By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is coming at an interesting time in the history of “Star Wars.” It is a test to see if the franchise’s recent success on the small screen can translate to blockbuster status on the big screen. I have not seen “The Mandalorian” streaming series on Disney+, though I know of its massive success. I could even imagine a world where a “Mandalorian” movie makes enough money to have a legitimate place alongsid

By Ron Powers In 1997, Foo Fighters carved out one of alternative rock’s defining moments with “Everlong,” the second single from their breakthrough album The Colour and the Shape. Written by Dave Grohl during a period of personal upheaval, the song channels the rush of new love into a surging wall of guitars and melodic urgency. Peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Alternative chart and quickly becoming a staple of the band’s catalog, “Everlong” fused grunge grit with an almost

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Lost terribly at the family game of cards? Tear up that score card and put it out of your mind. A silly little board game is not worth thinking about and ruining your day. But you know that. Or you should. Your fiancé lets you know that after thinking about your relationship, you just aren’t the perfect one? Go ahead and sob brokenheartedly for a while, mope around the house in your pjs, eat a gallon of chocolate ice cream, get angr

Ron Powers

By Misty Strieff Prine “How you treat people IS a ministry.” – Unknown I wrote this the other night on my devotional page, The Upward Way, on Facebook and I just felt the impulsive need to share it with as many as I could. Why? Because I feel like it is the one thing that we could all not only work on but LEARN from. I think it is the number one overlooked ministry tool in today’s time. This is 100% a ministry in and of itself. People may forget what you look like or what you

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB With “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Michael” still ruling the domestic box office, I thought I’d give this week’s review spot to a couple of also-rans from the past two weeks. “Mortal Kombat II” The 2021 “Mortal Kombat” movie was a disaster that left fans disappointed for many reasons, not least of which was that it didn’t feature any fights from the much-hyped tournament for universal supremacy. At least in “Mortal K

Residents from across the Jackson area are expected to gather on Saturday, May 30, 2026, for the annual BAPS Charities Walk-Run, part of a nationwide volunteer-driven event taking place simultaneously in more than 100 cities across North America. The Jackson event, scheduled at 2390 Greenway Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, is expected to bring together approximately 300 participants of all ages in support of local charitable causes, including the American Cancer Society and th

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) today announced a $5 million investment of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) direct funds to child care assistance for low-income working families in Federal Fiscal Year 2026. The new funding will be administered through MDHS's Division of Early Childhood Care and Development (DECCD) and distributed through the established Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) voucher system. These TANF direct funds are in addition

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If you are in one, it’s a scary thing. With a lot of anger, defeatism, anxiety, and damaged pride as shipmates. But, maybe you still feel that you would rather patch the holes that are rapidly taking on water, rather than just bailing out. Maybe you feel the kids deserve a home with both a mom and a dad in it. Maybe, just maybe, you believe that what you two had, at one point in time, is still worth fighting for. If so, then let’s ta

By: Kara Kimbrough The 33,000-acre Barnett Reservoir located in parts of Madison and Rankin Counties, is filled with numerous opportunities for boating, jet and water-skiing, swimming, fishing and picnicking. One of the most popular picnic areas is Lakeshore Park on the Rankin County side. (Photo courtesy of Pearl River Valley Water Supply District) Filling up the car with gas in advance of a road trip during the long Memorial Day weekend ahead was not a problem in prev

Law camps that will introduce high school students to the legal profession are scheduled for June and July in Brandon, Gulfport, Indianola, Natchez, Starkville, Tupelo and Vicksburg. The Mississippi Court of Appeals also will conduct a one-day appellate law camp in Jackson. Planned programs are expected to include discussions with judges, attorneys and court staff; opportunities to watch court proceedings; and practice activities including moc

By: Misty Strieff Prine “THE KEY IS THIS. Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.” – Unknown. Wow! I’ve never thought of it this way but what an amazing way to look at it. We’ve all heard of taking one day at a time because, not only do we not know what tomorrow holds yet, but not one of us are promised it. Here, it reminds us to meet today’

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB I had never seen 2006’s “The Devil Wears Prada” until a few weeks ago when I watched it in preparation for the sequel. I didn’t care for it, mainly due to the off-putting character of Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). I knew going in that the fashion magazine editor’s dialogue was filled with verbal put-downs that were supposedly eccentrically charming, but I mostly just found unfunny, unprofessional, and rude. Such constant nega

Strokes are one of the top five causes of death in Mississippi, and we have the second highest mortality rate (52.1 per 100,000) in the United States, accounting for 1,925 deaths in 2024. During May, National Stroke Awareness Month, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is stressing the importance of taking meaningful steps to lower your risk and prolong your life. If you smoke, are overweight or drink in excess, you are increasing your chance of having a stroke.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com The office was in its usual Monday morning subdued chaos, nothing new about the muffled exclamations, one-on-one conversations, and general hubbub. But still, there was a decidedly different element in the air. The reason? The new chief-of-staff was beginning his first day in the office, and everyone was feeling slightly jittery with quite a few unanswered questions about him. Micromanager or Mr. Can’t Be Bothered? Looks the other w

A novel statewide program from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is expanding access to substance use disorder care across all 82 counties by identifying risk earlier, reducing barriers to treatment, and bringing support closer to where patients live. "This work reflects a simple principle: Substance use disorder care should be available earlier, closer to home, and as part of normal health care, not only after a person reaches crisis," said Dr. Dan Edney, MSD

By Jessica Breazeale Is your fence meant to keep people in or keep people out? I guess it’s normal to want to feel safe and secure, so putting up a fence isn’t too crazy, by any means. Have you ever been too trusting, maybe because you have such a big heart, and discernment isn’t your spiritual gift, and you had to learn the hard way? Maybe some form of protection is not the worst idea, but at what cost does that protection come? Do we miss out on potential relationships that

By Misty Strieff Prine Last week, we had some terrible weather that came through a neighboring county to us, Lincoln County, and it was just horrible. It made me really realize how scary a storm can be and how it can bring about such a fear of the unknown, especially at nighttime, in the darkness. I also so the outpouring of community as all the First Responders from Copiah County and beyond caravanned down to Lincoln County, my husband being one of them, and

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) continues to monitor the health impacts of severe storms that hit the state on Wednesday. Significant power outages, home repairs, and flooding can create dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations. MSDH recommends residents should take the following precautions: Personal Protection: When cleaning up storm-damaged areas, be sure to wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes to prevent cuts and scratches from debri

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com You have natural abilities and inclinations. You love doing certain things. That's normal and good. But what you love in life was never intended to be all that is important in your world. Family, friends, co-workers, church family, strangers, and even supervisors, they are all supposed to be important to you. Granted, holding importance in varying degrees, but definitely holding a place in that tight little circle that some of you