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The Ray E. Foundation which hosts the Hattiesburg Juneteenth Celebration every year has canceled the celebration that was to take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, 2021 at Vernon Dahmer Park, as it's expected to be horrible weather. The weather includes thunderstorms and possible tornados. Yesterday, President Joe Biden made Juneteenth an official federal holiday of Independence for African Americans. This is a developing story.

"This will be the greatest honor of my life as President of the United States!" exclaimed President Joe Biden moments before he signed Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is the day that African Americans celebrate as their independence day, the day that the United States rode to Texas to enforce the President's order to free the slaves. Juneteenth was first celebrated outside of Texas in Hattiesburg, MS and is the oldest celebration in the history of Hattiesburg. It's founder was Marian H. W. Reed. Each year, Marian's son, Rev. Ray A. Smith, through the Ray E Foundation, continues her legacy and organizes the event in Hattiesburg each year. Notable, Former Assistant Director & Former Host of Juneteenth, Derrian "Mr. Hattiesburg" Moye, said this is a long standing victory for his family and the community. Collectively his family oversee the black history celebrations throughout the city, as his organization, Hattiesburg Management Group, oversees the Black History celebrations in February and his uncle, Rev. Ray A. Smith, organizes Juneteenth in June. "I spoke with Uncle Tony earlier today to congratulate him on Juneteenth being an official holiday. I know the hard fought struggle that he's had to endure nationally to make this day happen, he and the National Juneteenth organization, in which he is a board member. I think Aunt Marian would be proud to see her son carry her legacy on each and every year, bringing our community together!" said Moye. Vice President Kamala Harris made clear that Junenteeth is not the end of slavery. Slavery ended 2 1/2 years early. Juneteenth was first celebrated 156 years ago as black slaves in Texas claimed their freedom. It wasn't until 6 months later that the 13 amendment was ratified to end slavery. The Vice President said, "We must learn and teach our children our history. It's apart of American History." Vice President Harris also noted that we are standing "footsteps away from were Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation," giving very historical context to the moment. President Biden said that signing this bill means "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!" He also noted this is the first national holiday since four decades ago when Martin Luther King Jr. was consecrated a federal holiday. He went on to say that, "Hate doesn't go away it hides" but "great nations don't ignore painful moments, they embrace them." Biden signed the bill into law and gave the first pen to Rep. Sheila Jackson, the author of the bill that made Juneteenth law. Hattiesburg Juneteenth Celebration is schedule to take place this Saturday at Vernon Dahmer Park.

The biggest race in the Pinebelt was Hattiesburg's Mayoral Race between Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker and Challenger Lakeylah White. More than 6,000 people voted for Toby reelecting him to his second term. In Laurel, Mayor Johnny Magee is won his re-election but came very close to a run-off against Miranda Beard. Here's the result of Tuesday's election: Hattiesburg: (I) Toby Barker- Mayor (R) Jeffrey George- Ward 1 (R) Carter Carroll- Ward 3 (I) Dave Ware- Ward 4 Laurel : (D) Johnny Magee- Mayor (I) Jason Capers- Ward 1 (D) Shirley Keys- Jordan- Ward 7 Bay Springs: (I) Donald E. Brown- Mayor Beaumont: (I) Scotty Dailey- Mayor Collins: (D) Bob Shoemake Columbia: (R) Mike Smith- Board of Alderman Ward 4 Ellisville: (R) Lynn Buckhaults- Mayor (R) Ola Mitchell- Alderman At Large (R) Jeffrey Williams- Alderman Ward 2 Heidelberg: (I) David Taylor II- Mayor New Augusta: (I) Steve Spicer- Mayor Purvis: Roger Herrin- Mayor Richton: (R) Michael Ruffin- Mayor Sandersville: Robert White- Mayor State Line: Willie Miller- Mayor Soso: Ralph Cahill Jr.- Mayor Sumrall: William Lofton- Mayor Lamar Reed- Alderman Ward 1 Pam Graves- Alderman Ward 3 Darrell Hall- Alderman Ward 4 Waynesboro: (I) Kevin Stevens- Alderman At Large (I) Tim Cochran- Alderman Ward 1 (I) Albert Busby- Alderman Ward 2 (I) Tammie Wilson- Alderman Ward 3 (I) Michael Norsworthy- Alderman Ward 4

Strange as the weather is in the south, you can now expect rain everyday this week, the weekend and the start of next week every single day expect Friday. However, Friday makes up for rain as it's forecasted to be at least 90 degrees. Wednesday, showers and thunderstorms likely with a high near 88. Then on Thursday, there's a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high of 89. Thank God It's Friday, as the saying goes, as there is no rain but there is plenty of heat as the high is expected to be around 90 degrees. Going into the weekend, Saturday is a 20% chance of rain but getting hotter with highs around 91 degrees. Sunday showers increase to a 40% chance of showers yet still hot with highs around 90 degrees. Moving into next week, Monday there's a 30 % chance of showers with a high of 90 degrees. Then Tuesday, there a likely chance of more showers with a high of 91 degrees. You can always check weather 24 hours a day by visiting www.thehattiesburgnews.com/weather to get the latest updates.

GREENVILLE, Miss. (AP) — A Black woman, for the first time, will become a chief federal judge in Mississippi. Court officials said in a news release Monday that U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown will become the chief judge of the state’s northern judicial district during a ceremony Friday in Greenville. She will receive the gavel from U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock , who remains on the federal bench but is ending a seven-year term in the top spot in the district. Brown was nominated to the federal bench in 2013 by then-President Barack Obama. She will be the first Black woman to serve as a chief judge in either of the state’s two federal court districts.

In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings according to the Associated Press. “Today is a great day for America,” President Joe Biden said during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance. “If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask,” he said, summarizing the new guidance and encouraging more Americans to roll up their sleeves. “Get vaccinated — or wear a mask until you do.” The guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools, and other venues — even removing the need for social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. “We have all longed for this moment — when we can get back to some sense of normalcy,” said Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said at an earlier White House briefing. The CDC and the Biden administration have faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people — those who are two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose — in part to highlight the benefits of getting the shot. The country’s aggressive vaccination campaign has paid off: U.S. virus cases are at their lowest rate since September, deaths are at their lowest point since last April and the test positivity rate is at the lowest point since the pandemic began. Walensky said the long-awaited change is thanks to the millions of people who have gotten vaccinated and is based on the latest science about how well those shots are working. “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities -– large or small — without wearing a mask or physically distancing,” Walensky said. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.” The new guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not. Walensky and Biden said people who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks indoors. “We’ve gotten this far — please protect yourself until you get to the finish line,” Biden said, noting that most Americans under 65 are not yet fully vaccinated. He said the government was not going to enforce the mask wearing guidance on those not yet fully vaccinated. “We’re not going to go out and arrest people,” added Biden, who said he believes the American people want to take care of their neighbors. “If you haven’t been vaccinated, wear your mask for your own protection and the protection of the people who also have not been vaccinated yet.” To date about 154 million Americans, more than 46% of the population, have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 117 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks, but with the authorization Wednesday of the Pfizer shot for children ages 12 to 15, a new burst of doses is expected in the coming days. “All of us, let’s be patient, be patient with one another,” Biden said, acknowledging some Americans might be hesitant about removing their masks after more than a year of living in a pandemic that has killed more than 580,000 in the U.S. and more than 3.3 million people worldwide. Just two weeks ago, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in all settings and outdoors in large crowds. Walensky said evidence from the U.S. and Israel shows the vaccines are as strongly protective in real world use as they were in earlier studies, and that so far they continue to work even though some worrying mutated versions of the virus are spreading. The more people continue to get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop — and the harder it will be for the virus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, she stressed, urging everyone 12 and older who is not yet vaccinated to sign up. And while some people still get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, Walensky said, that’s rare. She cited evidence that those infections tend to be milder, shorter and harder to spread to others. If people who are vaccinated do develop COVID-19 symptoms, they should immediately put their mask back on and get tested, she said. There are some caveats. Walensky encouraged people who have weak immune systems, such as from organ transplants or cancer treatment, to talk with their doctors before shedding their masks. That’s because of continued uncertainty about whether the vaccines can rev up a weakened immune system as well as they do normal, healthy ones. The new guidance had an immediate effect at the White House, which has taken a cautious approach to easing virus restrictions. Staffers were informed that masks are no longer required for people who are fully vaccinated. And Biden, who was meeting with vaccinated Republican lawmakers in the Oval Office when the guidance was announced, led the group in removing their masks Thursday afternoon. First lady Jill Biden, who was traveling in West Virginia, told reporters that “we feel naked,” after the guidance, as she and her party removed their face coverings. Then she paused. “I didn’t mean it that way!”

3 weeks away for what is scheduled to be one of the most interesting elections yet as the voters of Hattiesburg will decide who controls the Hattiesburg City Council. The city council controls all of the money for Hattiesburg, the city's policies, and amending or creating new laws for the city. This is interesting because for the first time since the council was created, there's a slight possibility that 4 out of the 5 city council members could be African Americans. For the record, although Hattiesburg is a majority African American city, the city council has always been controlled by the minority, in this case, white Americans. But that could all change which would be huge depending on if either 1 out of the 2 African American candidates win their election on June 8. Who are they? Picasso Nelson who is running in Ward 3 against City Council President Carter Carroll and Ken Chambers who is running in Ward 1 against Councilman Jeffrey George. Ken Chambers has a greater chance of winning than Picasso Nelson because more African Americans live in Ward 1 than in Ward 3. However, Nelson is not completely out of the race although him defeating the current city council president would be a huge upset. Chambers poses the greatest threat to the current status quo and perhaps is the reason he's been targeted. First, George filed papers asking he be disqualified by the Democratic Party but they decline which led him to challenge Chambers in court. The special appointed judge allowed Chambers to still run which was a blow to George losing his challenge in court and now must face Chambers in the general election on June 8. Then Chambers was abruptly arrested and his mugshot was blasted on all local media. People we spoke with in the community of all races viewed this as an attempt to make Chambers look bad to voters. He was arrested on a secret indictment according to our sources from a charge from years ago. The charge is a dispute over $500 with one of his friends which doesn't warrant a secret indictment according to judicial experts. According to a source, Chambers name doesn't appear on Forrest County indictment list which is why it is under federal review by the Justice Department to see if Chambers was racially targeted violating his Civil Rights or was it an attempt to suppress or illegally influence the upcoming election. If either Chambers or Nelson can get more people to come out and vote for either one of them, that mean the agenda in Hattiesburg shifts dramatically with more funding going to the local school district, black communities, and the rise of more black businesses.

The Mississippi Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a life sentence for a man convicted of a marijuana possession charge because he had previous convictions and those made him a habitual offender according to the Associated Press. Allen Russell, 38, was sentenced to life in Forrest County in 2019 after a jury found him guilty of possession of more than 30 grams (1.05 ounces) of marijuana. In Mississippi, a person can be sentenced to life without parole after serving at least one year in prison on two separate felonies, one of which must be a violent offense. Russell was convicted on two home burglaries in 2004 and for unlawful possession of a firearm in 2015. By law, burglary is a violent offense in Mississippi, whether or not there is proof that violence occurred. That was not the case when Russell was sentenced for home burglary in 2004. Then, burglary was only considered a violent crime if there was proof of violence. The law changed in 2014. In his appeal, Russell argued that a life sentence constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment and is grossly disproportionate” to his crime of marijuana possession. The Court of Appeals disagreed in its majority opinion, stating that Russell’s life sentence is in accordance with Mississippi law. Russell is not being sentenced solely for having marijuana, but for being a habitual offender, the judges said. But several dissenting judges argued that the court can — and should — make exceptions. “The purpose of the criminal justice system is to punish those who break the law, deter them from making similar mistakes, and give them the opportunity to become productive members of society,” Judge Latrice Westbrooks wrote. “The fact that judges are not routinely given the ability to exercise discretion in sentencing all habitual offenders is completely at odds with this goal.” Russell was given two concurrent 15-year sentences after pleading guilty to burglary in April 2004. The charging documents in those cases indicate the two burglaries involved the same house and occurred two days apart. He served a little more than eight and a half years, and was released from prison in February 2014. Russell pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon as a convicted felon in October 2015. He was sentenced to 10 years but was only required to serve two. He was then arrested on November 29, 2017, for possessing marijuana. Under Mississippi law, possession of between 30 and 250 grams (1.05 and 8.8 ounces) of marijuana can carry a punishment of up to three years in prison, a $3,000 fine, or both. Russell was found with five bags of a leafy green substance. Two of the bags, weighing around 44 grams (1.55 ounces), were tested by a lab and confirmed to be marijuana. Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed a criminal justice bill into law that expands parole eligibility for some people, but not habitual offenders. Senate Bill 2795 will become law July 1.

The funeral of beloved Hattiesburg pastor who was killed when a plane crashed into his home is set for Monday, May 17th at 1:00pm at the Lake Terrance Convention Center. As reported by the Associated Press, a small plane crashed into a Mississippi home, killing one of the home’s four occupants and three Texas residents who were flying to a university graduation ceremony, authorities said Wednesday. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator was en route to Hattiesburg, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of the Mississippi capital of Jackson, to investigate Tuesday’s crash, which caused a fire, the agency said. Authorities weren’t aware of any distress calls from the Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 but have yet to review air traffic recordings, agency spokesman Peter Knudson said. He confirmed an investigator was being sent to the scene. Police and the coroner’s office identified the dead as Gerry Standley, 55, of Hattiesburg; and two adults and a toddler from Wichita Falls, Texas: Louis Provenza, 67; Anna Calhoun, 23; and Harper Provenza, 2, news agencies reported. Standley worked full-time for a paving company and was assistant pastor at his church, according to a webpage to raise money for funeral expenses and replacement of belongings lost to the fire. Calhoun was a junior studying biology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls said public relations director Julie Gaynor. They were on their way to see a family member graduate Wednesday from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, according to a message on the school’s website. “My heart breaks for our student and her family, and for our community members and their family,” University President Rodney D. Bennett said. The plane had flown out of Wichita Falls and was preparing to land at Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport in Hattiesburg when it crashed at 11:22 p.m. Tuesday, starting a fire, Knudson said. Aircraft in the Mitsubishi MU2 family, including this plane, have been involved in more than 100 accidents going back to the early 1980s, according to databases of the National Transportation Safety Board. Hattiesburg police initially said two people died; later Wednesday morning, they raised the toll to four. His wife, Melinda, division manager for the police department’s 911 center, their daughter Arrianna and grandson Eli all got out of the home with minor injuries, it said. The couple had celebrated their 22nd anniversary last month. Provenza was a neurosurgeon at United Regional Physician Group and a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. “We are so very saddened about the loss of Dr. Louis Provenza. He has touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed,” the medical group said. The plane can hold a crew of two, plus six passengers.

On Monday Governor Tate Reeves said he would end Mississippi unemployment benefits on Saturday, June 12. The governor said this is to get 1,000's of jobs filled in Mississippi. But many people are asking, "Why would I go work more hours for less pay?" This question seems to unify people from all walks of life and races. Currently, with the help of the federal government, most Mississippians are able to receive at least $400 a week. That's equivalent to $10 an hour. That brings $1600 into the household a month. $1600 covers rent, car note, electricity, water, gas, and maybe phone bill. It barely barely helps with food, wifi, cable, clothes, or any day to day things it takes to run a household. Mississippi is the most poverty stricken state in the country according to the annual US News & World Report. The national median income is $79,000 according to HUD. Even with the help of unemployment at $400 weekly, its still $2,156.75 less a month than the state's median income of $45,081, which is the lowest in the nation according to the World Population Review. According to some experts, cutting unemployment benefits means things get worse not better. That's why most people people agree ending unemployment is not the problem. However, raising the minimum wage is a solution. Many people around the state are saying ending unemployment benefits right now is a huge mistake. There are 1,000's of now hiring signs across the state as Mississippians are refusing to work and demanding better pay.

Councilman Nick Brown has been reelected to serve another 4 years on the Hattiesburg City Council representing Ward 5, the biggest Ward in the City of Hattiesburg which is predominately African Americans. However, Brown spent at least part of his election day towards helping others rather than being concerned about helping himself win a primary victory. Brown was spotted not visiting polls but donating water at the YMCA SE MS to help send water aide to Jackson, MS to those who are still in need of safe drinking water. Brown was seen unloading water out of his black sprinter that posted his reelection signs on the door. The water project was led by the CCC, Community Crisis Coalition, to send water help to Jackson, Mississippi. Brown defeated Howard Toler by 269 votes winning 72% of the votes. Toler had 173 votes. Brown had 442 votes. He is unopposed in the general election.

(Waffle House Vice President Jim Perkins donates water as YMCA Staff helps unloads) No this isn't an April Fool's prank. Waffle House kicked off the month of April by donating 100's of cases of water to send as aide to help with the ongoing water crisis in Jackson, MS. Early Thursday Morning, Waffle House Vice President Jim Perkins arrived in Hattiesburg to the YMCA to donate cases of water. In a statement, Perkins said, "Waffle House Culture has always been about taking care of people. This includes our associates, our customers and our communities." The water contribution is in partnership with the CCC, The Community Crisis Coalition, whose leading efforts to send water on behalf of Greater Hattiesburg to those desperate in need in Jackson. Last month, Pastor Carlos Wilson of the Ebenezer Baptist Church donated over 5,000 bottles of water on behalf of the church to help with the project of sending 1 million bottles of water to Jackson, MS. The CCC extended the deadline to drop-off cases of water at the YMCA. The new deadline to donate water is Friday, April 9. The deadline was extended because of Easter Weekend. Jackson Mississippi has been struggling with its water for weeks. "We all need each other," said Vice President Perkins. Everyone is encouraged to drop-off water at the YMCA, 3719 Veteran Memorial Drive, in Hattiesburg. For more info you can contact the CCC via email: communitycrisis@yahoo.com.