Prominent Mississippi businessman and two-time state economic development director Leland Speed passed away last week after a long life of community service and job creation. Speed, founder of Parkway Properties, Inc. and EastGroup Properties Inc., helped development on the state and small-town level. Many Mississippians can thank having a job to Speed. He lived a long and fruitful life and Mississippi benefitted because of him. Rest In Peace.

Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today’s Editor-At-Large. He’s also host of a weekly statewide radio program and a television program on Mississippi Public Broadcasting and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award.