Author: Kelvin Santos

Richard Roundtree, a trailblazing Black actor who played the private eye John Shaft in the “Shaft” films of the 1970s and also took on dramatic roles dealing with race relations in America, died on Tuesday aged 81, the Hollywood Reporter said, citing his manager. Roundtree died at his home in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer, the Reporter said, citing his manager, Patrick McMinn. Roundtree’s representatives did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for confirmation. “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be…

Precious Howard of Jackson, Mississippi, was last seen on Friday, November 10, at about 8:00 p.m. in the 3900 block of Walker Avenue in Hinds County. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert notification on behalf of the Jackson Police Department. Precious Howard of Jackson, Mississippi, was last seen on Friday, November 10, at about 8:00 p.m. in the 3900 block of Walker Avenue in Hinds County. She was last seen wearing a black coat and black leggings. She has a tattoo on her right leg from her thigh to her calf and a sleeve tattoo on…

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating reports that someone fired gunshots outside U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s home in Brookhaven, Miss., on Sunday afternoon. No injuries have been reported. After this story first published, Hyde-Smith’s office released the following statement: “An incident involving a shooting occurred near the home of Senator Hyde-Smith early Sunday afternoon. The Senator and her family were not harmed,” the statement said. “Senator Hyde-Smith is grateful for the concern shown by many and the good work of federal, state, and local law enforcement.” After rumors about gunshots at the house emerged Sunday, the Mississippi Free Press contacted…

One year after the water system in Jackson, Mississippi, failed during heavy flooding — precipitating one of the highest-profile municipal public health crises in recent U.S. history — officials are telling residents that their water is safe to drink. But these claims have failed to restore Jacksonians’ trust in the system: Last week, two local advocacy organizations filed an emergency petition with the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, requesting interim relief from persistently poor water quality and a greater degree of public involvement in plans to update the infrastructure. The petition follows a press conference in mid-June, during which Jackson Mayor Chokwe…

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked a new Mississippi law that requires permission from state police for protests or other gatherings near state government buildings in the capital city of Jackson. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said the law is vague and could have a chilling effect on First Amendment rights, particularly for people who want to demonstrate against government actions. “It is clear that this statute is a prior restraint on speech,” Wingate said. Earlier this year, the majority-white and Republican-led Mississippi Legislature passed a bill to require the state-issued permits for protests in parts of Jackson,…

Former American football star Brett Favre has filed defamation lawsuits against Mississippi’s state auditor and two popular sports media personalities. The Hall of Fame ex-quarterback is embroiled in a sprawling civil suit involving the alleged misuse of state welfare funds. Mr Favre, 53, has not been criminally charged and denies wrongdoing. His suits target state auditor Shad White, and commentators Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee. ADVERTISEMENT State investigators have been probing how $77m (£64m) in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds meant for the state’s neediest families was made available to wealthy Mississippians for various purposes. Five people -…

A man armed with three guns fatally shot his ex-wife and five others during a rampage in a small rural town in the US state of Mississippi, police say. The victims were killed at several locations, including a store and two homes, in Arkabutla, a community of fewer than 300 people. Police have charged a 52-year-old local man with first-degree murder and held him at the county jail. No motive for his attack has yet been identified. The suspect is believed to have acted alone, said Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. The rampage began when the gunman entered a petrol station…

JACKSON, Miss. —A Jackson restaurant staple that has been handed down for generations is closing at the end of the week. Beatty Street Grocery has been a family business for 83 years, first selling groceries and now serving as a restaurant. “They got it for $250 and got a piece of paper from Mr. Chase, and they started the grocery delivering in the neighborhood,” said owner Mary Harden. “I’ve always thought of Beatty Street as being one of those places that helped make it that way, kind of a warm spot for everybody to congregate and have a good time…

Actor who played Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom remembered as ‘incredibly gifted’, after reportedly drowning at his Los Angeles home Matthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing in the hit TV sitcom Friends, has died at 54. Perry died in an apparent drowning at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, sources including a representative for the actor and law enforcement told NBC News. An official cause of death has yet to be released. Warner Bros Television Group, which produced all 10 seasons of Friends from 1994 until 2004, paid tribute to “our dear friend” and “an incredibly gifted actor”. “The impact of…

Five Mississippi deputy sheriffs alleged to have been involved in the assault of two men have been fired or have resigned, officials have said. Michael Corey Jenkins, 32, and Eddie Terrell Parker, 35, say Rankin County Sheriff Department officers entered a home without a warrant in January. They allege they then tased them, assaulted them and shot one of them in the mouth. Attorneys for the men have called for charges against the officers. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, their attorneys and relatives said the fact the five officers were no longer with the department was a sign…