
This news and culture microsite of the Mississippi Free Press features coverage of southwest Mississippi.
The Latest from southwest Mississippi
Situation in Mississippi Grows More Dire After Days of Ice, Outages and a Rising Death Toll
Mississippi dispatchers are fielding desperate calls for medication or oxygen from people stuck in their homes in a state where 100,000 remained without power amid freezing temperatures, days after last weekend’s ice storm.
Mississippi Governor Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday he was declaring a state of emergency ahead of a massive approaching winter storm that is threatening to blanket much of the eastern half of the country in ice, snow or both.
Nicaraguan Man in ICE Custody Dies in Mississippi Hospital
A Nicaraguan man has died in ICE custody at a hospital in Natchez, Mississippi, the seventh reported death of a person in custody this month.
After Gloster Biomass Plant Gets OK to Increase Emissions, Residents Take Issue to Court
Mississippi’s Environmental Quality Permit Board has approved biomass giant Drax’s request to increase emissions at its Gloster facility, reversing a ruling from earlier this year. Some residents fear the reversal could worsen health problems and pollution exposure in the majority-Black town.
Southwest Features
Event Roundup | 2025 Juneteenth Celebrations Continue Through the Weekend
Juneteenth festivities for 2025 largely began across the state last weekend, but Mississippians are continuing to celebrate the day representing freedom for Black Americans during this coming weekend through events held across the state.

