Local Elections:
Oxford’s Ward 1 Elects New Alderman in Tuesday’s Municipal Election
by Newt Rayburn
Independent candidate Erin Smith was declared the winner minutes after the polls closed
Tuesday’s Municipal Election was the lowest voter turnout in many years, possibly ever. Oxford had a total of 14,371 registered voters eligible to vote in the election but only 987 votes were cast. This means only 6.87% of Oxford voters participated in the election. The low turnout was largely due to the fact that only Ward 1 had a contested election. Read more
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Local Literary Events:
Square Books presents Jerry Mitchell for "Race Against Time" Saturday, June 7
The stories of Jerry Mitchell, who leads the investigative reporting team for Mississippi Today, have helped put four Klansmen and a serial killer behind bars as well as helping free two people from death row. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and a winner of more than 30 other national awards, including a $500,000 MacArthur Genius grant. Read more
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Local Literary Events:
Square Books presents Robert Busby in conversation with Ace Atkins for "Bodock" Thursday, June 5
"Here’s Bodock. Here’s Mississippi. Here is the world." - Tom Franklin, author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
Robert Busby grew up in the hill country of North Mississippi and has worked as a bandsaw operator, bookseller, copywriter, driving school instructor, powder coater, prep cook, produce clerk, teacher, and satellite television technician. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, he got his MFA in Fiction from Florida International University, and his stories have appeared in Arkansas Review, Cold Mountain Review, Footnote, Mississippi Noir, PANK, Pleiades, Sou’wester, Surreal South, and others. Read more
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Local News:
Friends of the Oxford Police Department Expands Scholarship Program to Benefit K-12 Students
The Friends of the Oxford Police Department, in continued partnership with the Oxford Police Department, is proud to announce the expansion of its scholarship program to include all eligible K-12 students of OPD employees
“This initiative is about more than financial support; it's about recognizing the families who serve alongside our officers,” said Chief Jeff McCutchen. “By helping these children prepare for their future, we are investing in education, stability, and community.” Read more
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Local Health:
How to Stop the Spread of HIV: Mississippi has one of the nation's highest rates of new cases
by Clara Turnage
Human immunodeficiency virus was once considered a problem of big cities and urban areas, but the South has become the new epicenter of the HIV epidemic, a University of Mississippi virologist warns
In 2022, 53% of all new HIV diagnoses occurred in the South, despite the region being home to only 38% of the nation's population. Mississippi's new infection rate is among the highest in the nation, said Wayne Gray, instructional associate professor of biology. Read more
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Mississippi Museums:
See Live Snakes: “World Snake Day” June 13 at the Mississippi Science Museum
Whether you’re a lifelong reptile enthusiast or just a little curious, this slithery celebration offers a safe and fascinating way to learn about one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures. At this interactive event, visitors will see and touch live snakes, meet the Museum’s herpetologists and educators, learn how to distinguish venomous from non-venomous snakes, and explore how snakes benefit our environment. Read more
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University of Mississippi:
by Marvis Herring
Inaugural Ole Miss student cohort blends technology, history and music to launch site
Religious studies professor Mary Thurlkill created the interactive Religious Diversity in Mississippi website to chart the state's contemporary and historical spiritual landmarks on a rolling basis. The project launched this month with an inaugural five-student cohort who are researching and organizing details of the first featured location, Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville. Read more
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Mississippi Music:
Where the Blues Began: Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience Set to Launch
A first-of-its-kind orchestral concert series celebrating Mississippi’s unmatched blues legacy—benefiting the Ground Zero Arts Foundation and presented in partnership with Visit Mississippi
Mississippi’s storied blues tradition takes center stage with the launch of Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience, a first-of-its-kind national concert series that merges the emotional depth of Delta Blues with the power of a live symphony orchestra. Read more
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Local Views: Lafayette County Master Gardeners
by Bronwynne Bailey
It’s summer! Our kids are finally done with school, and it’s time to plan for summer vacation. You don’t have to go very far to have a fun afternoon adventure with your kids or grandkids. Gardening is a great afternoon adventure, and your backyard is the perfect place to have little fun. Take a trip to the garden store let them pick out flowers to plant in a patio container! Tomatoes are a great choice! Read more
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University of Mississippi:
Scholarship Memorializes a Military Man
by Tina H. Hahn
Oxford couple creates fund to benefit Air Force ROTC cadets at Ole Miss
Shortly before Ron Peterson died, his sister-in-law Susan Cowgill asked what he wanted her to do with his assets. His answer? "Just do good with the money!" Read more
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Mississippi Museums:
Explore the Backyard Like Never Before at the Mississippi Science Museum
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science invites visitors to discover the hidden world of science in your backyard. Explore a garden of wonders, see the outdoors through a bee’s eyes, walk through a digital garden, and discover nocturnal creatures at the Backyard Adventures Exhibit. This exhibit is open through January 4, 2026 and is included with museum admission or with Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation membership. Read more
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University of Mississippi:
University of Mississippi School of Education Faculty Member Appointed Distinguished Professor
by Don Feitel
Rick Balkin is school's first to receive university's highest faculty honor
"The activities of the university advance because of our outstanding faculty, and it is wonderful to be able to recognize those who have truly distinguished themselves within their fields," said Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. "These are not simply great faculty; they are great faculty who have risen to the top of their disciplines. Read more
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Local Views: Lafayette County Master Gardeners
by Ginny Cheek
Indian pinkroot is a perennial herb native to the southeastern United States, including Mississippi. It typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet, with glossy, lance-shaped leaves that provide a rich green backdrop to its striking flowers. From late spring to early summer, the plant produces tubular flowers that are deep red on the outside and feature a star-shaped yellow center, making them particularly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Read more
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Local Health:
News You Can Use: What to Know About Mississippi's Syphilis Surge
by Marisa C. Atkinson
Ole Miss experts say awareness, protection, regular testing can stop the spread
A national surge in syphilis cases has not spared Mississippi, but several University of Mississippi pharmacy professors have partnered with the Mississippi Department of Health to guide pharmacists on how to help slow the spread. Read more
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Local Lifestyle:
Lack of Sleep Linked to Negative Body Image in Teens
by Clara Turnage
University of Mississippi researchers find associations between poor sleep quality and body dysmorphia
Poor sleep quality is often tied to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, but new research from the University of Mississippi suggests it may also be related to how teens feel about their appearance. Read more
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University of Mississippi:
Ole Miss Hires Veteran International Journalist to Lead Jordan Center
by Marvis Herring
From Tokyo to the White House, Steve Herman has a wealth of news experience
The University of Mississippi has announced veteran journalist Steve Herman as the inaugural executive director of the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation. Herman, who is retiring from Voice of America, will start at the center housed in the School of Journalism and New Media on July 7. He will lead the center's mission of engaging students, journalists, and the public in addressing media literacy and journalistic integrity. Read more
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University of Mississippi:
by Pam Starling
Lydia Lytal named Paragon Award winner for 2024–25
The University of Mississippi's Office of Academic Outreach has honored biology professor Lydia Lytal's efforts to create and lead an online laboratory science class by awarding her its Paragon Award for Excellence in Distance Teaching. Read more
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University of Mississippi:
New University of Mississippi Program Helps Students Prepare for a Good Life
by Bill Dabney
New University of Mississippi Program Helps Students Prepare for a Good Life
The Good Life program is part of the Teagle Foundation's Knowledge for Freedom network. This new, pre-college program invites first-generation and rural high school students to campus to learn about the humanities and opportunities for a college education. Read more
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Mississippi Veterans:
Delta Blues Museum Welcomes Military Families as a Blue Star Museum
Now in its 11th year as a participating partner, Delta Blues Museum is again a member of the Blue Star Museum program, benefitting active duty military and their families. From Armed Forces Day on May 17, 2025, through Labor Day, the Museum will offer free admission to those currently serving and up to five members of their family. Read more
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Local Crime in Oxford & Lafayette County
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