ICYMI: Good News JXN for April 20
#JXNMS is in the news and we’ve got the good stuff! In case you missed it, here are a handful of positive, uplifting features from the past couple of weeks.

Sal & Mookie’s has opened at The District at Eastover. The restaurant that spent 14 years in Fondren, has relocated to the former Sophomore Spanish Club. The new digs for the beloved “New York pizza and ice cream joint” features an exterior scoop shop window that doubles as a takeout pickup spot, more outdoor seating than ever, a private dining room and, the benefit of the District Green where children are already finding a spot to run off pent-up energy waiting on their food.
Jim Hill High School’s cheerleaders won big during a national spring break championship. The squad competed in the Powerhouse Spirit National Stomp and Shake Cheerleading Championships at Virginia State University and earned one of the highest score totals of any Blackout Routine since the category’s history.
The Eudora Welty House and Gardens has launched a garden audio tour. The twenty-minute tour includes music, nature sounds, and narration, read by retired Welty Garden curator Susan Haltom. The tour interprets the history of Welty’s garden and its influence on her writing. The audio tour is available for listeners online at welty.mdah.ms.gov/visit/audiotour.

JSU Student Deshawn Goncalves has soared into American Idol’s top 10. Singing Oscar-winning song “Memories” to land the spot, Goncalves mentioned receiving an encouraging call from season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. Goncalves and his fellow finalists jetted off to Disney World following Sunday night’s show to film the May 2 “Disney Night” show.
Hinds County celebrated the Lanier High School basketball state 4A championship, its first since 2007. The team was acknowledged in front of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and several Lanier alumni earlier this week. This isn’t the first time Lanier has made it to the top spot: it’s the school’s 17th state title.

The Pig & Pint has made MSNBC’s “American Classics” list. “From mouthwatering BBQ tacos to sandwiches and BBQ plates piled high with pulled pork, brisket or smoked chicken, there’s lots of tasty food to love here.” We concur. In business since 2014, the unassuming exterior gives way to a cozy inside with a kitchen that churns out Memphis in May-winning competition style bbq that keeps winning our hearts (and stomachs) with every bite.
Do you know of a “Good News” JXN story? Send it in!