Mississippi

Victory for Mississippi Oystermen: Court Strikes Down Controversial Reef Leasing Law

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HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. — A ruling from Chancery Court Judge Jim Persons has declared a recently enacted law permitting the leasing of Mississippi’s oyster reefs unconstitutional, delivering a significant victory for local fishermen facing economic challenges. Gerald Blessey, an attorney for Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, emphasized the importance of this ruling for the state’s oyster harvesters. “These oystermen can continue to fish as their ancestors have for 200 years during the period of the injunction,” he said, highlighting the long-standing tradition of oyster fishing in the area. The law, signed by Governor Tate Reeves in … Read more

Groundbreaking Age Verification Law Set to Transform Social Media Landscape in Mississippi

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Jackson, Mississippi – A new law focused on age verification for social media users is set to take effect, aiming to enhance protections for minors online. This legislation requires platforms to confirm the ages of users before granting access, a move that seeks to limit children’s exposure to inappropriate content and interactions. The law mandates that social media companies implement methods to verify a person’s age, which could include the use of government-issued identification or other verification techniques. Proponents argue this measure is crucial as children increasingly engage with online platforms, potentially encountering harmful material. … Read more

Mississippi Jury Finds Two Police Officers Guilty of Civil Rights Violations After Custody Assault, Orders $90,000 in Damages

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JACKSON, Miss. — In a significant civil liberties case, two police officers from Pearl, Mississippi, have been found liable for infringing on the constitutional rights of a local man during his detention last year. The federal court verdict, which resulted in a total award of $90,000 in damages, underscores ongoing concerns about police conduct in the United States. The jury in U.S. District Court determined on Thursday that officers Jonathon Welker and Jacob Lang were responsible for physically assaulting Jimmy Anthony, a resident of Rankin County, while he was in their custody. The decision follows … Read more

California Man Found Guilty in 2021 Double Homicide of Mississippi Residents in Mobile, Co-defendant Pleads Guilty

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Mobile, Ala. — A jury in Mobile County has delivered a guilty verdict for a California man accused of murdering two Mississippians in 2021 along Rangeline Road. The verdict came after a trial that shed light on a violent encounter linked to a nightclub dispute. Ardis Prez, the defendant, was convicted for the killings of Dwan Williams and Andre Carter. The victims were discovered deceased in an SUV, a scene that investigators said was the grim culmination of an altercation outside a Prichard nightclub. Surveillance footage from the night of November 21, 2021, captured an … Read more