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Operating amid crisis is expensive

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Jackson hospital on city water says continuing to operate comes at ‘significant financial cost’

Most hospitals in Jackson are on their own water systems and mostly unaffected by the city’s water crisis — except for one.

The 319-bed facility Merit Health Central in south Jackson is currently operating with water tankers as a result of the crisis.

“I will say, we have been in this predicament quite frequently, so we do have processes, policies and methodologies in place that keeps us able to do what we need to do,” said Jana Fuss, director of marketing at the hospital.

Fuss said although the hospital has been able to continue services uninterrupted through the current water crisis, it comes at a “significant financial cost, and additional resources are required to keep the onsite water tanks full.”

The hospital has been using water from tankers since July 28, when a state-issued boil water notice went into effect.

She continued: “It is the hospital’s desire that the city will take quick action to identify the necessary solutions that will permanently resolve the water supply issues for our community.”

Hospital officials said the fire suppression system is “fine.”

The University of Mississippi Medical Center announced Monday its ability to fight fires is compromised because of the low water pressure.

Both St. Dominic Hospital and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center operate on their own systems, and patient care in the hospitals has not been affected, hospital representatives told Mississippi Today.

St. Dominic’s emergency response team was concerned about the impact of the water emergency to outpatient dialysis patients, but so far, the hospital has not seen an increase in people needing that care, according to Meredith Bailess, senior director of marketing and communications for the hospital.

Its fire suppression system remains in operation, she said.

Several other St. Dominic locations, such as its buildings on North Frontage Road off of I-55 and some clinic locations, are supplied by Jackson water.

Bailess said they are closely monitoring water pressure in these buildings and have thus far been able to continue operations.

Officials with Baptist say their clinics have been operating on the boil water notice for more than 30 days with “minimal impact” to patient care.

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

Mississippi News

Mississippi universities halt funding for student groups, citing DEI law

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www.wjtv.com – Devna Bose – 2025-09-04 12:30:00

SUMMARY: Some Mississippi universities have halted funding for student organizations due to a state law (House Bill 1193) banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, currently blocked by a federal judge for potentially violating First Amendment rights. The law exempts registered organizations but prohibits using student activity fees—considered state funds—for DEI-related programming. Consequently, universities like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State redirected these fees to campus departments for organizing activities, suspending the student-driven funding process. Students and leaders express concern, fearing loss of support for events and club activities, with efforts underway to find alternative funding amid growing legal uncertainty.

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Mississippi News

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

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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.

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Mississippi News

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

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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.

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