1. “142 Mississippi Churches Depart United Methodist Church, Including Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson” 2. “Jonathan David Hankins Buried Without Family Notification in Hinds County Pauper’s Field” 3. “Mississippi’s High Maternal Mortality Rate: Disparities and Causes Revealed” 4. “University Presidents Resign Amidst Controversy Over Anti-Semitic Climate” 5. “Congress Races to Secure Deals on Ukraine, Israel, and Southern Border” 6. “Shohei Ohtani Becomes Highest Paid Player in North American Sports History” 7. “Ole Miss Basketball Remains Undefeated Under Coach Chris Beard”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : 142 More Mississippi Congregations Disaffiliate from United Methodist Church

Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson was among the 142 congregations that received approval for disaffiliation from the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. This decision comes after the members of Christ United Methodist Church voted 717-112 in favor of leaving the denomination in October. The disaffiliation of another 189 congregations was approved by the Mississippi Conference in June. Since 2019, over 7,000 churches have chosen to leave the United Methodist Church.

One of the primary points of contention within the denomination has been the approval of same-sex unions and the ordination of clergy in same-sex relationships. While the General Conference of the United Methodist Church has rules against same-sex unions, the enforcement of these rules has been inconsistent. This inconsistency has led to more conservative congregations opting to leave the denomination. Many of the churches that have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church have chosen to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church, which is known for its more traditional approach to Scripture.

Jonathan David Hankins Buried in Hinds County Pauper’s Field Without Notification to Family

The family of Jonathan David Hankins recently discovered that he had been buried in a pauper’s field in Hinds County without their knowledge. Hankins was reported missing in July of 2022, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation to find him. However, it was not until NBC News conducted an investigative report that the family learned of Hankins’ death and burial in August of 2022.

Hankins is the third person to be buried without notification to their family in Hinds County. Dexter Wade, who was struck and killed by an off-duty Jackson Police Department officer, and Marrio Moore, who was beaten to death and left on the side of the road, were also buried in the same pauper’s field without their families’ knowledge. All three families have hired civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, indicating their intention to pursue legal action.

Maternal Mortality Rate Remains High in Mississippi

A recent report released by the Mississippi Maternal Mortality Review Committee revealed that the maternal mortality rate in the state remains high. The report analyzed pregnancy-related deaths in Mississippi between 2016 and 2020 and identified a total of 65 deaths, resulting in a rate of 35.2 deaths per 100,000 live births over the five-year period.

Black women were disproportionately affected, accounting for nearly 77% of the pregnancy-related deaths. The report also highlighted that 49.2% of the deaths occurred between birth and 42 days postpartum, while 43% occurred between day 43 and 1 year after birth. Additionally, 72.3% of the women who died were on Medicaid at the time of delivery, while 18.5% had private insurance and 9.2% had unreported insurance status.

The report identified various contributing factors to these deaths, including homicide and suicide, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. In an effort to address this issue, the Mississippi Legislature recently passed a law expanding postpartum coverage from 60 days to one year for eligible pregnant women.

University Presidents Under Fire for Allegedly Fostering Anti-Semitic Climate on Campus

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned, followed by the chairman of Penn’s board of trustees, Scott Bok, amid controversy surrounding the handling of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. The resignations came after Magill, along with Harvard University President Claudine Gay and Massachusetts Institute for Technology President Sally Kornbluth, appeared in a congressional hearing where they were questioned about their schools’ codes of conduct regarding antisemitic harassment.

The leaders attempted to distinguish between permissible speech and speech that incites violence or violates the schools’ policies on harassment, bullying, or intimidation. In response, Rep. Elise Stefanik and 73 other House colleagues called on Penn, Harvard, and MIT to replace their leadership. The pressure extended beyond Congress, with donors threatening to withdraw their support unless Magill was removed.

Race is on in Congress to Ink Deal on Ukraine, Israel, and America’s Southern Border

Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked a $110.5 billion foreign aid package supported by President Joe Biden and Democrats. The package aimed to provide funding to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Republicans are pushing for enhanced border security at the U.S. southern border and are insisting on including border reforms in any discussion of additional foreign aid.

Their wish list includes changes to America’s asylum law, the designation of “safe third countries,” and the expansion of rapid deportations. President Biden has requested funding for 46,500 detention beds and is seeking to address the recent increase in border crossings. The Senate is under pressure to strike a deal before the end of the year, as funding for Ukraine will run out by year’s end.

‘Shotime’ Becomes Highest Paid Player in North American Sports History

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way baseball star, signed a ten-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball history. This deal also surpasses the record for any North American athlete in any sport. Ohtani’s former teammate, Mike Trout, previously held the record with a twelve-year, $426.5 million contract.

Ohtani, a two-time league MVP and three-time All-Star, is known for his ability to both hit and pitch. In addition to his impressive batting statistics, he has also recorded at least 10 wins as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels in each of the past two seasons..