Mississippi capital city, pop. 153,701 (2020); state’s political hub
Forty years after Suzy Lamplugh vanished in July 1986, investigators say three key facts remain: her car was found abandoned, she disappeared after meeting a client, and John Cannan remains the prime suspect though he died in prison in 2024. The Independent reveals new context as the case is set to be mothballed in 12 months.
Cassandra Wilson has died at age 70 in Jackson, Mississippi. The Mississippi-born singer expanded jazz boundaries, blending blues, folk and pop. She won two Grammys and influenced a generation of artists. Tributes have poured in from peers and city leaders.
Jewish communities face heightened threats ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with rising antisemitic incidents in Britain and the United States. Leaders urge preparation over hope as security concerns intensify amid political strains over Israel and Gaza.
The investigation into Tasia Fortune's death in Jackson has led to the arrest of Jarques Ratliff on a murder charge. Police say Fortune’s death has been ruled a homicide, and investigators anticipate further arrests as they follow new evidence surrounding her associations and the case’s ties to Mississippi’s civil-rights history.
Eight scheduled executions across Georgia, Texas and Alabama have moved in flux this week as courts issue stays and statements from prosecutors and defense teams. In Georgia, Stacey Humphreys has a stay under the Survivor Justice Act as hearings consider whether abuse shaped his crime; in Texas, LeJames Norman remains scheduled for a 6 p.m. (CDT) execution as legal challenges loom. Alabama is set to carry out Jeffery Lee next day, while Florida remains the national pace-setter.
Black people in the US South are again confronting hangings that echo lynching history. The latest case in Jackson, Mississippi, involves the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune behind an abandoned home. Police have described the case as homicide; yet skepticism about foul play lingers as private autopsies and community voices point to racist violence. Other recent cases across the region remain under investigation as officials weigh motives and safety concerns.
Police say Tasia Fortune’s death in Jackson is a homicide and that the hanging scene was staged. Three suspects are in custody; investigators point to a drug-dispute motive. The case has raised questions about the original account and the response from officials.