Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
The Mississippi Independent is a news site about Mississippi. Its a "collective of freelancers and nonpartisan advocates aims to objectively report on stories of interest to Mississippians who are attuned to progressive issues," using diverse, credible sources and factual documentation without endorsing or suppressing a specific view.
It is published on Substack; readers can subscribe for full access to the newsletter and archives and take part in comments. Its welcome post that covers legislative activity and other issues important to Mississippians, plus investigative reports, feature stories and a "Reporter's Notebook" section. At least four of the six bylined pieces checked for this record carry Substack's "A guest post by" label.
The earliest dated post found is "The current moment" by Alan Huffman, dated March 27, 2025, which says the site is publishing a series of articles on the topic. The publication's Bluesky account (@msindy.bsky.social) was created April 15, 2025, per Bluesky's public profile data.
The site's submission guidelines invite freelance pitches, which must include two published samples, a short bio and any relationship to sources or the subject. Reported articles typically run at least 500 words with two to three sources. Approved pieces later found unsuitable receive a kill fee of half the agreed fee, and "Any use of A.I.-generated content or images will result in rejection of the article."
Sept. 8, 2026. "How we got here: Mississippi has had redistricting hearings before—and testimony did not change resulting maps," guest post by Derrion Arrington. Compares Mississippi's 1981 redistricting hearings with the current hearing process and discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's 2026 decision in Louisiana v. Callais.
Aug. 31, 2026. "Nolan Wells's death exposes fault lines in state coroner system," guest post by Christopher Harress. Examines credentialing requirements for Mississippi's elected coroners, autopsy backlogs and the state's death-investigation system, starting from the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells on Horn Island.
Mar. 17, 2026. "Prison deaths: Legislature can't agree on how — or even whether—to address them," guest post by Derrion Arrington. Reports on prison health-care and oversight bills in the 2026 legislative session.
May 1, 2025. "Seeding new journalism in Jackson," guest post by Levon Campbell. Profiles the Jackson Youth Newsroom, a high school journalism program started by The Bell.
Mar. 27, 2025. "The current moment," by Alan Huffman. Commentary on efforts to undermine democratic norms in America, viewed from Mississippi's past; the piece says the site is publishing a series of articles on the topic.
Contributor. Alan Huffman
Byline, Mar. 27, 2025
Contributor (guest post). Derrion Arrington
Bio: "Author and Historian of Black social and political movements in Mississippi"
Contributor (guest post). Christopher Harress
Byline, Aug. 31, 2026
Contributor (guest post). Levon Campbell
Byline, May 1, 2025
Contributor. Marsh Nabors
Byline, Apr. 9, 2026
Location. Mississippi, USA
Tips. Mississippi.Indy@gmail.com (from the site's page description)
Platform. Substack
Social. Bluesky: @msindy.bsky.social; Facebook: @MSIndyNews
Website. https://msindy.org/
The Mississippi Independent — About. https://msindy.org/about — self-description as a nonprofit news site, mission sentence, Substack platform; names no individuals, date or legal entity.
The Mississippi Independent — welcome post (undated). Welcome to The Mississippi Independent — stated purpose and planned coverage; no byline or date shown.
The Mississippi Independent — submission guidelines (undated). Guidelines for submissions to The Mississippi Independent — pitch requirements, kill fee, ban on A.I.-generated content.
The Mississippi Independent — undated post. Two outlets to provide new support for independent reporting in Mississippi — reports AP and Grist announcements of Aug. 21–22, 2024; states the impetus for the site's creation.
The Mississippi Independent — Alan Huffman, Mar. 27, 2025. The current moment — earliest dated post found.
The Mississippi Independent — Levon Campbell, May 1, 2025. Seeding new journalism in Jackson — guest post; © 2026 footer.
The Mississippi Independent — Derrion Arrington, Mar. 17, 2026. Prison deaths: Legislature can’t agree on how — or even whether—to address them — guest post; author bio.
The Mississippi Independent — Marsh Nabors, Apr. 9, 2026. Failed resolution could be shape of things to come — site page description ("We’re Mississippi journalists…") and tip email.
The Mississippi Independent — Christopher Harress, Aug. 31, 2026. Nolan Wells’s death exposes fault lines in state coroner system — guest post.
The Mississippi Independent — Derrion Arrington, Sept. 8, 2026. How we got here: Mississippi has had redistricting hearings before—and testimony did not change resulting maps — guest post.
Bluesky — Mississippi Independent profile. @msindy.bsky.social — bio; account created Apr. 15, 2025, 109 followers and 27 posts as of Oct. 13, 2026 (from Bluesky’s public profile data).
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