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Heather Harrison

@heatherharrison.bsky.social
7.7K followers 603 following 796 posts

Mississippi journalist @mississippifreepress.org • TikTok @HeatherRHarrison • dog and cat mom • professionally nosy & “cheerily feisty” • msstate alumna • former Reflector editor • all opinions are my own

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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I’m packing my bag to go to the Neshoba County fair in the morning. Why do I have at least seven different outfits for a one-night trip? And why are they all necessary for me to bring?😂😅
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
I’ve been seeing a lot of Jeeps without a spare tire on the back. Is that a recession indicator?
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Donna Ladd said what she said. 😘 @donnerkay.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Must-watch by @heatherharrison.bsky.social …
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Mississippians: give me suggestions. I’m looking to attend and cover a Juneteenth event. Are there any daytime historical events or shows I should go to? I’ve already done a story about Starkville’s now-annual celebration
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Black Intellect Media @blackintellect.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
US Supreme Court Reverses Mississippi Redistricting Order That Led to End of GOP Supermajority. reporting by @heatherharrison.bsky.social www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
mississippifreepress.org
U.S. Supreme Court Reverses Mississippi Redistricting Order That Ended GOP Supermajority
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed a ruling that led to Mississippi redrawing its legislative district maps to create more Black-majority districts.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A little break from hard news: Phoebe Bridgers did a pop-up show in Jackson last week. But get this: she didn’t advertise the show online. The day of the concert, her team and Duling Hall staff put up posters across Jackson and concertgoers had to wait in line to buy tickets.
mississippifreepress.org
Phoebe Bridgers Surprises Jackson Fans With Pop-Up Show Using Only Analog Advertising
Music artist Phoebe Bridgers stopped in Jackson for a surprise concert at Duling Hall that she advertised using only posters to ensure local fans could attend.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 14/05/2026
Eric Irvin, a veteran teacher of 35 years in Jackson, Mississippi, said the state's low salaries for educators make him wish he never chose to teach here. “It’s like these people don’t care about us and what we’re doing,” he said at a campaign event for U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom.
mississippifreepress.org
Mississippi Teachers Say They Deserve Higher Pay: ‘We Don’t Do This for Money’
The $2,000 teacher pay raise Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law isn’t enough to recruit and retain, teachers expressed at a Scott Colom campaign event.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
New tattoo!!! Definitely in my top three favorites and top three most painful lol but it’s sooooo worth it! Can’t wait to see it healed and for all that redness to go away🍒
My left arm featuring a fresh tattoo of black and white holographic/chrome cherries underneath a healed tattoo of a black and white ghost wearing a cowboy hat
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
It’s always a disco in our dining room! My favorite part of our house 🪩✨💜🕺🏼⚡️
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Finished our Barbie hot pink half bathroom!!! I painted and decorated it all by myself!!!💖🌷🪩
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
I miss my dad. I wish he could see the woman I became. Ugh it’s not fair.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
“It is my sincere hope that the United States Supreme Court will reaffirm the animating principle that all Americans are created equal" and strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who last week proclaimed April as Confederate Heritage Month.
mississippifreepress.org
Mississippi Governor Orders Lawmakers to Return for Redistricting Special Session
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has called a special legislative session to address redistricting for the Mississippi Supreme Court.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Drives me crazy when Mississippi lawmakers write/say “the Democrat Party” instead of “the Democratic Party.” Adding the “ic” to the end won’t turn you liberal. It’s just correct grammar.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Does anyone know why my 2021 MacBook Pro no longer has the launchpad icon for me to look at all my apps, yet my 2021 iMac still has it? Left is iMac and right is MacBook. I don’t know how to look at all my apps that aren’t on my MacBook’s toolbar since I don’t have the launchpad icon.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
LATEST: The Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously revived former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against nonprofit news site Mississippi Today over its welfare scandal reporting, putting the case on track to go before a Madison County jury. @heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
mississippifreepress.org
Mississippi Supreme Court Revives Ex-Gov. Phil Bryant’s Lawsuit Over Welfare Scandal Reporting
The Mississippi Supreme Court revived former Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today’s coverage of the welfare scandal.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
It gets on my every last nerve to hear people at events I cover say “the liberal news media.” Telling the truth is neither liberal nor is it conservative: it’s fundamental for democracy. This isn’t a joke to me.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 02/04/2026
Mike Watkins, a Mississippi medical-cannabis patient and consultant, rallied protesters Monday morning after Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed two medical-cannabis bills. “This is a worthy cause, an easy win, and I believe we can get the votes, but you got to put in the work," Watkins said. buff.ly/JU2GHeg
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Got on the elevator with a couple of legislators. One said, (paraphrasing), "I'm ready to go home. We're at the point in the session where we're just irritating each other." And ain't that the truth. Sine Die is on Sunday, but I'm doubtful we'll be here that long. Hopefully tomorrow is the last day.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 28/03/2026
The official portrait of former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn was unveiled on Wednesday at the Mississippi Capitol Building.  Read Heather's story: buff.ly/h7HmXKx
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Let conference weekend begin.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 27/03/2026
Philip Gunn served in the Mississippi House for nearly two decades and spent more than half of his tenure as speaker. His portrait in the Mississippi Capitol Building joined those who preceded him in the role. buff.ly/h7HmXKx
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 26/03/2026
Mississippi Republicans are pushing to verify the U.S. citizenship of every voter on the state’s rollbooks annually under the SHIELD Act. The bill is headed to Gov. Tate Reeves for his signature. buff.ly/N5vlzEj
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 25/03/2026
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves accused the Senate clerk's office of removing language from the Winter Storm Fern recovery bill after its contents had already been approved by the Legislature. He said it "calls into question the validity of every bill that I have signed into law this session."
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Follow reporter @heatherharrison.bsky.social as she continues to report on the ongoings at the Mississippi Legislature, keeping power in check and reporting the facts. Also, follow @mississippifreepress.org and please consider donating to support our non-profit, paywall-free journalism!
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 19/03/2026
The Mississippi Legislature has passed several medical-cannabis bills that have the support of patients and caregivers, including ‘right-to-try’ and removing the concentrate potency cap. They now head to Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk for consideration. buff.ly/T4vq3IG
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Mississippians who do not qualify for the state's medical cannabis program may be able to try the program under the sole approval of the state health officer under a bill that may soon become law.
mississippifreepress.org
Bills to Remove Medical Cannabis Concentrate Cap, Allow ‘Right-to-Try’ Head to Governor
The Mississippi Legislature has passed several medical-cannabis bills, including ‘right-to-try’ and removing the concentrate potency cap.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
The Mississippi Legislature confuses me because the House has an electronic voting board on the floor but doesn't livestream committee meetings, while the Senate livestreams meetings but votes on the Senate floor via roll-call with senators having to vocalize their position when their name is called
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
I was tanning on a boat in 80° sunny weather yesterday. Today I’m wearing a sweater and winter coat while watching snow flurries fall in 38° weather. Only in Mississippi.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Follow @heatherharrison.bsky.social for more Mississippi Legislature updates.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The Mississippi Senate has passed a teacher pay raise with $6,000 for most K-12 teachers, $9,000 for special education teachers, $2,000 for assistant teachers and $2,000 for college educators. www.mississippifreepress.org/6000-teacher...
mississippifreepress.org
$6,000 Teacher Pay Raise Gains Mississippi Senate’s Approval
A $6,000 teacher pay raise gained approval in the Mississippi Senate after it amended a bill that initially dealt with unused school buildings.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Well, I guess I’m officially old. A high-school page said, “Excuse me, ma’am” as we passed each other on the Mississippi Senate’s secret stairs. At least he was polite!
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
NEW: A Mississippi bill criminalizing mail-order abortion pills as "drug trafficking" is headed to the Missisisppi governor's desk after passing both the House and Senate. @heatherharrison.bsky.social reports: www.mississippifreepress.org/bill-crimina...
mississippifreepress.org
Bill Criminalizing Mail-Order Abortion Pills as 'Drug Trafficking' Heads to Governor
Mailing abortion drugs to patients would be a crime under a bill passed by the Mississippi Legislature.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
A teacher pay raise is back in the realm of possibility in the Mississippi Legislature, as the Mississippi House—in a surprise move—revived the effort by amending a bill that was originally about replacing federal ethics requirements with state requirements for school counselors.
mississippifreepress.org
Teacher Pay Raise Legislation Revived by Mississippi House in Surprise Move
A teacher pay raise is back in the realm of possibility in the Mississippi Legislature as the House revived the effort by amending a bill.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Rep. Shanda Yates: “If you’re a candidate running for office, you need to learn how to use the damn internet!” Read @heatherharrison.bsky.social's latest report for @mississippifreepress.org on the bills that died at the Mississippi Legislature this week:
mississippifreepress.org
Teacher Pay Raise, Mandatory Online Campaign Finance Filing Among Bills Dead in Mississippi Legislature
Bills to enact a teacher pay raise and force all political candidates to file campaign finance documents online died in the Mississippi Legislature.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Mississippi was on the verge of finally requiring political candidates to file campaign finance reports online in a searchable database—instead of on paper. The Mississippi House killed it. Rep. Becky Currie: "I have filed on paper for 19 years and I don’t want to do (it) online. I just don’t."
mississippifreepress.org
Teacher Pay Raise, Mandatory Online Campaign Finance Filing Among Bills Dead in Mississippi Legislature
Bills to enact a teacher pay raise and force all political candidates to file campaign finance documents online died in the Mississippi Legislature.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
People often ask me if I drew the “short end of the stick” since I cover the Legislature. HELL. NO. This is my dream job, even if some of the rhetoric in this building causes me to lose my sanity. I wouldn’t have left the best small town in the South (Starkville) if I didn’t love my job.
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Y'all I'm laughing so hard. Mississippi Sen. Daniel Sparks, R-Belmont, rose for an announcement on the Mississippi Senate floor and said, "I'd like to announce my disappointment." Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann replied, "It's shared by all." 👀
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Heather Harrison @heatherharrison.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Legislators ask me where I’m from and my default response is “Mississippi Free Press” as if I was born in our office on South Congress Street 😂 And then I’m like “Oh, you wanna know where I’m FROM from. I was raised in Hazlehurst and now live in Brandon.”
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The Onion @theonion.com · 24/02/2026
It Only Tuesday theonion.com/it-only-tuesday-181956…
It Only Tuesday
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 20/02/2026
Hopes for legislative action on banning cellphones in classrooms, providing health insurance for school board members and increasing funding for gifted students appear dead in the Miss. House. House Education Committee Chair Rob Roberson says the committee has had its last meeting of this year.
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Classroom Cellphone Ban, Other Mississippi Senate Education Bills Dead in House
Hopes for legislative action on banning cellphones in classrooms and increasing funding for gifted students appear dead in the Mississippi House.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 11/02/2026
Mississippi may soon criminalize illegal immigration under State law, with felony prison sentences for undocumented immigrants entering the state. www.mississippifreepress.org/undocumented...
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 12/02/2026
Mississippi won’t expand Medicaid this year because of federal Medicaid funding cuts under Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. www.mississippifreepress.org/medicaid-exp...
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 13/02/2026
Mississippi public schools may soon have to set aside time for students to pray and read the Bible and other religious texts under the Mississippi Open to Religion Act, which the Mississippi House passed on Feb. 11. buff.ly/n6z7CxW
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 18/02/2026
A mail-order abortion pill ban passed the Mississippi House, defining it as felony drug trafficking that would carry one to 10 year prison sentences for providers. buff.ly/I52iD4M
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 20/02/2026
Hopes for legislative action on banning cellphones in classrooms, providing health insurance for school board members and increasing funding for gifted students appear dead in the Miss. House. House Education Committee Chair Rob Roberson says the committee has had its last meeting of this year.
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Donna Ladd said what she said. 😘 @donnerkay.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Pro tip: Read this fantastic explainer by @heatherharrison.bsky.social and @ashtonpittman.bsky.social to get up to speed on Phil Bryant’s attempt to keep his defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today alive. It’s not easily understood via one-liners on social media.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
One major national org said they weren't aware of the bill, others didn't respond or had no comment. And she was asking as recently as today, 6 days later. 5 years ago, all of them would've had statements out within an hour of passage.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
One concern with this bill: It bans the mailing of "abortion-inducing drugs." But it doesn't specify which drugs that includes (typically mifepristone and misoprostol). One Democrat suggested it could ban Plan B. The bill's author, Celeste Hurst, said it won't ban Plan B, but the wording is fuzzy.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Here's what's surprising: This bill passed last Wednesday. We are only the second news organization to report on it other than Magnolia Tribune. No abortion rights organization has commented on it. And @heatherharrison.bsky.social couldn't get any major pro-abortion rights groups to comment.
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Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
NEW: Providers who mail abortion pills to Mississippi could soon be prosecuted as felony drug traffickers under an amendment Mississippi House Republicans added to a drug trafficking bill at the last minute. The amended bill passed amid loud dissent from outraged Democrats.
mississippifreepress.org
Mail-Order Abortion Pill Ban Passes Mississippi House
A mail-order abortion pill ban passed the Mississippi House, defining it as felony drug trafficking that would carry one to 10 year prison sentences for providers.
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