Connect with us

Mississippi News

Gov. Reeves declares state of emergency as Pearl expected to crest Monday

Published

on

Gov. Reeves declares state of emergency as Pearl expected to crest Monday

Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday as Mississippi officials received a new projection of flooding from the Pearl River. The National Weather Service now expects the river to crest by early Monday morning.

“If this happens, there will be dozens of streets in downtown Jackson that will flood,” Reeves said, adding that businesses near Town Creek as well as homes and streets in Northeast Jackson that may also flood if the Pearl reaches the projected 36 feet peak.

With the river forecast changing in the last 24 hours Reeves emphasized that projections are subject to evolve over the next few days.

Officials said that Jackson residents who were affected by the floods in 2020 should anticipate similar impacts.

As of Saturday morning, the NWS projects the Pearl to crest by 6 A.M. Monday morning, meaning that residents whose homes may be flooded should prepare to evacuate by Sunday evening, Reeves said.

To see their flood risk, Jackson residents can use the city’s interactive map at this link, or refer to a list of streets that may be affected on the city’s website by clicking here.

Reeves and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials also reminded residents that if they anticipate flooding in their homes to take pictures of their property before and after the flooding to document any damages. Doing so helps meet the guidelines for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program, which Jackson residents didn’t receive after the 2020 flood.

As far as other areas along the Pearl that could see flooding, Reeves said the river could peak in Monticello around Thursday, Columbia around Friday, and Pearl River County the following Tuesday. Those projections could change depending on how quickly the Ross Barnett Reservoir management is able to release water back into the river, the governor added.

MEMA director Stephen McCraney said that the following areas around Mississippi have declared local emergencies: Wilkerson, Rankin, Hinds, Leake, Newton, Clarke, and the City of Jackson. Among those areas, 45 homes, 13 businesses, and 55 roads have flooded so far, McCraney said.

Officials also expect that Lawrence and Copiah counties could see moderate flooding next week as high water levels make their way down the Pearl.

The American Red Cross has one shelter open in Jackson so far, at 3000 Saint Charles St., located at the Jackson Police Department Academy.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Girls, parents and gym owner reported concerns about gymnastics coach years before sex abuse case

Published

on

www.wjtv.com – Ryan J. Foley – 2025-08-29 09:49:00

SUMMARY: Sean Gardner, a gymnastics coach, faced multiple abuse allegations from gymnasts and parents dating back to 2018, yet he continued coaching and was even promoted at Chow’s Gymnastics, owned by renowned coach Liang “Chow” Qiao. Despite reports of inappropriate touching and grooming behavior, USA Gymnastics and SafeSport failed to act decisively. Gardner was banned in 2022 after a sexual abuse complaint but was arrested only in 2025 following FBI investigation revealing he installed hidden cameras to exploit young gymnasts. The case highlights systemic failures by gymnastics authorities, law enforcement, and the gym in protecting athletes from abuse.

Read the full article

The post Girls, parents and gym owner reported concerns about gymnastics coach years before sex abuse case appeared first on www.wjtv.com

Continue Reading

Mississippi News

Leaders, family mark 70th anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder

Published

on

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-08-28 09:09:00

SUMMARY: In honor of Emmett Till and the 70th anniversary of his 1955 lynching in Mississippi, leaders and family will hold a news conference at the Mississippi State Capitol on August 28, 2025. Till, a 14-year-old Black Chicago teen, was brutally murdered after being falsely accused of whistling at a white woman. His killers were acquitted by an all-white jury but later confessed. His death galvanized the Civil Rights Movement. Recently, thousands of previously unreleased federal records detailing the investigation were made public. President Biden signed legislation making lynching a federal hate crime and established a national monument honoring Till and his mother.

Read the full article

The post Leaders, family mark 70th anniversary of Emmett Till's murder appeared first on www.wjtv.com

Continue Reading

Mississippi News

Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrenders to ICE in Baltimore, again faces possible deportation

Published

on

www.wjtv.com – BRIAN WITTE and BEN FINLEY Associated Press – 2025-08-25 07:22:00

SUMMARY: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Baltimore, faces potential immediate deportation under the Trump administration. A Maryland federal court order pauses deportations for immigrants challenging detention, including Abrego Garcia. Previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite fearing violence, he was returned to the U.S. and charged with human smuggling, which he denies, calling the prosecution vindictive. The administration alleges gang ties, which he rejects. Abrego Garcia faces deportation to Uganda, a new U.S. deportation partner, despite his family and life in Maryland. His attorneys seek to block deportation pending legal review and due process.

Read the full article

The post Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrenders to ICE in Baltimore, again faces possible deportation appeared first on www.wjtv.com

Continue Reading

Trending