Cassandra Rollins gazes down at her daughter, Shalondra Rollins, who died after complications with COVID-19, at the Jackson Memorial Funeral Home on April 15, 2020. Her youngest daughter, Tabitha, embraces her adopted sister Keda Woods. The family could not throw a celebration of Shalondra's life because of social distancing measures they must take to protect themselves against the virus that took Shalondra. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today, Report For America
Take a look back at 2020 through the photos that captured the biggest moments of the year. Click the arrows on the photos to scroll through our full gallery.
The Vernon F. Dahmer. Sr. statue was dedicated and unveiled during a ceremony at the Forrest County Courthouse Monday, January 6, 2020.
Ellie J. Dahmer, widow of Vernon F. Dahmer Sr., left, and sculptor Vixon Sullivan speak after the Vernon F. Dahmer. Sr. statue dedication and unveiling ceremony at the Forrest County Courthouse Monday, January 6, 2020.
Several protesters gathered at outside of the Capitol in Jackson to protest MDOC prisoner’s rights Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020.
Gov. Tate Reeves is sworn into office during his inauguration ceremony inside the House chamber at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.
Jacquelyn Owens attends a prison reform rally in honor of her nephew, Paul Evans Jr., at the Mississippi Capitol
Aiden Bridwell performs an upper body exercise during his physical therapy session at Madison Healthplex Performance Training Center in Madison Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.
Empower Mississippi’s Grant Callen speaks during Mississippi School Choice Day.
Gov. Tate Reeves delivers his first State of the State Address at the State Capitol Monday, January 27, 2020.
Protesters attend a hearing during a joint hearing of the House Corrections and Judiciary B Committees about the current Mississippi Department of Corrections issues Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Josh Fairchild looks out at the flood water surrounding Mississippi Iron Works on State Street in Jackson, Miss., Monday, February 17, 2020.
Homes on Nichols Street are surrounded by flood water in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.
Jeffery Lewis, Mississippi Basketball and Athletics, waits for members of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Special Response Team to give him a ride on their swamp boat to his athletic training facility in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.
One of many roads closed in Rockport, Miss., due to the Pearl River flooding Wednesday, February 19, 2020.
Flood water surrounds a home on Old Foxworth Road in Columbia, Tuesday February 25, 2020.
Joe Biden speaks to his supporters during a campaign event at Tougaloo College’s Kroger Gymnasium Sunday, March 8, 2020.
Teachers and other Vicksburg Warren School District employees prepare to make food deliveries to students in the school district Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Lisa Ellis, right, gives Mary Coppola lunches for her children at Clinton Park Elementary Monday, March 23, 2020. Lunches were handed out to families after school were closed to do COVID-19.
Medical students Subhi Younes assists in COVID-19 testing during specimen collection trial run at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2020.
Medical Ambika R. Sirvastava waits to practice a trial run of specimen collection COVID-19 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2020.
The materials used to collect and contain the specimen from those potentially infected with COVID-19 is shown in a a mock COVID-19 specimen collection at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2020.
Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs addresses the coronavirus during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Only 30 minutes before closing, no vehicles are parked in front of stores and only a couple of people stroll the sidewalks at Colony Park in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, March 27, 2020.
The parking lot at Northpark, photographed at 7:56 p.m., in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, March 27, 2020.
Gov. Tate Reeves speaks to media about his shelter-in-place order for Lauderdale County during a press conference at the State of Mississippi Woolfolk Building in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
A homeless man rests outside of the Shower Power Mobile Unit in the 800 block of South Commerce Street in Jackson, Miss., Friday, April 3, 2020.
Timothy Riles enjoys as meal outside of the Shower Power Mobile Unit in the 800 block of South Commerce Street in Jackson, Miss., Friday, April 3, 2020.
Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs holds a ventilator during a press conference concerning the coronavirus pandemic.
City employees help distribute hand sanitizer at Corner Market on Fortification Street in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The hand sanitizer was donated by Cathead Distillery.
Collin Sanderson picks up debris at his grandfather’s home in Bassfield, Miss., Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Cassandra Rollins lost her daughter Shalondra, a special education assistant teacher and mother to two teenage daughters, due to complications from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020. Rollins believes the health care system did not treat her daughter as effectively as they could have.
Eldon Kruse working at Roscoe’s Live Bait Works in Pass Christian. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019.
More than $4 billion in PPP loans have now made its way to Mississippi after Congress approved another round of federal support this year.
Reopen Mississippi protest, Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Protesters outside of the Jackson Police Department in downtown Jackson, Miss., Sunday, May 31, 2020.
A protester during a reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020.
Yvonne Moore, left, and Christy Carmichael collect specimen for COVID-19 testing outside of the Aaron E Henry Community Health Services Center in Clarksdale, Miss., Wednesday, March 29, 2020.
Yvonne Moore tests Charles Holmes for COVID-19 outside of the Aaron E Henry Community Health Services Center in Clarksdale, Miss., Wednesday, March 29, 2020.
Burl Cain responds to a reporter’s question after being introduced by Gov. Tate Reeves as the new commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections during his daily coronavirus update for media in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Cain was warden at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, which is commonly known as Angola, for 21 years.
Lawmakers during the legislative session at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, May 28, 2020.
Chiquikta Fountain, executive director of Delta Hands for Hope, left, and volunteers help pack bags of food in Shaw, Miss., Friday, May 27, 2020.
Graduates keep their distance during Clinton High School’s graduation Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Courtney Webster, center, is surrounded by family members after Greenville High School’s graduation Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Protesters listen to speakers while in front of the Governor’s Mansion during the Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Jackson, Miss., Saturday, June 6, 2020.
Protesters gather in front of the Governor’s Mansion during the Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Jackson, Miss., Saturday, June 6, 2020.
House speaker Philip Gunn, from left, Executive Director of Mississippi Department of Archives and History Kaite Blount, and Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann prepare to deliver the state flag to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
Mississippi Highway Patrol officers retire the state flag outside of the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
A protestor demands for the Confederate statue to come down outside the Bolivar County Courthouse in Cleveland, Mississippi on July 3, 2020. Photo by Rory Doyle.
Educators and other protesters provide a visual to show what a socially distanced classroom looks like as they protest against the reopening of schools in Mississippi.
Kamarye Marshall, from left, Tykavian Marshall, Ryan Mallard, Lillian Cayson and Keri Marshall
Valemerita Price wipes tears from her eyes as she explains her eviction from Parker Investment Properties.
Erma Peterson
Whitney Wages received a much needed breather when her unemployment benefits came in mid-July. She paid off some of her debts, including her vehicle, and paid upfront for future bills. The promise of stability was cut short when her landlord expelled her from her apartment, which she was renting month to month after her one year lease expired in March.
Lillian Kayson holds her head down as she talks about being evicted from her home while sitting on a family member’s door steps near Tupelo, Miss., Tuesday, July 28, 2020.
Rodney Boss talks about being evicted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deion Sanders showed off his JSU sports coat when he was introduced as the Tigers new coach.
LaMiracle holds up her answer, four, during virtual class at the Boys and Girls Club Capitol Street unit in west Jackson on Sept. 21, 2020.
Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith shows supporters the results of her shootout competition against U.S. Congressman Michael Guest and Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Kenny Griffis.
The shooting competition was part of a speaking event hosted by the Madison County Republican Women, the Rankin County Republican Women and the Hinds County Republican Women, Wednesday evening at The Range in Gluckstadt.
Surprisingly, not one rider lost their keys, pocket change, cell phone or lunch.
Autumn Johnson, 7 of Ridgeland, shows off her State Fair bounty.
Kelvin Glover, Canton Public School District technology supervisor, looks over one of the 2964 Chromebooks delivered to school district headquarters Thursday afternoon.
Biology teacher Chiquita Gaylor and students practice social distancing in the classroom at Jefferson County High School in Fayette.
Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Mike Espy greets a supporter while canvassing the Valley North subdivision on Oct. 23 in Jackson.
Kaylen Wade, 8, uses a laptop and tablet to participate in class via Zoom while at the Mississippi Children’s Museum.
Voters cast absentee ballots at the Hinds County Courthouse on the last day to do so Saturday in Jackson.
Long lines of voters wait their turn to cast absentee ballots on the last day to do so at the Hinds County Courthouse in Jackson on Oct. 31, 2020.
Long line and long waiting for voters at The Mark Apartments in Ridgeland.
Long lines at McLeod Elementary School in northeast Jackson after those who normally voted at St. Philip’s Episcopal Chruch were notified to vote at the elementary school.
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., celebrates with her family standing in the background at her election night party in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Democratic Senate challenger Mike Espy concedes to incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith Tuesday night at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson.
A small group of Trump supporters gathered on the south lawn of the State Capitol to protest the outcome of the Presidential election. Protesters demanded a that every “legal” vote be counted.
Trump supporters gathered on the south lawn of the State Capitol to protest the outcome of the Presidential election. Protesters chanted, cheered, prayed, listened to pro-Trump rhetoric and demanded a that every “legal” vote be counted.
Powell Middle School Principal LaShunna McInnis looks over a delivery of 60 laptops at the school Tuesday. McInnis stated she expecting a delivery of 77 additional laptops for students. There are 424 students currently participating in virtual learning.
Votes are still being counted at the Rankin County Circuit Clerk’s office in Brandon.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves listens as state emergency management executive director Greg Michel speaks during his news briefing at the Mississippi Emergency Management Headquarters in Pearl, Miss., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, state health officer, listens as other state health officials urge all Mississippians to follow safety protocols as positive COVID-19 numbers begin to rise. Dobbs was joined by state health care officials from the Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nurses Association.
Canada geese forage along a growing shoreline, taking advantage of water being drained from the Lake Hico area. The Rex Brown Steam Engine Station can be seen to the right.
James Meredith announced construction plans for the James Meredith Museum and Bible Society Mission. Its purpose will be to “uplift moral character and rebuild families through Bible study,” said Meredith. Construction is slated to take a year. The museum will be located at 217 W. Griffith Street in Jackson.
After a long journalism career and 18 years of teaching, Curtis Wilkie is retiring from the University of Mississippi. (Photo by Billy Schuerman/The Daily Mississippian.)
State health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, right, listens Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Jackson, Miss., as Gov. Tate Reeves announces 13 additional counties that have qualified and met certain requirements to be placed under mask mandates with his “Safe Recovery” executive order that is in effect until Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Morgan Kelly (left) and her brother John Forrest Kelly, change the epaulets on the uniform of their father, Major General John “Trent” Kelly to reflect his promotion from Brigadier General to Major General during a ceremony held Saturday at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, right, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, wears his “Trump” face mask as he waits while Secretary of State Michael Watson tends to the official duties overseeing the casting of votes in Mississippi’s Electoral College, at the state Capitol in Jackson, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Sandra Lindsay, left, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, is inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by Dr. Michelle Chester, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, Pool)
Dr. Jennifer Bryan, Chair, MSMA Board of Trustees, receives the Pfizer-BioNtech covid vaccination Wednesday afternoon at Quinn Healthcare.
Former Gov. William Winter is given a standing ovation at the conclusion of a symposium on the Future of Mississippi and the South on his 90th birthday, Feb. 19, 2013 at the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson.
Country music singer Charley Pride waves to the crowd before signing the National Anthem before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, Saturday, April 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Texas won 9-4. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
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2020: The Year in Photos
by Mississippi Today, Mississippi Today December 31, 2020