Richard Lake
WJTV 12 News
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Past articles by Richard:
Jackson delegation speaks on legislation impacting capital city
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Jackson delegation in the Mississippi Legislature held a hearing Monday afternoon regarding Jackson-based legislation. The controversial House Bill 1020 was the focus of the hearing as lawmakers heard testimony from Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and other members of the Hinds County legal system who oppose the legislation. Rep. […] → Read More
NAACP considers legal action against Jackson legislative bills
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The NAACP is eyeing legal action against the slew of Jackson-related bills coming out of this legislative session. According to the NAACP, legislation focused on Jackson has been a “direct and racialized attack on Black Mississippians,” specifically House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 2889. “This is very much a tactic that […] → Read More
Mississippi Senate passes bill restricting electric car dealerships
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A bill that would restrict the sale of electric vehicles (EV) in Mississippi is on its way to Gov. Tate Reeves’ (R-Miss.) desk. House Bill 401 passed through the Senate on Thursday. Some lawmakers said the bill could hurt Mississippi’s economy. If signed into law, EV manufacturers would have to sell […] → Read More
Mississippi governor signs bill to ban youth transgender treatment
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – On Tuesday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) signed a bill that would ban gender reassignment procedures for Mississippians under the age of 18. House Bill 1125 also bans public funds or tax deductions for gender transition procedures, places enforcement procedures on the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure and stops Medicaid from […] → Read More
Jackson water officials announce contractor, scholarship
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – JXN Water officials announced Jacobs Solutions as the contractor managing the city’s water treatment plant. They also announced a new scholarship for students of Jackson Public Schools (JPS). The JXN Water Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi will be available to selected JPS seniors who choose to attend the […] → Read More
Mississippi Senate passes bill to ban youth transgender treatment
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A bill that would ban transgender treatment for anyone under the age of 18 passed the Mississippi Senate on Tuesday. Senators passed House Bill 1125, also known as the REAP Act, with a 33-15 vote. The bill was passed the House 78-30 on January 19. The proposal bans gender-affirming hormone therapy […] → Read More
Gov. Reeves says Jackson is ‘murder capital of the world’
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – During a news conference to announce a slew of infrastructure projects throughout the state, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) said the City of Jackson was the “murder capital of the world.” While explaining whether or not he would sign House Bill 1020 into law, Reeves cited the homicide rate in Jackson as […] → Read More
Gov. Reeves announces $1.3B infrastructure proposal
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced a $1.3 billion dollar plan that includes proposed infrastructure investments and site development efforts to entice more high-… → Read More
Mississippi educators react to bill that would arm teachers
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A bill that passed in the Mississippi Senate would give teachers the option of bringing firearms into their classrooms. The bill passed on a party line vote. Supporters argued the proposal gives schools an extra layer of safety. Some educators disagree. They said Mississippi teachers need resources more than what this […] → Read More
Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus discusses passage of bills on Jackson water, courts
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) held a news conference on Wednesday, February 8 to discuss the recent passage of two bills in the Mississippi Senate and Mississippi House. On Tuesday, Senate Bill 2889 passed the Mississippi Senate and House Bill 1020 passed the Mississippi House. SB 2889 would create a […] → Read More
Opposition grows against Mississippi House Bill 1020
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Opposition continues to grow against Mississippi House Bill 1020. Multiple leaders in Hinds County, as well as the Mississippi Senate Democratic Caucus, said they are against the bill. The proposal, which was authored by State Rep. Trey Lamar (R-District 8), would create a separate court system in the Capitol Complex Improvement […] → Read More
Jackson water officials to discuss fiscal plan, timeline
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson water officials will hold a news conference at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27 to discuss the city’s fiscal plan for the water crisis and a timeline. Ted Henifin, the interim third-party manager of the city’s water system, will provide an overview of the fiscal plan that will govern water […] → Read More
Bills aim to crack down on crime in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann (R-Miss.) announced a number of Senate bills aimed at curbing violent crime in Mississippi. Half of the bills announced on Thursday address carjacking and stolen property. The Senate Judiciary B Committee on Thursday gave the first round of approval to Senate Bill 2101, sending it to the […] → Read More
Family of Jaylen Lewis wants answers after his shooting death
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The family of Jaylen Lewis held a protest outside the Mississippi State Capitol demanding answers from Capitol police over the death of the 25-year-old. Lewis died after a shooting incident involving Capitol Police on September 25, 2022. According to his mother, Arkela Lewis, they have heard nothing from Capitol police or […] → Read More
Jackson leaders finalize payment settlement for Richard’s Disposal
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Jackson City Council approved a payment agreement between the city and Richard’s Disposal on Tuesday, January 3. In a 4-2 vote, the council approved a claims docket that included the last $1.6 million payment to finalize the $4.8 million settlement with the garbage company. Council President Ashby Foote believes there […] → Read More
Jackson neighbors experience water issues ahead of freeze
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Some Jackson neighbors are already having issues with their water before the cold weather has even arrived. Neighbors on Azalea Drive woke up Thursday morning with water beginning to flood their street, driveways and yards. According to neighbors, this is not the first time Azalea Drive has suffered flooding. With freezing […] → Read More
Public memorial held for Mike Leach
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi State University (MSU) will host a public memorial service honoring the life of Mike Leach. The service will be held at 1:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 20 at Humphrey Coliseum on the Starkville campus. Doors will open at 12:00 p.m. CT. The head football coach of the Bulldogs passed away on […] → Read More
Mayor: Water system ‘vulnerable’ ahead of cold weather
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – As frigid temperatures are set to reach Jackson by the end of this week, Jackson’s water system may be in danger again. Temperatures are expected to stay in the low teens from Thursday night through Sunday afternoon as Jackson officials are hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. Freezing […] → Read More
Mississippi’s rural hospitals in danger of shutting down
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Leaders with the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) said the state’s rural hospitals are in a financial crisis. After the coronavirus pandemic wiped out a majority of hospitals’ savings. Rural hospitals in Mississippi have yet to fully recover. Rural hospitals have been forced to drastically cut down on care amid rising […] → Read More
Bond denied for suspect in Jackson State homicide case
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The suspect accused of killing a Jackson State student, whose body was found on campus last week, was denied bond. Randall Smith, 20, of New Orleans, appeared in Hinds County court on Monday, December 5. During his court appearance, he was appointed a public defender. A preliminary hearing for Smith was […] → Read More