Mississippi Today in 2022
The Year in News
Mississippi gained national attention this year between coverage of the sprawling welfare scandal, including the involvement of a former governor and former NFL player, and the Jackson water crisis. The news didn’t end there for our state — the Blue Cross Blue Shield and UMMC dispute, a teacher pay raise, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, another college world series win, and the list goes on! Here’s to all that 2022 brought: the good, the bad, and the newsworthy.
Click below to skip forward to the following sections.
Editors’ note: Thank you for navigating 2022 with us
This year saw no shortage of news in Mississippi. Through it all, our journalists were there to report to you.
Most Read Stories
Scroll through the stories, cartoons and coverage below that our readers visited the most this year.
Most Read in Health
Tupelo couple sues north Mississippi hospital for alleged balance billing
A Tupelo couple says they were unaware of Mississippi’s ban on balance billing and paid the hospital nearly $50,000.
Most Read in Education
Inside Mississippi’s only class on critical race theory
As Republican lawmakers push to ban critical race theory, here’s how the class changed the mind of one conservative Mississippian.
Most Read in Government
AG Lynn Fitch cites abortion case backlash as reason to seal files related to her father’s estate
Attorney General Lynn Fitch cited harassment and threats she’s received as she argues that the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade.
Most Read in Justice
Oxford police charge recent Ole Miss grad with murder in Jay Lee case
Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., a recent graduate of University of Mississippi, has been charged with murder in the case of Jimmie “Jay” Lee.
Most Read in Jobs and Workforce
Exploited: White Delta farm owners are underpaying and pushing out Black workers
A Mississippi Today investigation found at least five Delta farms paid their primarily Black local workforce less than temporary workers from other countries.
Most Read in Environment
Flooding exacerbates Jackson’s water crisis, raises calls for state intervention
Pearl River flooding is exacerbating Jackson’s drinking water crisis, prompting some leaders to call for the state to take action over the city’s troubled system.
Most Read in Culture
Bobby Cleveland’s greatest wish: Rename the Ross Barnett Reservoir
Those who knew Bobby Cleveland best know that no one wished more that the name of Mississippi’s most prominent lake would one day change.
Most Read Coverage
Welfare Scandal
more top welfare scandal stories
Jackson Water Crisis
more top water crisis stories
Most Read Sports Stories
Is Kiffin worth $9 million a year? Even the question is absurd
Lane Kiffin is a remarkable offensive football mind. But as a head coach, his record is far from remarkable.
Most Viewed Cartoons by Marshall Ramsey
Like what you see? Buy prints and other Marshall Ramsey merch at the MT Store.
Top Photos of 2022
A Year in Photos by Eric J. Shelton
Take a look back at 2022 through photos taken by Mississippi Today Community Health Photo Journalist Eric J. Shelton.
A Year in Photos by Vickie D. King
Take a look back at 2022 through the lens of photojournalist Vickie D. King, as she highlights protests, events, and Mississippi businesses.
Our Staff Picks 2022
Our staff selected the stories that meant the most to them.
Here’s what some of them picked and why.
“The story “Inside Mississippi’s only class on critical race theory” lent meaningful insight to a national story that had not been captured by any publication in the country, elevating the conversation surrounding a topic that had otherwise devolved into political fodder.”
Anna Wolfe
Investigative ReporterREAD THE story
Inside Mississippi’s only class on critical race theory
As Republican lawmakers push to ban critical race theory, here’s how the class changed the mind of one conservative Mississippian.
“I think our coverage of the Jackson water crisis was really thorough this year. Everyone on staff pitched in in some way to create quality journalism in so many different forms, from an FAQ page to features on key leaders delivering water to residents, to frequent stories featuring crucial info from state and city leaders. We were the definitive source of information during this crisis.”
Kayleigh Skinner
Managing Editor
“Anna Wolfe’s series “The Backchannel” tugged at the consciences of every Mississippian and showed them how their elected officials (and powerful, wealthy friends) steered millions intended for our state’s poorest residents into their own pockets. Showing immorality and government wrongdoing like this is a rare feat in American journalism, and it’s a testament to the power of Mississippi Today and to Anna Wolfe’s watchdog mindset.”
Adam Ganucheau
Editor-in-Chief“Mississippi Today’s coverage of the abortion issue was stellar. With the state being at the center of the issue, and the eyes of the Nation on the state, MT’s coverage was fair, in-depth and on point.”
Vickie D. King
Photojournalist
“The stories translated to Spanish has been a valuable resource this year. This gave Hispanic Mississippians the opportunity to be knowledgable and up-to-date on issues related to the state.”
Eric Shelton
Community Health Photojournalist
“Marshall Ramsey knocked it out of the park in 2022. He has been a great source of levity throughout a lot of news stories that would otherwise make you want to cry. Marshall’s cartoons help break down barriers and create a point of intrigue for the community to read more about what’s happening in our state. They are also just fun! My favorite from this year was the one where Loretta Lynn and Queen Elizabeth met at the pearly gates of heaven.”
