Shipping Containers for Sale in Jackson, MS

Mississippi leaders and educators are remembering Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony as a trailblazing journalist, educator and public servant following news of her death Thursday, March 5.

Hayes-Anthony, a longtime professor and chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Jackson State University and former acting president of the university, spent decades mentoring students and shaping communications education throughout Mississippi.

Jackson State University officials announced her passing in a statement Thursday morning. She was 72. A cause of death was not provided.

Hayes-Anthony served as interim president for eight months in 2023, between former President Thomas Hudson and Marcus Thompson. She became the first Black woman to work as an anchor, producer and reporter at WJTV in Jackson and later spent 17 years as chair of the communications department at Belhaven University. Hayes-Anthony also served as assistant superintendent of communications for Jackson Public Schools and served as the first Black woman and journalism educator to become president of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn praised Hayes-Anthony in a statement as a "proud daughter of Jackson and a distinguished graduate of Jackson State University who returned home to pour her knowledge back into this community." Horhn also extended condolences to Hayes-Anthony’s husband, family, colleagues and former students.

"Our city mourns the loss of a trailblazer whose life’s work helped shape generations of communicators, educators, and leaders," Horhn said in a statement. "As a pioneering journalist and the first African American woman to serve as anchor, producer, and reporter at WJTV-12, she broke barriers in Mississippi media and opened doors for countless Black journalists. Her leadership at Jackson State, from the classroom to the president’s office, reflected her commitment to excellence. Jackson is better because she chose to live, work, and lead here. We honor her legacy, celebrate her remarkable life, and pray for comfort and strength for all who are grieving this tremendous loss."

Ward 4 Councilman and Jackson City Council President Brian Grizzell, a long time educator and alumnus of JSU, said he remembered Hayes-Anthony from several points in her life and career.

“I remember Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony from several stages of her remarkable journey,” Grizzell said. “I first knew her as a student in Jackson Public Schools, later as a student at Jackson State University, and we reconnected years later during her time serving as acting president of Jackson State University.”

Grizzell called Hayes-Anthony a pioneer in education whose work helped shape the lives of many students across the community.

Longtime Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, also a JSU alum, honored Hayes-Anthony as a "a trailblazer in every sense of the word."

See his post on Facebook below:

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also offered condolences Thursday via X, formerly known as Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker also shared the following statement on Hayes-Anthony passing:

“Mississippi has lost a leader and pioneer, my friend Dr. Elayne Anthony. Jackson State benefited from her steady hand during a time of transition. She was revered by its students. The Mississippi Association of Broadcasters recognized her leadership by electing her chair. Elayne's legacy of kindness, servant-leadership, and community service will impact generations to come.”

Investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell reflected on Hayes-Anthony’s impact on journalism in Mississippi.

“What a loss. Dr. Anthony was truly a champion for journalism. Her work produced so many talented journalists we have today in Mississippi and beyond," Mitchell said.

State Rep. Zakiya Summers and Sen. David Blount, both of whom represent parts of Jackson in the Mississippi Legislature, also paid tribute to Hayes-Anthony.

Officials with the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Mississippi State Board of Health also shared condolences, noting Hayes-Anthony served on the Board of Health for nearly two decades.

“I personally grieve the loss of a very important Mississippian who cared deeply about education at all levels, public health, and very importantly the need for the health of our population to improve,” said Dan Edney, state health officer and executive director of the Mississippi State Department of Health. “She was a strong supporter of MSDH and for my work as State Health Officer and was one of our greatest cheerleaders. Her passing is a loss to public health and higher education leadership, but her service has helped to make our state a better place.”

Lucius Lampton, chairman of the Board of Health, said Hayes-Anthony’s service on the board began in 2007.

“Dr. Elayne Anthony’s long service on the Board of Health, which began in 2007, was exceptional and benefited the public’s health in countless ways. She led always with intellect, creativity and integrity. The Board of Health and our agency will so miss her gracious presence. I also will miss her dear friendship.”

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, which governs JSU and the state’s other public universities, also shared a post on Facebook.

is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.

Jackson, Mississippi – Quiet and sunny weather is settling in across Mississippi on Saturday following the passage of a dry cold front.

According to the US National Weather Service in Jackson, clear skies and calm conditions are expected across the region today. Afternoon high temperatures will be slightly cooler than Friday, ranging from the lower 50s in northern Mississippi to the lower 60s farther south.

Cities along and near Interstate 55, Interstate 20, Interstate 59, and U.S. Highway 61 will experience favorable travel conditions, with dry roads and good visibility throughout the day. No precipitation is expected, and winds will remain light, adding to the calm weather pattern.

Temperatures around Jackson, Vicksburg, Greenwood, and Yazoo City are forecast to reach the mid to upper 50s, while Hattiesburg, Brookhaven, and Natchez may see highs closer to 60 to 62 degrees. Areas in northeast Mississippi, including Columbus and Eupora, are expected to remain in the lower to mid 50s.

The cooler temperatures are the result of a dry cold front that moved through the area overnight, ushering in a drier air mass without producing rain. Despite the cooler air, conditions remain seasonable for early February.

Overnight lows tonight are expected to fall into the 30s, especially in areas away from urban centers. Skies will remain mostly clear, allowing temperatures to drop efficiently after sunset.

This calm weather setup may be especially beneficial for commuters, students, and outdoor workers, as well as those traveling for weekend activities. With no hazardous weather expected, Saturday offers a break from recent unsettled conditions.

Residents are encouraged to enjoy the sunshine while continuing to monitor official National Weather Service forecasts for any changes heading into the upcoming week.

Jackson City Council frustration surfaces over lack of role in bill discussions

Legislation that would create a new authority to oversee Jackson’s water and sewer systems is advancing through the Mississippi Legislature, as state leaders and city officials look ahead to when third-party management of the system ends.

During a special meeting of the Jackson City Council on Thursday, Feb. 5, Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the city could support the creation of a water authority, but only if lawmakers change the legislation to give Jackson majority control of the governing board — something he said is necessary because the city still owns the system’s assets and remains responsible for its debt.

At the same time, at least one council member expressed frustration that they were not included in early discussions surrounding the legislation.

The bills

Senate Bill 2611 and House Bill 1677 would create a new regional water and wastewater authority — the Metro Jackson Water Authority — designed to take control of Jackson’s system after the current third-party management structure ends.

Jackson’s water and sewer system is currently under federal oversight, with interim third-party manager Ted Henifin and utility JXN Water leading repairs and system stabilization efforts that began after the city’s 2022 water crisis. Henifin has said publicly that he will leave by 2027, with the city having to create a transitional plan before then.

Both bills would give the newly established authority broad power over the utility, including setting water and sewer rates, issuing debt, funding system repairs and overseeing contracts tied to system operations and maintenance.

They also establish a 13-member governing board made up of appointees from city, county and state leadership. Under the current language, Jackson would appoint four members, including the mayor or a designee, while the remaining appointments would come from state and regional officials. A board president would also be picked and charged with control of both systems daily operations.

That board structure is where the conflict begins. Horhn said Thursday the city would not support any legislation that does not give Jackson majority control of the authority, meaning city leaders want more appointment power.

The clash mirrors past state efforts to gain more influence over major Jackson-controlled entities. The most notable example is Jackson’s airport, which has been locked in a long-running legal battle after lawmakers passed legislation restructuring the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority board to include a majority of state-appointed members instead of Jackson-appointed members.

The current debate follows earlier legislative efforts to shift control of Jackson’s water system to the state. In 2024, the Senate passed a bill that would have given the state significant control over the system after federal management ended, a proposal that former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and members of the previous Jackson City Council strongly opposed.

Horhn outlines city position to council

Horhn told council members Thursday that the administration is working with lawmakers to change the legislation’s board structure to give Jackson majority control of the proposed authority. Horhn said Sen. Walter Michel, who authored S.B. 2611, is open to working with the city to "get the composition of the authority to a point that's more palatable to us."

"We have been adamant the city owns this asset, the city at this point is still responsible to the debt, and we believe we need to have a majority on this authority's board," Horhn said. "That's what we're working towards right now."

Horhn said the administration believes getting authority legislation passed this session remains critical, pointing to the expected end of third-party management in the coming years and the need to have a long-term governance structure in place before that transition.

Council raises concerns over lack of involvement

While Horhn outlined the administration’s position, council members flipped through copies of the proposed legislation. One question from Ward 4 Councilman and Council President Brian Grizzell, who appeared frustrated, reflected the tension that would soon surface.

"Who wrote this?" Grizzell asked, holding up one of the bills.

City Attorney Drew Martin and Horhn said it was a combined effort, including staff attorneys, legislative services in the House and Senate, lobbyists and stakeholders.

That appeared not to sit well with Grizzell.

"Nobody asked 'what is the council looking for?'" Grizzell said. "So all these other entities took it upon themselves to introduce this, and get somebody to carry it up to the top … We're getting beat up about this, but nobody's even bothered to say anything to us and that's problematic."

Grizzell's frustration stemmed from a belief that council members should have been included in discussions about the legislation earlier in the process.

"I understand that Mr. Horhn has been on the state level, but things are different down here," Grizzell said. "We're face-to-face with our people, and we just can't continue going on like this."

Horhn acknowledged there had been “miscommunication” and said the council would be included in future discussions surrounding the water authority.

Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote raised a separate concern, saying the city must ensure the system’s billing issues are fully addressed before control of the system is returned to local leadership. Billing has been a point of tension between JXN Water and the city, with collections hovering around roughly 80% for years. Billing challenges existed even when the city directly controlled the system.

"I'm very apprehensive about taking back the water system if the billing part of it isn't fixed," Foote said. "It has been broken for 11 years, ever since I came on the council. The federal government ought to be able to fix that before they give it back."

Martin agreed, saying billing collection "is the subject of every hearing" the city and JXN Water has before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, who oversees JXN Water.

Where the bills stand and what's next

Both bills creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority — Senate Bill 2611 and House Bill 1677 — have cleared their respective committees and are now eligible for floor debate.

The deadline for general bills to pass out of their original chamber is Thursday, Feb. 12. If both bills pass their respective chambers, they would then move to the opposite chamber for consideration.

If the House and Senate pass different versions, a conference committee would be formed to reconcile the differences before a final version is sent to the governor.

is the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.

Jackson, Mississippi – Warmer temperatures and rain showers are expected across central Mississippi today as a cold front moves southeast through the region, bringing changing travel conditions ahead of cooler weather on Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service office in Jackson, rain showers are likely today, with the highest chances focused north of Interstate 20 during the daytime hours. High temperatures are expected to range from the mid-50s to upper 60s, providing mild conditions for early February.

Roadways including Interstate 20, Interstate 55, Interstate 59, US-49, and US-61 may experience periods of wet pavement today, particularly during the afternoon commute. While no severe weather is expected, reduced visibility and slick roads may briefly impact travel during heavier showers.

Rain showers are forecast to continue into the evening and overnight hours as the cold front progresses through the area. Overnight low temperatures are expected to fall into the low 30s to mid-40s, with rain gradually tapering off from northwest to southeast.

By Wednesday, drier air moves in behind the front, bringing cooler conditions and northerly winds. Daytime highs Wednesday are forecast to range from the mid-40s to mid-50s, marking a noticeable temperature drop compared to today. Skies are expected to gradually clear as the day progresses.

The National Weather Service notes that rainfall amounts are not expected to be excessive, and no flooding concerns have been identified. Impacts from today’s system are expected to remain limited to wet travel conditions.

This forecast may be most relevant for commuters, school transportation, and freight traffic traveling along the I-20 and I-55 corridors today and tonight. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time on wet roads and remain alert for changing conditions as the front moves through.

Nearly two years after West Jackson residents warned City Hall they felt ignored, they’re back in the building.

Among them was Shelia Harper, a resident of West Jackson’s Ward 5, who stood at the Jackson City Council podium Tuesday, Jan. 27, raising concerns about public safety and ongoing problems in her neighborhood that she said the city has failed to address for years.

"We have fought; we have called; we have come to the City Council talking about the same thing," Harper said.

Harper’s comments echoed frustrations residents first voiced publicly in early 2024, when West Jackson neighbors pushed back against a proposed tiny-home village for the homeless on Capers Avenue. At the time, residents questioned why their neighborhoods continue to host a high concentration of homeless-related facilities. They felt they were being left out of decisions that affect their property values, safety and long-term investment.

The Clarion Ledger met with Harper and her neighbors at Poindexter Apartments at the time and reported then that residents warned city leaders West Jackson was becoming a default location for homeless services without a broader, citywide plan. Former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, in an interview, defended the tiny-home project, saying it was a necessary response to the city's homelessness. Still, residents said it would add strain to their already struggling neighborhood.

That tiny-home village project has since been put on hold, according to statements made by Jackson Mayor John Horhn in August. But at Tuesday’s council meeting, residents said the underlying issues — safety, communication and quality-of-life concerns — remain unresolved.

Years of complaints, little change

Heather Logan, who said she has lived in West Jackson for 27 years, told council members she and other residents formed a group called Citizens for Action to push for improvements in West Jackson.

Logan said the group has spent months trying to secure a meeting with Horhn, reaching out through emails, text messages and in-person visits, but has received no response beyond being told someone would follow up. Horhn was also not present at Tuesday's council meeting.

"We're plagued with a lot of problems, but this is our home and we're concerned about what happens there," Logan said. "We want to be involved in what happens there. We don't want plans made without us at the table."

Residents also tied their concerns to broader population loss in Jackson, which has affected the city as a whole. From 2021 to 2022, Jackson's population dropped by 2.5%, making it the fastest-shrinking city with at least 50,000 residents in the United States.

Valerie Clark said West Jackson has felt that population decline immensely. She said residents are struggling to see a future in the city as costs rise and basic concerns go unaddressed.

“When residents do not see a path forward for themselves or their children, many feel forced to leave in search of stability and opportunity,” Clark said.

Shante Crockett, another West Jackson homeowner, pointed to the concentration of homeless services which has tangible consequences for residents who have invested in their neighborhood.

"It affects my property value. It affects my insurance rates. It affects my public safety and affects the quality of life for families who live in West Jackson," Crockett said. "As a homeowner, I am trying to build stability, maintain my property, and protect my investment."

Additionally, Harper focused her remarks on Pittman Park, also known as Poindexter Park, which she said many residents refer to as “the homeless park.” She raised many of the same concerns she voiced in 2024, describing years-long problems with lighting, sanitation and vandalism. She said the park has been without working lights since 2019, despite repeated calls to the city and assurances under the previous administration that the issue would be addressed.

She also criticized groups that use the park without permits, leaving behind trash and damage that residents say they clean up themselves.

“We are not only staying here in Jackson and being homeowners, but we invest,” Harper said.

West Jackson residents have invested in their neighborhood for decades, Harper said, and they feel as though they are being asked to tolerate problems the city has failed to fix.

Taken together, these residents described a common set of frustrations: years of unresolved safety issues, declining property values, a lack of basic city services and repeated attempts to engage city leadership that they say have gone unanswered.

Several residents said they are not opposed to helping people experiencing homelessness, but believe West Jackson has been asked to absorb the consequences without a broader, citywide plan or consistent communication from City Hall. It's something they said back in 2024, too.

Councilman proposes ordinances amid long-running concerns

The renewed call from West Jackson residents comes as their councilman, Ward 5's Vernon Hartley, moves to introduce two ordinances tied to homelessness in Jackson.

The first would prohibit outside entities from dropping off unhoused individuals in the city without authorization. The second would temporarily halt new applications for homeless-related services in his ward.

Hartley has said the measures are meant to give the city time to study the issue and prevent West Jackson from continuing to bear the brunt of the city’s response to homelessness.

is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.