Call Center Company in Jackson, MS

JXN Water is urging residents who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to contact its call center and enroll in a pioneering discount program announced in November 2023.

The new program would allow Jackson's SNAP recipients to save close to $30 per month on their water bills. If you are a SNAP beneficiary, call JXN Water's call center at 601-500-5200 and a representative will walk through the eligibility process.

It comes on the heels of Interim Third-Party Water Manager Ted Henifin, who leads JXN Water, proposing another water rate hike for Jackson residents, the second in under two years. The proposed rate increase would cause the average monthly residential customer to pay approximately $9 more per month on average for water, which is roughly 12% higher than the current rates. The last rate increase was implemented in March 2024.

It also follows a recent ruling from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court reversed and remanded a decision that would have allowed JXN Water and Henifin access to a list of names, phone numbers and email addresses of SNAP recipients in 32 zip codes in the Jackson area. Access to the list is something the utility has said is necessary to more easily track down those who qualify for the discount.

But various state agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice have opposed the request, citing privacy concerns.

In July 2024, Mark Jones, the Mississippi Department of Human Services' chief communications officer, explained the department's hands are tied because they have to follow SNAP privacy guidelines set out by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the program nationwide.

MDHS, the state agency in-charge of Mississippi's SNAP program, has also previously argued that releasing the names could jeopardized the state's federal funding for SNAP.

The DOJ is representing the USDA and has told Henifin and Wingate that releasing the names is a privacy violation.

In April 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate ordered the release of those names anyway, arguing JXN Water's program "is the equivalent of a federal assistance program." The Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the DOJ ultimately appealed Wingate's order on June 14, 2024.

The crux of Wingate and JXN Water's argument: because Interim Third-Party Water Manager Ted Henifin, who was federally appointed to repair the city's water system in 2022, sets both rates for water and sewer in Jackson — including the SNAP discount rate — he plays a direct role in managing a federal assistance program. They also argued that access to the SNAP recipients should be given, because Henifin is a federal receiver.

But the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal found their arguments "unavailing" and "unconvincing," according to the ruling released on April 10.

"A 'federal assistance program '…clearly implies administration by an arm of the federal government," Judge Dana Douglas states in the ruling.

Further, Douglas wrote that Henifin's "mere appointment" as a federal receiver does not grant him federal powers.

In response, JXN Water sent the Clarion Ledger this statement:

"JXN Water is disappointed by the Fifth Circuit’s decision to reverse Judge Wingate’s order, supporting the appeal brought by the State of Mississippi and the US Department of Justice. The decision blocks JXN Water’s access to SNAP data — data that would have allowed automatic classification of eligible customers to the SNAP Customer Classification providing water bill relief to residents living on the margins. Access to this data would have allowed us to proactively reach households struggling to keep up, rather than waiting for them to come to us.

"This decision is a hurdle, but it does not change our commitment. We remain steadfast in finding new paths to identify and appropriately classify customers eligible for relief under the JXN Water SNAP Customer Classification to ensure affordability and protect access to water for the most vulnerable members of our community."

The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority has announced increased summer flight options for travelers during the high-traffic period of May through August.

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, JAN, now has nine nonstop airports from which travelers can choose when making trip plans this year. The number of flights from JAN will increase by more than 5% this summer versus 2024, while the seats available to travelers will increase by nearly 3%.

On April 9, officials celebrated at the airport near Jackson as Southwest Airlines welcomed its first direct flight from Nashville to Jackson.

Nissan, Amazon, Community Health Systems and others made sure that was the case. Those companies, which have a significant presence in both the Nashville and Jackson areas, have advocated for nearly two years to get a flight to and from Nashville.

The new nonstop Southwest flight began amid much fanfare at the Jackson airport.

The added Nashville flight gives travelers dozens of destination options via that hub city, one of four airports served by Southwest from the Jackson airport. Delta Air Lines, Jackson’s longest-serving airline will have eight peak daily flights to Atlanta. From there, passengers have direct access to nearly 1,000 daily flights. Delta’s seat offering from Jackson will total almost 100,000 this summer, according JMAA.

American Airlines will offer nearly 90,000 seats during the peak period, with up to six daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, four to Charlotte, and one to Washington Reagan National Airport. United Airlines will offer nearly 30,000 seats and five daily flights to its hub at Houston-Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to JMAA.

“We are excited to offer even more travel options for our passengers in Jackson and Central Mississippi this summer,” Rosa M. Beckett, JMAA Chief Executive Officer said in a statement. “At Mississippi’s busiest airport, we are truly grateful to everyone who chooses to fly JAN."

With that significant accomplishment in the rear view mirror, many people are turning to the future to ask, what could be next for the airport?

First and foremost, plans to upgrade the Medgar Evers airport terminal are ongoing.

New escalators have already been purchased and will be installed in the near future. New elevators will be installed, restrooms will be renovated, and it was previously announced there will be a new look for the interior of the airport as part of renovations. More announcements are expected later in the year.

Ross Reily

The Jackson area's latest steakhouse and breakfast restaurant are among the seven restaurants and dining options that have been approved to open this month by the Mississippi Department of Health.

Folks staying at the newest hotel in Pearl's business district will not have to wait long for the latest eating establishment.

In the same building for which Jeff Seabold is the general contractor, there were scheduled to be two national chains to be located at U.S. 80 and Bass Pro Drive, directly across the street from Huey Magoo's.

The Houston-based brunch restaurant Toasted Yolk, that recently opened in Biloxi, is slated to open on Monday, May 12, while Teriyaki Madness, which was scheduled to be in the same location, is not going to go through with plans. Another restaurant is being recruited for that location.

There are also plans for other Toasted Yolk locations in Mississippi, and it has additional locations in Texas, Florida, Louisiana and numerous other states.

The restaurant's breakfast menu features a variety of egg-centric dishes, including the namesake The Toasted Yolk — two sourdough slices grilled with an egg in the middle of each, served with a choice of breakfast meat — omelets, and their takes on eggs Benedict, dubbed Arnolds. The menu also offers pancakes, French toast, brunch bowls, and appetizers. For lunch, the restaurant provides numerous sandwiches (including burgers), salads, soups and starters.

Its drink menu features a variety of specialty cocktails, including multiple mimosa flavors, as well as beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee or juice.

Team 10 Restaurant and Bar

Location: 5513 Old Brandon Rd, Pearl

What to know: What started out as just an idea during the COVID-19 pandemic at a gas station in Rankin County is now becoming one of the newest restaurants in Pearl.

Pearl businessman Jason Henry is opening the Jackson-area's newest steakhouse on the corners of Old Brandon Road and El Dorado Road. While the opening date is still a few weeks away, the State of Mississippi has already given its approval to open. The name Team 10 was adopted from his favorite baseball player from when he was a child as Henry adored then Atlanta Braves superstar Chipper Jones, who wore No. 10.

"There just seemed to be a void in the area for a good, laid-back, fair-price-point place for a back-yard-style steak in the area," Henry previously told the Clarion Ledger. "I'm just a good old beer-drinking redneck and like good steaks and want to bring that to the folks around here. There just hasn't been a good option for a good charcoal, wood-fired steak available in Rankin County. So, that's really what our target is."

Others approved to open

The following restaurants and food vendors have been approved to open by the Mississippi State Department of Health but haven't necessarily opened for business just yet.

Hickory Pit

Location: 1491 Canton Mart Road, Jackson

What to know: This iconic Jackson barbeque location is going through an ownership change and subsequently has acquired a new restaurant and dining permit.

Copeland’s BBQ and Catering

Location: 1009 Normandy Dr., Clinton

What to know: This catering service boasts that it will bring the smoke to you. They deliver straight to your office, work site, or gathering, whether it be for a small crew or a big crowd.

Subway in Walmart

Location: 244 Feather Lane, Canton

What to know: The dining option has gained its license, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Lakeland Nutrition

Location: 2475 Lakeland Drive, Flowood

What to know: The dining option has gained its license, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Mariscos La Villa

Location: 6550 Old canton Road, Ridgeland

What to know: The dining option has gained its license, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.

A Mississippi law may block the Jackson City Council from voting at their May 6 meeting on proposed pay raises for themselves and the mayor.

Currently, members of the Jackson City Council earn $25,000 per year, while Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba earns $120,000. The proposed raises would have increased the mayor's salary to $170,000 and the council's to $35,000.

When compared to other Southern cities, Jackson’s elected officials fall somewhere in the middle. The mayor’s $120,000 salary is lower than those in cities such as Memphis, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, but higher than in Montgomery and Shreveport. Similarly, the Jackson City Council’s $25,000 salary is below several peer cities but above others, such as Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

Below is an explanation of why the council may not be able to go through with the proposed pay raises after all. Additionally, the Clarion Ledger reviewed the salaries of council members and mayors of neighboring cities including Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg, Memphis, Montgomery, New Orleans and Shreveport. Here's what you need to know.

What is the Mississippi law stopping the council from giving raises to the mayor and themselves?

According to Mississippi Code § 21-8-21, any salary increase for the mayor or city council must be approved at least 90 days before a general election. If authorized, the raises would take effect when the new council takes office.

Jackson’s general election is scheduled for June 3. The proposed salary ordinance was introduced on April 8 — just 56 days before the election — missing the 90-day deadline required by state law. The ordinance was never officially voted on as it was tabled during the April 22 meeting to review its impact on the city's budget.

Now, it looks like the council won't be voting on the increases at all. Ward 7 Councilwoman and Council President Virgi Lindsay said she is planning to put the salary increases as a discussion item on the council's May 6 meeting agenda. Lindsay is not seeking reelection this year, so even if the council could vote on a salary increase, she would not benefit from it.

"I asked at every meeting, on the record, if we were within the timeframe to get this done. Legal always said yes, that it was allowable. I think it was simply an oversight," Lindsay said. "I will encourage the next council to take this up as the pay increases are badly needed."

Most council members agreed that salary increases are necessary to attract more qualified candidates. Additionally, the mayor and council haven’t had a raise since 2001, over 20 years ago.

What do other neighboring cities in the South pay their elected officials?

Birmingham

Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, earns $108,000 per year, according to Rick Journey, Birmingham's director of communications.

The Birmingham City Council, which is made up of nine members, receive $37,000 annually, according to Kim Garner, the Birmingham City Council's public information officer.

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards receives $175,000 per year, according to a January report published by the City of Baton Rouge.

The city's Metropolitan Council, which consists of 12 members, make $12,000 per year with the mayor pro tem earning $18,000. The mayor pro tem is equivalent to the council president on Jackson's council.

Hattiesburg

Just down U.S. 49 from Jackson, the mayor of Hattiesburg, Toby Barker, earns $140,000 per year, while the Hattiesburg City Council receives $35,000, according to WDAM. There are five members on Hattiesburg's council.

The City Council voted to increase their own salaries, as well as the mayor's in November 2024. Previously, Barker earned $110,000, while council members make $27,000.

Similar to what Jackson was trying to do, Hattiesburg council proposed the salary raise in an attempt to attract more qualified candidates to run for elected office.

Memphis

Memphis Mayor Paul Young earns $227,500 per year, over $100,000 more than Lumumba.

The Memphis City Council, made up of 13 members, earns $37,808.42 per year, according to a January report released by the City of Memphis.

Montgomery

The mayor of Alabama's capital, Steven Reed, earns $95,000 per year. Each of the nine members of the Montgomery City Council member makes $18,000, according to Miguel Diza-Lucier, Montgomery's director of communications.

New Orleans

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell earns approximately $188,000 annually, according to a 2022 article from WWLTV.

The seven members on the New Orleans City Council receive $93,504 per annum, according to the City of New Orleans. Salaries are adjusted annually based on a 12-month average of the Consumer Price Index.

Shreveport

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux earns approximately $95,000 per year, according to a January article by the Shreveport Times.

The seven members of the Shreveport City Council earn $15,225.17 per year, with the council's president earning $17,625.03.

Warren’s Jaxson Davis and Young’s Destiny Jackson are not just the best high school basketball players in the state. They are history makers.

Davis and Jackson are the 2025 Mr. and Ms. Basketball of Illinois winners, as voted by coaches and media statewide.

Davis, a 6-foot-1 guard, is the first sophomore to win Mr. Basketball in the award’s 45-year history. Jackson, a 5-6 senior guard who has signed with Illinois, is the first player from the powerhouse Young program to win Ms. Basketball.

The historic nature of their accomplishments is not lost on either player.

“It feels amazing just to know that nobody had ever done this,” Davis said. “There are so many big names who have won this award, so just knowing that I’m in good company of people who won it and knowing I’m the first one to do it as a sophomore is really exciting.

“It makes me feel like I have a bright future ahead. But I just know I have to stay in the gym.”

Jackson said she looks up to several past Young stars and knows how tough it is to become the first person to do anything in a program with so much history of success — the Dolphins have won three state championships and 10 state trophies. She mentioned Linnae Harper and E.C. Hill “and so many more.”

“There’s so much talent that came before me,” Jackson said. “There are so, so many greats. Being the first one to win this award, it’s just really nice knowing that my name is going to be in those conversations as one of the best to play at Whitney Young.

“My biggest thing was leaving some type of legacy at my high school.”

The prestigious awards, given to the top boys and girls players in the state, are presented by the Chicago Tribune in conjunction with the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Mr. Basketball has been handed out since 1981 and Ms. Basketball since 1986.

Davis, who averaged 19.5 points, 4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.8 steals while leading Warren (27-11) to a runner-up finish in Class 4A, ran away from the field in Mr. Basketball voting as his tremendous postseason undoubtedly left a strong impression.

He received 41 first-place votes and was named on 87 of 150 ballots, finishing with 315 points to easily outdistance another sophomore, Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson, who took second with 140 points. Docker Tedeschi of Benton was the top senior vote-getter, placing third.

Davis, who scored 27 points in a state semifinal win over Rich Township and 17 in a heartbreaking 55-54 loss to Benet in the championship game, certainly was proud of his playoff performances.

“I feel like in the playoffs I became way more efficient and consistent,” he said. “My shooting was up and down all year, but when the playoffs came around, I feel like I consistently hit timely shots for us. Knowing that my team needed me to hit those shots, it clicked for me in the playoffs.”

Ms. Basketball voting was much closer, with Jackson narrowly defeating Loyola senior Aubrey Galvan 230-219. Jackson received 28 first-place votes and was named on 68 of 129 ballots, while Galvan received 29 first-place votes but was named on five fewer ballots. Kenwood senior Ariella Henigan was third.

Players received five points for a first-place vote, three for a second and one for a third.

Jackson averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals while leading the Dolphins (25-9) to their fourth straight city championship and a spot in the Class 4A Sweet 16.

“This year I was able to step into more of a leadership role, knowing my teammates were looking up to me,” Jackson said. “Then it was just being consistent. Those were my two big things this year.”

Jackson is preparing to start her college career at Illinois and will continue to chase big dreams.

“I can’t wait to get down there and bring great things to Champaign and great things back to my home state,” she said. “I want to go to Illinois, have a great career, win Big Ten championships, build up toward getting a national championship and then playing professionally in the WNBA would be the ultimate goal.

“I just have to be consistent, stay in the gym, knowing I have a goal that I’m very passionate about.”

Davis, meanwhile, has two years of high school basketball ahead. Simeon’s Jabari Parker in 2012-13 and Belleville West’s EJ Liddell in 2018-19 are the only other non-seniors to have won the award and the only players to win Mr. Basketball twice.

Beyond the opportunity to join that exclusive group, Davis will be fueled by the pain of narrowly missing the ultimate prize.

With his team down by one point in the final seconds of the 4A championship game, Davis lost his footing and had to call timeout from the floor. Warren had one last chance, inbounding the ball with three-tenths of a second left, but the pass was knocked away.

“I’m probably going to be thinking about those plays forever,” Davis said. “But I know I’m going to have my brothers from this team forever, and we can always think about what we accomplished and know we’re going down as one of the best teams in Warren history.

“But you don’t ever want to have that feeling in sports, so it’s going to motivate me to keep going.”

Davis and Jackson will be honored at an IBCA luncheon Saturday at Illinois State University in Normal.

2025 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting

150 ballots cast, first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote total

Top 10

Others receiving multiple votes: Matthew Zobrist, Metamora, 41 points (3); Leshawn Stowers, Peoria, 36 (5); Blake Fagbemi, Benet, 18 (2); Al Brooks Jr., Rich, 10 (1); Ross Robertson, South Beloit, 9 (1); Vince Buzelis, Hinsdale Central, 8 (1); Makai Kvamme, DePaul Prep, 8 (1); Daniel Pauliukonis, Benet, 5; Jayden Tyler, Homewood-Flossmoor, 4.

Receiving one vote: Aleks Alston, Kenwood, 5 points (1); Grant Best, Mount Carmel, 5 (1); Marquis Clark, Young, 5 (1); Dierre Hill Jr, Belleville Althoff, 5 (1); Christopher Kirkpatrick, New Trier, 5 (1); Konnor Reynolds, Nokomis, 5 (1); Alex Stell, Waterloo, 5 (1); Jayden Taylor, Fenger, 5 (1); Kobe Walker, Normal Community, 5 (1); Christian Cummings, Rockford Christian, 3; Sam Donald, Columbia, 3; Bryden Gryzmala, Althoff Catholic, 3; EJ Mosley, St. Laurence, 3; Carson Peters, Pana, 3; Cameron Thomas, Mount Carmel, 3; KeShaun Thomas, Quincy, 3; Cole Tripp, Goreville, 3; JC Anderson, Mount Zion, 1; Dontae Bell, Leo, 1; AJ Chambers, DePaul Prep, 1; Amir Danforth, Rockford Auburn, 1; Cooper Hoffman, Pecatonica, 1; Tyjuan Hunter, Hope, 1; Cooper Knowles, West Hancock, 1; Isaiah Lintker, New Athens, 1; Brendan Loftus, Loyola, 1; Will Nohren, Shelbyville, 1; Maddox Ritzel, Nashville, 1; Lincoln Williams, Kankakee, 1; Zach Winkeler, Belleville Althoff, 1.

2025 Ms. Basketball of Illinois voting

129 ballots cast, first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 point total

Top 10

Others receiving multiple votes: Summer Brinkmann, Nashville, 10 points (2); Gracie Furlong, Galena, 10 (2); Avery Tibbs, Washington, Ill., 9 (1); Samantha Brinkmann, Nashville, 8 (1); Emma Pierson, Belvidere, 8 (1); Elaina Rager, Pecatonica, 7 (1); Lauren Miller, Camp Point Central, 5; Gina Davorija, Glenbrook South, 4; Reese Ramsey, Pittsfield, 4; Coco Urlacher, Fremd, 4; Emma Behrmann, Nashville, 2; Stella Sakala, Nazareth, 2.

Receiving one vote: Laney Cahoon, Orangeville, 5 points (1); Dalia Dejesus, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 5 (1); Grace Lizak, Willows, 5 (1); Addison Lucht, Cissna Park, 5 (1); Nyanna Payton, Manual, 5 (1); Kamaree Pollard, Mount Vernon, 5 (1); Jarius Powers, Alton, 5 (1); Sam Schmuke, Columbia, 5 (1); Kazaria Smith, Romeoville, 5 (1); Sage Stratton, Quincy Notre Dame, 5 (1); Lexi Baer, Peoria Notre Dame, 3; Lauren Flowers, Carrollton, 3; Talesha Gilmore, Collinsville, 3; Breyasia Grayson, Manual, 3; Lauryn Hamrick, Cissna Park, 3; Alexa Jamison, Salt Fork, 3; Arianna Labeau Belvidere, 3; Peyton Biekert, Cahokia, 1; Danielle Brooks, Kenwood, 1; Diann Jackson, Kenwood, 1; Alli Linke, Prospect, 1; Julia Mingus, Peoria Notre Dame, 1; Lily Sizemore, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, 1; London Sommerville, Richwoods, 1; Caroline Smith, Lincoln-Way West, 1.