James A. HefnerJames A. Hefner, a former president of Jackson State University, died from complications from colon cancer Thursday, Aug. 27, in his home in Brentwood, Tenn. He was 76.
Spanky the OtterThe Jackson Zoo has a new creature on the block: Spanky, a 1-year-old male North American river otter. He arrived in May and recently made his otter exhibit debut.
Chief Phyliss J. AndersonChief Phyliss J. Anderson has been re-elected chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Tori BowieFormer USM sprinter Tori Bowie has gone from tiny Sandhill, Miss., to challenging the best women sprinters for the top spot.
Merchell PittmanMerchell Pittman, a program support assistant at the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, says some of the greatest lessons in her life have come from her nearly two decades of military service.
Melissa VincentBefore Melissa Vincent began her Instagram account in 2011, she says she had never considered photography a real art form.
Eddie CusicMississippi guitarist Eddie Cusic, a man whose contributions to the blues music scene far outweigh his own recognition, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 89 years old.
Brittany Noble-JonesBrittany Noble-Jones made her debut as WJTV's new morning show anchor Monday, Aug. 10, joining "News Channel 12 This Morning" co-anchor Andrew Harrison.
Jarius MooreThe Jackson State University Tigers turned to highly touted sophomore Jarius Moore to lead the ground game last season.
Nigel KnottBy season's end last year, the only people targeting Nigel Knott with any regularity were college coaches.
Dee Smith-SmathersAlthough Dee Smith-Smathers did not get to celebrate her 74th birthday, she did live to see her marriage to her partner of 29 years, Charlene Smith-Smathers, recognized in her home state of Mississippi.
Drake ElderJackson music impresario and Bebop Record Shop co-founder Drake Elder died the morning of Friday, Aug. 14, at his home in Brandon.
The HustlersMusician Aven Whittington likes to call The Hustlers "howl-at-the-moon music." Another description may be "front-porch music."
Rico RichardsonOne player from Jackson State is currently listed on an NFL roster: Rico Richardson for the Tennessee Titans.
Dr. Taunjah Bell NeasmanFor psychology majors at Jackson State University, not many other professors have made a bigger impact than Dr. Taunjah Bell Neasman.