Area News
Not all tests are created equal
By Lora Delhom If the word “assessment” makes you picture a kid sweating over a bubble sheet while a clock ticks menacingly, you’re not alone. But educators and researchers have long known there is more than one way to evaluate a student’s growth, with more than one reason to do it. In a document published…
Read MoreObituary: Cristina Maria Giesbrecht Koehn
Cristina Maria Koehn July 24, 1952 – August 9, 2025 73 years of age Funeral services for Cristina Maria Koehn will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Leland Mennonite Church. There will be a visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Leland Mennonite Church. Burial will…
Read MoreBack to basics: Rethinking rhythm, learning, the purpose of education
By Lora Delhom Every August, the school supply aisle reminds us it’s time to “get back to school.” But for many, the question isn’t whether to get back to school – it’s what we’re getting back to. For many children, the standard educational model doesn’t always fit their learning needs. This includes children in…
Read MoreKing continues leadership role with statewide education board
Jessie King, superintendent of the Leland School District, will continue serving on the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Board of Directors as past president, a role that helps steer one of the state’s most influential education organizations. MASS, now in its 56th year, supports 139 public school superintendents and more than 2,000 school leaders…
Read MoreBack to the heart of it: How a rural Mississippi town became an intellectual beacon
By Lora Delhom Part I: The stat that started it There are more Ph.D.s per capita in Washington County, Mississippi, than in many college towns across America. In a place better known for catfish ponds than college lectures, a quiet revolution has taken root. I came expecting sweet tea and front porches not casual chats…
Read MoreGet paid to train for high-tech careers – with laptop included
Leland-area residents looking to start a new career in technology and skilled trades have an opportunity to earn while they learn this fall, thanks to a four-week paid training program hosted by Hinds Community College’s Jackson Campus. In partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hinds will offer the AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA) program from…
Read MorePlanters Bank pledges $10K to Delta Regional Health Foundation
Planters Bank & Trust Company has pledged $10,000 to the Delta Regional Health Foundation, to be distributed over the next four years. The contribution will support efforts to improve healthcare access and services throughout the Mississippi Delta. “We are incredibly thankful to Planters Bank & Trust Company for their continued support,” said Jamelda Fulton, chairman…
Read MoreGreenville, Jackson to benefit from $21M in airport grants
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker announced more than $21 million in federal airport grants for Mississippi, including funding for key travel hubs used by many in the Leland area. The Greenville Mid-Delta Airport will receive $186,000 for improvements, and the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport will receive over $1 million across several grants for infrastructure and…
Read MoreHeat Warnings Continue for Mississippi
High heat advisories continue this week across the state of Mississippi.
Read MoreDaytripping: Discovering ancient ingenuity at Poverty Point
By Lora Delhom We all get 1,440 minutes a day, but how we spend them is up to us. Around the world, “extreme day tripping” is gaining popularity – fast-paced, memory-packed adventures packed into a single day. This summer, lower gas prices and higher hotel costs are fueling the trend in the United States, making…
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