Heather Harrison
@heatherharrison.bsky.social
Mississippi journalist @mississippifreepress.org • TikTok @HeatherRHarrison • dog and cat mom • professionally nosy & “cheerily feisty” • msstate alumna • former Reflector editor • all opinions are my own
Pinned
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, who often wears a Ukrainian flag pin on his lapel, has gone silent on President Donald Trump’s decision to halt aid and intelligence sharing to the embattled country.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker Silent After Trump Halts Ukraine Aid
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker has gone silent on President Donald Trump’s decision to halt aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine.
buff.ly
On Election Night Nov. 5, 2024, Sen. Wicker told me “call me any time” after I interviewed him about tariffs and other topics. I have contacted his office multiple times since then and only got a response today after I mentioned his comment in an email.
Reposted by Heather Harrison
The governor’s office says that the sudden postponement came as he sought to focus on recovery efforts in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.
The postponement comes on the same day Reeves publicly blasted GOP Senate leaders for killing a "school choice" bill.
The postponement comes on the same day Reeves publicly blasted GOP Senate leaders for killing a "school choice" bill.
Private-School Voucher Bill Dies in Mississippi Senate; House Passes $5,000 Teacher Pay Raise
Mississippi won’t expand its school voucher program after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee voted to kill the House’s bill.
www.mississippifreepress.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:54 AM
The governor’s office says that the sudden postponement came as he sought to focus on recovery efforts in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.
The postponement comes on the same day Reeves publicly blasted GOP Senate leaders for killing a "school choice" bill.
The postponement comes on the same day Reeves publicly blasted GOP Senate leaders for killing a "school choice" bill.
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Minutes before Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was set to give his annual State of the State speech in the House chamber this evening, Rep. Fred Shanks, R-Brandon, announced that the governor had abruptly decided to postpone the speech "indefinitely."
The chamber broke out into whoops and cheers.
The chamber broke out into whoops and cheers.
Gov. Reeves Abruptly Postpones State of the State Address ‘Indefinitely’
Gov. Tate Reeves has postponed his annual State of the State speech “indefinitely.”
www.mississippifreepress.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Minutes before Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was set to give his annual State of the State speech in the House chamber this evening, Rep. Fred Shanks, R-Brandon, announced that the governor had abruptly decided to postpone the speech "indefinitely."
The chamber broke out into whoops and cheers.
The chamber broke out into whoops and cheers.
Mississippi families will soon be able to enroll their children in private schools or homeschool programs, including those with religious curricula, using federal tax dollars after Gov. Tate Reeves opted Mississippi into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
Private Schools in Mississippi Will Get Federal Funding Under Trump Voucher Plan
Mississippi parents could soon use federal tax credits to send children to private and homeschool programs through federal vouchers.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 22, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Mississippi families will soon be able to enroll their children in private schools or homeschool programs, including those with religious curricula, using federal tax dollars after Gov. Tate Reeves opted Mississippi into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
“America’s history was made in Jackson, whether we’re talking about the Freedom Riders, Medgar Evers, those families, the students at Tougaloo College,” Kamala Harris said at her book tour event at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday.
‘America’s History Was Made in Jackson’: Kamala Harris Visits Mississippi Capital
Former Vice President Kamala Harris came to Jackson as the second stop on her second leg of her book tour for her autobiography, “107 Days.”
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 17, 2026 at 12:06 AM
“America’s history was made in Jackson, whether we’re talking about the Freedom Riders, Medgar Evers, those families, the students at Tougaloo College,” Kamala Harris said at her book tour event at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday.
Public Mississippi tax dollars could soon fund tuition for more students attending private schools through school vouchers as part of a massive education package the Mississippi House narrowly passed yesterday afternoon.
Private School Vouchers, Charter School Expansion, Stricter Literacy Requirements Pass Mississippi House
House Bill 2 has over a dozen education-related provisions, including school vouchers, charter school reform and an assistant teacher pay raise.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Public Mississippi tax dollars could soon fund tuition for more students attending private schools through school vouchers as part of a massive education package the Mississippi House narrowly passed yesterday afternoon.
I was 10 feet away from Kamala Harris tonight at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. Many more high quality photos to come. Enjoy these iPhone snapshots for now. Best job in the world @mississippifreepress.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:37 AM
I was 10 feet away from Kamala Harris tonight at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. Many more high quality photos to come. Enjoy these iPhone snapshots for now. Best job in the world @mississippifreepress.org
Thousands more Mississippi students could soon have access to publicly funded vouchers to pay for them to attend private K-12 schools if Mississippi House Speaker Jason White gets his way this legislative session.
Voucher Plan Would Send Thousands More Students to Private Schools Using Public Funds
Thousands more Mississippi students could soon have access to publicly funded vouchers to pay for them to attend private K-12 schools.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 14, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Thousands more Mississippi students could soon have access to publicly funded vouchers to pay for them to attend private K-12 schools if Mississippi House Speaker Jason White gets his way this legislative session.
I don’t ever want to talk to another automated phone system again. I want to speak to a real person, not a stupid computer that can’t answer my questions.
January 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I don’t ever want to talk to another automated phone system again. I want to speak to a real person, not a stupid computer that can’t answer my questions.
I'm honored to be featured in @ashtonpittman.bsky.social's latest editor's note. Adding "cheerily feisty reporter" to my resume. I already updated my bio on here 😂
Editor’s Note | We Won’t Always Have Access to the Powerful, But We’ll Always Put People First
“Free Press journalists have always been about people-first, not access to power,” MFP News Editor Ashton Pittman writes.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:33 PM
I'm honored to be featured in @ashtonpittman.bsky.social's latest editor's note. Adding "cheerily feisty reporter" to my resume. I already updated my bio on here 😂
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Quick tip: when a media outlet isn’t invited to a press gaggle, factcheck to see if same thing happened to other outlets—and don’t assume it was an exclusive snub due to a particular story. And ask the elected official why as @heatherharrison.bsky.social did here before reporting.
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White held an unusual invite-only press conference in his office on Monday, excluding both the Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Today.
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
The Mississippi Speaker’s Invite-Only Q&A Excluded MFP. He Says He Did It ‘To Get My Side Out There’
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 9, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Quick tip: when a media outlet isn’t invited to a press gaggle, factcheck to see if same thing happened to other outlets—and don’t assume it was an exclusive snub due to a particular story. And ask the elected official why as @heatherharrison.bsky.social did here before reporting.
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White held an unusual invite-only press conference in his office on Monday, excluding both the Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Today.
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
The Mississippi Speaker’s Invite-Only Q&A Excluded MFP. He Says He Did It ‘To Get My Side Out There’
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White held an unusual invite-only press conference in his office on Monday, excluding both the Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Today.
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."
Full story:
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org:
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White didn’t invite me to his invite-only media Q&A he held on Monday ahead of the legislative session.
I asked him why. Read what he told me today.
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White didn’t invite me to his invite-only media Q&A he held on Monday ahead of the legislative session.
I asked him why. Read what he told me today.
The Mississippi Speaker’s Invite-Only Q&A Excluded MFP. He Says He Did It ‘To Get My Side Out There’
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 AM
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org:
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White didn’t invite me to his invite-only media Q&A he held on Monday ahead of the legislative session.
I asked him why. Read what he told me today.
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White didn’t invite me to his invite-only media Q&A he held on Monday ahead of the legislative session.
I asked him why. Read what he told me today.
I am so excited to be working alongside Rogelio every day at the Mississippi Capitol. He has made my life SO MUCH EASIER and takes the best photos. Welcome to the team!
I could not love this more. Welcome to the @mississippifreepress.org, Rogelio. Wanted to work with you so long, friend. For those of you who don’t know, Rogelio Solis is THE photojournalist in Mississippi.
January 8, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I am so excited to be working alongside Rogelio every day at the Mississippi Capitol. He has made my life SO MUCH EASIER and takes the best photos. Welcome to the team!
You can get a lot of out life--and politics--by putting on a fake smile and acting cheerful. It's easier for someone to talk to you about hard topics when you're spreading sunshine. This is one of my most valuable tools in my reporting toolkit.
January 8, 2026 at 8:43 PM
You can get a lot of out life--and politics--by putting on a fake smile and acting cheerful. It's easier for someone to talk to you about hard topics when you're spreading sunshine. This is one of my most valuable tools in my reporting toolkit.
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org: Students may have an easier time transferring from one public school district to another after the Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2002 on Wednesday morning.
More Retirees Teaching, Easier School District Transfers and Teacher Raises Pass Senate
Easier school district transfers, pay raises for educators and legislation to allow more retirees in the classroom passed the Mississippi Senate.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:44 PM
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org: Students may have an easier time transferring from one public school district to another after the Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2002 on Wednesday morning.
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org:
Mississippi educators could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase teacher salaries.
Follow me for more from the Capitol.
Mississippi educators could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase teacher salaries.
Follow me for more from the Capitol.
Mississippi Teachers Could Get a $2,000 Raise, Retirees Could Be Asked to Teach
Mississippi teachers could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:23 AM
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org:
Mississippi educators could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase teacher salaries.
Follow me for more from the Capitol.
Mississippi educators could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase teacher salaries.
Follow me for more from the Capitol.
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann plans to raise salaries for K-12, community college and university educators during the 2026 legislative session.
Follow me for more stories from the Mississippi Capitol.
Follow me for more stories from the Mississippi Capitol.
Lt. Gov. Hosemann Pledges Another Pay Raise for Mississippi Teachers in K-12 and College
MississippiLt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says he wants to raise salaries for K-12, community college and university educators.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
NEW for @mississippifreepress.org: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann plans to raise salaries for K-12, community college and university educators during the 2026 legislative session.
Follow me for more stories from the Mississippi Capitol.
Follow me for more stories from the Mississippi Capitol.
The 2026 legislative session has begun! Follow me to keep up with the latest at the Mississippi Capitol.
January 6, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The 2026 legislative session has begun! Follow me to keep up with the latest at the Mississippi Capitol.
Merry Christmas from the Harrisons!💜🎄🐶🐈
December 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Merry Christmas from the Harrisons!💜🎄🐶🐈
Bluesky is back in Mississippi but with some caveats this time: Only users 18 and up are allowed to access the website. All Mississippians must verify their age before Bluesky lets them use the platform. Shout out to all the lovely Mississippi Bluesky users I interviewed for this story!
Bluesky Is Back for Mississippi Adults, But Social Giants Still Lack Required Age Checks
Months after Bluesky blocked access to Mississippi, Bluesky is available in the state once again with age verification for adults.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Bluesky is back in Mississippi but with some caveats this time: Only users 18 and up are allowed to access the website. All Mississippians must verify their age before Bluesky lets them use the platform. Shout out to all the lovely Mississippi Bluesky users I interviewed for this story!
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Mississippi adults can freely access Bluesky again, but there's a catch: They must verify their age.
Bluesky blocked access after Mississippi's age verification law took effect in August.
Meanwhile, Facebook, X and other major social giants still haven't implemented the state-required age checks.
Bluesky blocked access after Mississippi's age verification law took effect in August.
Meanwhile, Facebook, X and other major social giants still haven't implemented the state-required age checks.
Bluesky Is Back for Mississippi Adults, But Social Giants Still Lack Required Age Checks
Months after Bluesky blocked access to Mississippi, Bluesky is available in the state once again with age verification for adults.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Mississippi adults can freely access Bluesky again, but there's a catch: They must verify their age.
Bluesky blocked access after Mississippi's age verification law took effect in August.
Meanwhile, Facebook, X and other major social giants still haven't implemented the state-required age checks.
Bluesky blocked access after Mississippi's age verification law took effect in August.
Meanwhile, Facebook, X and other major social giants still haven't implemented the state-required age checks.
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Thank you to @heatherharrison.bsky.social for the discussion in this article.
As many as 200,000 Mississippians could soon lose health insurance, the state's Republican insurance commissioner, Mike Chaney, warned the Mississippi Free Press in October.
Those odds have increased since the government shutdown ended with no extension of expanded ACA tax credits.
buff.ly/3Q5l5t4
Those odds have increased since the government shutdown ended with no extension of expanded ACA tax credits.
buff.ly/3Q5l5t4
200,000 Mississippians Risk Losing Health Coverage, Republican Insurance Commissioner Warns
About 331,000 Mississippians who rely on the Affordable Care Act could see their health insurance premiums jump by 37% on average unless Congress acts to extend COVID-19-era tax credits.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Thank you to @heatherharrison.bsky.social for the discussion in this article.
Reposted by Heather Harrison
Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican who has long defended Trump, is ripping the president's "so-called 'peace plan.'"
"Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin,” Wicker says.
@heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
"Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin,” Wicker says.
@heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
Wicker Rips Trump’s ‘So-Called Peace Plan’ for Russia, Ukraine
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he is “skeptical” about the U.S.’s peace plan between Ukraine and Russia.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican who has long defended Trump, is ripping the president's "so-called 'peace plan.'"
"Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin,” Wicker says.
@heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
"Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin,” Wicker says.
@heatherharrison.bsky.social reports:
The Mississippi Department of Human Services is warning of an increasing potential of theft or fraud of SNAP benefits.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services can no longer replace stolen SNAP benefits after Congress allowed a program to expire that replaced SNAP benefits stolen by card skimming and other forms of fraud.
buff.ly/JAEWbqX
buff.ly/JAEWbqX
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The Mississippi Department of Human Services is warning of an increasing potential of theft or fraud of SNAP benefits.
Mississippi SNAP update.
Mississippians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help with food costs will soon begin receiving partial payments after weeks of uncertainty, the Mississippi Department of Human Services announced Monday afternoon.
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Mississippi SNAP update.