Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson is a senior journalism major from Diamondhead, Miss. She serves as the Assistant Arts & Culture Editor for the Daily Mississippian and previously served as a Contributing Writer for News and Arts & Culture. Jessica is a member of the Warren Debate Union and loves everything pop culture and pop music.

Country star Gavin Adcock announces tour stop in Oxford

Country singer-songwriter Gavin Adcock will headline a performance at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at the University of Mississippi on Friday, Sept. 25. Adcock announced the show on Monday as part of his “The Day I Hang It Up Tour 2026.” Supporting acts for the Oxford show include fellow country singer Corey Kent and […]

Bruno Mars delivers nothing new on ‘The Romantic’

Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Bruno Mars released his long-awaited comeback “The Romantic” on Friday, Feb. 27. The album is Mars’ first solo project since 2016 and his first album since 2021’s “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” a collaboration with R&B singer Anderson Paak. Mars is one of the longest withstanding stars of the 2010s, with continued […]

Aminata Ba named 2026 Truman finalist

Aminata Ba, a University of Mississippi junior public policy leadership and economics major from Southaven, Miss., has been named as a 2026 Truman Scholarship finalist. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship awards $30,000 in graduate funding for students looking to pursue a career in public service. This year, there are 198 finalists from 136 institutions, according […]

Charli xcx’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ soundtrack pushes artistic boundaries

Alongside the release of director Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation of the classic Emily Brontë novel “Wuthering Heights,” starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the soundtrack of the same name from pop and electronic artist Charli xcx debuted on Friday, Feb. 13. The 12-track album blends classical string elements with Charli xcx’s signature experimental electronic sound.  […]

Local restaurants serve free hope and hot plates

Following Winter Storm Fern, many Oxonians were left without heat or water — and with growling stomachs.  To address the needs of the community, various local restaurants gave away meals for free, including Connie’s Chicken and Loco Taco.  From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5., Connie’s Chicken offered meals to those in Oxford and Lafayette County, […]

Shows for spring: a sneak peek at live performances in Oxford

Oxford is a vibrant city for live shows with venues including Proud Larry’s, The Lyric and the Gertrude C. Ford Center. Here’s a look at performances scheduled this spring. Shows at the Ford Center are for all ages. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at Proud Larry’s and The Lyric, and those […]

Holly jolly, Hotty Toddy: how Oxford businesses prepare for Christmas

Walking around the Square during the holiday season, one is bound to find every storefront decked in bows, ornaments and tinsel. Part of what makes Oxford, Miss., special is the local businesses that contribute to putting customers in the Christmas spirit. With a big “Hotty Toddy” sign, garland and ribbons adorning the entryway, Neilson’s Department […]

Editor’s pick: top 10 songs of 2025

2025 was another great year for popular music, with multiple surprise drops and a diverse pool of talent. In no particular order, here are the best songs of 2025, curated by Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Jessica Johnson. “The Subway” by Chappell Roan “The Subway” is arguably the best ballad of the year. The stand-alone […]

‘Wicked: For Good’ is just okay

“Wicked: For Good,” the second part to the film duo based on the stage musical “Wicked,” provides a finale to its blockbuster prequel. This film continues where the first movie left off, featuring the same Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. “For Good” carries a much darker tone than its predecessor, as […]

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