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Mississippi Today wins Sidney Award for Jackson water crisis coverage

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Mississippi Today wins prestigious Sidney Award for coverage of Jackson water crisis

Reporter Alex Rozier and the Mississippi Today newsroom have won the September Sidney Award for their coverage of the Jackson crisis.

The drinking water system in Jackson — Mississippi's largest and home to more than 150,000 residents — failed in late August, leaving thousands of capital city residents with low or no water pressure and little information about when service would be restored.

Mississippi Today's newsroom sprung to action, deploying every journalist on staff to the story to provide accurate, timely information residents needed immediately. The staff has published more than five dozen stories about the crisis so far in September, covering a broad range of angles. The journalists also relied on public records to add investigative context to why the water system had failed and what was needed to fix it.

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The newsroom circulated a text messaging line to reach Jacksonians directly, published an FAQ post, provided resource pages about where to find water and mutual aid links, and partnered with local television station WJTV to stream every major conference live.

READ MORE: Mississippi Today's complete coverage of the Jackson water crisis

“Covering this crisis is deeply personal for us,” said Mississippi Today Managing Editor Kayleigh Skinner, highlighting that most newsroom reporters live inside the city limits themselves. “When send in questions about whether it's safe to use their dishwasher, or where in the city they can go to receive bottled water, we do our best to find them answers because it's our job, but also because it's information we need, too.”

The Sidney Award is awarded to outstanding journalism that appeared in the prior month. It is by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, which honors excellence in journalism in service of the common good, and upholds the legacy and vision of union pioneer and New Deal architect Sidney Hillman. 

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Winners so far in 2022 are: The Washington Post, Miami Herald, THE CITY, Reuters, The New York Times, ProPublica, Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV, and now Mississippi Today.

Mississippi Today's deep understanding and long-standing coverage of the Jackson water crisis contributed significantly to the newsroom's winning, Sidney judges wrote.

“Mississippi Today has been on this story for years,” said Sidney judge Lindsay Beyerstein. “They're proceeding with determination, creativity and compassion, which shines through in their ongoing coverage.” 

Alex Rozier is Mississippi Today's data and reporter and has covered the Jackson water crisis and for several years. He leads the Mississippi Today Jackson water crisis team, which consists of Anna Wolfe, Geoff Pender, Julia James, Molly Minta, Rick Cleveland, Bobby Harrison, Mina Corpuz, Kate Royals, Isabelle Taft, Will Stribling, Adam Ganucheau, Kayleigh Skinner, Sara DiNatale, Lauchlin Fields, Bethany Atkinson, Nigel Dent, Alyssa Bass, Eric Shelton, Vickie King and Marshall Ramsey.

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Sidney Award judges are Jamelle Bouie, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alix Freedman, Harold Meyerson, vanden Heuvel, and Lindsay Beyerstein.

READ MORE: Mississippi Today wins September Sidney for Crusading Coverage of Jackson Water Crisis

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

Mississippi News

Meet and greet with Caledonia Chief Marshal

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www.wcbi.com – Winston Reed – 2024-03-18 21:48:47

SUMMARY: Caledonia's new Chief Marshal, Lauren Rhea, recently met with the public for the first time at a meet and greet hosted by the Marshal Department at the town hall. Rhea, a retired Lt. Colonel with three decades of military experience, transitioned into enforcement before assuming his current role in Caledonia about two months ago. He emphasized the difference between working for larger departments and the community-oriented policing approach in a small town like Caledonia. Rhea expressed his dedication to responding to the needs and requests of the community while to the town .

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Mississippi News

Caledonia woman faces charge after allegedly hitting man with car

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www.wcbi.com – Joey Barnes – 2024-03-18 16:43:14

SUMMARY: Macy Barnes, a 23-year-old woman from Caledonia, was charged with aggravated assault after a man with her car at a Columbus motel. The incident occurred when the man reportedly forced his way into the room where Barnes and her boyfriend were staying. An altercation ensued with the boyfriend and the victim, which the man left the room and went to the parking lot. Barnes also left the room, got into her vehicle, and allegedly hit the victim in the parking lot. The investigation is ongoing, and the man involved could also face charges.

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Mississippi News

Two Columbus men face drug charges in Clay County

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www.wcbi.com – Eric Lampkin – 2024-03-18 16:40:49

SUMMARY: Two Columbus , Timothy Hudgins and Treveon Hudgins, are facing drug charges in Clay County, Mississippi. They were charged with aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm, along with some misdemeanors. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said deputies found 1,400 grams of ecstasy and fentanyl, marijuana, $5,000 in cash, and a loaded handgun during a traffic stop. A deputy was treated for fentanyl exposure and released from the hospital. and federal agencies are assisting in the case, and bond has not been set for the suspects. Follow WCBI on Facebook for updates.

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