Election Law: A federal appeals court formally lets Mississippi count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, as long as they were postmarked by Election Day—closing out a long GOP fight after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the state’s five-day grace period. Public Safety & Justice: Jackson police say more arrests are expected in the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black mother of four found hanging from a tree; a 51-year-old man, Jarques Ratliff, has been charged with murder. Mental Health: Mississippi is marking September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, highlighting 988 and a statewide symposium aimed at reducing stigma and boosting crisis support. Community & Culture: Natasha Trethewey brought her Pulitzer-winning voice to Vanderbilt’s reading series, connecting personal writing to Southern history and memory. Local Learning & Growth: Copiah-Lincoln Community College reports Fall 2026 enrollment up to 3,102 students, with housing demand rising as campus life expands. River Heritage: The Lakeport Plantation Museum will host “The Mississippi in American Memory” symposium Oct. 9, with speakers spanning Indigenous history, plantation agriculture, and river folklore. Faith & Family: A Slidell Methodist church marks its 50th anniversary by crafting altar paraments—turning community memories into worship art. Outdoor Fun: Southaven’s North Mississippi Hummingbird Festival returns for a second year, with hands-on sessions for birders and families.