🌱 County Shortage Of Public Defenders + New School Of Nursing At UMMC

Hi there, Jackson! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community news matters!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and hot. High: 98 Low: 77.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Jackson Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Jackson Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories in Jackson today:

1. Hinds County is facing a critical shortage of public defenders. On Wednesday, Public Defender Gail Wright Lowery spoke to the county's board of supervisors and requested that salaries for public defenders be increased by $30,000 to match the salaries of assistant district attorneys. Lowery claims that in 2022, her office had a turnover rate of 90 percent, with 10 attorneys leaving over a two-year period. (WLBT)
2. The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson has broken ground on a new School of Nursing. The 106,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in 2026 and will allow the nursing school to increase its student capacity by 25 percent. The new School of Nursing will include a three-story building with classrooms, group study rooms, an auditorium, research labs, and a student lounge. (WJTV)
3. A shooting Thursday morning at the Grove Apartments on Woodway Drive resulted in two people being transported to the hospital. According to witnesses, a man and a woman could be heard fighting shortly before shots were fired. Both the man and woman were transported to the hospital, although it is currently unclear who fired the shots. (WLBT)

Are you a real estate agent in Jackson struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Jackson newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today in Jackson:

Friday, June 30

• Get Canvas'd: Sip, Party, & Paint At 3845 I-55 South Frontage Road (6:00 PM)
• Friday Films In Jackson: Summer Of Soul At Balagoon Center (6:30 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Jackson. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• The Mississippi Children's Museum will be hosting a Neon Night on Jul. 15. This event will include a silent auction, cocktails, and lots of glow-in-the-dark fun. (Mississippi Children's Museum via Facebook)
• The Mississippi Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibition called "2023 Mississippi Invitational," which features artists who live and work in the state of Mississippi. (Mississippi Museum of Art via Facebook)
• The City of Jackson has opened six additional cooling centers to provide relief from the heat. Several community centers along with the New Jerusalem Church will be open from 12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. See the full list of locations at the link. (City of Jackson - Government via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.