Troy Johnson

Jackson

Anchor and Reporter at WAPT-TV (Jackson, MS)

@16WAPTNews Emmy-nominated Anchor & Reporter, 2X Mississippi News Anchor of The Year. @NABJ, dad, cyclist. @Ravens fan! Tweets = mine. [email protected]

Articles

Gov. Reeves orders state flag to fly at half-staff to honor Rep. Robert Clark Jr.

1 month ago | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

Gov. Tate Reeves has directed state flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the late Rep. Robert G. Clark.Clark, who served in the Mississippi House of Representatives for 35 years, died last week.He was 96 years old.Reeves took to social media on Monday. He called Clark a "devoted public servant and trailblazing leader who made our state better."Clark, who represented the 47th District in the House from 1967 to 2003, also served as Speaker Pro Tempore.
Mississippi officials sounding alarm about looming health crisis

1 month ago | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

Health professionals are sounding the alarm as HIV and sexually transmitted infections are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, adults ages 20 to 29 are the leading age group for newly diagnosed cases. "Me and my partner, we went and got tested, and that's how I found out," Matthew James said. "Or else, I probably wouldn’t have went. I thought I was fine.
Peeping Tom nabbed by Jackson police

2 months ago | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

The Jackson Police Department said they have arrested 18-year-old Breeland Davis of Jackson.
Mississippi Democrats weigh in on the 'Build Up Mississippi Act'

Jan 17, 2025 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

Democrats are reacting to a measure passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives that would lead to a complete overhaul of the state tax system. House Bill 1, also known as the Build Up Mississippi Act, passed by an 88-24 vote. The bill includes a gradual phasing out of the state's income tax and a reduction of the grocery tax, which at 7% is the highest in the country. The gas tax would jump to 5% instead of the current flat rate of 18 cents per gallon.
Improvements being made to Brandon intersection where teen was killed in crash

Nov 14, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

Crews have made several safety enhancements to an intersection in Brandon that many consider dangerous. The improvements came after calls were made for more safety measures to be put in place after 18-year-old Gryson Huff was killed at the intersection. The enhancements are something residents said should have been done months ago. The Mississippi Department of Transportation announced it is making the changes to the intersection of Sunset Drive and Highway 18.
Mississippi is known for music that shapes the nation

Aug 16, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

Music and those who make it helped put Mississippi on the map. “Mississippi is so pivotal and so crucial to the grand scheme of music in this world that it’s very hard to pinpoint it. We are not called the ‘Birthplace of music’ for nothing,’” said Brad Franklin, who is also known as “Kamikaze.”What if Mississippi had its own monument that honored the best of the state’s musicians? Who would be on Mississippi’s “Mount Rushmore”?
170 new laws go into effect July 1 in Mississippi

Jun 27, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

More than 170 new laws go into effect Monday, July 1, in Mississippi, including one that expands the jurisdiction of Capitol police in Jackson. Almost half of the laws the state legislature passed this session will go on the books Monday, including several others that impact law enforcement across the state.
Local restaurant known for it's pig ear and smoke sausage sandwiches garnering national attention

Jun 12, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

A local restaurant that has served as a staple for the historic district of Fondren since 1952 is garnering national attention for its sandwiches: pig ear and smoke sausage. According to owner Geno Lee the pig ear sandwich was created by his grandfather who refused to throw the dish away. "The butcher said, well John man, I'm throwing away all these pig ears, do you want them," said store owner Lee.
Solar eclipse may have passed, but scientists will continue to learn from it

Apr 9, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

WAS AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER IN HANCOCK COUNTY WITH MORE ON THE ASTRONOMICAL EVENT HERE AT THE STENNIS SPACE CENTER IT WAS CLOUDY, AND RIGHT ABOUT AT THE MOMENT OF 82% TOTALITY, THE SKIES OPENED UP. AND THE RAIN CAME DOWN... EVEN WITH NOT PERFECT WEATHER, HERE ON THE COAST THERE WAS A LOT OF SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION THAT HAPPENED LEADING UP TO THE ECLIPSE, AND MUCH MORE WORK WILL BE DONE IN THE DAYS TO COME...NOT ONLY FROM NASA SCIENTISTS AT STENNIS AND ELSEWHERE, BUT FROM CITIZEN SCIENTISTS TOO.
Without proper treatment, STDs could leave newborns in harm’s way

Feb 28, 2024 | wapt.com | Troy Johnson

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 20 million new sexually transmitted disease cases in the U.S. every year. Cases are rising and it’s another issue Mississippi needs to address in this post-Roe Mississippi. Without proper treatment, STDs could leave babies and newborns in harm’s way. The U.S. Supreme Court, triggered by the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case, eliminated federal constitutional abortion protections.