News & Analysis
Independent judiciary must not fade into history but remain to ‘stand in the gap’
Charles Mitchell, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses how Chief Justice John Roberts has long touted the need for an independent judiciary as an essential element in a functioning democracy.
Overby Center hosts Great Conversations luncheon with Oxford Mayor Robyn Tennehill
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill spoke about the city of Oxford’s current infrastructure budgeting situation as part of the Great Conversations series by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Members of the Oxford community and representatives of Ole Miss were in attendance.
The protest spirituals became hallmarks of free speech and civil rights
Robert F. Darden of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that, when freedom of speech was restricted, protest spirituals were an effective means of communication that also became foundational messages for the Civil Rights Movement.
Pentagon’s media policy a serious impediment to the free flow of information
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts discusses the Pentagon’s new media policy imposed by Pete Hegseth.
Increase in ‘safe seats’ brings decrease in effective democracy by Congress
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts discusses the sharp division of political parties and the redistricting of congressional districts to increase “safe seats.”
Speculation about U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s future as a Dem is in the mix with indictments
Longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, a conservative Democrat, and his wife are under indictment on charges of bribery, fraud, and money laundering. Speculation continues that Cuellar might switch parties to become a Republican in exchange for a pardon. Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, examines the issues.
Charlie Kirk’s death has created new debates on the First Amendment
Terry Mattingly, Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture at Saint Constantine College in Houston and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the new debates on the First Amendment created after Charlie Kirk’s death.
3 thoughts on the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Drawing of district lines has long been done for political power, not fairness
Gerrymandering of district lines has been around a long time, writes Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts. And Chief Justice John Roberts, in a majority opinion in 2019, wrote that it’s up to voters, not the courts, to deal with the issue.
The Epstein files saga could be a defining issue for the MAGA movement
Jana J. Pruet, a freelance writer, discusses a rift between President Donald Trump and parts of his MAGA base over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Trump continues to reshape the landscape of the American presidency and news media
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the settlement of a libel suit Trump filed against CBS News over the editing of a 60 Minute interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a bit of a trick, Trump has placed Confederate names back on Southern military bases
The names of Confederate leaders are back on military bases in the South, but the honorees are from a different era and have the same names that were moved by Congress. There seems to be a sense that the Trump administration is playing politics with the military and ignoring a bipartisan move by Congress, writes Tony Pederson of the Overby Center.
Trump challenge to universities is a threat to history and nature of academic inquiry
Professor Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi writes that the Trump administration’s agenda for universities would undermine their historic independence and research ability.
A friend roared at me on Facebook. Here’s how we can turn down the political volume.
Retired Houston Chronicle executive editor Steve Riley, writing for the Overby Center, relates a typical encounter on social media that speaks to the problem of our political dialogue.
U.S. Department of Education began as an acorn and is now a forest
The Department of Education is comparable to a forest, funding dozens of programs in all states and territories and issuing edicts forcing local schools to spend lots of cash on filing compliance forms.
A Hispanic version of ‘The Talk’ is needed as border crisis finally becomes reality
A father and daughter in Deep South Texas had "The Talk" regarding how to respond to questioning from immigration authorities.
A president-centric nation was not part of the plan by the Founders
The use of executive orders to make law has increased rapidly in the last 50 years, and for various reasons.
The Supreme Court’s TikTok decision has created a loophole in the First Amendment
The U.S. government put forward a case that was basically a ruse, and the justices fell for it, banning a specific communicator for the first time.
Danger lies ahead if news media lose protections from the Sullivan standard
Since 1964, defamation law has provided strong protections for ensuring a “profound national commitment” to debate on public issues.
It’s time to re-evaluate the presidency of Jimmy Carter
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, discusses the presidency of Jimmy Carter.