When people hear the word “aging,” they often think of retirement homes, health concerns, or the inevitable passage of time. Before becoming a Journalists in Aging Fellow with the Gerontological Society of America, I might have thought of some of those things, too.
If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to spend the night somewhere between the golden glow of Old Hollywood and the laid-back, sun-drenched cool of modern California, allow me to introduce you to The Hoxton hotel in Downtown LA — a hotel that feels less like a place to crash and more like a glamorous friend’s impeccably designed pied-à-terre.
I don’t usually spend money on extravagant purchases. People who drop thousands of dollars on a purse have always puzzled me. A Hermès Birkin bag, for example, can cost as much as a car — or even a house. Even with unlimited funds, I can’t imagine making that kind of purchase.
I’ve always thought it would be fun to do product reviews. Like everyone else, I often browse department stores, discount retailers and thrift shops, looking for good deals, and I’ve always wanted to share those finds with others who may also be deal-seekers.
I went into this film expecting a biographical thriller — something that would frame Ann Lee as an experimental woman ahead of her time who embraced ideas we might now recognize as modern feminism and was persecuted by society for those beliefs. Instead, the film is about a pious, devout woman … who was still persecuted by society for expressing her spirituality in a different way.
By the time our group gathered in the grand, historic lobby of the Herald Examiner Building in downtown Los Angeles for the official 2025 Solutions Journalism Educators Academy group photo, I realized something: This wasn’t just another academic conference where people politely sip coffee, nod a lot, and collect tote bags they’ll never use again.
It has been three years since Taylor Goode has spoken to his mother — three years since she’s heard the sound of his voice. And sometimes she cannot bear to look at photos of her children when they were young and thriving.
“I usually get upset, so I don’t get them out a lot,” she said. “I miss it and want it back for them so bad.”
But Jennifer Potts is thankful that both of her boys are still alive and with her. “I know things can get worse,” she said. “These two kids have every right to be whiny, complaining and ill, but they are never down. So I try to stay positive and in a good mood, because they are.
Jamie Smith grew up playing in clay at his aunt and uncle’s pottery shop in Merigold.
“My first sculpture piece was Moby Dick,” he said. “I took a big block of clay and hammered on it. I beat a tail into it. Then I put some little teeth in it. They dried it slowly for well over a month.”
Today, Jamie and his brother, Stephen, help run McCartys Pottery, a hidden Mississippi gem nestled in the foliage in this tiny town outside Cleveland.
Today, one year after the turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri, race riots sparked by alleged profiling, discrimination and police militarization are still making headlines in America. But in 1919, Elaine, Arkansas, was the center of the country’s deadliest race riot.
Birdhouses hang everywhere in the dying Delta town of Elaine, Arkansas — a distraction from the blight, neglect and century-old history of a county where hundreds of black men were lynched in 1919.
On Lee Street, a diner has “Open” and “For Sale” signs in a window, but no one is there.
When the name Lizzie Borden comes up, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?
If you’re like many, it evokes images of a 19th-century woman accused of gruesomely murdering her family. But here’s the twist: Lizzie was never convicted. In fact, she was acquitted, leaving a legacy shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
That’s why I was thrilled to invite Ashley Dees, a research and instruction librarian at the University of Mississippi, to speak to my class this Halloween about the infamous Borden case. Dees uses true crime research as a vehicle for enhancing critical thinking skills, which is especially relevant in today’s world where the reliability of information can often come into question.
’ve been a TikTok user for a few years now, and while I enjoy it, my bio pretty much sums up how I feel. It reads: “A person who isn’t really sure if TikTok is exciting or terrifying.”
That idea may capture the larger debate we’re having in the U.S. about TikTok. The discussions raise important questions about free speech, national security, and how we can protect users while keeping our digital freedoms intact.
After the recent Supreme Court hearing on the possible TikTok ban, two big questions come up: Does restricting a major platform push us closer to the authoritarianism we’re supposed to be against? Is a foreign platform, one that collects user data, a future dystopian threat?
If you’ve ever watched a science fiction movie like 2001: A Space Odyssey or seen episodes of the classic Twilight Zone, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of a future where humans verbally communicate with intelligent machines.
The infamous HAL 9000 from 2001 became a cautionary tale of AI independence. Yet, while that vision seemed far off, today, a more sophisticated—and empathetic—version of talking AI is already here.
Meet Hume AI’s Empathic Voice Interface (EVI), a system designed to hear what you say and understand how you feel. You can try it by visiting the Hume AI website.
Peace can be built from above by people who have power, but it can also be built from below.
This was one of the key messages in a lecture given by Dr. Henrik Syse, a research professor from the Peace Research Institute in Oslo who teaches peace and conflict studies at Bjørknes University College.
Syse spoke to students in Dr. Zenebe Beyene’s peace journalism class remotely via Zoom this week about “reflections on the Nobel Peace Prize and generating a conversation about peace.”
University of Mississippi (UM) students are being challenged to delve deeper into complex issues about the university and state thanks to a special Honors College class designed to explore important topics 60 years after James Meredith’s enrollment as UM’s first Black student.
“I would describe this class as an open dialogue about the past, present, and future of both the university and the state as a whole,” said McKenzie Cox, a journalism and political science double-major from Concord, North Carolina, who is planning to pursue a career in broadcast news reporting and policy analysis.
Whether it’s October or July, you can cozy up with a blanket (with the AC on full blast), grab a pumpkin spice something or a tropical drink, and scare yourself silly with a good thriller or horror flick.
Every year, I compile a list of the best spooky and suspenseful films I’ve watched. This time, I’ve spiced things up by grouping them into 10 cleverly creepy categories.
There’s something magical about a holiday craft fair — the twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon in the air, and the creative buzz of people showcasing their handmade treasures.
I recently visited one in Oxford, Mississippi, held at the gorgeous event space The Jefferson, where artisans from across the state gathered to show off their wares. Picture tables filled with everything from whimsical paintings to glimmering ornaments and hand-crafted jewelry — it was a festive wonderland of creativity.
One year for Halloween, I decided to bring a little classic TV charm — and a dash of gothic glam — to my living room with a spooky, small-scale celebration. I’ve always loved Halloween, but instead of going full haunted-house this year, I kept it cozy with a small gathering of ghouls, goblins, and a few brave humans.
Costumes were encouraged (of course), and I knew exactly who I wanted to channel: the darkly delightful Lily Munster.
As a Halloween enthusiast, you might assume that I really like horror movies … I don’t.
Plot twist: I’m not.
Blood, guts, and excessive gore? Hard pass. Movies like “Saw” and its many splattery sequels aren’t for me. I’ve also never been particularly scared of monsters, witches or zombies. Why? Because they’re fictional — and often so over-the-top that they feel more like fantasy than fear.
I have been a journalist for 25 years. In fact, this year marks my 25th year of being in the journalism industry in some area, starting in college at a local radio station and later as a paid intern at a newspaper. This also marks the 20th year of my college graduation.
In the last 25 years, I have covered a variety of stories, including homicides, fires and car accidents. I was good at establishing trustworthy relationships with law enforcement, but I have never really enjoyed covering spot news.
University of Mississippi students are being challenged to delve deeper into complex issues about the university and state, thanks to a special honors class designed to explore important topics 60 years after James Meredith’s enrollment as UM’s first Black student.
“I would describe this class as an open dialogue about the past, present and future of both the university and the state as a whole,” said McKenzie Cox, a journalism and political science double-major from Concord, North Carolina, who is planning to pursue a career in broadcast news reporting and policy analysis.
Every now and then, I offer a list of some of the best horror/thriller movies, television shows and documentaries I’ve recently seen. Here they are:
Black Mirror: I originally began watching “Black Mirror” a couple of years ago when the first season came to Netflix. At the time, I was a little embarrassed to share with others some of the content of this British science fiction series set in the near future with a technology/social media theme.
What began in the fall of 2015 as a simple website for University of Mississippi journalism students to publish their work has grown into something far more impactful.
This year, OxfordStories.net welcomed a new partner: The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Like the original collaborators, The Daily Journal also featured student-written articles in its print edition, expanding the reach and influence of student journalism.
Every year, the pressure to create life-changing New Year’s resolutions looms large. At first, I jotted down a modest list—something short enough to be a humble little Facebook status. You know, something breezy like, “Drink more water. Be less sarcastic. Pet more dogs.”
But then the wheels started turning.
If you’ve been scrolling through my social media lately (unlikely), you might assume I’m a culinary goddess whipping up Pinterest-worthy creations with ease. Spoiler alert: I’m not. But I have been dabbling in the kitchen again, which is always an adventure — emphasis on adventure.
Like many serial hobbyists, I’ve gone through plenty of phases. Stamp collecting? Check. Salsa dancing? Si. That one time I thought I could be a top chef? Oh yes. I had a full-blown Food Network addiction and a growing collection of cookbooks — some purchased, some gifted, all aspirational.
Let’s be honest: the way you decorate your Christmas tree says a lot about you. It’s like a glittery, pine-scented personality test — without the pressure of multiple choice. Some people go for elegant, color-coordinated themes with perfectly spaced ribbons and matching metallic balls. Others throw on everything they’ve ever owned since childhood, creating a nostalgic mosaic of memories.
As for me? I fall somewhere in between — equal parts sentimentalist, craft junkie, and intergalactic oddball.
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