🌱 Tornado In Jackson + Upcoming Emergency Repairs At I-20/I-55

Hello again, Jackson! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Jackson Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Jackson Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Jackson long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Sunshine and cooler. High: 69 Low: 43.

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Here are the top four stories in Jackson today:

1. The tornado touched down in the southwest Jackson area around 4:40 p.m. yesterday, Mar. 30, and caused damage to Jackson State buildings, according to WJTV meteorologist Jacob Lanier. Over 54,000 customers were without power in Mississippi as of Wednesday evening, according to poweroutage.us. (Jackson Patch)
2. Beginning Apr. 8, a portion of I-20 westbound and I-55 southbound in Jackson will be closed for 72 hours due to emergency repairs. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will close all lanes of the two interstates at State Street beginning at 7:00 p.m. According to MDOT officials, I-20 westbound/I-55 southbound traffic will be detoured to I-55 northbound and I-220 southbound. Local drivers should begin planning an alternate route. (WAPT Jackson)
3. Jackson council members are considering the purchase of an unused sheriff's department downtown and repurposing it as an in-city jail. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes said Jackson would "greatly benefit from having its own jail," as the City currently pays surrounding counties to hold local detainees. Stokes is requesting that the county lower its mileage and allow Jackson to increase its mileage in order for the City to afford the acquired facility. (WJTV)
4. On Tuesday, Jackson residents attended a town hall to address violence and drug use in the city. Law enforcement and mental health professionals gathered at Hinds Behavioral Health Services to hear from community members about their sentiments and ideas to solve these issues. According to town hall leaders, they want to "have more meetings so people can voice their concerns and possible solutions." (WAPT Jackson)

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Today in and around Jackson:

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training - Jackson Public School District (All Day)
• Anime/Comic Book Club Virtual Program for Teens, Hosted By Quisenberry Library In Clinton (4:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for a new furry friend? Dogs, cats, and more pets are currently up for adoption at these Jackson-area shelters. (Jackson Patch)
• The deadline to register for next Friday's Youth Summit at the Mississippi Children's Museum is tomorrow, Apr. 1! Learn more on the Museum's Event Calendar. (Facebook)
• Join Opera Mississippi on Apr. 23 at 7:30 p.m. for "The Magic of Opera," a selection of the "most beautiful, powerful, emotional, and magical music ever written." Learn more here. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Kayla Harrison

About me: Kayla Harrison is a Writing Arts professor, as well as a freelance writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. In her free time, you can find her listening to podcasts, writing poetry, and visiting local coffee shops.