EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS | The Greenwood Commonwealth

Sen. Joseph Thomas, D-Yazoo City, holds a copy of the proposed congressional redistricting map as debate over a different version is held in the Chamber at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Mississippi legislators drew a congressional redistricting plan that diminished Black voters' influence in the state's three majority-white districts, attorneys for the NAACP and two other advocacy groups argue in federal court papers papers. The NAACP, One Voice and Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute filed the papers Friday, Feb. 25, seeking to intervene in a longstanding lawsuit over how Mississippi draws its U.S. House districts.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Mississippi remapping diminishes Black voices, NAACP says
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Tue,03/01/22-11:45AM , 477 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi legislators drew a congressional redistricting plan that diminished Black voters' influence in the state's three majority-white districts, attorneys for the NAACP and two other groups argue in federal court papers.
READ MORE

AP
free content

Mississippi House panel OKs limits on teaching about race
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Mon,02/28/22-6:39PM , 361 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi House committee divided along lines of race and party Monday in advancing a bill that would limit how race can be discussed in classrooms.
READ MORE

State Economist J. Cory Miller says employment in Mississippi decreased during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but personal income in the state increased during that time because of federal payments that were intended to head off a steep decline in the national economy, at the Stennis Capitol Press Forum in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

AP
free content

Economist: Federal money boosted Mississippi income in 2020
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Mon,02/28/22-5:29PM , 544 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Employment in Mississippi decreased during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but personal income in the state increased during that time because of federal payments that were intended to head off a steep decline in the national economy, an expert said Monday.
READ MORE

Mississippi Senate Press Secretary Arnold Lindsay, right, receives a resolution from a senator at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Analysis: Legislative deadline will whittle list of issues
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Fri,02/25/22-2:07PM , 198 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi legislators completed two big items several weeks ago when they adopted a congressional redistricting plan and enacted a medical marijuana law.
READ MORE

Subscribe to EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

The E-Edition

Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Join Those Who Support Local News

Local news matters to Greenwood. It keeps the people informed and connected. It asks the questions they want answered. It elevates what’s good, and it exposes what’s not.

To do that work well takes skilled reporters and editors, as many as a community can support through advertising, subscriptions and philanthropy.

The Greenwood Commonwealth expanded its newsroom in 2025 by adding Gerard Edic as a reporter covering public safety and other stories of interest to the community.

His position is partially funded by a two-year grant from Report for America, a national nonprofit. Generous supporters in the community donated the matching funds in the first year. We are now raising funds for Year 2.

Will you join this effort with a tax-deductible contribution?

Donate