Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a $10.67M grant could transform Jackson students’ futures.
Spotted on the Jackson calendar: Fondren's First Thursdays

Hello Jackson! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $10.67M grant could transform Jackson students' futures.
- Who will really run Jackson's water once federal control ends?
- Will Jackson fund more firefighters to protect your insurance rates?
Also on today's calendar: Fondren's First Thursdays and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Jackson Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Jackson Patch AM possible.
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- Thursday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Humid with a stray t-storm, temps: high: 92, low: 70.
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 94 and low of 71 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Jackson Public School supported by $10 million Federal Grant (clarionledger.com) — Jackson Public Schools just landed a $10.67 million federal GEAR UP grant to boost college and career readiness starting in seventh grade. Jackson students will see new VR- and AI-powered learning from local firm Lobaki, expanded tutoring and test prep, and partnerships with Jackson State, Hinds Community College, Tougaloo, and local cultural institutions to guide them toward life after graduation.
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2. Who will control Jackson's water system after JXN Water? Here's the latest (clarionledger.com) — Jackson leaders are wrestling over who should run the city's water and sewer system once federal control ends, with Mayor John Horhn backing a new municipal utility authority and Councilman Kenneth Stokes pushing for strong city involvement in transition talks. A fresh council resolution demands Jackson stay "at the table" as JXN Water, state officials and a federal judge shape the system's future governance.
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3. Jackson, MS, fire rating dropped. Here's what it means for your insurance (clarionledger.com) — Jackson's fire-protection rating recently dropped from Class 3 to Class 4, a shift that could raise some homeowners' and businesses' insurance premiums depending on their insurer. The fire department is asking the City Council for $1.6 million to hire 25 firefighters, hoping to improve staffing, training, and response without further straining an already tight city budget before the Sept. 15 deadline.
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4. Jackson faces deadline to decide new location for Eudora Welty Library (wapt.com) — Jackson leaders are racing to choose a new downtown home for the demolished Eudora Welty Library so the city doesn't lose $3.75 million in federal grant money. Officials say the grant likely limits them to renovating an existing downtown building, while residents and library staff stress how vital an accessible, activity-filled library is to daily life in Jackson.
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5. Jackson Public Schools to Host Pre-K Registration Event This Monday (wlbt.com) — Jackson parents of preschoolers have a chance Monday evening to lock in a coveted Pre-K spot through Jackson Public Schools' special registration event at Raines Academic Complex. Staff will walk families through enrollment, explain the Mississippi Beginnings curriculum, and answer questions about the Jackson Hinds Pre-K Collaborative's small class sizes and locations across the city.
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📸 Around Jackson
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Jackson
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Leake Central at Provine
Provine High School South Jackson Field (2607 Raymond Road)
7:00 pm - Terry at Murrah
Murrah High School Hughes Field (545 Ellis Ave.)
7:00 pm - Lanier at Harrison Central
Lanier High School Gulfport, MS (Harrison Central High School)
7:00 pm - Brinkley at Bailey
Bailey APAC Middle School Hughes Field (545 Ellis Ave.)
6:00 pm - Porter at Peeples
Peeples Middle School South Jackson Field (2607 Raymond Road)
6:00 pm - Callaway at Ridgeland*
Callaway High School Ridgeland, MS (Ridgeland High School)
5:00 pm - Provine at Natchez*
Provine High School Natchez, MS (Natchez High School)
5:00 pm - Murrah at Starkville*
Murrah High School Starkville, MS (Starkville High School)
5:00 pm - Fondren's First Thursdays →
Fondren Neighborhood, Jackson
6:30 pm
Friday August 28
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Thursday September 3
📣 Jackson Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Murrah at Clinton*
Murrah High School Clinton, MS (Clinton High School)
5:00 pm - Kirksey at Bailey
Bailey APAC Middle School Bailey Middle School
5:30 pm - Provine at Lanier
Provine High School Lanier Jr. Sr. High School
5:30 pm - Terry at Forest Hill
Forest Hill High School
5:30 pm
Thursday August 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Jackson PatchAM possible:
- The Little Web Design Shop — 6014390932
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Domino's Pizza, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Manager(05935) - 616 N Jefferson St in Jackson. Apply here.
- ICF International, Inc. posted a job opening for Lead Grants Administrator – Reservist On Call in Jackson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jackson here.
Ok Jackson! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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