May 29, 2025

Today's front pages from around the South.

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Featured
Overby Center to feature documentary on Soggy Sweat’s Whiskey Speech in October program
Events
Overby Center to feature documentary on Soggy Sweat’s Whiskey Speech in October program
Events

A new documentary film on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech will be presented at a program in October by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. When Prohibition was still in effect in Mississippi and the issue of liquor a major point of political and social discussion, Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat first delivered the speech at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, Miss., in 1952.

Events
For Christian comedian Jeff Foxworthy, jokes about religion cut too close to the bone
History & Perspective
For Christian comedian Jeff Foxworthy, jokes about religion cut too close to the bone
History & Perspective

Southern comedian Jeff Foxworthy has made the meme “you might be a redneck if…” famous. He tells Terry Mattingly of the Overby Center that since “we agree on about 85% of stuff,” he likes to stay in his own lane in his comedy routines.

History & Perspective
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 
Events
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 
Events

The first 100 days of the Trump administration and interviewing notable women such as Barbara Walters were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA TODAY and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, discussed her journalistic career.

Events
Featured
Overby Center to feature documentary on Soggy Sweat’s Whiskey Speech in October program
Events
Overby Center to feature documentary on Soggy Sweat’s Whiskey Speech in October program
Events

A new documentary film on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech will be presented at a program in October by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. When Prohibition was still in effect in Mississippi and the issue of liquor a major point of political and social discussion, Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat first delivered the speech at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, Miss., in 1952.

Events
For Christian comedian Jeff Foxworthy, jokes about religion cut too close to the bone
History & Perspective
For Christian comedian Jeff Foxworthy, jokes about religion cut too close to the bone
History & Perspective

Southern comedian Jeff Foxworthy has made the meme “you might be a redneck if…” famous. He tells Terry Mattingly of the Overby Center that since “we agree on about 85% of stuff,” he likes to stay in his own lane in his comedy routines.

History & Perspective
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 
Events
USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days 
Events

The first 100 days of the Trump administration and interviewing notable women such as Barbara Walters were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA TODAY and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, discussed her journalistic career.

Events
How Waco, Texas, Became the Unlikely Center for the Study of Black Gospel Music
History & Perspective
How Waco, Texas, Became the Unlikely Center for the Study of Black Gospel Music
History & Perspective

There’s a story behind how Baylor University in Waco, Texas, became the center of a significant project to preserve and store Black gospel music. Robert Darden, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts and professor emeritus at Baylor, tells the story.

History & Perspective
Future of Journalism
Partnerships between news organizations and AI firms could result in a huge loss for journalism
Future of Journalism

News organizations have been trumpeting partnerships with AI firms, but they should be entering such arrangements with caution. Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that such partnerships could damage journalism in the long run.

Future of Journalism
Q&A with Paul Keane
Inside Journalism
Q&A with Paul Keane
Inside Journalism

In an exclusive Q&A with the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, Paul Keane shares his insights on the future of journalism, public relations, and the emergence of artificial intelligence.

Inside Journalism

Southern Views & Current Topics

Explore insights and analysis from our Overby Center experts

About the Overby Center

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism & Politics explores the current intersection of media and politics in the American South and supports the principles of the First Amendment.

An independent center based on the University of Mississippi campus, it is an affiliate of the Freedom Forum in Washington, D.C.

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Overby Center Events

“USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page says Trump has instituted broad change in first 100 days”

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 — The first 100 days of the Trump administration and interviewing notable women such as Barbara Walters were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA TODAY and a veteran reporter and observer of American politics, discussed her journalistic career.

Event overview | Watch on YouTube (1:02)

UP NEXT —

Bob Dylan’s civil rights work and Mississippi connections to be focus of Overby Center program

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — The music and early civil rights work of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will be the focus of a fall program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. “Songs of Freedom: Bob Dylan’s Mississippi,” will be presented Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Overby Center Auditorium on the Ole Miss campus.

Learn more >>

UP NEXT —

“Overby Center to feature documentary on Soggy Sweat’s Whiskey Speech in October program”

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 — A new documentary film on Soggy Sweat’s iconic Whiskey Speech will be presented at a program in October by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. When Prohibition was still in effect in Mississippi and the issue of liquor a major point of political and social discussion, Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat first delivered the speech at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, Miss., in 1952.

Watch Trailer | Learn more >>