News & Analysis
Terry Mattingly of the Overby Center panel of experts reports that historic storms from Hurricane Helene have left North Carolina people without homes and still in desperate need of help.
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts argues that the benefits of diversity initiatives can be significant.
Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts makes the case that the migration to Bluesky is about the space in which we will engage in conversation.
First Amendment scholar Jared Schroeder from the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that we’ve been concerned about students using AI for writing essays and getting test answers. We should be concerned about AI limiting knowledge and its effect on democratic society.
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, discusses the need for community post-election.
Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses evangelicals likely to have overwhelming support for former president Donald Trump.
Eliza Gains, the publisher of WEHCO Media Inc., shares her insights on the future of journalism, the challenges facing the industry, and her vision for sustaining newspapers in the digital age.
R.J. Morgan, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, reviews Danny Fingeroth’s new book, Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin.
Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the Hispanic voting bloc in Texas and the influence they have.
The tragic events of the murder of Emmett Till in 1955 and the farcical trial that followed were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Oct. 9. Author Ronald Collins discussed his new book, “Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial.”
Country music icon Marty Stuart along with the Philadelphia Arts Council restored the Ellis Theater in Philadelphia, Miss., to establish the Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music.
Curtis Wilkie, the inaugural fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the presidential race in 1968 filled with political division and incidents of violence. He compares the race to this year's presidential race as well as offering details of the events that led to the Democratic presidential nomination of Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Moody v. Netchoice that the government does not have the authority to dictate what social media companies must include on their sites. Professor Charles Mitchell of the Overby Center discusses the Moody v. Netchoice decision and the immunity issue that awaits the Supreme Court in the future because of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
The historic sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Dallas has been standing as a beacon in the heart of the city since 1891. For over 130 years, generations gathered to worship. Until the evening of July 19, when it succumbed to a massive fire. O.S. Hawkins, a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, writes about the historic church.
The Center for Integrity in News Reporting distributed its first awards May 14 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The center was established through the leadership of Walter E. Hussman Jr., longtime publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
More than 450 high-school journalists gathered at the University of Mississippi on April 2 to celebrate achievements and learn from both peers and professionals.
The editor-in-chief of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale shares her insights on leading a major Southern newspaper and the evolving media landscape.
The following is a collection of quotes and anecdotes from students of David McHam. For 54 years at four Texas universities, David McHam hammered into students’ heads lessons in succeeding in journalism.
Listen to the audio of the Great Conversations luncheon with Dean Slabach. The Overby Center hosted the Great Conversations luncheon with students, faculty, and invited guests.
For 54 years at four Texas universities, David McHam hammered into students’ heads lessons in succeeding in journalism. His teaching created a cult-like following among his students and gave them a head start on a career, primarily in print journalism.
Few people were more influential in Dallas in the last half of the 20th Century than the Rev. Dr. W.A. Criswell. As pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas from 1944 until 1994, he was among pioneers of the megachurch concept, served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and was a leader in the conservative shift of Southern Baptists, both theologically and politically.
In a jointly-sponsored program by the Lott Leadership Institute and the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby joined in a discussion on Feb. 27 in the Overby Auditorium.
View the photo gallery of the "Renewing America, Renewing Hope" panel. In a jointly-sponsored program by the Lott Leadership Institute and the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby joined in a discussion on Feb. 27 in the Overby Auditorium.
Next week, the Overby Center will delve into the importance of empowering leaders for civil impact with a discussion featuring General Wesley K. Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.
Ryan “R.L.” Nave became Reckon’s editor in May 2020, overseeing the newsroom’s transformation into a millennial-focused brand in the South. Before Reckon, he was the editor-in-chief of Mississippi Today, the state’s largest newsroom.
Student Hailey Austin reflects on the “Objectivity and Fairness panel” at the Overby Center held on Nov. 2. Walter Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, joined the conversation of objectivity with Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.
Student Hagan Hord reflects on the “Objectivity and Fairness panel” at the Overby Center held on Nov. 2. Walter Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, joined the conversation of objectivity with Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.
View the photo gallery of the "Objectivity & Fairness" panel held on Nov. 2. Walter Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, joined the conversation of objectivity with Overby Center chairman Charles Overby.
Adria R. Walker is an award-winning reporter from Mississippi, but she currently divides her time between Mississippi and Western New York. The Overby Center spoke with her about her Mississippi Today article that focused on the mistrust among residents in Jackson, Miss. in the safety of their city's water.
In Mississippi, more than any other state, the margin of victory is often decided by who decides to cast a ballot. Charles Mitchell looks back on the 1987 race for governor between Ray Mabus and Jack Reed Sr. He compares it to this year’s top of the ticket features incumbent Republican Tate Reeves and Democrat Brandon Presley.