Melton’s Complicated History with Maurice Warner
Full Melton Blog/Archive Here. Of all the young men in Jackson that Mayor Frank Melton has befriended and mentored over the years, Maurice Warner was one of the most special to him. Melton met Warner when he was new to Jackson. He was CEO of WLBT and the young man was 14, Melton said in a series of 2006 interviews...
Forest Fire Contained in Rankin County; No Structures Damaged
RANKIN COUNTY — Multiple agencies responded Wednesday afternoon to an uncontrolled forest fire in Rankin County that burned an estimated 60 acres but did not damage any structures, authorities said. The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Rankin County Emergency Operations Command, several Rankin...
Inside Jackson’s latest clash with JXN Water over sanitation money
The Jackson City Council approved a workaround this week to keep residential trash pickup running, a move that underscores a persistent financial standoff between the city and JXN Water that could soon return to federal court. At the council’s Tuesday, Dec. 30, meeting, council members amended the city’s routine...
Hinds Co. emergency officials issue ‘no burn advisory’ in wake of recent fires
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Hinds County officials are “strongly discouraging” all outdoor burning, citing the “extremely dry conditions that have led to multiple brush fires” across the county in recent days. The Hinds County Department of Emergency Management posted the advisory on its social media page...
Langford firefighters save dog in New Year’s Eve house fire
RANKIN COUNTY – The homeowners were safe and a dog was rescued when Langford volunteer firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of North Oak Ridge Road on New Year’s Eve. Langford and Evergreen fire departments were dispatched at 7:56 p.m. and quickly contained the...
Family welcomes quadruplets at Flowood hospital
FLOWOOD, Miss. (WJTV) – Merit Health River Oaks in Flowood rang in the New Year with four special reasons to celebrate. The hospital announced quadruplets were delivered at the hospital earlier this week. “Mom and babies are doing well, thanks to the incredible teamwork of our physicians, L&D, NICU, Mother/Baby, and...
Jackson homicides drop 32% in 2025, marking fourth consecutive year of decline
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The capital city ended 2025 with 75 homicides, a 325 decrease from the 111 killings recorded in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of declining homicide numbers. The 2025 total represents the lowest number of killings since 2017, according to WLBT, which has monitored Jackson killings...
Metro city implements burn ban, effective immediately
CLINTON, Miss. (WLBT) - A metro city is under a burn ban until further notice. On Thursday, the city of Clinton issued the ban, effective immediately. “Due to ongoing dry and windy conditions, the risk of grass and brush fire is extremely high,” the city wrote on its social media page. “Over the past four days, the...
Two arrested after police chase begins in Pearl, ends in Jackson
PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) - Two people have been taken into custody after a police chase that started in Pearl and ended in the capital city. According to Pearl Police Chief Nick McLendon, the two are charged with felony fleeing and disregard for a traffic control device. McLendon said the chase...
Jackson family’s home damaged in New Year’s Day fire
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A Jackson family’s home was damaged during a fire on New Year’s Day. The fire occurred in the 500 block of Willaman Street around noon on January 1, 2026. According to Division Fire Chief Charles Felton, the home was fully involved when crews arrived at the scene. A fire investigator was...
