Capital City Pride Kicks Off + Tougaloo College Awarded $500K

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid. High: 84 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories today in Jackson:

1. Mississippi's Capital City Pride kicked off last night with a gala at Ecoshed. The festivities will continue with the Rainbow Run 5K starting at 7 a.m. this morning, followed by The City with Pride 2021 Festival at Smith-Wills Stadium. The free festival, which goes until 7 p.m., features performances from local drag queens, live music, food trucks, vendor booths, a health fair, and a children's play area. The main headliner will be Jaida Essence Hall, winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 12. (WAPT Jackson)
2. Tougaloo College was awarded $500,000 to preserve its historic structures. The institution is among 20 other historically black colleges and universities that will benefit from this funding. Tougaloo will also partner with E.T. Dockery/VPS Technologies and Design Studios Inc. (ETD/VPS) to facilitate the preservation of the college's historic structures by producing detailed virtual models of these buildings, including Pope Cottage, Jamerson Hall, and Ballard Hall. (WJTV)
3. The University of Mississippi Medical Center had a record year for research and sponsored programs funding, receiving $123.5 million from 392 separate grants, awards, and contracts during the 2021 fiscal year. (Ole Miss News)
4. Today at 9 a.m., the city of Jackson will be auctioning off over 175 seized or abandoned vehicles. at the Michael Avalon Street impound lot. (WAPT Jackson)
5. A special prosecutor will be appointed to help prosecute charges brought against Hinds County Election Commissioners Yvonne Horton and Toni Johnson. (WLBT)

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Today in Jackson:

• Show Me Reptile & Exotic Show (Mississippi) - Wahabi Shriners (9:00 AM)
• Brittany Wagner Book Signing - Books-a-Million (2:00 PM)
• Crystal Leigh & Conner Ball - Fondren Guitars by Patrick (7:00 PM)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kayla Harrison

About me: Kayla Harrison is a Writing Arts professor, as well as a freelance writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She holds a Master's Degree in Writing Arts and is grateful to incorporate writing into everything she does. In her free time, you can find her listening to podcasts, writing poetry, and visiting local coffee shops.