All posts filed under: MISSISSIPPI

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.

Veteran Journalist Leads Special Honors College Class Exploring the University and State 60 Years after Meredith’s Enrollment

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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.

A white car at the scene of an accident.

We have freedom, but we’re not independent

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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.

Former civil rights activist, educator and politician Leslie-Burl McLemore speaks to students in ‘The University and the State, 60 Years After the Crisis’ class at the UM Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Led by retired journalism professor Curtis Wilkie, the class explores Mississippi’s past and present. Photo by LaReeca Rucker

Veteran journalist leads exploration of Ole Miss, state

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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.

A picture of the Oxford Stories awards.

Oxford Stories: A student-driven newsroom that’s changing the game

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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.

A Star Wars movie poster graphic.

Awakening the Force Within: What Star Wars taught me about strength, courage, and growing up

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In 1983, my life changed forever. I wasn’t in a galaxy far, far away — but I might as well have been. That was the year I saw my first “Star Wars” film: “Return of the Jedi.” It was my personal origin story. And like many girls growing up in the ‘80s, I didn’t just want to watch Princess Leia — I wanted to be her.

I dreamed of flying speeder bikes through the mossy forests of Endor, living among the cuddly-yet-fierce Ewoks, rescuing Han Solo from a block of carbonite, and learning to wield The Force like a true Jedi Knight. Leia wasn’t just royalty — she was resilience, intelligence, and quiet power, wrapped in cinnamon bun hair and white robes. She gave girls like me permission to imagine ourselves as heroes.

Lee McCarty, owner of McCartys Pottery in Merigold, stands in front of a wall of pottery.

Mr. McCarty’s Gift: Remembering Lee McCarty and a Delta dream

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The recent passing of Mississippi treasure Lee McCarty stirred up memories of one unforgettable day I spent in Merigold several years ago — a day that felt like stepping into a living piece of art history.

Five years ago, I found myself on a Delta road trip that led me to the doorstep of McCartys Pottery, the legendary studio Lee and his late wife, Pup, built from the ground up in the tiny town of Merigold. If you’ve never been, let me offer this heartfelt advice: add it to your bucket list. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Longwood mansion in Natchez.

Touring Longwood: A Glimpse Into gothic grandeur and Southern shadows

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There’s something hauntingly interesting about old places — stories frozen in time. That’s exactly the feeling I had standing on the front lawn of Longwood, the grandest and most mysterious of Natchez’s antebellum homes.

You may recognize Longwood even if you’ve never set foot in Mississippi. The exterior was featured in HBO’s “True Blood” as the home of the Vampire King of Mississippi. And it makes perfect sense — Longwood has that Southern Gothic aura. With its octagonal design and eerie stillness, the mansion practically begs for stories to be written — or filmed — within its walls.

Brent's Drugs in Fondren.

Blast from the Past: A visit to Brent’s Drugs in Fondren

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Sometimes the best way to step back in time is with a burger, a milkshake, and a little retro neon glow. That’s exactly the vibe I felt when I ate at Brent’s Drugs, a timeless diner nestled in the heart of Fondren, Jackson’s beloved arts district.

Brent’s is more than just a drugstore-turned-diner. It’s a piece of Mississippi nostalgia wrapped in turquoise booths, checkered floors, and vintage signage that looks like it stepped off a 1950s postcard. Opened in 1946, Brent’s originally operated as a pharmacy with a soda fountain — back when that was the ultimate hangout spot for milkshakes, malts, and first dates.

The view from Phillip's on the Reservoir.

Dinner with a View: Why I keep going back to Phillip’s on the Reservoir

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When it comes to dining in the Jackson metro area, I have a handful of favorite spots — but Phillip’s on the Reservoir stands out for one breathtaking reason: the view.

There’s just something special about eating delicious, freshly prepared seafood while overlooking the still, reflective waters of the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Whether you’re enjoying lunch on a sunny afternoon or settling in for dinner just as the sky turns cotton-candy pink at sunset, the atmosphere here is always peaceful, always picturesque.

Inside Gibbes' Old Counry Store near Raymond, Mississippi.

A Taste of the Past: Gibbes Old Country Store serves up history and hearty Southern fare

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There’s something deeply comforting about dining in a place that feels like it belongs to another time — where the walls tell stories and the food tastes like it came straight out of Grandma’s kitchen. I’ve always been drawn to restaurants with a little character, charm, and history, and two of my favorites are Taylor Grocery and Gibbes Old Country Store in Learned, Mississippi.

If you’ve never been to Gibbes, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why people fall in love with the South. Think old hardwood floors, mismatched tables and chairs, antique signs on the walls, and the kind of genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel like family the moment you walk in.

A wooden bed with peacock wall art above it.

Sleeping in a Treehouse: My whimsical bedroom makeover with a vintage peacock theme

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For more than 20 years, I’ve had what could best be described as a “tree bed” — a headboard and footboard crafted entirely from real tree branches.

I bought the bed in Ripley, Mississippi, and though it’s a little rustic and wild, it’s held up beautifully over the years. If you use your imagination, it kind of feels like you are sleeping in a treehouse every night.

Rob Robinson donated a kidney to Gillian Alexander.

Entertaining angels: Mississippi man donates kidney to man he met while hunting

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The hunter spent his spare time chasing deer in Mississippi when he wasn’t chasing fires. Starkville firefighter Rob Robinson, 44, had been stalking bucks in his home state for years, but when he learned that Kansas, the state where his sister resided, was one of the best places to turkey hunt, Robinson made several trips there throughout the years until he scored a record-breaking kill in 2007 that ranked seventh in the world.

Motivated by success, Robinson decided to go for the “Grand Slam of Turkeys” in 2008, and wandered upon 1,600 acres of farmland owned by Gillan Alexander in Nicodemus, Kansas. He had no idea that when he knocked on Alexander’s door, he would eventually save his life. The chance meeting later led Robinson to donate a kidney to Alexander.

The Southern Living cookbook Second Helpings.

From Gulfport to Greenwood, new Southern Living cookbook features Mississippi restaurants

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A new cookbook featuring Mississippi restaurants is now on the shelves. “Southern Living Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings” is a travel guide/cookbook that takes you on a journey to eateries in 16 Southern states.

Written by former Southern Living travel editor Morgan Murphy, the 272-page book published by Oxmoor House and sold for $22.95 features 150 of Morgan’s favorite recipes.

A poster from "The Bling Ring" featuring the cast and actor Israel Broussard.

‘The Bling Ring’ review: If you’re ‘Pretty Wild,’ karma often comes with cuffs

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There were two reasons I couldn’t wait to see “The Bling Ring” this weekend. First, it stars Mississippi native Israel Broussard, who plays one of the infamous teen burglars who broke into celebrity homes and stole high-end designer clothes, jewelry and accessories.

I had the chance to interview Israel by phone last week, and he struck me as a polite, thoughtful young man with a bright future. After all, landing your first major role in a Sofia Coppola film? That’s no small feat.

Kit Williamson, who was featured in Mad Men.

Mad Men Meets Mississippi: Kit Williamson’s unexpected connection

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With the “Mad Men season finale airing tonight, I was surprised to discover a Mississippi connection: Kit Williamson, a Jackson native and former St. Andrew’s student, landed a role this season as ad exec Ed Gifford.

I caught up with Williamson by phone last week. While our story ran in Saturday’s paper, much of it had to be trimmed — so here’s the full scoop.

Actor Israel Broussard, who starred in The Bling Ring.

From Saucier to Sofia Coppola: Mississippi teen shines in ‘The Bling Ring’

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If you’re headed to the movies this weekend, check out “The Bling Ring” — not just for the buzz, but for Mississippi’s own Israel Broussard, who stars as Marc in his first major film role.

Directed by Sofia Coppola and inspired by a “Vanity Fair” article, “The Bling Ring” tells the true story of a group of L.A. teens who stole millions in designer goods from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Broussard plays a shy, insecure teen lured into the group’s glamorized crimes.

A T-shirt at Taylor Grocery.

Mississippi Style On the Road: A visit to Taylor Grocery

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Last week, I stumbled upon a one-of-a-kind Mississippi dining experience, and it inspired me to start something new: a video blog series called “Mississippi Style On the Road.” Whenever I’m out exploring the state and come across something special — whether it’s food, culture, or just good old-fashioned charm — I’ll try to capture it and share it with you. (Check out the first video above!)

Now, let me confess something. At least once a week, I find myself at Cracker Barrel. Like most Southerners, I’ve grown fond of the familiar old-country-store aesthetic, complete with rocking chairs, checkerboards, and shelves of candy sticks and vintage signs.

A poster featuring William Faulkner and some of his most popular books.

Want to hear William Faulkner’s Mississippi drawl? Check out this rare 1952 film.

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‘Early in his life, William Faulkner experienced a moment of clarity that would shape his legacy as one of America’s greatest writers. “I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about,” he said, “and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it.”

This quote, shared on the website Open Culture, beautifully captures Faulkner’s lifelong devotion to his Mississippi roots — a devotion that fueled the creation of Yoknapatawpha County and a literary universe unlike any other.

A cross-stitched picture of the state of Mississippi.

How I saved Mississippi

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As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

Actress Sela Ward leads a charity called Hope Village.

From Meridian to Hollywood and Back: Sela Ward’s mission to help Mississippi’s kids

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Before she was a crime-solving DNA expert on “CSI: NY” or winning Emmys for “Sisters,” Sela Ward was just a barefoot kid growing up in a quiet Meridian, Mississippi neighborhood — riding bikes, swimming in lakes, and sneaking into caves with friends for pretend séances.

These days, she still returns home — not just for family, but for a cause close to her heart: Hope Village for Children, the residential care facility she founded in 2002 for Mississippi kids in the foster system who need a safe place to land.

The movie poster for "Rites of Spring."

Check your Netflix cue for ‘Rites of Spring,’ a horror film shot in Jackson

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If you’re scrolling through Netflix and stumble across a gritty horror movie called “Rites of Spring,” don’t skip it just yet — especially if you’re from Mississippi. Behind the eerie farmhouse, creepy kidnap plot, and the tagline “Fear Has a Season,” is a film with deep Magnolia State roots.

That’s right — “Rites of Spring” was filmed entirely in the Jackson metro area back in 2010. You’ll catch glimpses of Canton and Jackson locations (some hauntingly beautiful Mississippi farmland), and even a few familiar names if you stick around for the credits.

Kim Kardashian visits Northpark Mall in Jackson, Mississippi.

Kim Kardashian visits Jackson — and yes, she brought the khaos with her

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So, what happens when one of the world’s most polarizing reality stars drops into Mississippi for a perfume signing? Answer: You get flashing lights, flashing phones, and a whole lot of sparkly outfits.

Northpark Mall in Ridgeland rolled out the red carpet — plus an ambulance, fire truck, and multiple police cruisers — for Kim Kardashian’s appearance at Belk to promote her perfume, True Reflection. Fans who shelled out $95 for the fragrance got the chance to meet the star between 6 and 8 p.m., and let’s just say the turnout didn’t disappoint.