News & Analysis
Evangelicals again likely to give overwhelming support to Trump
Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses evangelicals likely to have overwhelming support for former president Donald Trump.
Eliza Gaines: A Legacy in Journalism and Leadership
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.
New book on Jack Ruby offers insights into his life and events after JFK assassination
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.
GOP continues to make gains as Texas Hispanic voting bloc matures
Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the Hispanic voting bloc in Texas and the influence they have.
Author Ron Collins on Till: Confront injustice by shining a light on it
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.”
Marty Stuart and the pilgrim’s spot: Philadelphia, Mississippi
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.
Wild presidential elections and memories of 1968
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.
Supreme Court clarifies one social media challenge, leaves one for later
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.
Requiem for a historic church building in Dallas
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.
New Awards Laud Integrity in Reporting
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.
MSPA Successfully Hosts Largest Post-Pandemic Convention
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.
Q&A with Julie Anderson
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.
McHam Students Recall His Teaching and Influence
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.
Overby Center hosts Great Conversations luncheon
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.
The McHam Experience Changed Journalism And the Lives of Countless Journalists
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.
New Criswell biography offers praise for spiritual leadership, but is candid about flaws
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.
Recap of Overby Event 2/27
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.
Photo Gallery – “Renewing America Together” Panel
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.
Primer: Gen. Clark foundation helps to ‘Renew America.’
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.
“Behind the South” – Ryan (R.L.) Nave, Editor-in-Chief of Reckon, Discusses How His News Organization Helps Elevate Overlooked Communities in America.
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.