anthony Floyd has already lived a life full of horsepower—literally. The Magee High School graduate is a diesel mechanic by trade, a race car driver by hobby, and now a professional ranch bronc rider tearing up the rodeo circuit.
“I started my career at the end of October last year at the Jackson State Fair,” Floyd says, leaning back with the easy confidence of someone who has already stared down more than 70 bucking horses.

Hosemann says Senate will support public-to-public school transfers, signals opposition to broader proposals supported by President Trump

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Fri, 10/31/2025 - 05:02 PM

The Mississippi Lt. Governor also says the Senate looks to adopt the tax credit program contained in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann says the Mississippi Senate will file legislation in the 2026 session that supports allowing public school-to-public school transfers, sometimes referred to as “open enrollment.”

An empty classroom at Bailey APAC Middle School in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, July 18, 2025. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

MDE changes licensure requirements for prospective special education teachers and elementary school teachers

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Fri, 10/31/2025 - 04:58 PM

The Mississippi Department of Education has announced new pathways to become certified elementary educators and special educators. The change became effective Monday.

Education students can start teaching elementary school classes on a provisional license while taking a new free course to satisfy the Foundation of Reading test requirements. Students must post an 80% upon course completion, by excelling in end-of-section quizzes and pre- and post- “inventories of knowledge” that measure progress.

JSU president search committee hears concerns from staff, students

brandonsup

Fri, 10/31/2025 - 04:54 PM

Monday’s listening session gathered information that will be used to find the institution’s next president.

Students and faculty of Jackson State University took advantage of an opportunity Monday to share qualities and traits they would like to see in the school’s next president. Some also aired grievances about what they believe needs to change on campus.

Senate Education Committee Vice-chairman David Blount, D-Jackson (left), and Chairman Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville (right), listen as Christy Hovanetz, senior policy fellow for ExcelinEd, gives a presentation during a hearing at the state Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Mississippi Senate focuses on teacher pay, absenteeism as House ponders school choice

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Fri, 10/31/2025 - 04:18 PM

‘I can assure you public schools aren’t afraid of competition but … True competition only exists when everyone plays by the same rules.’ — Oxford Superintendent Bradley Roberson

While the school-choice debate continues to simmer in the Mississippi House, the Senate Education Committee is focusing on raising teacher pay and combatting chronic student absenteeism.

A memorial for Trey Reed, who was found dead hanging from a tree, is seen on Delta State University’s campus in Cleveland, Miss., on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Family awaits results of independent autopsy on Delta State student Trey Reed

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Fri, 10/31/2025 - 03:54 PM

An independent autopsy has yet to be released for Demartravion “Trey” Reed, the student who was found dead on the Delta State University campus in September, and speculation continues to swirl on campus and online.

Senate Education Committee urged to raise teacher pay instead of expanding education freedom

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

The State Superintendent encouraged Senators Tuesday not to tie teacher pay raise legislation to the House’s push to expand school choice.

In preparation for the upcoming 2026 Legislative session, the Mississippi Senate Education Committee held a hearing Tuesday to gather information as they consider possible legislation to be filed come January.

Women in Business - Laurie Price

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:24 AM

Midwifery is often a misunderstood field. Mendenhall resident Laurie Price, however, knew immediately when she wanted to become a midwife.
“I knew I was going to be a midwife when I met my first midwife— when I became pregnant with my first baby. I just knew.” It was in 1992 and she was pregnant with daughter Morgan, who was born in 1993 with a home birth guided by a midwife. Laurie and her husband Jason have seven children, four of whom are married, and ten grandchildren.

Women in Business - Becky Sullivan

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:22 AM

Becky Sullivan, recently promoted to vice president at Peoples Bank, will celebrate a 19 year career in the banking industry in April 2026. She continues to serve as branch manager and lender at the Magee office
After working in the bank’s mailroom between 1999 and 2000 as a high school senior, Sullivan began her banking career with Peoples in earnest in 2007, working first in the loan department.

Women in Business - Nina Grubbs

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:20 AM

Nina Grubbs is approaching her 20 year anniversary with Simpson County Academy (SCA), having started there in 2008. Her title is elementary school secretary, but she is so much more.
Grubbs was a substitute teacher at SCA after her son Robert began K3 in 2004 when she worked part time for Peoples Bank. He is 24, an SCA graduate; daughter Genevieve is an SCA senior who plays volleyball.

Women in Business - Helena Lott

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:19 AM

Helena Lott is a soft spoken woman with a gentle demeanor and a kind smile, all reassuring things for someone who uses needles, syringes and tubing on a daily basis. Lott is a phlebotomist.

Women in Business - Selena Prichard

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:17 AM

Selena Prichard has been a nurse for 25 years, the last six with Kristina Wood-Stubbs, NP, who owns the new Hometown Health Care of Magee, formerly Miller Family Care.
Prichard loves her position as Kristina’s nurse as well as her patients. “We try to make everybody comfortable. The main thing is show them respect. Make sure they’re well taken care of. Most of the time everybody says they’re coming back because we love y’all,” Prichard said with bright laughter.

Women in Business - Beverly Slover

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:15 AM

Beverly Slover opened the doors of BFit Gym two years ago on April 11, 2023. Her dream business continues to grow and thrive with the latest addition, BFit Gym Studio, a classroom set apart from the workout space.

Democrats organize “counter-event” at Ole Miss featuring member of “Tennessee Three,” controversial professor

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:14 AM

Mississippi Democrats will hold a town hall at the Ole Miss Student Union on Wednesday to counter the Turning Point USA event featuring Vice President J.D. Vance.

The Young Democrats of Ole Miss, supported by the Mississippi Democratic Party, announced Tuesday that they will be hosting what they are calling a “Mississippi Rise Up Town Hall” on Wednesday, October 29, at the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union.

Women in Business - Megan Blair

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:10 AM

Megan Blair is an 18 year veteran at Simpson Central School (SCS), beginning her career there in 2007 as a first grade teacher. She is now in her second year as assistant principal and loving every minute of it.
Blair is a 2002 Simpson County Academy graduate and pursued degrees in education, first receiving a bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She then attended William Carey University and graduated with a master’s in instructional leadership.

Women in Business - Pam Savell

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Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:08 AM

In January 2016, at the age of 62, Pam Savell began a third career. She says this with pride as she discussed her administrative assistant position with the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department.

Women in Business - Shelly Garner Pineda

sfairchild

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:03 AM

Shelly Garner Pineda is the new clinic director for the four Simpson General Hospital Clinics in Simpson County, an achievement of which she is very proud, she says.
Pineda, 36, is mom to seven kids ranging from 11 to young adult and one grandchild, all living with her. She graduated from Independence University with high honors, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business in 2020. Pineda says she prayed, asking God for a job where she needed to be and that He open the door. She had been working one fulltime job and several side jobs but wanted something more permanent.

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

sfairchild

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.”

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