Mississippi Free Press

01/10/2026

Daricka M. Moore, a 24-year-old Mississippi man, is in custody after authorities accused him of killing six people—his father, brother, uncle, 7-year-old cousin, a church pastor and the pastor’s brother—at three locations in West Point, Mississippi, during a Friday night rampage.

A Mississippi man is in custody for his alleged role in killing six people across three locations Friday night in West Point, Mississippi.

01/10/2026

“It is me who tried to buy all of your love": The strange relationship that ex-pro-wrestlers Ted DiBiase Jr. and Brett DiBiase shared with John Davis, the ex-Mississippi welfare chief who sent millions in funds meant for needy families their way, took center stage in federal court on Friday.

The odd relationship between the mastermind of the Mississippi welfare scandal and two ex-wrestlers was on display in Ted DiBiase Jr.’s trial.

01/10/2026

MFP Weekly Roundup: January 5, 2026-January 9, 2026
🗣 Catch up on all the latest stories from the Mississippi Free Press.
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01/09/2026

Jackson residents still don’t know whether or not their water rates will rise after the City of Jackson and JXN Water met for more legal arguments in federal court on Jan. 7.

Legal arguments continued this week over a proposed water utility rate increase in Jackson, Mississippi.

01/09/2026

OPINION | "Just before the start of the legislative session on Jan. 5, Mississippi Free Press State Reporter Heather Harrison informed me that for the first time since she’d been covering the Capitol, the Mississippi House speaker had left her out of a media event," Ashton Pittman writes.

“Free Press journalists have always been about people-first, not access to power,” MFP News Editor Ashton Pittman writes.

01/09/2026

For leaders in McLain, access to grants, public safety visibility and basic infrastructure improvements are central concerns as state lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session.

Leaders in McLain, Mississippi, are looking for additional grant funding as they appeal for improvements to public safety and infrastructure.

01/09/2026

Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school-choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A with select members of the Capitol Press Corps that excluded the Mississippi Free Press and other outlets.

Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A.

01/08/2026

A bipartisan majority in the House passed legislation Thursday that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act in a rebuke of Republican leadership.

A bipartisan majority in the House passed legislation Thursday to extend expired health care subsidies.

01/08/2026

Lawmakers returned to the Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson, Miss., on Jan. 6, 2026, for the start of the 2026 legislative session, with several new lawmakers sworn into office following the fall 2025 special elections.

Lawmakers returned to the Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson, Miss., for the start of the 2026 legislative session with several new members.

01/08/2026

OPINION: "I don’t like the two-party system (or, God help us, the electoral college designed to support a certain powerful majority). ... The real shame, though, is that not enough Mississippians, or Americans, bother to vote—and too many are barred in various ways," Donna Ladd writes.

MFP Executive Editor Donna Ladd and News Editor Ashton Pittman will speak with Lincoln Project co-founder Stuart Stevens on voter diversification.

01/08/2026

The woman shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday was Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who had recently moved to Minnesota.

Renee Nicole Macklin Good, shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, was a 37-year-old mother of three who had recently moved to Minnesota.

01/08/2026

Easier school district transfers, pay raises for Mississippi educators and legislation to allow more retirees in the classroom to address the state’s teacher shortage passed the Senate.

Easier school district transfers, pay raises for educators and legislation to allow more retirees in the classroom passed the Mississippi Senate.