Erin Pickens

Jackson

Evening Anchor at WAPT-TV (Jackson, MS)

Three-time Emmy award-winning morning anchor for WAPT. Watch every weekday morning beginning at 4:30. Links & RTs are not endorsements. Opinions are my own.

Articles

Mayor of Brookhaven addresses deadly violence and outgoing police chief

1 week ago | wapt.com | Erin Pickens

Brookhaven's mayor is addressing violence that happened Memorial Day weekend. It left a teenager dead and several others hurt.In a Facebook post on Memorial Day, Mayor Joe Cox said he was concerned about multiple shootings that happened the day before. "These senseless acts of violence and blatant disregard for human life have resulted in the death of a local teenager.
Gipson urges calm over Trump report, promotes local produce for healthier lifestyles

2 weeks ago | wapt.com | Erin Pickens

The Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again report has prompted reactions from Mississippi officials, including concerns about future regulations on crop protection tools and initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles. "There is enough in the report to cause plenty of worry about how key crop protection tools will be regulated in the future," said U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a former Mississippi agriculture commissioner.
Attorneys for Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate file new motions to vacate sentence

3 weeks ago | kesq.com | Erin Pickens

By Erin PickensClick here for updates on this story JACKSON, Miss. ( WAPT) - Attorneys representing Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate filed new motions Thursday before the Mississippi Supreme Court. The move comes two weeks after the Court set an execution date for Richard Jordan, who will turn 79 on May 25. His attorneys want the Court to rehear his case and vacate his death sentence, or send the issue to a circuit court.
Suspect in Natchez officer-involved shooting dies

3 weeks ago | wapt.com | Erin Pickens

The suspect in the officer-involved shooting in Natchez, who was shot by police during the ordeal, has died.The Adams County Coroner's Office confirms to 16 WAPT that Phillip Stokes, Jr. was pronounced dead at UMMC at 5:48 p.m. Thursday.The shooting happened Sunday night around 10:30 p.m. on South Canal Road at the Natchez Visitors Center.Police Chief Cal Green told 16 WAPT that officers were trying to serve a warrant after spotting a suspect in an attempted murder that happened last week.
Attorneys for Mississippi death row inmate, 78, file new motions to vacate sentence

3 weeks ago | wapt.com | Erin Pickens

SENTENCING IS SET FOR JUNE 9TH... THERE ARE TWO OTHERS FACING CHARGES. TODAY...ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING MISSISSIPPI'S LONGEST- SERVING DEATH ROW INMATE FILED NEW MOTIONS BEFORE THE "MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT," TWO WEEKS AFTER AN EXECUTION DATE WAS SET. ATTORNEYS FOR RICHARD JORDAN WANT THE COURT REHEAR HIS CASE AND VACATE HIS DEATH SENTENCE...OR SEND THE ISSUE TO A CIRCUIT COURT. THE 78-YEAR-OLD WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN 1976 FOR KIDNAPPING AND KILLING A WOMAN IN HARRISON COUNTY.
Race for Jackson mayor pits Lumumba against large field of challengers

2 months ago | wapt.com | Angela Williams |Erin Pickens

WE’RE HERE AT HIGHWAY 18, SOUTH JACKSON AND GREENWAY DRIVE. YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME THIS BUSY INTERSECTION. JUST ONE OF MANY MAJOR THOROUGHFARES ACROSS THE CITY THAT’S FLOODED WITH THESE CAMPAIGN SIGNS. CAMPAIGN SIGNS DOTTING THE LANDSCAPE AT MAJOR INTERSECTIONS ALL ACROSS THE CITY OF JACKSON, WITH MESSAGES AND IMAGES FROM SOME OF THE DOZEN PLUS CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MAYOR IN TUESDAY’S PRIMARY ELECTION. >> THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. THEY’RE ALL OVER THE PLACE. I MEAN, YOU CAN’T MISS IT.
Judge orders restaurant illegally operating as a nightclub to close

Jan 23, 2025 | krdo.com | Angela Williams |Erin Pickens |Crystal Tisme

By Angela Williams, Erin Pickens and Crystal TismeClick here for updates on this story JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — The City of Jackson succeeded in shutting down a restaurant that police say had been operating as a nightclub. The temporary restraining order against Dynamic Lounge was granted this morning in Hinds County Chancery Court. The Jackson City Attorney’s Office filed it after a homicide on Jan. 4, the city’s first of 2025.
Judge orders restaurant illegally operating as a nightclub to close

Jan 23, 2025 | ktvz.com | Angela Williams |Erin Pickens |Crystal Tisme

By Angela Williams, Erin Pickens and Crystal TismeClick here for updates on this story JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — The City of Jackson succeeded in shutting down a restaurant that police say had been operating as a nightclub. The temporary restraining order against Dynamic Lounge was granted this morning in Hinds County Chancery Court. The Jackson City Attorney’s Office filed it after a homicide on Jan. 4, the city’s first of 2025.
Issues to watch this legislative session in Mississippi

Jan 13, 2025 | wapt.com | Erin Pickens |Justin Claas

One week into the Mississippi legislative session, and there is a lot to be decided. So far this session, there has been a lot of emphasis on state tax reform, plus other holdover issues from last year, like Medicaid expansion and restoring the ballot initiative. But there have been more than 500 bills introduced in the last week, and most of them cover other topics. Voting is an issue of interest, and there are dozens of voting-related bills already being discussed.
Jackson Church Hosts "Night of Prayer"

Dec 10, 2024 | wapt.com | Erin Pickens

A North Jackson church hosted a Night of Prayer. Anderson United Methodist Church on Hanging Moss Road opened their sanctuary Tuesday evening. The goal was for people of different faiths and beliefs to gather, be unified, and show love.Anderson's Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Stephen T.