EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS | The Greenwood Commonwealth

Attorney Ben Crump speaks during rally at Tennessee State University, Oct. 3, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Crump said Monday, Oct. 30, in Jackson, Miss., that he is calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate why authorities in Jackson waited several months to tell a woman that her son had been struck and killed by a police SUV driven by an off-duty officer. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

AP
registered content - login required to view
Click to register / login

Lawyer wants federal probe of why Mississippi police waited months to tell a mom her son was killed
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Mon,10/30/23-5:04PM , 780 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A civil rights attorney said Monday he will ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate why authorities in Mississippi's capital city waited several months to tell a woman that her son died after being hit by a police SUV driven by an off-duty officer.
READ MORE

Democratic nominee for governor, Brandon Presley, current Mississippi Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District, speaks to supporters, Oct. 19, 2023, in Natchez, Miss. Presley faces Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who is seeking reelection on Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Democrat Brandon Presley seeks big turnout in Nov. 7 bid to unseat Mississippi's Republican governor
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Sun,10/29/23-11:05PM , 482 Reads
NATCHEZ, Miss.
READ MORE

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who is running for reelection, addresses a group of business leaders at the 2023 Hobnob, a business forum sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council, in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

In closing days of Mississippi governor's race, candidates clash over how to fund health care
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Thu,10/26/23-5:09PM , 398 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Republican Gov.
READ MORE

Democratic nominee for governor Brandon Presley, right, shakes hands with a Tougaloo College student, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, during a Jackson, Miss., campaign stop. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

AP
registered content - login required to view
Click to register / login

Mississippi should set minimum wage higher than federal level, says Democrat running for governor
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS - Associated Press
Tue,10/24/23-5:34PM , 359 Reads
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Democrat who's trying to unseat Mississippi's Republican governor said Tuesday that the state should set a minimum wage higher than the federal standard of $7.25 an hour.
READ MORE

Subscribe to EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

The E-Edition

Weekend, February 28-01, 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