SUMMARY: Mackenzie Smith, a sophomore from Ocean Springs, is this week’s WXXV Student Athlete of the Week. Starting golf at just four years old, her passion has led her to become a two-time state champion and two-time district champion. Recently named MVP in the Mississippi High School Coaches Association All-Star Tournament, she emphasizes consistent practice and dedication to her game. Smith credits her success to her faith, reminding herself of Psalm 46:5 during rounds. Inspired by former teammate and SEC champion Avery Weed, Smith aspires to elevate her own golfing career through participation in college camps and year-round tournaments.

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SUMMARY: The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staging a 2019 racist and homophobic attack, ruling that he should not have faced charges again after an agreement with prosecutors. The case, which attracted substantial media attention and polarized public opinion, involved Smollett claiming he was assaulted by two men. Initial charges were dropped in exchange for community service and a $10,000 bond forfeiture. The Court’s opinion emphasized the importance of upholding negotiated deals in criminal law. Despite the ruling, the special prosecutor noted it did not affect the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict against Smollett for disorderly conduct.

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SUMMARY: Attorneys are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Mississippi’s Jim Crow-era law that permanently disenfranchises individuals convicted of certain felonies, including nonviolent offenses like forgery. They argue such practices are unconstitutional, reflecting a harsh and outdated approach. Currently, nearly 50,000 people, disproportionately Black, are affected, with few avenues available for restoring voting rights. The recent appeal follows a series of unsuccessful attempts to challenge this law in court, emphasizing the racial biases embedded in the state’s voting rights legislation. The attorneys assert that the Supreme Court should reconsider the constitutional validity of these disenfranchisement laws.

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